Suspect admitted to nighttime kills, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited a Rapides Parish man on April 3 for alleged deer hunting violations.
According to a news release, Jonathan Pace, 31, of Boyce, was cited for taking deer during a closed season, taking deer during illegal hours, taking deer from a public road, failing to comply with deer tagging requirements, possession of an illegally taken deer and intentional concealment of wildlife.
Agents were contacted by a Rapides Parish Sheriff’s deputy who stated he discovered a freshly killed deer at a resident in Boyce. Upon arriving and examining the remains, LDWF agents determined the deer had recently been killed with a firearm.
Agents spoke with Pace that evening, and he allegedly admitted to killing the deer off of Highway 28 on April 2 around 11:30 p.m, the release states.
During the investigation, Pace also allegedly admitted to killing two other antlerless deer during nighttime hours this year — one on Jan. 13 and the other on Jan. 15. Neither of those deer were tagged or validated., according to the release.
Agents seized an antlerless deer and a 12-gauge shotgun in the investigation.
Taking deer during a closed season, during illegal hours and intentional concealment of wildlife 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. Taking deer from a public road and failing comply with deer tagging requirements each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Pace may also face civil restitution totaling $4,873 for the replacement value of the three illegally taken deer, the release states.
