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A WARDEN with California State Fish and Game removes a stuffed wolverine from the Georgetown Hotel bar Tuesday. The wolverine, and a red-tailed hawk that was also taken are protected from being hunted or displayed as game animals. Both are expected to be displayed for educational purposes at a museum. Mother Lode News Photo by Rebecca Murphy
California Department of Fish and Game wardens removed a stuffed red tail hawk and wolverine from the Georgetown Hotel bar on Tuesday in what some claimed was nothing less than “too much government regulation.”
Wardens Lt. Christy Wurster and Bob Pera came to the hotel prior to the 11 a.m. opening on Tuesday so as not to interfere with customer service either at the bar or the attached Mexican restaurant.
Warden Pera said the official complaint was made anonymously and originally entailed the report of two stuffed vultures.
“I received an e-mail from my chief and investigated the complaint Friday (May 4),” said Pera, who was the officer in charge of the seizure. “I discovered they weren’t vultures, but chickens (fighting cocks, to be exact). During my investigation, I did see several other violations.”
Pera referred to the red tail hawk, wolverine and a small bear that he thought was under 50 pounds and, therefore, illegal. It turned out, however, that the “bear” in question turned out to be a raccoon, and the only other stuffed bear in the hotel looked to be well over 50 pounds, according to Pera.
Hotel owner Virginia Asbury had little to say about the removal of the animals other than they were there when she bought the business more than 16 years ago. She was given a receipt for the two stuffed carcasses that were removed from the premises, but was told she was not able to possess them, and would not have them returned.
The wolverine was said to be a kind of icon for the hotel, but Lt. Wurster was adamant about the illegality to possess it.
“There are several different regulations,” she said. “The state says you can’t possess them in any way, shape or form.”
Although it is not known how the animals came into the hotel’s possession — whether they were taken prior to regulations being implemented, or if they were purchased in their stuffed condition — the wardens were clear that state regulations (which vary from state to state) prohibit the possession of the animals, making the Georgetown establishment in violation of the law.
Also made clear was that even if the animals were killed and stuffed legally in another state, the animals may not be in the possession of a California business or resident.
Local residents witnessing the event from the street commented that it was a ludicrous waste of time to seize the animals since they had been at the local business for many years.
Following the seizure of the animals, the officers were asked if they had a warrant. They did not, but said they were operating within their rights of the law. Questions regarding the lack of a warrant are expected to be pursued.
It is unknown what will happen to the animal carcasses, but the name of the Smithsonian Institute was bantered around by both wardens and an employee of the hotel, who said he had talked with someone at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Although the Smithsonian may be allowed to take them for display, no money can exchange between the owner and the institute.
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R.J. CarterMay 10, 2012 - 11:31 am
I can sleep much easier at night now just knowing these "hero's of law enforcement" are out there so diligently protecting us all from those dusty, old stuffed animals..
Tom StillerMay 10, 2012 - 5:40 pm
This could be a decent newspaper if they would let news be news and opinion be opinion. The first paragraph of this story changes it into an editorial.
1036-FrankMay 10, 2012 - 6:05 pm
There is a rare pecker-wood flying about these parts, it is called in latin, E-plara-Puss-reportem, it hovers about reporting neighbors for loud cows and crowing roosters, it is flown in from the cities, it can recognize an out of state Wolverine from the extinct California animal and a Red Tailed hawk from a bottle of Old Crow. It calls every agency demanding action and when not doing that is it filing lawsuits over OHV roads and gold mining. These pecker-woods need to fly back to their former haunts and stay there.
Moe BettaMay 10, 2012 - 6:55 pm
Do not invite Wardens Christy or Bob for Thanksgiving dinner..They'll conficate your stuffed-turkey..
Tom GibneyMay 10, 2012 - 7:36 pm
Ya it was probably Karen Schambach who reported it..LOL How sad. Enviro Hippie BS has come to this???? Environmental PETA Zealotry run amok! But thank goodness it makes the paper becasue it shows the idiocy that is today...How sad!
