Two Ouachita Parish men were cited for allegedly night hunting Nov. 23 after they sought treatment at a hospital for a gunshot wound, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported yesterday.
James Allen Clark, 18, of West Monroe, and Tyler Blaine Jones, 17, of Calhoun, were each cited after they arrived at the Glenwood Hospital emergency room in West Monroe, according to the LDWF news release.
Clark and Jones were cited for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a public road and hunting from a moving vehicle. Jones was additionally cited for spotlighting from a public road, and Clark was cited for discharging a firearm from a public road.
The agency reported that Jones was apparently struck in the head by a ricocheting bullet from Clark’s .270-caliber rifle while allegedly attempting to illegally hunt at night off Okaloosa Road in southern Ouachita Parish.
Clark allegedly admitted to holding a spotlight while Jones attempted to shoot over the cab of their truck at what they believed to be a deer, the LDWF reported. However, the rifle apparently accidentally discharged inside of the truck, striking Jones.
Jones was treated and later released from the emergency room suffering a minor injury.
The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine up to $900 or jail time up to 120 days or both, plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine up to $500 or jail time up to 90 days or both, plus court cost. Hunting from a public road carries a fine up to $350 or jail time up to 60 days or both, plus court cost. Discharging a firearm from a public road is punishable by a fine up to $50 plus court cost. The penalty for spotlighting from a public road carries a fine up to $50 plus court cost.
