Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested a Summerfield man for alleged hunting violations this morning, March 20, in Claiborne Parish.
Agents arrested Zachary J. Verdin, 24, for hunting turkey during a closed season, failing to comply with turkey tagging requirements, and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.
Agents were on patrol this morning when they found a man trying to call turkeys into his area and possessing a 12 gauge shotgun. After making contact with Verdin, he admitted to actively hunting turkey. Turkey season doesn’t open until March 25.
After further questioning, Verdin also admitted to not tagging a turkey his son killed during the youth hunt on March 19. He also confessed to killing three antlerless deer this past hunting season of which none were tagged or validated.
Verdin was arrested and booked into the Claiborne Parish Detention Center.
Hunting turkey during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to comply with turkey and deer tagging requirements each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.
Agents also seized Verdin’s 12-gauge shotgun and three turkey calls.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Jared McIver, Senior Agent Will Holomon, and Senior Agent Bryant Coburn