Savoie cited at the rear of his residence on Christmas Day, LDWF says
A 37-year-old Raceland man was cited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for alleged deer hunting violations on Christmas Day on Eagle Island.
Eric Savoie, 37, was cited for two counts of hunting or taking deer during illegal hours, failing to tag deer, over limit of deer, taking deer illegally during an open season, hunting deer without a big game license and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
Acting on a tip received on Christmas Eve that Savoie had killed two deer at night on Dec. 20, agents approached his residence on Eagle Island on Dec. 25.
According to a press release, agents observed Savoie seated at the rear of his residence with a loaded 7 mm rifle, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and a loaded .22 rifle while using a utility street light to shine deer to shoot them at night.
Further investigation revealed that Savoie had placed several pounds of soybeans near the light to attract deer at night, the release states.
After he was disarmed by agents, Savoie was questioned and admitted to harvesting two antlerless deer during illegal hours on Dec. 20, and attempting to harvest more deer during illegal hours on the night of Dec. 25, according to the release.
Agents seized all three weapons at the scene, the release states.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail per count. Taking deer illegally during an open season carries a $500 to $750 fine and 15 to 30 days in jail. Taking over limit of deer and hunting with an unplugged shotgun each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail, and hunting without a big game license carries a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.
