LWAA

RED RIVER PARISH MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER

On December 8, 2004, Enforcement Agents from the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries cited Daryl R. Bass, age 39, of Coushatta, for
allegedly killing a deer illegally after legal shooting hours.

After receiving a report of night hunting activity from the Red River Parish
Sheriff's Office, Wildlife Enforcement Sergeant Chuck Dison stopped Bass on
La. Hwy. 783. Bass was in possession of a freshly killed deer at
approximately 9:00 p.m. that night.

Upon questioning Bass stated that he had killed the deer before dark.
During the investigation and gathering of evidence, including forensic
testing to determine time of death of the deer, Bass finally admitted to
killing the deer after dark, from the road.

Bass was cited for taking deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving
vehicle, hunting deer from a public road and discharging a firearm from a
public road.

A .270 rifle was seized for evidence and Bass was also issued a civil
summons to pay $524.24 to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
for the deer. The penalty for taking deer illegal hours is a fine up to
$950, imprisonment for not more than 120 days or both, and forfeiture of
anything seized, plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle carries a
fine up to the amount of $500, jail for not more than 90 days or both, plus
court costs. Hunting deer from a public road has a fine up to the amount of
$350, jail for not more than 60 days or both, plus the court costs. The fine
for discharging a firearm from a public road is not more than $50, jail for
not more than 30 days or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case in addition to Sgt. Dison were Sgt. Michael
Kelley and Senior Agents Jared McIver and Sr. Agent Jason Clinton.
Assisting the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries was Red River Parish
Sheriff's Deputy Roger Longino.

DEER POACHER BUSTED IN NATCHITOCHES PARISH

Wildlife enforcement agents cited Danny R. Praytor, 60, of Shreveport, on
December 11 in Natchitoches Parish for numerous violations stemming from the
illegal taking and possession of deer.

Senior Agent John Bernard contacted Praytor at his camp near Ajax, after
receiving a complaint of illegal hunting. Praytor was cited when Bernard
found him to be in possession of three recently killed deer in coolers
without any sex identification. At first, Praytor stated that all three
deer were small bucks; however, he could not produce any of the heads.
Bernard contacted Sgt. David McAlpin, and after an intensive search by the
agents, the heads and other remains of three recently killed deer were found
indicating that two were doe deer and one was a young buck.

Praytor then admitted that he had killed one doe deer on December 9 and the
other doe deer and young buck on December 10. He was cited for two counts
of taking an illegal deer during open season, possession of illegally taken
deer, possession of over limit of deer and three counts of failure to
maintain sex identification. He was also issued a civil summons to pay
restitution in the amount $1,573.62 to the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries for the three illegally possessed deer. A .270 rifle was seized
for evidence. The deer meat was seized and donated to charity.

Positive evidence of sex identification, including the head, is required to
be kept on any deer taken in Louisiana, while it is in a camp or the field,
or is in route to the domicile of the possessor until it has been stored at
the domicile of the possessor, or divided at a cold storage facility and has
become identifiable as food rather than wild game.

The penalty for taking an illegal deer during open season is a fine of $500
to $750 and jail for not less than 15 days or more than 30 days. Possession
of illegally taken deer is punishable by a fine of $400 to $750 or jail for
not more than 120 days or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything
seized. The penalty for both possession of over limit of deer and failure
to maintain sex identification is a fine of $250 to $500 or jail for not
more than 90 days or both, plus court costs.

HUNTERS CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division have cited four hunters for allegedly taking illegal deer.

On December 4, 2004, Harry G. Banta Jr., 41, of Brusly, was cited for taking
an illegal three point buck in Iberville Parish.

On December 11, Michael D. Doiron, 36, of Baton Rouge, was cited for taking
an illegal five point buck and Charles B. Richard, 27, of Plaquemine, was
cited for taking an illegal three point buck. Both violations occurred in
Iberville Parish.

On December 5, a juvenile was cited in West Baton Rouge Parish for taking an
illegal five point buck. Also on December 5, Wally P. Richard, 44, of
Opelousas, was cited in St. Landry Parish for taking an illegal doe deer
during open season, after an extensive investigation stemming from a
complaint.

