Louisiana -(Ammoland.com)- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four people in Livingston and East Feliciana parishes for alleged deer hunting violations on Aug. 18.
LDWF agents cited Edward A. Slaven III, Edward A. Slaven IV, 22, and Donald J. Weaver, all of Denham Springs, and Maegan C. Chavers, 25, of Liberty, Miss., for Federal Lacey Act violations, not possessing deer tags, hunting from a public road and moving vehicle, hunting deer during a closed season and illegal hours, not possessing a big game license and possession of illegally taken deer out of season.
Slaven IV, Weaver and Chavers were also cited for not possessing a basic hunting license.
Agents were notified about two illegally taken deer by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO) around 11:45 p.m. on Aug. 18. The LPSO pulled the vehicle over for a moving violation on the intersection of Hwy 1024 and 16 in Watson. During the vehicle stop, the LPSO deputy noticed two deer in the back of the truck and called LDWF agents.
When agents arrived they learned from the subjects that they tried to hunt for deer in Livingston and East Feliciana parishes from the truck, but couldn’t find a deer. They then entered Mississippi and found two doe deers to shoot in Amite County. After harvesting the two deer, they transported the deer back into Louisiana, which is a Federal Lacey Act violation.
The four subjects also face wildlife charges in Mississippi. Agents seized the 2004 pickup truck, 12 gauge shotgun, .22 rifle, .357 pistol and two spotlights.
The Lacey Act violation brings up to a $10,000 fine and five years in jail. Hunting deer during a closed season, during illegal hours each brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Possession of an illegally taken deer carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Hunting from a moving vehicle brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting from a public road and not possessing deer tags each carries up to a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses each brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Will Roberts, Sgt. Randy Lanoux and Senior Agent Terry Hicks.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.