Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents on March 9 cited four subjects in two different cases for alleged deer hunting violations in LaSalle and Catahoula parishes.

Agents cited Alan C. Dayton, 64 of Jena, Will A. Dayton, 35, of Jena, John D. Cruse, 59 of Olla, and Karmon M. Cruse, 53 of Olla, for taking over the seasonal limit of deer.  John Cruse was also cited for taking over the daily limit of deer and failing to tag deer.  Karmon Cruse was also cited for failing to tag deer.

After receiving information about the Dayton’s and Cruse’s harvesting deer over the seasonal limit, agents began their investigation.  Agents made contact with the subjects and they admitted to harvesting over the seasonal limit of deer for the 2022/23 hunting season.  Agents also learned that John Cruse took two antlered deer on the same day.

Agents found that Alan Dayton harvested 10 deer, Will Dayton harvested 12 deer, John Cruse harvested four antlered deer with two being on the same day, and Karmen Cruse harvested four antlered deer.

For this area of the state, hunters are allowed to harvest six deer per season not to exceed three antlered or four antlerless deer per season.  The daily bag limit allows hunters to harvest one antlered and one antlerless deer per day when legal.

Taking deer over the seasonal limit and over the daily limit brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense.  Failing to tag deer carries up to a $350 fine.

Civil restitution for the Dayton’s total $16,246 for the replacement value of the deer taken over the limit.  Civil restitution for the Cruse’s total $4,874 for the replacement value of the deer taken over the limit.

Agents participating in the case are Lt. Chad Watts, Sgt. James Bruce, Sgt. John Hattaway, Sgt. Kurt Hatten, Sgt. Jesse Davis, Corporal Eric Little, Corporal Cole Cupit and Corporal Richard Heinold.