A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agent arrested a man and cited a juvenile for alleged hunting violations in Concordia Parish on Dec. 7.
The agent cited Jonathan Spillman, 19, of Prairieville, and a juvenile each for hunting deer during illegal hours, possession of illegally taken deer, hunting deer from a public road, discharging a firearm from a public road, hunting deer using illegal methods, hunting from a moving vehicle and driving on levees. The juvenile was also cited for hunting without a resident big game license and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.
On Dec. 7 an agent observed a vehicle spotlighting for deer on Hwy. 565 near Monterey. The subjects then drove on top of the Black River Levee and continued to shine both sides of the levee.
The agent then observed the subjects stop and shoot an antlered deer from the vehicle on top of the levee. The agent made contact with the subjects and they admitted to shooting the spike deer.
The agent arrested Spillman and booked him into the Concordia Parish Jail. The juvenile was released to his parents. The agent also seized a spike deer and .17 caliber rifle.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of an illegally taken deer brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting deer using illegal methods carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 30 days in jail for each offense. Discharging a firearm from a public road carries up to a $50 fine and 30 days in jail. Hunting without a resident big game license brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
The subjects may also face civil restitution totaling $1,624 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.