Night hunting operation nets charges for three in Escambia County: FWC

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — Three alleged poachers are facing multiple charges after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers investigated a reported gunshot in Escambia County last week, according to the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement‘s weekly report.

According to the FWC, an officer responded to a call from a resident who reported hearing a shot fired near their home and seeing a vehicle leaving the area. The caller also reported finding a dead antlered deer in a nearby ditch.

Following up on the information provided, the officer identified and interviewed the suspected vehicle’s occupants. During the interview, officers said they discovered four additional antlered deer heads and capes stashed in freezers.

The investigation reportedly revealed that all four deer were illegally killed at night using a gun and light. Additionally, the officers said they identified a third person involved in the night hunting operation.

As a result of the investigation, all three individuals face charges, including taking deer at night with gun and light, taking wildlife from the right of way of county-maintained roads, and discharging a firearm from a paved public road.

One of the individuals faces additional charges for possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence injunction, littering, and willful wanton waste of wildlife.

Another individual received an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The FWC reminds the public that night hunting is illegal in Florida and encourages residents to report suspicious activity to the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-432-1219.