Suspect was hunting turkeys out of season and also allegedly confessed to deer violations, LDWF says
A 24-year-old Summerfield man was arrested Monday after agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries allegedly found him trying to call in turkeys while armed with a 12-gauge shotgun five days before the season opens.
According to a press release, Zachary J. Verdin was arrested, booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center and cited for hunting turkey during a closed season, failing to comply with turkey tagging requirements and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.
Agents on patrol Monday morning allegedly found Verdin attempting to call turkeys, and after making contact with him he admitted to hunting, the release states.
Turkey season doesn’t open until March 25, according to the release.
During questioning, Verdin allegedly admitted to not tagging a turkey his son killed during a youth hunt on March 19. He also allegedly confessed to killing three antlerless deer that were not tagged or validated during this past hunting season, the release states.
Agents seized Verdin’s shotgun and three turkey calls, according to the release.
Hunting turkey during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to comply with turkey and deer tagging requirements each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense, the release states.
