GREENSBURG – Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officials say two Greensburg men face several violations after illegally hunting deer in St. Helena Parish.

State officials say 52-year-old Rogelio Perez and 54-year-old Ben Avants were cited for hunting deer during illegal hours, without wearing hunter's orange vests or clothing and possessing deer illegally on Dec. 22.

The Investigative Unit had been working on a story about the matter for several days but state authorities did not make information available until sending a news release to media outlets on Tuesday around 3 p.m.

Perez faces a slew of other violations for failing to meet deer tagging requirements, taking more than the daily limit of deer, littering, taking deer illegally during an open season, selling deer meat, taking over the season limit of deer, concealing wildlife and failing to maintain sexual deer identification.

Agents received an anonymous tip about Perez illegally selling deer meat he harvested at night. After a month long investigation, Perez was questioned at his home on Dec. 19 about deer he was skinning in his shed. It was later learned that the deer was taken on the same day and Perez also tried to conceal another antlered deer head.

Perez admitted to taking 11 deer at night with Avants using night vision and a flashlight attached to his rifle. Perez also took two deer during the day. In total, Perez took nine antlered deer and four without antlers since Nov. 19.

Avants also admitted to hunting with Perez eight times and helping to clean the deer. Additionally, Perez admitted to selling eight deer and throwing their carcasses in a ditch.

Two deer, two sets of antlers, the night vision and rifle were seized. 

Hunters are only allowed to take three antlered and three deer without antlers per season. Deer hunting during illegal hours using artificial light and intentional concealment of wildlife offenses carry a $900 - $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.

Taking more than the daily and season limit of deer and failing to maintain sexual identification holds a fine of $250 to $500 and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to comply with deer tagging requirements and to wear hunter's orange each carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each offense.
 
Selling and purchasing deer meat brings a $500 to $750 fine and up to 30 days in jail for the first offense.  For all offenses, Perez faces a $750 to $1,000 fine and up to 120 days in jail.
 
Intentional littering carries up to a $500 fine and eight hours of community service in a litter-abatement work program.

Perez may also face civil restitution totaling $21,521 for the 13 illegally taken deer.