Big Illegal Duck Kill, Waste On Fickle Hill Road

The illegally killed ducks. Photo courtesy Warden Mark Michilizzi, Calif. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Dept. of Fish & Wildlife Press Release

HUMBOLDT – On Dec. 29, 2012, a California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officer responded to a remote area of Fickle Road, approximately two miles east of Arcata, after receiving a report of dead birds alongside the road.

The investigating officer located 21 wild ducks of five different species. The ducks appear to have been killed with a shotgun. No meat was taken, and the ducks were abandoned to spoil next to the road.

The Fish and Game Code prohibits the waste of game. The number of ducks discovered suggests that the individual or individuals responsible may have also taken more than the number of ducks permitted by law.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call the CDFW office in Eureka at: (707) 445-6493.

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Editor’s Note: The California Department of Fish and Game’s name was changed Jan. 1 to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Game Warden Mark Michilizzi said the suspect(s) not only violated bag limits – set by the state Fish & Wildlife Commission – but also committed “waste of game,” an unethical hunting practice.

The shotgunned ducks had been abandoned at least a day before they were discovered, according to Michilizzi, and were probably spoiled by the time they were discovered.

“We want ethical hunters out there who won’t shoot over their bag limit,” Michilizzi said.

He said the “large majority” of hunters particularly waterfowl hunters, are compliant with limits and ethical practices. He said his agency hopes the hunting community will self-police, and possibly even help identify suspects in this case.