If there’s one thing we notice about serial poachers is that, in many cases, they keep it in the family. Whether it’s a matter of being taught what they know by their elders or banding together in some sort of familial pact to defy wildlife laws, many such cases exist including this most recent one coming out of northern Florida.
According to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Commission, two brothers, 23-year-old Hunter Layfield of Blountstown and 40-year-old Patrick Layfield of Clarksville, have been arrested for their role in what is believed to be a massive poaching operation spanning at least three panhandle counties.
In total, officials believe the two brothers illegally killed at least 20 whitetail deer during closed seasons. While this volume of activity can sometimes take place over multiple years or seasons, these two seemed to have really gotten after it as all of the incidents were believed to have taken place during the ‘24-’25 hunting season.
The illegal activity, which reportedly took place in Franklin, Calhoun and Liberty counties, led to a six-month investigation spearheaded by Florida’s FWC. During that investigation, officials obtained search warrants for the suspects residence where they were able to uncover 10 mounted deer, two rifles, an infrared scope and a variety of other illegal hunting equipment.
Mounts and equipment seized | FWC
FWC officials have stated that they now have reason, backed by evidence, to believe that the pair killed about 20 deer during closed seasons on a mix of public wildlife management areas, private land without permission, and their own private property.
As of right now, the two men are being accused of using unlawful methods to hunt deer, hunting at night with artificial light and using firearms during closed seasons.
Florida officials have stated that given the nature of the on-going investigation, some details are being kept quiet for the time being. According to the release, they do expect additional charges to surface as the investigation continues.