A legal buck in Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes is required to have
six points or better and/or spikes less than three inches in length.

All individuals cited were also issued civil restitution assessments for the
value of each deer taken illegally. The value of a deer is set at $524.54.

The penalty for the violation of failure to abide by commission rules and
regulations is a fine of $100 to $350, jail for not more than 60 days or
both, plus court costs. The penalty for taking an illegal deer during the
open season is a fine of $500 to $750 and jail for not less than 15 days or
more than 30 days, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the cases were Lieutenant Darryl Moore, Sergeants
Donald Vallet, Mitch Darby, Ronald Hebert and Chris Carpenter and Senior
Agents Jordan Bayham, Jerry Stassi and Brad Guidroz.

TWO MEN SENTENCED FOR FEDERAL BAIT VIOLATION

On December 12, 2004, Huey Gonzales Jr., 53, of Chalmette, and Ronald
Becnel, 53, of Braithwaite, appeared before United States District Court
Judge Ivan Lemelle in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of
Louisiana in New Orleans, and entered pleas of guilty to federal violations
involving baiting waterfowl. Gonzales and Becnel were cited on December 13,
2003, after agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
documented and cited both subjects hunting ducks over a baited area in
violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Judge Ivan Lemelle accepted their guilty pleas and sentenced each to pay a
fine of $1,500, plus a $10 special assessment fee. Both were placed on two
years of active probation. As a condition of the probation, their hunting
privileges were revoked for a two-year period for all species, and they were
ordered to watch a video presentation on the harmful effects of poaching on
waterfowl.

Assistant U.S. District Attorney Michael Simpson prosecuted the case for the
government.

Agents participating in the case were Captain Brian Clark, Lieutenant Allen
Adam, Sergeants Scot Keller, Rachel Zechenelly and Todd Laviolette and
Senior Agents Kris Bourgeois and Jason Gernados. Agents from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service were Stephen Clark and Bill Mellor

ST. BERNARD SPORTSMAN'S LEAGUE HONORS AGENT

Sergeant Todd Laviolette was recognized by the St. Bernard Sportsman's
League at their meeting on November 18, 2004, for his recognition as
Statewide Agent of the Year by the Louisiana Wildlife Agent's Association
and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division.
Sergeant Laviolette was named as agent of the year in July of 2004.

Mr. Audie Bachemine, Vice President of the League, presented Sergeant
Laviolette with a plaque recognizing him for this accomplishment. Mr.
Bachemine expressed how proud the members of the League were to have a
parish resident and member of the St. Bernard Sportsman's League named as
Statewide Agent of the Year. Sergeant Laviolette was congratulated on his
years of hard work and dedication as an enforcement agent. He is a
respected member of the St. Bernard community and has been a member of the
Sportsman's League for several years. He also teaches and participates in
Boating Safety Education classes and Hunter Safety classes in his community.

ST. CHARLES MEN CITED FOR AFTER HOURS WOOD DUCK HUNT

On December 5, 2004, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division cited Paul Olivier Jr., 19, and Warren Herks
III, 22, both of Destrehan, and Maurice Waguespack III, 21, of Montz, for
alleged migratory waterfowl hunting violations.

The three were issued citations after agents allegedly witnessed them
shooting wood ducks after legal shooting hours on the bank of the
Mississippi River near Reserve in St. John Parish. Legal shooting hours for
migratory game birds are one half hour before sunrise to sunset. At the
time of the stop, the three hunters were in possession of four wood ducks.
The ducks were seized as evidence.

All three were cited for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. If
convicted, they face fines of up to $5,000, jail for up to 6 months and the
possible loss of hunting privileges for a period of time to be determined by
the court.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Aron Hastings and Agent
William Boyd.

CLOSED SEASON TRIP RESULTS IN COMMERCIAL RED SNAPPER PENALTIES

The Office of the General Counsel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration has issued a Notice of Violation and Assessment (NOVA) to a
company and a boat captain for violations of commercial red snapper
regulations. The case was initiated by agents from the Saltwater Enforcement
Patrol unit of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division.

