Wildlife Agents Cite Louisiana Man – Night Hunting Violations

(KMDL-FM) Protecting Louisiana's outdoors is an around-the-clock assignment for the men and women who enforce our state's outdoor regulations via the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Oftentimes, these agents are in the field or on the water during daylight hours, but sometimes the job requires them to be vigilant for those who might flaunt the state's hunting statutes and illegally hunt deer at night.

Louisiana law is very specific about what time of day allows for legal hunting and what time of day does not. It is also very specific about the kinds of animals that can be taken during which hours of the day.

READ MORE: Louisiana Hunters Charged - 8 Deer Harvested Illegally

For example, the rules for hunting feral hogs, coyotes, and armadillos at night is quite different than the rules and regulations that oversee hunting for deer in Louisiana. If you're planning to hunt specific game, make sure you know the rules. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife website has them all spelled out for you.

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Is It Illegal To Hunt From a Public Roadway in Louisiana?

Louisiana law is also very specific about hunting from public roadways and automobiles. The law states, in general, that it is illegal to hunt or shoot from a public road, especially those on levees, within 100 feet of the centerline.

The reason we went through the narrative on the hunting laws is that the man the Louisiana Wildlife Agents cited on January 2nd apparently violated all of those statutes, or more accurately, is alleged to have violated most of those rules. He has not been convicted, so we must presume innocence, and we shall.

On the night of January 2nd, about 11 pm, agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife observed a vehicle stopping several times on top of a levee in LaSalle Parish. This prompted agents to pull the vehicle over and question the driver.

READ MORE: Two South Louisiana Deer Hunters Arrested

In the vehicle, agents discovered a freshly harvested antlerless deer. The man in question, Ralston Nugent of Deville, admitted to agents that he had harvested the animal earlier in the evening on the Diversion Canal Levee Road. That area is a part of the Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area.

What is the Fine For Illegal Night Hunting in Louisiana?

The rifle used in the harvesting of the deer was confiscated. The deer was confiscated and donated to charity. Nugent is facing a potential fine of $900 to $950 for taking the deer during illegal hours. He could also be sentenced to up to 120 days in jail.

The fine for taking a deer from a public road can be as high as $350. Nugent will also be assessed the value of the deer, $400, as part of civil restitution in this case. For more information on this incident, you can visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife website.