LDWF investigates illegal harvest of deer near casino construction site

[Lake Chuck Duck]

http://www.kplctv.com/story/21316074...struction-site

A recent picture of a large deer near L'auberge du Lac Casino and Resort is the subject of an investigation by The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The picture is of an 8-point buck near the construction site for a new casino and LDWF Sgt. Stuart Guillory said with the animals this close to human activity is a concern for wildlife in the area.
"Since the construction began out here, it's kind of moved into an area where a lot of deer were bedded down," Guillory said.
Guillory said the picture lead to the their investigation for the deer in that area, but also to the discovery of the illegal harvest of the buck from the picture.
A construction worker from the casino site killed the buck with a bow at close range.
"It was on a day that they had got off of work early and he went out and shot the deer when no one else was around," Guillory said. "He was more concerned about being from someone from the public or a coworker."
After multiple interviews with the hunter, officials said the deer is believed to have been killed on January 27th.
Agents charged the hunter with taking deer in a closed area. According to Guillory the area wasn't open at the time when the deer was harvested (Jan. 27). Hunting deer by means of archery began Sept. 15, 2012 and ended Jan. 15, 2013.
The man is also being fined for not tagging and not recording the harvested deer. He is also facing charges to obstruction to justice for hiding information from LDWF agents.
The name of the hunter has not been released, but he worked for a construction company. We're told the man has since been fired. Wildlife agents also said he will likely face more fines after their investigation is complete.
Wildlife officials said they recovered the antlers and meat of the animal, and the bow used to kill it. Guillory said LDWF will donate the meat to the Boys Town program in Calcasieu Parish.
"It's not something that it's not like you go out in the wild and the deer sees you and leaves. These deer were just standing on the side of the road and they still are. There are still a high number of deer in this area that we're keeping an eye on for potential people going out and taking them," Guillory said.