Natchez man cited for drowning deer

Published 10:31 am Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Sgt. Trey Mason, of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Enforcement Division, says 40-year-old David Hayes, of Natchez, was cited for not possessing non-resident basic hunting and big game hunting licenses, failing to comply with deer tagging requirements, hunting from a moving vessel and taking deer from a vessel while the deer was swimming.

A witness saw Hayes approach the deer in the river, wrap a rope around its antlers and drown the deer. Mason questioned Hayes, who admitted to drowning the 8-point buck.

The violations carry fines up to $500 and 90 days in jail. Hayes also could be ordered to pay $2,033 in restitution to replace the deer.