Los Padres National Forest officials recently announced that hunting won’t be allowed within the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation Area of the Santa Barbara Ranger District until Feb. 29, 2012.
Agency officials said they issued the order to provide for public safety, after the agency received a petition requesting the recreation area be closed. The order will most impact bowhunters, as the area has been closed to hunting with firearms since 1985.
Violators will be subject to a $5,000 fine for an individual, or $10,000 for an organization. An imprisonment of up to six months could also be levied. The public is strongly encouraged to report any violations to the Los Prietos Ranger Station on Paradise Road.
For more information on authorized hunting areas in the Santa Barbara Ranger District, call the District office at 967-3481.
This article appears in Aug 4-11, 2011.
