Legal deer shooting in Sand Canyon sparks residents‘ concern

Bear Divide in the Angeles National Forest. Bobby Block / The Signal
Share on facebook
Share
Share on twitter
Tweet
Share on email
Email

Sand Canyon residents expressed concerns after a man legally shot and killed a deer in the area on Saturday.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to the incident near Warm Springs Road. However, no arrests were made after an investigation concluded that the man was hunting within legal grounds with the proper hunting license, according to station spokeswoman Deputy Natalie Arriaga.

Residents who had been hosting a gathering during Saturday’s incident reported they’d seen the hunter on an unfenced and unmarked private property within the forest lands that’s been for sale for some time, according to Ruthann Levison, communications director and president of the Sand Canyon Community Association.

Following the incident, Levison emailed residents informing them of the incident: “Please be aware that we live adjacent to the Angeles National Forest and therefore it can be dangerous. … Take heed especially if you are adjacent to any open space areas.”

While not frequent, hunting does occur and is allowed in areas of the ANF near some properties in the area.

ANF land is listed as a “Zone D-11,” which, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, contains a mixture of both public and private lands, with deer hunting allowed on private property with written permission during hunting season. However, hunting must be further than 150 yards from any residences. 

Bordering the ANF also mean the area is sometimes visited by native wildlife, such as deer, mountain lions, coyotes and an occasional bear, Levison noted.

Related To This Story

Latest NEWS