Rachal, Bordelon admit to illegal hunting activity near Bordelonville, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wrapped up a two-month long investigation last weekend that resulted in numerous deer hunting violations for two Avoyelles Parish men.
Ashton Rachal, 19, and Travis J. Bordelon, 19, both of Moreauville, were written up for taking deer during illegal hours, possession of illegally taken deer, taking deer from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, discharging a firearm from a public road and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements, according to a press release.
Bordelon was also charged with taking over the daily limit of deer, taking over the antlered deer seasonal limit and hunting without a big game license, the release states.
Agents started their investigation in early January after receiving numerous complaints about the pair. The investigation revealed that Bordelon harvested four bucks – putting him one over the seasonal antlered limit. Additionally, two bucks were apparently harvested on the same night, which put him over the daily limit of antlered deer. Agents also learned that Rachal harvested two does illegally, the release states.
All six deer harvested by Rachal and Bordelon were taken during illegal hours off of Bayou Natchitoches Road near Bordelonville when the Red River was high in January, according to the release.
When agents contacted Rachal and Bordelon on Saturday, they admitted to the illegal hunting activity, the release states. Agents also seized a .270 caliber rifle and a set of eight point antlers, according to the release.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of illegally taken deer carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting from a public road, failing to comply with deer tagging requirements and discharging a firearm from a public road each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Possessing over the seasonal limit and daily limit, and hunting from a moving vehicle each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail, the release states.
The two men also may face up to $10,156 in civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer, the release states.
