December 1, 2010

Deer hunters cited in Poolesville, Barnesville, Dickerson, Laytonsville, Beallsville

Even before Maryland's two-week firearms deer season opened last weekend, hunters were in the prowl. A few could pay dearly for jumping the gun. Three men were charged at 10:54 p.m. Nov. 11 with casting artificial light while in possession of a weapon, commonly called jacklighting. The incident occurred on West Offutt Road in Poolesville.

Officers confiscated a rifle, two spotlights, a meat cleaver and a knife from Jose Argueta Rodriguez, 38, Gustavo Adolfo Iglesias, 40, and Jose Acids Vigil, 31, all of Hyattsville. If convicted of jacklighting, they must forfeit their weapons to the state and their hunting licenses will be revoked for two to five years, Department of Natural Resources spokesman Sgt. Art Windemuth said.

"We do take spotlighting of deer seriously," he said. "It's a hazard to people in the area."

A first offense carries a maximum fine of $2,000 and six months in jail, he said. READ MORE: Gazette

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