Toups cited for not possessing licenses or deer tags for 18-pointer; could face additional charges for hunting under license revocation, Einck says
A non-typical 200-class buck arrowed in Avoyelles Parish Saturday was allegedly taken by an Abbeville man whose hunting privileges had been revoked, according to a spokesman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Adam Einck said Glen Toups Jr., 40, was cited in connection with arrowing the 18-point buck — which green-scored 208 inches Pope & Young — for not possessing basic season and big game hunting licenses and not possessing deer tags.
“Charges are probably going to be brought forward because we found out after the fact that he was not able to obtain a license because it was revoked,” Einck said. “So he’s probably going to be also charged with the other charge of hunting while under hunting license revocation.”
Einck declined to comment on why Toups’ hunting privileges had previously been revoked by the state.
Senior Agent Douglas Anderson was notified by a hunting club near Simmesport about 10 a.m. Saturday regarding a big deer shot by a guest that they needed help measuring for record purposes, Einck said.
“From the way it was told to me, they were excited about the fact that this deer was harvested because they had been seeing it for the last couple of years on their game cameras,” Einck said. “They called the agent in because he works that area and they’re all friends with him and he knows that hunting club very well.
“By the time he showed up, they were hanging their heads basically… The guy was like, ‘Look we have to come clean with you. We didn’t know about this when we called, but we found out the guy who took this deer didn’t have a hunting license.’”
According to a press release, Toups confessed to Anderson that he didn’t have the required hunting licenses or deer tags.
Unfortunately, the massive buck probably won’t be eligible for any Avoyelles Parish records if the charges against Toups stand.
“We don’t really handle that sort of thing, but I think it does say in most of the rule books that a deer must be legally harvested,” Einck said. “I think it would fall under the guidelines that if it wasn’t legally harvested, it’s probably not going to be able to be included in those records.”
Who will ultimately end up with the big buck isn’t known at this time either, Einck said.
“That would be up to the courts to decide. Obviously, he’s innocent until proven guilty, so he could get it back, or it could be awarded to the state,” he said. “It’s basically up to the judge to decide as far as what the future of that mount or those antlers will be.”
The deer meat was donated to a local charity, and the antlers and head are currently being held by LDWF as evidence, according to the press release.
Not possessing deer tags carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses each brings a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail. Toupes may also face civil restitution charges totaling $2,033 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer. Hunting while under hunting license revocation brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail, the release states.
