Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a Robeline subject for alleged deer hunting violations on Sept. 15 in Natchitoches Parish.
Agents cited Justin S. Matthews, 20, for taking deer during a closed season, possession of an illegally taken deer, hunting without resident and big game licenses, fail to possess deer tags and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.
Agents received a tip about an eight-point buck that was shot northwest of Robeline. After further investigation, agents made contact with Matthews.
Matthews admitted to agents that he shot the deer the evening before around 6:30 p.m. using a Marlin 30/30 rifle with a scope. Agents seized the deer meat, antlers and the rifle with the scope.
Taking a deer during a closed season 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. Failing to possess deer tags and comply with deer tagging requirements each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 30 days in jail. Hunting without basic hunting and big game licenses each carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
Matthews may also face civil restitution totaling $2,033 for the replacement value of the illegally taken deer.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources.
Not against legally harvesting game, but this was not the case here, and the argument that he was simply putting food on the table doesn’t hold up either. He killed an eight point buck…likely still in velvet, and word on the street was that he boasted about it. He knew he was wrong and still did it. He violated the law.
Yes he broke the law, and yes he should be held responsible for doing so. However some laws need to be revised. Personally, I think that the fines are too steep. I don’t know the man, am not from his area but it just seems too high to charge someone.
1 or 1000 seems not to be working or they wouldn’t do it! Take their truck and gun . Keep raising until the stop!
He broke the law and people don’t see what’s wrong with that!
Hunting regulations are there for a reason! There’s not an overpopulation of deer.
It’s because it’s robeline and who the young man is… They target certain ones and go over board because they can. It’s food on the table. So much for land of the free.
Can you expand on your comment?I’m just learning the area and I’m not sure what your comment means.
I think it’s nonsense to fine this young man and impose jail time upon him. There are many other things going on in our society that should be better worth fines and jail time. We are right at the tip of hunting season this just seems ridiculous to me but that is my personal opinion.
Know it was against the law, but geez something needs to be done about the abundant deer population. So many car accidents happen with so many deer roaming. It is bad enough for him to lose his rifle and the deer, however those fines should be waived and the young man thanked for helping in this over population of deer.
I normally am against breaking any law, am not fond of guns or hunting, but this just struck me as being wrong. Guess this would be a good example to others about what NOT to do!
I’ve said all of that to say this, a car would cost more to fix or a life killed in a wreck with a deer could not be replaced. Why not open the season earlier?
(I’ll probably be blasted for these comments. Just simply my opinion y’all )
lol….good ole Robeline .