Suspect caught on game camera trespassing and hunting at night, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries arrested a Bethany man for numerous alleged criminal and hunting violations on Feb. 3 in Caddo Parish.
According to a press release, Richard Wilson Jr., 38, was arrested for resisting an officer, theft, hunting without basic and big game hunting licenses, hunting deer during illegal hours, failing to comply with deer tagging regulations, criminal trespassing and hunting deer using illegal methods.
Agents got a tip about a suspect caught on a game camera hunting at night on a private lease without permission, so they set up a surveillance in the area and approached a man fitting the same description one night. But when they identified themselves as LDWF agents, he fled the area on foot, the release states.
Further investigation revealed the man was Wilson, and after getting warrants for his arrest and to search his property, the release states he admitted to illegally hunting at night, not possessing the required hunting licenses, stealing game cameras and using a .17 caliber rifle to hunt deer.
He also allegedly admitted to taking a buck during the 2016-17 season, and two bucks during the 2017-18 season, all at night without tags, according to the release.
Agents seized two rifles, three sets of antlers and packaged deer meat in the investigation.
Hunting deer at night carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting deer using illegal methods brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to comply with deer tagging regulations carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses each brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail for each offense.
Resisting an officer carries up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Theft brings up to a $3,000 fine and five years in jail. Criminal trespassing carries a $100 to $500 fine and up to 30 days in jail.
Wilson may also face civil restitution totaling $4,873 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer, the release states.
