Red-tailed Hawk leaping lift off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Last year in March I wrote about a California man named Richard Parker who had been arrested for what was believed to be the largest mass killing of raptors in California’s history. Yesterday Parker was convicted of his crimes for poaching after pleading guilty for killing more than 150 raptors. Most of the raptors were red-tailed hawks but there were other hawk species and an owl that were slaughtered by Parker on his 80 acre Lassen County ranch.
Parker was sentenced to 90 days in jail, is to pay a $75,000.00 fine and will be placed on a 5 year probation, his probation terms include prohibitions on possessing firearms, hunting and fishing, full search authority, and the requirement to obey all laws. Two weapons used in the crimes of killing the raptors were ordered destroyed by the court.
Personally I don’t think 90 days in jail is long enough for the egregious crimes committed by Parker but that decision was up to the judge. As for the 5 year probation I also think that should have been longer and that Parker should lose all rights to hunt for the rest of his life.
This laughing booking photo speaks volumes doesn’t it? I’d almost bet that when this photo was taken Parker thought he would get away with his crime.
The birds of prey that Parker killed are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and with as many hawks as Parker killed the fine could have been much higher.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Lassen & Plumas County Wildlife Officers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Forensics Laboratory in Ashland, Ore, and Deputy Attorney General’s Office worked together to make sure that there would be a successful prosecution in this case which is probably why Parker eventually plead guilty. The arrest and conviction may not have happened at all if it had not been for the anonymous tip that led law enforcement to Parker’s ranch.
I did a little research last night and it is obvious that there are people out there that still think you can “shoot, shovel, and shut up” (SSS) when it comes to killing birds of prey. Take a look here on a Field & Stream forum where someone asked if they could kill a hawk for killing his chickens. I was glad to see that there were people willing to tell others that hawks are protected under the law and disgusted by the SSS crowd.
Justice has been served in the case of Richard Parker killing the 150 raptors but that does not bring those valuable raptors back. Parker should be glad that I wasn’t his judge. His fine and jail time would have been the highest that the laws allow.
Mia.
CDFW News source here.
I wish they could take away his ranch if he doesn’t pay his fine. But at least it was a big fine and that perhaps can be a deterrent. Bird watchers ought to start watching him once he gets out of prison…
90 days, $75K and 5 years probation ain’t nearly enough. He will do it again.
Wikipedia notes that Pelican Bay Prison in Northern CA is the only supermax state prison in California. It’s primary purpose is to house the “worst of the worst” violent male prisoners. These are the most intractably violent men in the system and and nearly all have histories of violence at other California prisons – which resulted in their transfer to Pelican Bay. However, according to psychologists who specialize in criminal behavior, many of these men – as vicious and cruel as they can be to other people – tend to be very kindly disposed toward animals.
I mention this because, as far as I am concerned, Richard Parker should have to answer to them. How fitting that would be.
Thanks for your update Mia.
I agree. He should have been given life in prison for killomg those beautiful birds. I love nirds and look forward to seeing yhem rvery day on our lake behind our spartment.
The red-tail is beautiful!!! Parker makes me want to vomit and bash in his smirking face with a shovel….
that is a large fine. Good.
Richard Parker was the name of the tiger in The Life of Pi. And if you know the story part of Pi, he was not proud of.
It is a start.
We have some similar oxygen thieves here. Echoing others, I wish you could be the judge.
Parker was charged with 88 offences (why not 150?) & could have got 6 months per offence. He also could have been fined $5000 per raptor. I think 44 years and $750,000 sounds just about right. But, alas, it was not to be. The authorities also found 2 bobcats in with the raptors. Why? Kudos to the anonymous tipster.
Thanks for posting, glad to know of successful prosecution. Thank you to all the hardworking professionals and the tipster who made it happen.
So maddening, Parker is a cruel, ignorant fool of a person. 90 days does not seem to fit the crime, I hope the financial penalty hurts him.
No words can describe the total disgust for such a ‘scumbag’! The smirk on his face adds volumes to the type of contemptible person he is. You are right about the punishment…not nearly enough!
As a volunteer at a wildlife center in Texas, we see raptors come in every so often with gun shot wounds. We all scratch our heads and think “who could do this”, but, unfortunately, it continues (eagles and red-tailed hawks are prime targets). I agree there should be stiffer jail sentences and stiffer fines, however, more importantly, we need the public to report these offenders. I also think there should be education in our primary schools when children are most vulnerable — bring dogs, cats, snakes, opossums, raptors, etc.,– and discuss the importance that all domestic and wildlife matters. Thank you for your post, Mia; I look forward to your column every morning!
I’m with you Mia, wish you were the judge!