A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) agent cited an Abbeville man for alleged deer hunting violations on Oct. 17 in Avoyelles Parish. Senior Agent Douglas Anderson cited a hunter for not possessing basic season and big game hunting licenses and not possessing deer tags. He allegedly shot a huge deer while bow hunting. This was no ordinary deer. The deer was unofficially scored as a 208 class buck. It was nicknamed “Chuck Norris” by hunters in several area clubs who had seen him on trail cams over the past few years. Because it was taken illegally, it cannot take its rightful place in the Louisiana deer hunting record books.
The LDWF Agent was notified about a buck that was taken on an Avoyelles Parish hunting club’s property near Simmesport by a guest hunter. The hunting club notified the agent to help measure the deer for record purposes. When the agent arrived he was told that the deer may have been harvested by a non-licensed hunter.
Around 11 a.m. the Agent made contact with the hunter who told him he shot the deer with an arrow around 9 a.m, then he confessed that he did not have the required basic season and big game licenses or deer tags. The agent issued the citations and seized the deer. The meat was donated to charity and the antlers and head are being kept as evidence.
Not possessing deer tags carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses each brings a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail. The hunter may also face civil restitution charges totaling $2,033 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.
Agents further learned that the hunter could not obtain a hunting license since he is under a hunting license revocation. Charges are pending for hunting while under hunting license revocation. Hunting while under hunting license revocation brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
