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A Virginia man faces jail time and the loss of his hunting license after killing the well-known “Hollywood Buck.”
The Famous Hollywood Buck
The 29-point deer, estimated to be six or seven years old, roamed the historic Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond.
Locals knew the buck well. Under Virginian law, shooting it within the cemetery is poaching.
The poaching incident came to light after Jason Walters, one of the hunters involved, posted photos of the slain buck on the Facebook page “Star City Whitetails,” run by Jeff Phillips.
The page allows hunters to share their achievements, and Walters shared several deer photos, including one of the Hollywood Buck.
The photos, posted on December 14, 2023, showed Walters with a ‘nontypical 29-point buck,’ according to Fox News.
Walters claimed in the post that he killed the buck in Prince Edward County with a muzzleloader. A gun that loads at the front end of the barrel.
Recognizing the Hollywood Buck
Local wildlife enthusiasts and photographers who had documented the deer in the cemetery quickly recognized the deer’s distinct antlers.
“I posted on my page, and within probably 10 minutes, somebody that follows my page sent me a private message with some pictures that a wildlife photographer in that Richmond area had taken of this deer,” Phillips told Fox News Digital.
Realizing the buck’s significance, Phillips cooperated with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, providing the photos and information.
A conservation police officer with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources obtained a search and arrest warrant for Walters based on this evidence.
The Arrest
WRIC reports that Walters was arrested on January 28, 2024. The arrest was in connection to the illegal killing of multiple deer, including the Hollywood Buck.
The Department of Wildlife Resources confirmed that Walters killed the Hollywood Buck illegally. This led to charges against Walters and another hunter, Alan Proffitt.
“The illegal killing of the Hollywood Cemetery buck is a serious violation of Virginia’s wildlife laws,” said Major Ryan Shuler, Deputy Chief of DWR Law Enforcement. He emphasized the priority of the investigation.
The Repercussions
Walters faced 20 misdemeanors. They sentenced him to 80 months in jail, with 76 months suspended. He will serve four months in the Richmond Jail.
Walters must also pay over $13,000 in fines and restitution. His hunting license was revoked for 100 years, with 75 years suspended. He faces a minimum of 25 years without hunting privileges.
Keep in mind that Walters did several things illegally. Shooting the Hollywood Buck was not the only thing he did wrong.
This suspension depends on his compliance with all terms of his plea agreement, including good behavior and obeying all laws. His case took until August 15, 2024, to resolve.
Proffitt pled guilty to six charges. He received a $250 fine for five non-bailable charges. For the remaining charge, Proffitt was sentenced to six months in jail, with five months suspended.
His hunting license was revoked for six years, with four years suspended on each count, totaling two years without hunting privileges.
Like Walters, Proffitt’s suspended sentence requires good behavior and adherence to the law.
Conclusion
The Hollywood Buck, known for its size and unique antlers, symbolized the Hollywood Cemetery, where hunting is prohibited.
The buck’s loss has sparked outrage among locals and wildlife advocates, highlighting the need to respect wildlife laws and preserve the area’s natural heritage.
READ MORE: Colorado To Vote On Initiative #91: A Wildcat Hunting Ban
This sensational story is a pretty powerful example of what not to do. As citizens in the United States, we get to hunt game as long as we follow the rules.
But not following the rules is a sure way to have your freedom restricted. We don’t really know if the two hunters recognized the Hollywood Buck when they shot it. But they still broke the law.
Moral of the story: Be smart and don’t break laws. It’s as simple as that.