Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited three men for alleged deer hunting violations in several parishes.

Agents cited Rickey Bordelon, 55, of Alexandria, and Kurtis Lavigne, 64, of Pineville, for over the daily limit of antlerless deer and failing to tag deer. Agents also cited William Pennington, 53, of Deville, for over the seasonal limit of antlered deer, failing to tag deer and taking an illegal deer during an open season.

Agents were on patrol on Jan. 18 on the Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge in Avoyelles Parish during a primitive weapons lottery deer hunt. During this hunt, Bordelon legally harvested an antlered deer.

During a license and compliance check, agents learned that Lavigne and Pennington were a part of Bordelon’s hunting group. Agents had received information on all three subjects about them harvesting deer illegally.

After questioning the three subjects, agents noticed inconsistencies with their deer tagging. During the course of the investigation, agents learned that the men harvested a total of 12 illegal deer in Winn, Rapides and Avoyelles parishes during the 2024-25 deer hunting season.

Taking an illegal deer during an open season carries a $500 to $750 fine and 15 to 30 days in jail. Taking over the seasonal and daily limit of deer brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to tag deer carries up to a $350 fine for each offense.

Bordelon will also face civil restitution totaling $3,249 for the replacement value of his illegally taken deer. Lavigne will also face civil restitution totaling $9,748 for the replacement value of his illegally taken deer. Pennington will also face civil restitution totaling $6,498 for the replacement value of his illegally taken deer.

Agents involved in this case are Sgt. James Bruce, Sgt. Doug Anderson, Corporal Kenny Robertson and Agent Callie Pitre.