Enforcement agents have been busy throughout the holiday period
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents have been busy working a number of cases involving alleged deer hunting violations.
Here’s a roundup of recent activity submitted by the Department:
Agents cite Carencro man for alleged deer violations
Agents cited Mark Benoit, 49, of Carencro, for allegedly taking over the limit of deer, failing to comply with deer-tagging requirements and intentional concealment of wildlife.
According to a news release, agents received a tip on Dec. 21 that that Benoit had possibly shot over his daily possession limit. Agents then made contact with him at his hunting lease on Schoeffler Road, just east of Carencro in Lafayette Parish.
During the investigation, agents found that Benoit allegedly harvested one antlered and three antlerless deer that morning. (The daily limit for deer for this area on that day was one antlered and one antlerless deer, putting Benoit two over the daily bag limit of antlerless deer.)
Agents also allegedly found the antlered deer off a trail that Benoit had attempted to conceal. Agents seized the four deer, according to the release.
Taking over the limit of deer brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to comply with deer-tagging requirements brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Intentional concealment of wildlife brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days, the release states
Benoit may also face civil restitution totaling up to $3,249 for replacement value for the illegally taken deer.
Trio near Krotz Springs cited for alleged deer violations
LDWF enforcement agents cited two Krotz Spring men and a juvenile on Jan. 1 for alleged deer hunting violations.
Drake Martinez, 23, and Pervice Lalonde, 17, plus a juvenile were ticketed for allegedly taking deer during illegal hours, from a public road and from a moving vehicle.
According to a news release, on the night of Jan. 1, agents were on patrol in the Krotz Springs area when they found Martinez, Lalonde and the juvenile cleaning freshly harvested deer
During the investigation, agents determined that Martinez, Lalonde and the juvenile harvested three does and a spike buck at night with a rifle from a public road near Indian Bayou in St. Landry Parish, according to the release. Agents seized the rifle and the four deer.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting deer from a public road and taking deer from a moving vehicle each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense, the release states.
The three subjects could also face up to $6,498 in civil restitution for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.
Port Barre man cited for spotted fawn violation
LDWF enforcement agents cited a Port Barre man for alleged deer hunting violations on Sherburne Wildlife Management Area on Dec. 28.
According to a news release, agents cited Zach Bellard, 25, of Port Barre, for violating WMA rules and regulations and taking a spotted fawn.
Agents made contact with Bellard while checking deer hunters during the bucks-only firearms season on the WMA, the release states.
Agents allegedly found Bellard in possession of a spotted anterless deer, which was in violation of the bucks only season for the time. Agents seized the spotted fawn, the release states.
Taking a spotted fawn brings a $500 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Violating WMA rules and regulations brings a brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Bellard could also face civil restitution totaling $1,624 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.
East Carrol Parish man ticketed for alleged nighttime hunting
LDWF enforcement agents cited a Lake Providence man for alleged deer hunting violations on Jan. 1 in East Carroll Parish.
Bobbie Harvey, 52, was cited for taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light, according to a news release.
Agents received a tip from the public about shots being fired in the early morning hours in Lake Providence on Dec. 25, 2018. They patrolled the area before legal shooting hours and found Harvey with a recently harvested 8-point deer on Jan. 1, the release states.
During the investigation, Harvey also admitted to taking a 9-point deer during the nighttime hours on the morning of Dec. 25, 2018, according to the release.
Agents seized both deer.
Taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Harvey may also face civil restitution totaling $3,658 for the replacement value of the two deer.