LeeMay 10, 2012 - 7:53 pm
Pera referred to the red tail hawk, wolverine and a small bear that he thought was under 50 pounds and, therefore, illegal. It turned out, however, that the “bear” in question turned out to be a raccoon, and the only other stuffed bear in the hotel looked to be well over 50 pounds, according to Pera. A game warden that thought a raccoon was a bear? Please tell me I misread that.
R.J. CarterMay 10, 2012 - 8:17 pm
LOL...Game wardens confuse a raccoon for a bear, good point...Ya just cant make stuff like this up...And, no warrant, just drop on by and walk off with some exotic stuffed animals that, by the way, were displayed there for 50+ years, well before they were ever on the endangered species list..Kinda like 1930's German, up to and including those "brown shirts" they were wearing....Plus, 1036-Frank is also right, now-a-days all it takes is one person with a stick up their rump, making an anonymous complaint, to prompt the ransack of privately owned historic memorabilia..unbelievable!....
Ed McDowellMay 10, 2012 - 8:38 pm
I read a really funny blog the other day concerning the laws and regulations of California that seemed to hit the nail on the head for this piece. " The CA Supreme Court just ruled that in order to work for the state of California, a person cannot have any common sense and if any is detected their application will be put at the bottom of the pile until they can prove they no longer possess it."
JackyeMay 10, 2012 - 9:11 pm
The insanity of California. We haven't got enough Wardens to protect the living properly, so now we go after Grandpa's 50 year old mount "Willy the Wolverine". While we're out protecting the dead, the living are joining them. License fees are supposed to promote and maintain the living, I want my money back please.
TontoMay 11, 2012 - 6:00 am
What one man puts at his lodge pole is his choice and the fact that this tribute to wildlife has been in place for years without arrest should be honored. The history behind how, when, where and by who will always be a subject of conversation. The mere fact that these uneducated "Game Wardens" took it upon themselves to remove what they didn't even know is proof they need more training in identifying animals. The State should really ask before acting and be sure of what they say; to say it is illegal to "display" and in the same sentence say they will "display" for education shows their lack of knowledge. If I were the owner I would sue for what has amounted to theft of personal property under the "Color of Authority".. Leave the lodge pole alone or face the bad karma that will follow......
DarrinMay 11, 2012 - 6:36 am
No, Lee, you didn't. I was coming here to mention that very fact that warden Pera found out that 'the “bear” in question turned out to be a raccoon,' While I support law enforcement, that is not an easy mistake to make.
How much longer?May 11, 2012 - 6:41 am
The Minnesota Ag. Dept. has threatened several mothers that if they continue helping provide fresh food to their friends and neighbors, they will be subject to criminal charges and prosecution.
How much longer?May 11, 2012 - 6:46 am
And yesterday an 18-month-old baby was ordered off a plane at Fort Lauderdale airport.
How much longer?May 11, 2012 - 6:56 am
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES - 5 U.S. 137 - Marbury v. Madison (1803): [A] law repugnant to the Constitution is void, and that courts, as well as other departments, are bound by that instrument.
SeanMay 11, 2012 - 8:41 am
The state is so broke, they are resorting to confiscating private property to sell to other government agencies...
33/3rdMay 11, 2012 - 8:57 am
Wow....This state has gone nuts! "The Peoples Republic Of California"
EDC24May 11, 2012 - 12:17 pm
Wow, maybe the next round of budget cuts should be in the Department of Fish and game since it's obvious they have too much time on their hands.
33/3rdMay 11, 2012 - 7:52 pm
WOW!!! Agreed!
barf2010May 12, 2012 - 7:23 am
Was the wolverine missing any of it's teeth?????
Underserved TaxpayerMay 12, 2012 - 8:20 pm
Wow, I used to have alot of respect for F&G and the hard job I thought they did. Our state is bankrupt, parks are closing, OHV funds are being stolen by parks, and F&G has the funds to send TWO officers to Georgetown to steal private personal property, a freeking old dead animal, I mean come one now. F&G, aren't there any other crimes in G Town you could check on? This latest incident is a prime example of the nanny state we have become and I and my family cannot wait to get out of here. F&G I am removing my catch poachers bumper sticker because you are OUT OF CONTROL. If I were a F&G employee I would hide.
