Subjects could face almost $18,000 in civil restitution charges for replacement value of illegally-taken deer, LDWF says
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited three people for alleged deer hunting violations near Kentwood on Jan. 24, according to a press release.
Brandon McElveen, 27, of Mt. Hermon, Todd Sigrist, 47, and Rainey Thibodeaux, 33, both of Kentwood, were cited for hunting without basic hunting and big game licenses, no possession of deer tags, taking deer using illegal methods, taking over the daily limit of deer and possession of illegally taken deer, the release states.
Additionally, McElveen and Sigrist also were cited for taking deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting from a public road and taking over the yearly limit of deer.
McElveen also was written up for discharging a firearm from a public road. Sigrist was additionally cited for illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving under suspension and possession of untagged deer. Thibodeaux was also cited for not wearing the required amount of hunter’s orange clothing, according to the release.
In mid-January, agents received several tips from the public about night hunting activity taking place in the Kentwood and Spring Creek area. Surveillance was conducted, and agents learned Sigrist was potentially involved, the release states.
On Jan. 24, they went to his home and saw a freshly-killed deer hanging from a tree in the yard. Family members consented to a search, and agents discovered six ice chests with 10 deer quartered up inside. When Sigrist returned home, he allegedly told agents he was present when deer were taken illegally by Thibodeaux and McElveen over the prior 10 days, according to the release.
Thibodeaux admitted to taking her deer during legal shooting hours, but using a rifle below the required .22 caliber center fire requirement. McElveen also admitted to killing seven deer at night during illegal shooting hours from a public road. None of the subjects possessed deer tags, basic hunting or big game licenses, the release states.
Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and 10 to 20 years in jail. Driving while under suspension brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail, the release states.
Taking deer during illegal hours carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of illegally taken deer brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days of jail. Taking deer using illegal methods, taking over the daily and yearly limits of deer, possession of untagged deer and hunting from a moving vehicle each carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Not possessing deer tags, discharging a firearm from a public road and taking deer from a public road each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic hunting and big game licenses and not wearing the required amount of hunter’s orange each brings a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.
The three subjects may also face up to $17,870 in civil restitution charges for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer, according to the release.
