FWC Law Enforcement Report

February 6, 2016

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 4 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Cushing was conducting fisheries inspections at the Bayou Texar Boat Ramp when he encountered some individuals pulling their vessel out of the water.  When asked how their day was, they stated that they had a good day and had caught an assortment of fish.  Officer Cushing boarded the vessel and just prior to opening the cooler, the owner stated that they had three greater amberjack.  When asked what the size limit was on greater amberjack, the owner responded 34 inches to the fork.  Two of the greater amberjack measured under 34 inches and the owner of the boat was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersized greater amberjack.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Hutchinson was working an area where he received complaints of illegal night hunting activity.  While working the area late at night, he observed a truck slow down while approaching a field.  He observed a spotlight being shined from the cab of the truck into the field and then into a group of trees.  He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver.  The driver said that he was looking for deer and admitted to having a rifle in the truck.  Officer Hutchinson observed a loaded hunting rifle lying in the driver seat between the driver and the center console.  He continued his search of the vehicle and discovered an ice chest on the back of the truck with deer meat in it.  When questioned about the deer meat, the man informed Officer Hutchinson that it was from a cow horn buck that he shot a few days ago.  Officer Hutchinson followed him to his residence where he determined that the man had shot an illegal antlered deer.  The man was charged with night hunting, taking an illegal antlered buck, and driving with a suspended license.

Officer Hutchinson received information that a man had possibly shot an illegal deer the previous day.  He located the man, and after being questioned, the man admitted to shooting a deer the day before and that the deer was not a legal sized antlered deer. After measuring the antlers, Officer Hutchinson confirmed that the antlers did not meet the minimum required length.  The man was charged with taking an illegal antlered buck and hunting without a valid hunting license.

Officer Hutchinson received information that a man had an illegal deer carcass hanging inside of his barn.  Officer Hutchinson located the subject at his residence and questioned him about the deer.  The subject said that his younger sister shot the deer, a small spike. Officer Hutchinson questioned him about the antlerless deer that he received information about the subject shooting.  The subject claimed his younger sister shot it also.  Officer Hutchinson measured the antlers and confirmed that the antlers length did not meet the minimum required length.  After further questioning, the subject admitted to shooting both of the illegal deer.  He showed Officer Hutchinson the deer meat from one of the deer which was inside an ice chest without any ice or water on it and spoiled.  Officer Hutchinson also discovered that the carcass was dumped in a public park.  Warrants were obtained charging the subject with taking an illegal antlered buck, taking an antlerless deer out of season, wanton and willful waste of a game animal and hunting without a valid hunting license.

Officer Land received a complaint of a vehicle parked in a closed area within the Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the occupants of the vehicle possibly hunting.  Officer Land arrived in the closed area and observed a vehicle matching the description given in the complaint.  The officer observed footprints leading away from the vehicle and out through the closed area and began to track the subject.  Once well out into the closed area, Officer Land encountered a subject who was bow hunting.  The hunter admitted that he was aware that he was hunting in the closed area and was unable to present an Eglin Permit.  This subject was issued a notice to appear for hunting in a closed area and a warning for no Eglin Permit.

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

Comments

8 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. 429SCJ on February 8th, 2016 7:18 am

    It is simply amazing that when a LE officer ask “how your day was”, instead of simply saying “fine”, the recipient responds with a narrative of their life story.

    If people know what you have hanging in your barn, then they know far too much regarding your privacy.

    I am not a proponent of illegal activity, just simply amazed by stupid communications and disregard for personal privacy.

  2. chris in Molino on February 7th, 2016 9:43 am

    Not going to say i’ve never shined before however, that was another era. I feel the fellow that let the meat rot was particularly stupid.
    As a hunter who hunts for meat only, I care not for the size of the rack nor own padded gloves so I can text from my stand. I disagree with a lot of FWC rules which is why I no longer obtain a Fl. License (hog only). FWC used to be the kind of guys you could drop in the woods with a toothbrush and they would live. Now, their little more than ticket writers which absolutely kills me because many are great guys.
    Tip: If your a felon you’d think you would follow the rules so you dont have any more trouble. Wanna hunt that bad, no excuse for you not to enhance your skill with a bow.

  3. Robinhood on February 7th, 2016 9:07 am

    @ Me again – NOT ALL Hunters commit crimes or hunt illegally either. Most do observe the LAW and does the RIGHT THING. Hunters can’t stand stupid people that have no clue about hunting or hunters. Most hunters are a good, honest, hard working people who love getting in the woods and love the sport of hunting the RIGHT WAY. I for one would never ever get a thrill out of illegally hunting just to kill a nice buck or whatever the hunt is at the time. Cheating has never been fun and the feeling is not the same as out smarting the LORDS creation, Wildlife. Also, Hunting is not as easy as people think when you hunt the right way. Hard hunting in Florida for sure.

  4. Me again on February 6th, 2016 9:12 pm

    These stories are interesting and a learning experience for those of us who love the wwods but not hunters. Keep ‘em coming William!

  5. jeeperman on February 6th, 2016 1:09 pm

    And once again the FWC protects the guilty from public embarrassment and criticism.
    Even those that admit they were doing wrong.

  6. William on February 6th, 2016 11:07 am

    Addressing the two comments below about the amberjack — oops looks like there was formatting problem in the process of cutting and pasting from the FWC report to the story. It’s all been fixed.

  7. Billy D on February 6th, 2016 10:10 am

    Great job FWC and LEO’s enforcing safely. I’m wondering about the lasr guy though William……….. He got cited for hunting on Eglin with no permit AND possession of greater amberjack? lol

  8. Meoff on February 6th, 2016 8:22 am

    Why did the last have a amberjack in the woods while hunting

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News