Incident occurred Dec. 9 near Plain Dealing, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries arrested a 20-year-old Benton man and ticketed a 16-year-old juvenile after allegedly observing the pair spotlighting for deer in Bossier Parish.
According to a news release, Hunter Vaughn was booked into the Bossier Parish Jail and the 16-year-old was released to his parents.
Both were cited for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, hunting without basic and big game hunting licenses, hunting deer with artificial light during illegal hours and hunting from a public roadway. Vaughn also was cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, the release states.
Agents on patrol near Plain Dealing around 9 p.m. on Dec. 9 allegedly observed Vaughn operating a vehicle and spotlighting ditches, fields and the side of the road. They stopped the vehicle and found the pair in possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, a .17 caliber rifle and a spotlight. During questioning, the pair allegedly admitted to actively trying to hunt deer at night using the light from the public road, the release states.
The marijuana, paraphernalia, rifle and spotlight were seized in the investigation, according to the release.
Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia each brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Contributing to the delinquency of a minor also carries up to a $500 fine and up to six months in jail for each offense.
Hunting deer during illegal hours carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting deer from a public road carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses each brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail, the release states.