A convicted felon from Paulding County is in even more trouble after being detained in North Carolina on firearms charges and suspected of spotlighting deer.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, James Brandon Taylor, 29, of Dallas, was discovered seated in the bed of a pickup truck with a loaded crossbow and a black flashlight in his lap.
Around 7:20 p.m. on November 15, a white 2013 Toyota pickup vehicle was spotted near the intersection of US Highway 64 and Carter Cove Road. According to deputies, the truck was noticed illuminating an embankment and wooded area known for deer activity. Dalton Wayne Taylor, 25, of Hayesville, was driving the truck when it crossed Hwy 64 and turned onto Qualla Road.
Jerry Lee Taylor, 47, and Jonathan Buck Taylor, 31, both of Hayesville, were in the truck at the time of the stop.
When James was requested to rise, he did so, culminating in the finding of a loaded 410 sawed-off shotgun falling out the rear of his jeans. James was arrested and taken to the Clay County Detention Center after admitting to being a convicted criminal on probation for possession of methamphetamine.
Following searches, a tiny amount of suspected methamphetamine was discovered on James’ person. He is now charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a weapon of mass destruction, and felon in possession of methamphetamine on jail grounds. James is being held without bond pending the outcome of his legal actions.
The US Forest Service assisted with the traffic stop as well.
The event has been reported to North Carolina Wildlife, and additional charges are possible.
What exactly is deer spotlighting?
Spotlighting deer is an unlawful and unethical hunting technique in which people use artificial light, usually a spotlight, to illuminate and temporarily blind deer at night. Deer are more visible in the dark when their eyes reflect light, therefore this technique is frequently used to make it simpler for hunters to locate and target the animals.
The usage of spotlights interferes with deer’s natural behavior by interfering with their capacity to see and respond to their surroundings. Due to the potential for abuse and the impact on wildlife conservation efforts, spotlighting deer is absolutely illegal in many areas. To encourage fair and sustainable hunting practices, hunting rules typically specify specified seasons, tactics, and ethical requirements.
Law enforcement authorities and wildlife conservation organizations work hard to enforce these restrictions and prevent illegal spotlighting, which endangers both humans and animals and can deplete local deer populations. Law enforcement responded to a report of suspicious activity relating to spotlighting deer in the scenario detailed in the article, emphasizing the dedication to upholding hunting regulations and conserving wildlife.
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