The State - News from Feb. 13, 1987

State game wardens arrested 22 residents of Tulare County on suspicion of illegally possessing and selling the hides and other parts of bears, deer, raccoons, mountain lions and bobcats. Officials said the arrests came after a 15-month undercover investigation during which Fish and Game operatives spent about $7,000 buying hides, carcasses and animal parts from people who they said illegally killed the animals during closed season or at night with the help of spotlights. In addition to arresting 20 men and two women on misdemeanor charges, agents confiscated thousands of dollars worth of whole animals, parts and skins during raids on the suspects’ residences in Visalia, Farmersville, Woodlake and Exeter.