FWC: Man Cited for Poaching After Posting Facebook Pics

A Tampa man was cited after authorities got a complaint that an alligator and a deer had been killed, and photos were posted on Facebook, wildlife officials said.

Kyle Edwards, 21, was also in the photos, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.

On June 17, he was issued a citation for taking deer during the closed season, a first-degree misdemeanor, and for the illegal taking of an American alligator, a second-degree misdemeanor, FWC said.

FWC said the the animals were killed on private property in Levy County.

Edwards told FWC investigator James Smith that he and a friend had gone to the property to camp and shoot a new AK-47 he had purchased, FWC said. They saw an alligator, and Edwards fatally shot it, FWC said. They cleaned it, ate some of it and later gave the rest to friends, FWC said.

The next day Edwards shot and killed the deer, FWC said. They took a photo of the animal, cleaned it, ate some and gave the rest to friends, authorities said.

Both carcasses ended up in the dump pile, FWC said.

Edwards admitted to posting the photos on Facebook and later taking them down, FWC said.

It wasn't immediately clear if Edwards had an attorney, and a home phone number for him couldn't be found.

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