Hunting Program Suspended for ‘Review’

By Patric Hedlund

Horace Smith is a retired California Highway Patrol officer and a former investigator with the U.S. Marshals Service who bought property in Lebec so he could be close to his favorite hunting territory, Tejon Ranch. For 15 years, this has been his passion. Each year he buys a $5,000 “diamond” pass for wide-ranging access to the land that he speaks of with reverence in his voice. He hunts for wild pigs and occasionally deer.

For hunters like Smith, the news on Friday, Jan. 20 that the commercial hunting program on Tejon Ranch is being shut down because of illegal poaching of mountain lions, a protected species, came as a stunning blow.

Until last Friday, statements from the office of Tejon Ranch spokesman Barry Zoeller did not waver from his vigorous May 2011 denials about allegations of illegal lion hunting. The allegations became public when whistleblower Bron Sanders filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company.

Sanders, who served as a hunting guide at the ranch for 5 years, said he was fired after questioning unlawful orders by Vice President of Ranch Operations Don Geivet.

The suit explains how the illegal hunts were conducted and how management policies defied California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) regulations. Because mountain lions are protected in the state of California, a depredation permit is required for each lion taken.

The suit alleges that Geivet coached his workers to use a single permit to kill multiple lions and told his personnel to ignore Department of Fish and Game guidelines. Sanders claims Geivet ordered him not to surrender a carcass to the authorities.

Zoeller’s reply in May to these assertions was: “We believe Tejon Ranch operates the finest hunting program in the West and does so in full compliance with all the rules and regulations mandated by the California Department of Fish and Game. We intend to vigorously defend our actions in court.”

Sanders’ attorney, Erik McLain, used harsh language in the “factual background,” section of his suit, saying that Tejon Ranch claims of responsible stewardship “are…a sham.” McLain also alleges “the culture and motto on the Ranch with respect to unlawful mountain lion hunting was, and remains, ‘shoot, shovel and shut up.’”

Lions are exceptionally abundant at Tejon Ranch, a knowledgeable source explained to The Mountain Enterprise, because food supply, water supply and the unique habitat is capable of supporting far more lions than in most areas of California.

But lions compete on the ranch with recreational hunters who are a significant source of revenue to the company.

Hunts were sold in 2010 at $1,000 to kill a wild pig to $20,000 to kill a trophy-class elk. Bear hunts are sold for $4,500 and pronghorn antelope can be taken for $4,000.

Department of Fish and Game spokesman Patrick Foy said Friday that wardens have completed their investigation of “illegal take” of mountain lions on Tejon Ranch and delivered evidence to the Kern County District Attorney’s Office.

The Friday, Jan. 20 statement from Barry Zoeller on behalf of Tejon Ranch Company quotes CEO Robert Stine as saying, “I was appalled and outraged when I learned the results of the investigation.”

DFG’s Foy said the evidence is now in the hands of Deputy D.A. John Mitchell, who confirmed that he is in the consumer fraud, environmental and white collar crime division of the D.A.’s office, but said that he did not have anything “of public record” at this time.

Zoeller’s statement said the company “is cooperating fully with the District Attorney’s office….” and reviewing management of the hunting program.

Don Geivet retired in August, after 39 years of service to the company.

“Participants in Tejon Ranch’s hunting and access programs should soon receive instructions outlining the procedure for obtaining a refund of the unused portion of their hunting and/or access membership. Questions regarding this suspension and the refund of fees should be directed to Tejon Ranch’s Wildlife Management Division at 661-663-4210,” Zoeller’s statement said.

He has been quoted as saying he believes the hunting program will reopen in the fall.

This is part of the January 27, 2012 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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