A Chunky man is facing a hefty fine for violating state hunting laws.
Dustin Keith Alsup, 23, was arrested at 9:40 a.m. January 26 by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks conservation officers and charged with head lighting deer and not having a hunting license.
MDWFP Maj. Chris Reed said head lighting deer is a serious charge under state hunting laws.
“In our fine schedule, it’s the highest fine we have,” he said.
Head lighting deer, Reed said, involves using a bright light to surprise deer at night, shocking them into freezing in place.
“Head lighting deer is when someone shines a deer with a flashlight, spotlight or headlights of a car,” he said. “You’ve heard the phrase, ‘Deer in headlights,’ and that’s what it does. It freezes them.”
Reed said using such methods to hunt is “unethical” and “unfair” to the deer.
“It’s not fair to the animal, and it doesn’t take any skill,” he said.
Violators convicted of head lighting deer can face fines ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 and losing their hunting license for 1-3 years, Reed said.
Alsup was released from Newton County Jail at 12:12 p.m. January 26 on a $5,500 bond.
