Louisiana tip411 Complaint Leads to Deer Violations
OutdoorHub 12.09.11
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Winnfield man for alleged deer violations in Winn Parish on Dec. 1.
Agents cited Jeremy S. Rowell, 26, for possession of illegally taken deer, taking over the legal limit of deer, hunting without a basic and big game license and without deer tags.
Agents received information through their tip411 program about Rowell harvesting three deer on Dec. 1 in Winn Parish. The investigation determined that Rowell killed three doe deer.
LDWF launched the tip411 program at the end of September as a part of their Operation Game Thief program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions.
To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the “LADWF Tips” iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. CitizenObserver, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender.
Citizens can also call Operation Game Thief’s Hotline at 1-800-442-2511. The hotline and the tip411 program are monitored 24 hours a day.
Possession of an illegally taken deer brings a fine between $400 and $950 and up to 120 days in jail. Taking over the limit of deer carries a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting without a basic license, big game license and deer tags are each punishable with a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.
Rowell may also be responsible for civil restitution to LDWF in the amount of $1,624 per illegally taken deer.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Rusty Perry and Senior Agent Heath Wood.
