Sonoma man guilty of illegally killing deer

A Sonoma man has been fined and sentenced to three years probation for the illegal killing in May of two female deer in the backyard of his residential home.

Thomas Tischner, 47, pleaded no contest.

On May 1, 2010, according to the District Attorney’s office, neighbors in Tischner’s neighborhood called police when they observed him shoot a deer with a rifle in the yard of his Sonoma Valley home.

Fish and Game Warden D. Esquivel responded to the call and found two deer with gunshot wounds on the property. He determined the defendant had killed at least one of the deer using illegal ammunition, and that both of the deer were female and had been taken out of season.

“There were other ways to get the deer off his property but he chose the wrong and inhumane way and has been held criminally liable,” stated Assistant District Attorney Diana E. Gomez. “The senseless and wanton killing of these two innocent animals is inexcusable.”

Tischner admitted to violating Fish and Game Sections, Section 2000 (unlawful taking of a deer) and Section 3004 (unlawful discharge of a deadly weapon within 150 yards of an occupied dwelling). He faced up to one year in jail.

Tischner’s probation terms, announced September 23, include the immediate completion of a hunter safety course, one hundred hours of community service, and a $2,000 fine.