File this story under the category : you can’t make this up. What happens when you’re a wildlife and fisheries agent, it’s 11 o’clock, and you hear a UTV drive onto your property with lights shining and loaded guns…well, of course you change into your uniform and go make an arrest. That’s exactly what happened to Lt. Kenneth Balkom of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
According to a news release from www.wlf.louisiana.gov, Balkom found the men inside of it to be in possession of three rabbits, a spotlight, a rifle, a pistol and three shotguns. He cited the five men for hunting rabbits during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public road.
Balkom seized the guns, rabbits, marijuana, spotlight and UTV, and booked the five men into the Claiborne Parish jail.
LDWF Lt. Kenneth Balkom cited Justin S. Wren, 34, of Monroe; Christopher L. Wren, 23, of Shreveport; Jordan M. Wren, 26, stationed in Atsugi, Japan; Aaron C. Kilpatrick, 27, of Katy, Texas; and Joseph B. Ralston, 27, of McKinney, Texas; for hunting rabbits during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and from a public road.
Justin Wren was additionally cited for operating a utility task vehicle (UTV) on a public road and open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle. Christopher Wren was also cited for possession of marijuana, illegally carrying of a weapon while in possession of marijuana and open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle.
Possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia each brings up to a $500 fine and six months in jail. Possession of a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs carries up to a $10,000 fine and between five and 10 years of prison.
Hunting during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Hunting from a public road carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Open container of alcohol in a moving vehicle brings a $100 fine.
Here’s a video from a TV News station capturing illegal night poachers — Deputies ride around Mobile County looking for those hunting deer illegally. It all plays out on dashcam video.
