DFG News Archive

Four Charged with Conspiracy to Operate as Hunting Guides Without Valid Guide Licenses
Year-long poaching investigation leads to felony arrests

Sacramento - The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today announced that a year-long poaching investigation, dubbed Operation Bear Conduit, has resulted in the arrests of four people. The four individuals were charged with conspiracy to operate as hunting guides without valid guide licenses.

“Poachers take wildlife with no regard for conservation laws, hunting ethics or fair chase,” said Nancy Foley, DFG Law Enforcement Division Chief. “These individuals illegally took California wildlife and tried to profit from this unlawful activity.”

Charged and arrested were Donald Hennagan Jr. age 35, Dos Palos; Tiffany Hennagan, age 33, Dos Palos; Cruz Villegas, age 47, Merced; and Michael Tilton Jr. age 42, Mariposa. All were booked into Mariposa County jail on various poaching related charges. The individuals guided bear hunters for profit in the Stanislaus National Forest, and guided for wild pig hunts in San Benito County. Donald Hennagan is also being charged with operating a commercial hunt club without proper permits and felony perjury for filing false documents with DFG. Villegas was also charged as a felon in possession of firearms. Information gathered during the arrests has lead to further investigation into charges of hunting bear over bait piles, hunter trespass, illegal take of mountain lion, waste of game, and the use of multiple hunting dogs during the general deer season.

Donald Hennagan and his father, Donald Hennagan Sr., were arrested in 2001 and convicted for similar charges during an undercover operation conducted by DFG. During the prior investigation they were also found to be operating an illegal commercial hunting club as well as guiding without a proper license. The pair was also charged with cruelty to animals, operating canned hunts, and releasing domestic pigs for clients to unknowingly pursue as wild. The Hennagans were charged with misdemeanor offenses and each fined $910.

Through DFG’s current investigation it was learned the Hennagans failed to pay the fines and bench warrants had been issued, yet the pair had not been apprehended. DFG officers served those warrants today and also arrested Hennagan Sr. on the outstanding warrant.

“One of the challenges we face in wildlife enforcement is the potentially lucrative business unlawful wildlife activities can be and the draw it can have on offenders,” said DFG Assistant Chief Tony Warrington. “We’re hopeful that a felony conspiracy conviction will serve as a greater deterrent for these individuals and remind the public that we are out there and will catch wildlife violators.”

A felony conspiracy conviction under Penal Code Section 182 (a) (1) is punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to one year in state prison or county jail.

The Department of Fish and Game requires hunting guides to be licensed, bonded, and maintain detailed guide logs. The vast majority of licensed guides are highly ethical professionals who require their clients to strictly adhere to hunting laws and acceptable standards. They often teach hunters new techniques and give them the opportunity to have a higher chance of success in areas with which they may not be familiar.