Three illegal deer hunters were recently convicted of multiple big game hunting violations in Cocke and Jefferson Counties prior to the opening of the deer hunting season.

In Jefferson County General Sessions Court, Logan Talley, 20, and Timmy Humphrey, 19, both of Newport, pleaded guilty to spotlighting deer, hunting and killing deer in the closed season, hunting without permission, and hunting from a motor vehicle.  

General Sessions Judge Benjamin Strand ordered Talley to pay $2,564 in fines, court costs, and restitution for the illegally killed deer. Jail time was suspended and Talley will remain on supervised probation until fines and court costs are paid.  His hunting, fishing and trapping privileges have been revoked for four years. Talley also forfeited a Mossberg .22 caliber rifle to the TWRA.

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.