The violations occurred on September 30 in the Gulf of Mexico when Louisiana
wildlife enforcement agents found the fishing vessel Billy B holding red
snapper in closed season and possessing over the permitted poundage of red
snapper. The case was made at 11:45 a.m. on September 30, and the season
opened on October 1 at noon. The agents seized 2,338 pounds of red snapper,
which were sold. The proceeds are held in escrow until final disposition of
the case. The Billy B was permitted for a total weight of red snapper not to
exceed 2,000 pounds per trip.

Captain Edward Lominec Jr., 53, of Abbeville, Alabama, and Billy B Inc. of
Fort Walton Beach, Florida, were assessed $20,000 for violations of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. In addition, a
Notice of Permit Sanction (NOPS) for thirty days and a Notice of Seizure and
Proposed Forfeiture (NOPF) were issued by Cynthia Fenyk, Attorney-Advisor
for the General Counsel.

Participating in the case were Lieutenant Pete Bordes, Sergeant John Lopez
and Senior Agents David Nunez and Robert Cosse.

EVANGELINE PARISH MAN SENTENCED FOR LITTERING

On December 16, Russell Paul Ryder Jr., 37, of Basile appeared before Judge
Joel Davis of the 33rd Judicial District Court in Allen Parish. The judge
rendered verdict of guilty on the charge of littering.

Judge Davis sentenced Ryder to pay a fine of $300, plus $99 in court costs.
In addition to the fine Judge Davis ordered Ryder to perform eight hours of
community service, picking up litter in the parish.

The case was initiated on July 18 when enforcement agents from the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries working the Calcasieu River area near
Highway 26 saw Ryder discarding a bag of trash in the wooded area along the
Calcasieu River.

Assistant District Attorney Rodney Bertrand prosecuted the case for the
state. Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Chris Cormier and
Senior Agents Keith Aucoin and Joey James.

IBERVILLE PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS APPREHENDED

On December 13, enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries apprehended Blake Hood, 17, Anthony Trepagnier III, 20, Joshua
Comeaux, 20, and Benjamin Latour, 21, all of Donaldsonville, for allegedly
hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting
from a public road. Latour was additionally cited for driving without an
operator's license.

Agents allegedly observed the four men hunting from a vehicle, and after
hearing gunshots stopped the vehicle and found a freshly killed eight-point
buck at the scene. All four subjects were arrested and booked into the
Iberville Parish jail. Two rifles were seized and are being held as
evidence. The deer was seized and donated to charity. All four subjects
were additionally charged a civil restitution in the amount of $524.54 for
replacement value of the deer.

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of $900 to $950,
jail for up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of
anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine of
$250 to $500, jail for up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. The
penalty for hunting from a public road is a fine of $100 to $350, jail for
up to 60 days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Ronald Hebert and Senior
Agents Jordan Bayham and Jerry Stassi.

ST. LANDRY PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS ARRESTED

In the early morning hours of December 22, enforcement agents from the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries apprehended and cited two
night hunters in the Palmetto area of St. Landry Parish for allegedly
hunting deer during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle.

Marshall Clay Arnold, 29, of Palmetto and a 16-year-old juvenile were
apprehended after agents watched them shoot two doe deer from their vehicle
on the Spillway levee north of Palmetto. Arnold was additionally cited for
contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and booked into the St. Landry
Parish Jail. The juvenile was released to a family member.

Two doe deer and a 12-gauge pump shotgun were confiscated. The deer were
donated to charity and the shotgun will be held for evidence. A civil
restitution citation in the amount of $524.54 was issued to Arnold for each
deer taken.

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of $900 to $950,
jail for up to 120 days, or both, plus cost of court and forfeiture of
anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine of
$250 to $500, jail for up to 90 days, or both, plus cost of court. The
penalty for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile is a fine of not
more than $500 or imprisonment or not more than 6 months or both.

Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Travis Huval and Agent Donnie
Bozeman.

