Conviction carries fines, house arrest and loss of privileges
A DeSoto County man has been fined more than $11,000, sentenced to four months of house arrest and will be denied hunting privileges for three years after being found guilty of illegal deer hunting.
Donald Wayne Hensley, 49, of Hernando was found guilty in a Tunica County court on five separate counts of headlighting deer last winter.
In January, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks conservation officers apprehended Hensley along the Mississippi River levee in Tunica County with five “recently killed” whitetail deer in the back of his truck. Officers were able to confirm that the deer had been illegally killed during night hours with the aid of a light.
The illegal activities occurred at a time when record-high floodwaters along the Mississippi River forced the MDWFP to close deer season in several counties. Such floodwaters cause deer and other wildlife from their natural habitat into areas with little cover, food or protection from illegal hunting.
When announcing the closures, agency officials also said it would be increasing enforcement in affected areas.
“This individual showed a blatant disregard for the law that will not be tolerated,” said Colonel Steve Adcock, chief of enforcement for MDWFP. “We will continue our efforts to protect Mississippi’s natural resources.”
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