Alleged Ouachita night hunter shoots another, both charged
Two alleged night hunters face charges after one shot the other in a comedy of errors in a pickup truck.
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agent cited both men for alleged night hunting violations on Nov. 23.
James Allen Clark, 18, of West Monroe, and Tyler Blaine Jones, 17, of Calhoun, were each cited after they arrived at Glenwood Hospital Emergency room seeking treatment for a gunshot wound.
On the morning of Nov. 23 while allegedly attempting to illegally night hunt from Okaloosa Road in South Ouachita Parish, Jones was struck in the head by a ricocheted bullet from a .270-caliber rifle.
Jones allegedly admitted to holding a spotlight while Clark attempted to shoot over the cab of their truck at what they believed to be a deer. While attempting the shot, the rifle accidentally discharged inside of their truck striking Jones. Jones was treated and later released from the emergency room suffering a minor injury.
Sgt. Duane Taylor cited Clark and Jones for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a public road and hunting from a moving vehicle.
Jones was additionally cited for spotlighting from a public road. Clark was also cited for discharging a firearm from a public road.
The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine up to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court cost.
Hunting from a public road carries a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court cost. Discharging a firearm from a public road is punishable by a fine up to $50 plus court cost. The penalty for spotlighting from a public road carries a fine up to $50 plus court cost.