TROPHY DEER POACHED IN IBERVILLE PARISH

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited an Iberville Parish man on December 15 for allegedly taking a
trophy buck during illegal hours and from a vehicle.

Brandon J. Canella, 25, of Plaquemine was cited after agents received a tip
that a large buck deer had been poached. An investigation revealed the
nine-point buck had been taken after legal hours ended and with the aid of
Canella's truck headlights.

He was also issued a civil restitution summons in the amount of $524.54 for
replacement value of the deer. The deer was seized and donated to charity.

The penalty for hunting or taking deer during illegal hours or with an
artificial light is a fine of $900 to $950, jail for not more than 120 days,
or both, plus court costs and forfeiture to the commission of anything
seized. The penalty for hunting from a moving vehicle is a fine of $250 to
$500, jail for not more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Lieutenant Darryl Moore, Sergeant
Ronald Hebert, and Senior Agents Jordan Bayham and Jerry Stassi.

HUNTERS SENTENCED FOR OVERLIMIT AND BAITING DUCKS

On December 9, Herschel Blood, 50, of Centerville and Billy Skipper, 71, of
Pierre Part appeared before Magistrate Judge Alma Chasez of the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans and pled
guilty to violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Magistrate Chasez
accepted their pleas to the charges of taking over the limit of ducks and
hunting ducks over a baited area.

Blood and Skipper were each ordered to pay a fine of $1,820 and to serve two
years probation, during which they cannot hunt migratory birds.

The violations occurred on September 13, 2003, in Terrebonne Parish near
Swing Bayou when agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries located an area that was baited with milo and holding a large
number of ducks. The agents set up surveillance on the opening day of teal
season, and witnessed the men take 30 blue winged teal. The limit during the
special teal season is four teal per hunter.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Chad Hebert, Sergeant Max
Dupre, and Captain Sammy Martin.

SHRIMP SEASON EXTENDED IN ZONE 1

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau

announced today the extension of the fall inshore shrimp season in Shrimp

Management Zone 1. Due to the presence of significant numbers of marketable

shrimp remaining within the Pontchartrain Basin LDWF will extend the

shrimping season until official sunset, Friday, Dec 31, 2004 except in the

open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as described in the menhaden

rule (LAC 76:VII.307D) which shall remain open until 6:00 a.m., March 31,

2005. Zone 1 includes Louisiana territorial waters from the

Mississippi-Louisiana boundary to the eastern shore of South Pass of the

Mississippi River.

Authority for this extension was granted by the Louisiana Wildlife and

Fisheries Commission at its August 4, 2004 meeting. The fall inshore shrimp

season in Zones 2 and 3 will close at official sunset Tuesday December 21,

2004. Shrimpers are reminded that LA R.S.56:498(B) provides that following

the third Monday in December (December 20, 2004) of each year the minimum

white shrimp possession size limit onboard a vessel shall be no less than

100 count per pound (heads-on weight).

According to marine fisheries biologist Keith Ibos, "Significant numbers of

marketable size shrimp remain within the Pontchartrain system and

unseasonably warm December water temperatures have provided continued

opportunity for shrimp growth. Recent commercial catches have consisted of

shrimp ranging in size from 16/20 to 50/60 count per pound and a limited

season extension within these waters should provide shrimpers with increased

economic benefits without posing risk to the resource".

L.D.W.F. ANNOUNCES TURKEY LOTTERY HUNTS

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has announced the

locations for the season's turkey lottery hunts. The 2005 turkey season

will feature lottery hunts on nine of the department's wildlife management

areas. Bayou Macon, Boise-Vernon, Loggy Bayou, Sabine, Sherburne, Sicily

Island Hills, Tunica Hills, Union, and West Bay wildlife management areas

will have lottery-only hunts for a least a portion of the open turkey

season. In addition, youth only lottery hunts will be held on Bens Creek,

Big Lake, Fort Polk/Peason Ridge, Jackson-Bienville, Loggy Bayou, Sherburne,

Union, and West Bay WMAs. Hunters 15 years old and younger are eligible for

the youth hunt lotteries.

