No effort was made to clean or butcher five deer taken on Feb. 1, LDWF says
Three men accused of hunting deer at night near Kentwood and then letting the animals rot were cited by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries last Thursday.
According to a press release, Walter Prine, 20, and Aaron Morris, 20, both of Denham Springs, and Stefan Reynolds, 25, of Gonzales, were cited on Feb. 12 for harvesting deer during a closed season, harvesting deer during illegal hours, harvesting deer from a moving vehicle on a public road, possession of illegally taken deer and failure to follow deer tagging requirements.
The men allegedly killed five deer between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on Feb. 1 near Kentwood, the release states. The animals were transported to a residence in Ascension Parish, where agents found no effort was made to clean or butcher the deer.
Agents seized a 12-gauge shotgun in the investigation, and disposed of the deer since they were unfit for human consumption, the release states.
Harvesting a deer during a closed season and taking a deer during illegal hours each brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of an illegally taken deer carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting deer from a moving vehicle and failing to follow deer tagging requirements each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting from a public road carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
The men also could face civil restitution charges in excess of $8,000 for the illegally taken deer, according to the release.