Can u say Agenda 21?May 12, 2012 - 9:18 pm
UNITED NATIONS AGENCIES: • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • U.S. National Park Service • U.S. Forest Service • Sierra Club • The Nature Conservancy (TNC) • National Wildlife Federation • National Audubon Society • Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) • Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Richard WhiteMay 13, 2012 - 12:04 am
This is just one more example of too much local government. I can't imagine how any law enforcment person with a shred of common sense could actually use tax payers dollars to enforce this law on such a case. I hope the hotel owners have a good lawyer.
How much longer?May 13, 2012 - 5:56 am
Am thinking about the power of "anonymous complaints" - and, of acquiescent Americans. Wurster and Pera should be ashamed. ("Just doin' our jobs, ladies and gentlemen.")
GeraldMay 13, 2012 - 7:19 am
Hey everybody there’s always Somalia. You have choices if you don’t like it where you are leave cause pissin and moanin about how out of control the hippies are isn’t going to get you a damn think. Oh and when was the last time any of you actually saw a “hippie”?
HuntressMay 13, 2012 - 11:09 am
I am shocked and amazed to see everyone believing everything a newspaper is publishing. Game wardens are sworn officers and when a violation is reported (no matter how dumb we all feel it is) they have to investigate. I am 100% they do not go around looking for violations of 50+ year old mounts, however....when they are told to investigate they have to. Last point....fish and game wardens must have college units to be employed and I HIGHLY doubt they confused a bear with a raccoon. I bet you the tip came in as a bear and upon investigation they learned of it to be a raccoon. Do not believe everything you read. It makes you stupid for not obtaining the facts yourself. Don't be made at the wardens doing their job...be made at the laws and regulations created that they have to enforce.
HuntressMay 13, 2012 - 11:21 am
Lord almighty....mad not made.
Ken SteersMay 13, 2012 - 12:28 pm
Huntress, Is confiscating property from a private citizen the best use of our Game Wardens today? This is a seizure of property that was bought and paid for. What right does our society have for doing this to the individual citizen. You're stating that it's a law and the Officer' in question are just doing their job. Well then replace wolverine with Jewish religious symbol. Game Warden with Gestapo or Taliban. They too were and are just following the law. It doesn't make it right. And to me it's worth fighting and dying for.
Phil VeerkampMay 13, 2012 - 1:32 pm
RE: Tom Stiller "The first paragraph of this story changes it into an editorial." You are mistaken, Tom. “Too much government regulation” is not an editorial opinion. “Too much government regulation” is a fact. Examples of “too much government regulation” are useful news items. I am happy that this newspaper alerts me of these news items.
1036-FrankMay 13, 2012 - 5:24 pm
Seems to me that this Wolverine was most likely a legally taken animal from out of state, most likely Alaska, where they seem to be numerous. The Hawk, who knows how it arrived there, probably road kill is my guess. I also remember a warden named Pirtle lived up there for many years and never saw fit to raid the hotel as I guess he was never that bored as they are in the Sac office as seen by bringing up the supervisor and contacting the press. There is the letter of the law and the spirit of the law, and there should be a way for old mounts to be tagged with a metal tag for display for a small fee. This whole thing was handled poorly from start to finish by a lack of common sense that is the real endangered species.
LeeMay 14, 2012 - 6:39 am
When was the last time I saw a hippie? Every time I turn on the news. They are now called democrats.
HuntressMay 14, 2012 - 10:11 am
Ken. Very interesting you would compare confiscating an illegally possessed taxidermy mount to genocide! And to be clear....yes I think it was a waste of time but they are officers of the law and have to respond to complaints and follow through when there is a violation (stupid or not). Vote to get laws changed if you don't like them but don't take it out on law enforcement doing their job!
Ken SteersMay 14, 2012 - 10:40 am
Huntress, Actually I'm comparing the seizure of private property, based on an obscure law because government established it. With other governments historical precedents. There wasn't a state wide referendum to abolish the ownership of a wolverine. Your suggestion to simply change the state law can't be achieved by the ownership of this wolverine. To say the Game Wardens were just doing their job can be equated with what the Gestapo claimed in their defense at the Nuremberg trails. As well as what the Taliban claim as their right today.