Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents arrested two men for alleged deer hunting violations on Nov. 3 in Orleans Parish.
Agents cited Ruben F. Ramos, 37, and Andres Córdoba, 40, both living in New Orleans, for illegal discharge of a weapon and taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light.
Agents received a complaint of two subjects hunting deer at night near a neighborhood in New Orleans east. Agents arrived on scene around 10:20 p.m. on Nov. 2 and observed two subjects running into the woods and a doe deer and a button buck deer at the location the subjects were last seen.
After a brief search for the subjects, agents found Ramos exiting the woods. After an investigation, Ramos told agents that Córdoba was with him and where he lived.
Agents made contact with Córdoba at his apartment a few hours later and he showed the agents the shotgun that was used to take both deer.
Both men admitted to taking the deer and were arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish prison. Agents seized the two illegally taken deer and a 12-gauge shotgun.
Illegal discharge of a weapon brings up to a $1,000 fine and two years of jail. Taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Ramos and Córdoba could also face civil restitution for the illegally taken deer totaling $3,249.22.
Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Austin Arteaga, Sgt. Chuck Strain and Senior Agent Jeffrey Farmer.