LDWF agents cite two Franklin Parish residents for deer violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two Franklin Parish residents for multiple alleged deer violations including transporting deer carcasses into the state on March 14.

Agents cited Anthony P. Saucier and Natasha Martin, both of Winnsboro, for illegal deer carcass importation, taking over the daily limit of deer and failing to comply with deer harvest requirements. Agents also cited Saucier for taking over the season limit of deer.

LDWF agents received a tip about Saucier and Martin taking over the daily limit of deer. Agents made contact with Saucier and Martin at a residence in Franklin Parish and discovered evidence that the subjects had taken 28 deer with 18 of them taken in Tennessee and 10 in Louisiana during the 2019-20 hunting season.

Saucier and Martin transported the 18 deer killed in Tennessee illegally from Tennessee to Louisiana. As the result of transporting the illegally taken deer across state lines, Saucier and Martin were charged with Federal Lacey Act violations and illegal deer carcass importation.

Agents were able to determine that Saucier harvested five antlerless deer and that Martin harvested four antlerless deer and one antlered deer in Franklin Parish.

Agents seized six sets of deer antlers. Agents also found and seized portions of deer meat.

Taking over the daily limit of deer and taking over the season limit of deer carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements and illegal deer carcass importation carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense. Federal Lacey Act violations brings up to a $10,000 fine and five years in jail.

Saucier faces civil restitution totaling up to $4,872 and Martin faces up to $5,309 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer in Louisiana. Saucier and Martin may also have charges pending in Tennessee.