Two brothers were accused early yesterday of jacklighting -- hunting deer illegally by using a spotlight to illuminate the animals at night -- said a spokesman for Maryland Natural Resources Police.

Spokesman John Surrick said Cpl. Paul Hanyok was on routine patrol along Bennett Road near Long Corner Road in Mount Airy about 2 a.m. when he saw two men standing on the road next to a vehicle, shining a spotlight onto a privately owned cornfield.

Surrick said the area has a large deer population.

He said no evidence was found that any deer had been shot or shots had been fired. He added that the men were not arrested but given citations.

Surrick said Joseph W. Colson Jr., 27, of Woodbine in Howard County and Steven J. Colson, 31, of Sykesville were cited and a .223-caliber rifle and spotlight were confiscated.

"Jacklighting is a problem all year, but especially prior to and during the legal deer hunting season," Surrick said.

Pub Date: 11/16/98