Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two Lake Charles subjects on Feb. 11 and 15 for alleged hunting violations in Calcasieu Parish.
Agents cited Michael Joseph Spell, 33, on Feb. 11 for four counts of failing to tag deer, four counts of failing to validate deer harvest and taking over the seasonal limit of deer. Agents also cited Brittany Pratt, 26, on Feb. 15 for failing to tag deer, failing to validate deer and not possessing basic hunting and deer hunting licenses.
Agents began investigating this case after learning about subjects illegally trespassing on private property while hunting deer near Sulphur.
After further investigation, agents found that Spell harvested three antlered deer during the 2022/23 deer hunting season and did not validate any deer from the property. Spell also admitted to taking another antlered deer on the Tensas Wildlife Management Area. Spell did not tag or validate any of the four deer he harvested and he was only allowed to take three antlered deer for the season in this area.
Agents later learned that Spell had taken Pratt hunting on the same property in the fall of 2022 and she harvested a deer without basic and deer hunting licenses and failed to tag or validate the deer.
Agents seized three sets of antlers from Spell.
Failing to tag deer and failing to validate deer brings up to a $350 fine for each offense. Taking over the seasonal limit of deer carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Failing to possess basic hunting and deer hunting licenses brings up to a $50 fine for each offense.
Spell may also face civil restitution totaling $7,724 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer. Pratt may face $1,624 in civil restitution.
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Beau Robertson, Sgt. Justin Lowry and Sgt. Anthony Verret.