Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation authored by Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast) to protect game and wildlife such as elk, antelope, big horn sheep and deer from rampant poaching.

“Poachers are threatening California’s heritage wildlife, because until now penalties for illegally taking these animals have not been enough of a deterrent,” Chesbro said.

Chesbro reported that AB 1162 “changes the game” by directing the Fish and Game Commission to establish a new penalty fee schedule based on each animal’s trophy designation, including the size and characteristics of each species.

Fines for poaching trophy game will significantly increase, ranging from between $5,000 and $40,000 for deer, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep.

“This legislation was modeled after laws in other destination hunting states, such as Montana and New Mexico,” Chesbro added.

This bill was sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance and the California Waterfowl Association.

It received support from the California Game Wardens Association and California Political Action Committee for Animals (PawPAC).

AB 1162 passed both houses of the Legislature with bipartisan support. The bill takes effect Jan. 1 2013.