Lottery hunt applications are available from any LDWF regional office and

can also be found on the department's website at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

There is a $5 nonrefundable application fee that must accompany each

application. Applications must be received in the Baton Rouge office

by February 15, 2005 to be eligible for the drawing.

FIRST SPLIT OF 2004 WATERFOWL HUNTING SEASONS

The first split of the duck hunting seasons began well in many portions of

Louisiana, but only in a few areas did that success last more than a couple

of weeks, according to reports from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and

Fisheries. Hunter reports from much of the coastal zone were positive just

after the opening, but that appeared related to some ideal weather patterns

just prior to and during opening weekend. Similarly, openings for many in

the more northerly sectors of the state were good early, but short-lived.

There was not much weather during the entire first split that would have

moved waterfowl south. Overall, duck and goose hunting success during the

first split was observed as poor and likely similar to that of last year.

Hunters consistently reported very few mallards in the bag, but teal,

shovelers, wood ducks and ring-necks did provide some good local

shooting.

"I think many duck hunters are getting tired of waterfowl managers pointing

to the weather patterns as the primary reason for their lack of success,"

said Robert Helm, LDWF Waterfowl Program manager. "There are many factors

that affect migration patterns of ducks, but annually, harsh weather to the

north and good habitat conditions here [in Louisiana] are the keys that lead

to high hunter success. This has not been a normal fall in any sense," said

Helm.

Some northern states ended their duck hunting seasons several weeks ago

still waiting for cold weather to push birds south to them out of prairie

Canada. This has been one of the mildest falls on record in most of the 14

states of the Mississippi Flyway. In addition to the heat in Louisiana, it

has been very wet. For the month of November, statewide precipitation

averaged over nine inches, four inches above normal and this was the fifth

wettest November in more than 100 years. This has created an abundance

of wetland habitat for waterfowl in flooded agriculture lands as well as

backwater flooding, but this can make hunting difficult in some areas.

Those hunters that can adjust to these changing conditions should be

more successful as the season progresses. These wet conditions extend

throughout Louisiana northward into mid-latitude states.

The second split of the waterfowl seasons opens statewide on Saturday,

December 18. The low temperatures predicted for the next few days will be

the coldest of the year, so far and will move waterfowl into the state.

"This front is not as severe or long lasting as we would like, but it sure

is much better than what we have had to date," said Helm. Results of

waterfowl surveys that were conducted by the department late last week, and

those on-going now on the coast, should be available later this week just

prior to the second split opener. Survey results along with U.S. weather

maps of the last two months can be viewed on the LDWF web site at

www.wlf.louisiana.gov. Once there click on "Hunting Information" then

"Waterfowl Population Estimates."

ENFORCEMENT AGENTS LOOK FOR HELP TO KEEP WATER CLEAN

Coastal marine law enforcement agencies are looking to step up efforts to

keep the Gulf of Mexico clean, and they are asking for the public's help.

The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council and the Gulf States Marine

Fisheries Commission are requesting an amendment to the Magnuson-Stevens

Fishery Conservation and Management Act to fight littering. This act is up

for reauthorization in the next congress and the public is being urged to

contact their congressman to support inclusion of language prohibiting

littering in coastal waters.

Throughout the Gulf of Mexico, federally deputized state law enforcement

officers have increased patrol efforts along the coastal waters in the

Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ). The increases in patrols are directed towards

fisheries compliance, made possible through successful state and federal

cooperative enforcement agreements between the National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and state marine enforcement agencies.

Increased law enforcement patrols means increases in compliance with fishery

management plans, leading to more fish and safer atmospheres for legal

fishermen. The addition of littering regulations could allow for these

patrols to protect the environment even more.

"Littering hurts coastal habitat, the spawning grounds of many species of

fish, turtles, and shellfish, which directly impacts our coastal communities

and the Louisiana quality of life," said Colonel Winton Vidrine, Chief of

the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division.

U.S. ARMY HELICOPTER AIDS IN APPREHENDING ILLEGAL DEER HUNTERS AT FORT POLK W.M.A.

