Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two men for alleged deer hunting violations in Rapides Parish on Nov. 3.

Agents cited Tate J. Lewis, 53, of Alexandria, and Shelton W. Lewis, 46, of Elmer, for failing to tag deer, hunting a closed area on public land and illegally transporting a loaded firearm on public land. Tate Lewis was also cited for taking over the daily limit of antlered deer. Shelton Lewis was also cited for not possessing basic hunting and deer hunting licenses, taking a doe during a bucks only season, operating an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) on a non-designated trail and simple littering.

Agents were on patrol in the Kisatchie National Forest near Elmer on the morning of Nov. 3 when they observed the two men exiting a closed deer hunting area with several deer loaded on an ATV. Agents made contact with the men and learned that Tate Lewis harvested two antlered deer without tagging either deer and Shelton Lewis harvested a doe during a bucks only season without tagging the doe.

Agents also found that Shelton Lewis did not possess basic hunting and deer hunting licenses or deer tags and deposited trash along the trail.

Agents seized the three deer and donated them to a local charity.

Taking a doe during a bucks only season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking over the limit of antlered deer brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting deer in a closed area on public land, hunting without a basic hunting license, hunting deer without a deer license, failing to tag deer, and operating an ATV on a non-designated trail brings up to a $350 fine for each offense. Simple littering carries up to a $150 fine and can perform eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program in lieu of the fine.

The men may also face civil restitution totaling $4,874 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.

Agents involved in the case are Senior Agent Lane Causey and Sgt. Derek Ware.