Gilroy man fined, put on probation for poaching

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There’s poaching, then there’s Peter Ignatius Ciraulo.

The 42-year-old Gilroy man was the subject of a wildlife poaching case the California’s Department of Fish and Game termed ‘extraordinary.’

Ciraulo had been under investigation by the department’s law enforcement officers, who made their move at the end of the state waterfowl season last January. Game wardens Kyle Kroll and Greg Grinton approached Ciraulo and discovered he had killed a swan, which is protected under California law, as well as eight geese. In addition, Ciraulo had several goose breasts concealed in his jacket.

That was just the start. Kroll and Grinton discovered ‘hundreds’ of birds stashed in freezers at Ciraulo’s home. According to the Department of Fish and Game, ‘The dead birds included specimens of almost every waterfowl species that migrates into California, but also included many non-game, protected species.’ Included in the cache was a Sandhill Crane.

In addition to 335 dead birds, game wardens also found seven live and crippled snow geese.

‘Not since the market poaching days of the early 1900s have we seen waterfowl poaching of this scope,’ said Nancy Foley, chief of the department’s Law Enforcement Division.

Ciraulo pleaded no contest to three violations: possession of waterfowl over the limit, failure to declare a migratory game bird, and failure to show game to a warden upon demand. The state limits are 14 ducks and eight geese.

And what was the punishment for this wildlife crime of the century?

Two years probation, a $7,105 fine and 100 hours of community service. Oh, and he’s banned from hunting in California for one year.

-- Julie Cart