SACRAMENTO – A bill by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D – North Coast) to protect California’s renowned big-game wildlife has passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support and is on the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown.

“Poaching of trophy wildlife has become a big problem in California.” Chesbro said. “AB 1162 ensures poachers pay back the full value of the wildlife resources they take from the public. This legislation is modeled after laws in other destination hunting states, such as Montana and New Mexico.”

AB 1162 directs the California Fish and Game Commission to develop a new scale of fines for poaching trophy deer, elk, antelope, wild turkey or bighorn sheep based on size and characteristics of the species.

It establishes a new criminal penalty for the poaching of trophy game to between $5,000 and $40,000 or up to one year in county jail, or both.

Wild turkey is also considered trophy game but the penalty for poaching would be between $2,000 and $5,000.

The penalty for illegal bear poaching would be $10,000 per bear part.

“AB 1162 targets the worst types of poaching, such as those that involve the intentional wasting of game meat, the use of artificial lights or taking game out of season,” said Mark Hennelly, vice president of the California Waterfowl Association. “The bill would not only significantly raise fines but also authorize equipment seizure and license forfeiture, all of which should provide an important deterrent.”

“We are pleased to again work with Assemblyman Chesbro to enact legislation that helps our game wardens apprehend poachers who use illegal means to prey on our magnificent wildlife,” added Jerry Karnow Jr., president of the California Fish and Game Wardens Association. “If signed into law, it will be a significant tool to combat wildlife crime.”

The governor has until Sept. 30 to take action on the bill.