Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited an Opelousas man for hunting violations in St. Landry Parish on Dec. 14.

Agents cited Marcus Ortego, 46, for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle, two counts of violating rules and regulations on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and hunting deer from a public road.

Agents responded to a lost hunter on the night of Dec. 13 on the Thistlethwaite WMA.  Agents located Ortego on the WMA and he said he got lost tracking a deer he shot with his crossbow.

On Dec. 14, agents were patrolling the WMA when they found Ortego attempting to track the deer he shot the day before.  Agents assisted Ortego and backtracked the deer to where it was presumably shot near East Road on the WMA where they found an arrow stuck in the ground next to the road.

During questioning, Ortego admitted to agents that he used a spotlight after shooting hours and shot the deer from his vehicle with his crossbow.  Agents were unable to find the wounded deer.

Hunting during illegal hours brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Hunting from a moving vehicle carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.  Violating rules and regulations on a WMA and hunting deer from a public road brings up to a $350 fine for each offense.

Agents participating in this case are Corporal Nelson Kennerson, Corporal Jason Sanchez and Sgt. Tyler Smith.