Rambro is Back

This information was sent to the blog today.  Again, please use caution in any interactions with him and call the Sheriff:

"Rambro/The Black Robin Hood" illegal deer and bear hunter was spotted Saturday @ 10AM by a Rising Hill neighbor on the upper El Prieto trail (dressed in camo and carrying his crossbow) walking south on the trail that is located behind the homes on the upper west side of Risinghill.

Although I didn't witness this, I believe that he is now parking and getting access via El Prieto as several Risinghill residents have threatened to call the authorities every time that he comes up here.

I have attached pics of the vehicle that I personally saw him drive in last year when I told him he had to leave our area up here and followed him down the hill. HOWEVER, on Saturday I do recall a green Honda Accord driving up past our house and I never saw it come back down...so I'm unsure if it was a legit hiker.

Pic of his truck:

Injured Deer?

From a neighbor:

"As many of you know, Joe Clay, AKA Rambro has been seen hunting with bow and arrow in the Meadows and Millard Canyon areas again.

He was seen parked on El Prieto yesterday, in full camo gear as usual. I am sure it is no coincidence that later in the day, I got a report that a local postal carrier saw a deer with an arrow sticking in its side.

I am not sure exactly where the injured deer was seen. If anyone has more information (please reply to this post).

I have reported this to Dept. of Fish & Game. If you have any more info - here is the direct phone line to our "local" F&G office: (951) 443-2969 - ask for the FISH & GAME OPERATOR."

Hunter in Area - Please Use Caution

This post was sent out this morning. Please read and use caution. As stated in the post, do not approach these guys. Instead, call the Sherriff.

Chaney Trail listserve reports that there have been separate recent sightings of both the hunter known as “Rambro” a middle age, black male driving a maroon van, and another hunter, matching the following description: white male, husky build in camo-gear, with a backpack, wearing a large hunting knife.

The male wearing camo-gear was driving a white truck has been seen at other trailheads. He also had a large grey dog with him (appeared to be a pitbull, on leash) and was driving a white Chevy Silverado pick-up truck (CA lic. plate 7P29732) parked at the Sunset Ridge / Mount Wilson Fire Road trailhead (top of Chaney Trail).

A man in camo-gear, was wearing a backpack, wearing a large hunting knife got out of the truck. Image attached.

The vehicle has been seen there before by Lonnie, campground host of Millard Campground. The truck is covered with US Marine Corps decals and bumper stickers on the back window area that read: Body Piercing by the USMC (next to a human silhouette full of bullet holes) and I'll keep my guns, freedom & money...You can keep the "change".

Sheriffs and USFS have been notified.

Please do not approach! When Lonnie informed the man courteously that the Forest was closed and asked him if he'd seen all the signs. The man replied, "I've seen every F*cking one of them!" He then put his hand on his knife and Lonnie thought it wise to withdraw at that point.

If you see any vehicles where they don't belong, or suspicious persons in the burn area or on surrounding trails, particularly if they are obviously armed, please contact the Altadena Sheriffs immediately at: 626.798.1131.

Hunter / Bear Baiting Update

An update from a neighbor on on the bear baiting:

Hello all....
I just got this info from someone who lives in Millard Canyon responding to our reports of possible bear bait near the water tower off the fire road above Risinghill Road.


"I don't know about the donuts, but don't worry about the kibble and avocados placed there two weeks ago. They were placed there by a well-meaning man who released three raccoons there who had been caught in a trap in town. He hiked them all the way up there in order to give them a chance at freedom well away from the Angeles Crest Highway."

So, maybe what we have seen is not bear bait at all....though it does leave me wondering about the camo sleeping bag and padding, etc. that was found on the water tower itself. Is it possible that the other stuff had been there for some time and nobody noticed it until now????

Hunter Update

From our TownCouncil Rep:

Dear Neighbors:
Please know that there have been sightings where the Millard Canyon water tank is and at the end of Risinghill road in the Meadows area of illegal hunting/poaching activities. Call the sheriffs immediately at 626-798-1131.

Watch for: camouflage hunting blinds, snares, traps, bait piles (with animal kibble, donuts, and ripe avocados and/or apples), camping gear such as foam and sleeping bags left nearby. The pattern is to place bait repeatedly in the same location for a period of weeks until local wildlife becomes accustomed to it, then lay in wait for the animal(s) one wishes to kill.

Because of prior activity from Joe Clay, who describes himself as "Black Rambo" watch for vehicles, especially a white Bronco (CA lic# 1FEC322) or any truck / van with blacked out windows parked in or near the Forest that do not appear to be hikers or that are left parked at odd hours of the night or early AM.

Use extreme caution. Clay is armed and has been known to set fires as a way to divert attention from those who might try and chase him. He has a record of game violations and a conviction. Document what you see, but do not approach him.

If you see such activity, call the sheriffs ASAP at 626-798-1131. They are aware of the recent sightings and will contact the DF&G warden as well as alert the Forest Service.

