The detainees organized raids illegal poachers and sold the pieces

The arrest of eight poachers, two in Pola de Lena and six other locations in the province of Leon, has caused consternation in the world of hunting in the region. "We had never seen an organized group of these characteristics," said Jose Manuel Rancaño, president of the Association of hunting of Asturias.

Rancaño also was surprised by the fact that the group would organize raids not only illegal, through the sale of permits, but they accumulate the amount of trophies that he was seized by the Guardia Civil, some seventy pieces, some of them protected, as the grouse.

Another aspect that misses the Asturian hunters is the fact that the Civil Guard seized from some 150 parents of seals. The seals allowed to move with a piece recovered, until it produces the guide, the document certifying that the copy was shot in a certain place and it authenticates. "In Asturias, the control of seals leads the nursery. One was lost before, but now they are very controlled, "said Rancaño. In Castilla y Leon, the control of seals could be more lax, as they are issued by the game.

It is also strange presence of a mouflon among the pieces recovered, that lack of guides. In Asturias and Leon in these examples do not exist, except in a preserve of the western region. "It would be interesting to know how old are the trophies. Many hunters end up losing the guides to authenticate the piece, "said Rancaño. In any case, he added, "There is poaching in Asturias, but it is organized at all."

Two neighbors of Pola de Lena, E. P. V. and M. A. E., 54 and 49 years respectively, were arrested on Wednesday. Another six poachers were arrested in Leon.



The agents seized 70 pieces of roe deer, chamois, mouflon, macho mountain, deer, wild boar, rider, grouse and even squirrel. They were also seized 7 rifles and 14 shotguns, as well as 150 seals.