Incident occurred Jan. 11 off Belle River, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited three men in connection with a Jan. 11 case in St. Martin Parish involving two does killed off Belle River, according to a news release.
Agents cited Fabian Cavalier Jr., 20, and Jared Blanchard, 20, both of Pierre Part, for allegedly hunting deer during illegal hours, taking illegal deer during an open season, hunting deer from a boat, intentional concealment of illegal wildlife, hunting without basic and big game hunting licenses, and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.
Additionally, Hunter Gros, 19, of Morgan City, was cited for allowing another person to use his hunting license — Cavalier also was cited for using another person’s hunting license, the release states.
Agents received a tip that two people were hunting deer at night off the Belle River, and were able to make contact with Cavalier and Blanchard on the morning of Jan. 11 at a residence where they allegedly found blood and deer hair in a boat on the property.
During questioning, Cavalier and Blanchard allegedly admitted to harvesting two does around 9 p.m. on Jan. 10. Agents eventually located the two deer hidden in a wooded area near the residence, the release states.
Agents also observed the heads of two freshly harvested bucks on the ground, and Cavalier allegedly admitted that he harvested the bucks two weeks earlier, according to the release.
Agents confirmed that neither Cavalier nor Blanchard possessed the required hunting licenses or tags to harvest the deer. And Gros and Cavalier both admitted that Cavalier used Gros’ tags and hunting license when taking the two antlered deer, the release states.
Hunting deer during illegal hours and intentional concealment of wildlife each brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Taking illegal deer during an open season carries a $500 to $750 fine and 15 to 30 days in jail. Allowing another person to use a hunting license and using another person’s hunting license each bring a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting deer from a boat and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 30 days in jail for each offense. Hunting without basic and big game hunting licenses each carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
Cavalier may also face civil restitution totaling up to $5,691 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer. Blanchard may face civil restitution totaling $1,624, according to the release.
