Poachers take note: If you harvest a buck illegally, it’s probably not a good idea to enter it into multiple contests and brag about it all over the state of Louisiana.

However, according to a release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, that is what a Franklin Parish man did this month.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Franklin Parish man Jan. 19 for alleged deer hunting violations and contest fraud.

Agents cited Billy W. Jordan, 54, of Winnsboro for taking a deer with an illegal weapon and four felony counts of contest fraud.

Agents received information that Jordan had taken a trophy buck on Louisiana Delta property in Catahoula Parish with a .204 caliber rifle. Agents interviewed Jordan and he allegedly confessed to shooting the buck with the illegal weapon on Dec. 28.

Jordan then entered the buck into four big buck contests including Morehouse, Ouachita, Caldwell and LaSalle parishes. The buck sported 15 points with main beams of 31 1/2 inches and an inside spread of 24 7/8 inches.

Louisiana law requires that deer can only be taken with a center fire rifle at least .22 caliber or larger. The antlers and the four score sheets at the big buck contest were seized as evidence. Jordan will also be assessed civil restitution for the value of the illegally taken deer, which is $2,033.29.

Taking a deer with an illegal weapon brings a fine between $100 and $350 and up to 60 days in jail. Contest fraud carries a fine up to $3,000 and up to one year in jail for each count.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Bear Fletcher and Lee Tarver and Agents Kurt Hatten and Kenny Robertson.

For state-by-state hunting information, click here to check out the Deer Hunters’ Almanac 2012: Digital Edition.