A Tehama County man has pleaded guilty to deer poaching charges stemming from an August 2020 poaching investigation. Kaden Pearce, 23, of Red Bluff, killed a large buck (male deer) in a local walnut orchard where he did not have legal permission to hunt. He then falsified the location information when he reported the deer harvest on his deer tag as required by hunting regulations.

A local wildlife officer received a tip from an anonymous source about a possible deer poaching incident involving Pearce. The investigation revealed Pearce had illegally trespassed onto the private property to take the buck on August 16, 2020, and an interview with the manager of that property revealed he had previously warned Pearce not to hunt there. Upon further investigation, wildlife officers concluded Pearce had falsely reported the harvest location.

On October 27, 2021, Pearce pleaded guilty in Tehama County Superior Court to hunter trespass and falsifying a state document. As a result of his guilty plea, he was ordered to pay $1580 in fines and penalties, forfeit the antlers from the buck, and complete 40 hours of community service. He was also placed on 12 months’ probation with his hunting privileges suspended for the duration of his probation.

The vast majority of California’s hunters are law abiding citizens who adhere to ethical hunting practices. If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, or have information about such a violation, immediately dial the toll free CalTIP number 1 (888) 334-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Or you may submit anonymous tips to CDFW using tip411, an internet based tool from CitizenObserver.com that enables the public to text message an anonymous tip to wildlife officers and lets the officers respond back creating an anonymous two-way conversation. Anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to CDFW by texting "CALTIP", followed by a space and the message, to 847411 (tip411).