Thanks to alert neighbors in the Meadows area for working together with others in the foothill regions of Altadena.

Hunter Update With Instruction

The following was provided by our Town Councilperson regarding the issues with a hunter in our area:

If you encounter the hunter(s) described below, please contact your Sheriff Department immediately at 626-798-1131. We also need documentation, so please contact Cal-TIP: Californians Turn In Poachers To Report a Poacher or Polluter.

If you witness a poaching or polluting incident or any fish and wildlife violation, or have information about such a violation, immediately dial the toll free CalTIP number1 888 DFG-CALTIP (888 334-2258), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be prepared to give the fullest possible account of the incident including the name, address, age and description of the suspect, vehicle description, direction of travel, license number, type of violation and when and where it occurred. You do not have to give your name.

We have some local officers who would appreciate any updates. Department of Forest and Games enforcement officer, Marty Whal, requested info. from anyone who has encountered the man recently. He will also inform George Strubel, who is a member of the Sheriffs mountain search and rescue and also a DFG officer (retired cop, too). Once you call the Sheriffs and then Caltip, Marty Whal can follow up.

We also recommend posting "No Hunting" signs with the proper DFG codes on them.

Description: African-American, late 20's possibly 30, usually wears a camouflage hoodie and drives a white Bronco (lic# 1FEC322) and sometimes has a Caucasian hunting partner with him. The older hunter is African-American, possibly 50ish, camouflaged out (including war paint make-up) and drives a beat up reddish/crimson-ish van with the back windows blacked out. He has been known to start a fire as diversion to escape. He has also been known to threaten folks who come across him with a gun and/or bow and arrow.

Please use extreme caution.

More Caution Regarding the Hunters

From a neighbor:

"[Two hikers], who are not Meadows residents but are here 6 days a week, usually between 6 and 6:30 AM with their 2 dogs and who walk the trail up towards the saddle, came across a fresh batch (shopping bag full) of dog food that was purposely placed next to where the bear comes down onto the trail and where many deer reside.

[These folks] are usually the first to spot something new/out of place/wrong and always let [The Meadows neighbor] know.

Considering the method in which the food was placed, it appears that this food was being used to lure the bear and/or deer. This is not only highly illegal (using food to entrap AND on the trail) but extremely dangerous. I have not seen the hunters since the ugly incident last week with the police, and suspect that hunters are now coming in through Millard.

As I have the license plates of the hunters, I am going to speak to the camp host at Millard and make them and the residents aware. I believe that we owe the residents of the Meadows a word of warning. I fear for their safety should they run across these hunters. [Another neighbor] was spot-on when she said that these aren't 'hunters' in the true sense of the word. These are dangerous men with guns who have no respect for the sport of hunting, and even less for hikers or anyone that they may encounter on the trail. We need to be extra aware and vigilant when on the trails until something can be done."

Hunting Increases

Reported from our neighbors on Risinghill:

"Meadows residents on Risinghill have noticed the rapidly increasing presence of hunters in the area, especially up towards the end and on the private property of our neighbor at the very end of Risinghill.

These hunters have a documented history of animosity (and in one instance, physical threats) towards hikers and dog walkers they encounter. "

Hunter Rules Clarification

Thanks to a neighbor who provided this clarity regarding where hunters can and can not hunt:

The rules are all about the proximity to houses, roads and trails when the weapon is being discharged. The hunters were banned from hunting in the canyon because the proximity to roads and homes did not allow any room for hunting down there. Up the hill and into the National Forest is legal - but they should not be discharging the weapons on or across the trails.

When they are seen near the homes on Risinghill - are they just hiking in to get into the woods - or hunting on the hillside behind the homes? That would likely not be legal. (Editor's note: In the latest case, the hunters were only seen carrying their bows and entering into the brush behind homes on Risinghill.)

The biggest issue is that these guys are pretty inconsiderate about the concerns of the community, have a sense of entitlement and are carrying weapons. The sheriff doesn't want to get involved. If the homeowners don't want them crossing their property lines to access the forest - they should make that clear to the hunters. It amazes me that they keep coming back here when the must feel so unwelcome.

Two Reports of Hunters on Risinghill

I've had two reports from neighbors about hunters on Risinghill.

The first was Friday when a neighbor encountered them at the very top near Ted's place. They were blocking the road. When told they weren't allowed to hunt, they stated that they were allowed. The were civil to the neighbor. The neighbor called the Sheriff's station and were told that the hunters were allowed and they would not be sending anyone up to the site.

Today, I received another call. This time the hunters were at the end of Risinghill (before the climb to Ted's) and headed in behind the houses. The neighbor yelled to scare two deer away. He also confronted the hunters and called the Sheriffs. Again he was told that they were allowed.

Does anyone have information from last year when the Fish and Game and Sheriffs posted the No Hunting signs on lower Canyon Crest?