On November 27, 2004 a multi-jurisdictional enforcement effort resulted in

several citations for alleged illegal deer hunting on Fort Polk Wildlife

Management Area. A U.S. Army helicopter patrolled the WMA looking for

illegal deer hunting activity. The helicopter pilot, along with a Department

of the Army Police officer observed a large group of deer hunters making

what appeared to be an illegal organized deer drive in the Fullerton Area of

Fort Polk WMA. Ground units were called in and 12 hunters were apprehended.

Gregory P. Smith, 45 of LaCamp, Michael S. Thacker, 29, of Hineston, James

W. Boswell, 23, of LaCamp, Rodney W. Boswell, 53, of LaCamp, Shawn D.

Wellman, 23, of Leesville, Curtis J. Boswell, 38, of Leander, Gregory H.

Smith, 25, of LaCamp, Billy J. Gordy, 28, of Hineston, Audrey S. Smith, 44,

of LaCamp, Patricia M. Boswell, 26, of Leander, Tommy W. Gordy, 22, of

Leander, and Rodney D. Boswell, 26, of Leander were each cited for not

abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA by making an organized deer

drive. All hunters admitted to participating in the illegal drive.

The penalty for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA is a fine of

$100 to $350, jail for not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs.

Officers participating in the case were LDWF Sgt. Bill Tyree, Fort Polk Game

Warden Elton Herring, Department of the Army Police Officers Adam Ducote and

Brad Johnson, and Fort Polk Flight Detachment CW2 Brett Hall.

SEVENTEEN DEER SEIZED DURING THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement

Division in Region 6 seized 17 deer during the Thanksgiving weekend either

sex deer hunts.

On November 26, agents seized nine deer from hunters on private lands and on

wildlife management areas. Gary Rolland, 56, of Gretna, and Richard Baumery,

48, of Arnaudville were each cited for killing illegal spike bucks on

Sherburne Wildlife Management Area. James Robert 57, of Opelousas, was

charged after killing an illegal spike on Indian Bayou, and a juvenile was

cited for killing an illegal spike on private property in Pointe Coupee

Parish. A legal buck on Sherburne W.M.A, Indian Bayou, and in Pointe

Coupee, West Baton Rouge and Iberville Parish is required to have six points

or better and or spikes less than three inches in length.

Joseph Lindley 34, of Carencro was charged with hunting on a WMA without a

WMA hunting permit on Thistlethwaite Wildlife Management Area resulting in

the seizure of a button buck.

Agents acting on a complaint issued a citation to a juvenile in Iberville

Parish for possessing over the limit of deer. The investigation led to the

seizure of three does. James Hebert Jr. 28, of Rayne was also cited in

Iberville Parish with failure to maintain sex identification and field

possession of deer meat without a tag. One deer was seized from James

Hebert Jr.

On November 27, agents conducted an investigation in Pointe Coupee Parish

that began with a complaint. As a result of the investigation a juvenile was

cited for possessing over the limit of deer and hunting on D.M.A.P. land

without a permit. A button buck and a doe were seized from the juvenile.

In Iberville Parish on November 28, agents issued citations to four

individuals for failing to maintain sex identification and field possession

of deer meat without a tag. Those cited were Kenneth Hebert 44, of

Plaquemine (two counts), Gerald Boudreaux Jr. 44, of Brusly (two counts),

Carl Major 31, of Sunshine and a juvenile. Agents seized six deer in this case.

All individuals cited were also issued civil restitution citations for the

value of each deer taken illegally. The value of a deer is set at $524.54.

The total civil restitution amount owed to the department from these cases

is $8,917.18.

The penalty for the violations of failure to abide by commission rules, for

hunting on a WMA without a WMA hunting permit, or for hunting on DMAP lands

without a permit is a fine of $100 to $350, jail for not more than 60 days,

or both, plus court costs. The penalty for possessing over the limit of

deer, failing to maintain sex identification, or for field possession of

deer meat without a tag is a fine of $250 to $500, jail for not more than 90

days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the cases were Lieutenants Donald Salpietra and

Darryl Moore, Sergeants Travis Huval, and Brad Garon, and Senior Agents

Jerry Stassi, Cliff Ortis, Donnie Bozeman, Brian Theriot, Channing Duvall,

and Jordan Bayham.

