One suspect allegedly seven deer over the season limit, LDWF says
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two Greensburg men on Dec. 22 for alleged deer hunting violations in St. Helena Parish.
Rogelio Perez, 52, and Ben Avants, 54, were ticketed for hunting deer during illegal hours, without wearing hunter’s orange and possessing illegally taken deer, according to a news release.
Perez also was cited for failing to meet deer-tagging requirements, taking over the daily limit of deer, intentional littering, taking deer illegally during an open season, selling deer meat, taking over the season limit of deer, concealing wildlife and failing to maintain sexual deer identification, the release states.
Agents received an anonymous tip about Perez illegally selling meat from deer he harvested at night in St. Helena Parish, and after a month-long investigation, he was questioned at his house as he was skinning deer in his shed, and allegedly tried to conceal an antlered deer’s head, according to the release.
During questioning, Perez admitted to taking 11 deer at night in St. Helena Parish with Avants using night vision and a flashlight attached to his .270, the release states. He also took two deer during the day, giving him a total of nine antlered deer and four antlerless deer since Nov. 19.
Hunters are only allowed to take three antlered and three antlerless deer per season, putting Perez seven over the season limit, the release states.
On Dec. 22, Avants admitted to going hunting with Perez eight different times and also helping to clean the deer, the release states. Perez also admitted to selling eight deer and throwing the deer carcasses in a ditch.
Agents with the LDWF seized two whole deer, two sets of antlers, the night vision and rifle with attached flashlight, the release states.
Hunting deer during illegal hours with artificial light and intentional concealment of wildlife each carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Possession of illegally taken deer and taking deer illegally during an open season each carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense, according to the release.
Taking over the daily and season limit of deer and failing to maintain sexual identification each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements and to wear hunter’s orange each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.
Selling and purchasing deer meat brings a $500 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail for the first offense. For all subsequent offenses, Perez faces a $750 to $1,000 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
Intentional littering carries up to a $500 fine and eight hours of community service in a litter-abatement work program.
Perez may also face civil restitution totaling $21,521 for the 13 illegally taken deer, the release states.