ST. CHARLES FISHERMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FISHING UNDER LICENSE REVOCATION

Michael J. Fonseca, 27, of Des Allemands, appeared on November 23 before the

29th Judicial District Court in Hahnville and pled guilty to commercial

fishing while under license revocation. Judge Robert Chaisson accepted

Fonseca's guilty plea and ordered him to pay a fine of $382. Judge Chaisson

also ordered Fonseca to pay the outstanding civil restitution fine, the

cause for the license revocation, to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife

and Fisheries within 30 days.

Enforcement Division agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and

Fisheries arrested Fonseca on August 13, 2004 for engaging in commercial

fishing while under license revocation. At the time of his arrest, agents

found Fonseca to be in possession of 195 channel catfish and one hoop net.

Captain Brian Clark of Region 8 notified agents that Fonseca's fishing

privileges had been revoked due to an unpaid civil restitution penalty from

a case in September 2002. In that case, Fonseca pled guilty to taking

undersize commercial catfish. In addition to the criminal penalty, he was

ordered to make civil restitution to the department in the amount of $150

for the value of the illegal fish. In spite of several notifications by

department personnel, Fonseca failed to make the payment and his privileges

were revoked.

Fonseca has several prior charges for undersize catfish violations,

commercial license violations, and boating safety infractions. He has also

served time in prison for other criminal convictions. His fishing privileges

will remain revoked until the restitution is paid.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinberg of the office of Harry J. Morel

Jr., District Attorney for the 29th Judicial District, negotiated the plea

agreement on behalf of the state. Senior Agent Eddie Skena was the case

agent.

OYSTER FISHERMAN SENTENCED IN THEFT CASE

On December 2, Darrin Casanova, 33, of St. Bernard, appeared before 34th

Judicial District Court Judge Wayne Cresap. Casanova entered a plea of

guilty to unlawfully taking oysters from a private oyster lease.

Judge Cresap accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Casanova to pay a fine

of $900, plus court costs for the violation. In addition to the fine, Judge

Cresep ordered Casanova to serve 180 days in jail, suspended upon the

condition of Casanova completing one year of mandatory state probation. The

conditions of the probation were that Casanova must submit to drug screening

and shall not violate any wildlife laws related to illegal oyster harvesting

for one year.

The case was initiated on January 23 when wildlife enforcement agents used

aerial surveillance near Shell Island in response to numerous complaints.

Casanova was cited after he was seen illegally taking oysters from a private

lease.

Assistant District Attorneys Gueniot Marcel and Delores Crosbie prosecuted

the case. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents

participating in this case were Sgt Todd Laviolette, Sgt Bryan Marie, Senior

Agent David Nunez and Lt Stephen McManus.

L.W.F.C. CHANGES POVERTY POINT FISHING REGULATIONS

Adjustments in fishing regulations for black bass and crappie have been made
for Poverty Point Reservoir in Richland Parish. The 2,785-acre impoundment
was opened to anglers in April 2003 under a 14 to 17-inch slot limit with a
five fish creel for black bass. The 14 to 17-inch slot limit was
recommended by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists to
ensure that the new fish population could become established. With the
success of the initial regulations and with an expressed desire of Poverty
Point anglers for trophy bass management, regulations for bass now include a
15 to 19-inch slot limit with an eight fish creel limit. Only one bass over
19 inches can be included in the angler's daily creel. The change in creel
regulations is intended to direct angler harvest to smaller bass in the
population. According to LDWF fisheries biologist Mike Wood, harvest is a
key factor in the success of any regulation. "At Poverty Point, we want to
encourage harvest of smaller bass and allow larger bass to continue
growing."

The daily creel limit for crappie has been reduced from 50 to 25 fish daily
per angler. Though a young impoundment, Poverty Point Reservoir has already
produced an outstanding crappie population. The creel change will not
significantly alter harvest, but will allow for more equal distribution of a
valuable resource.

The commission accepted the initial notice of intent to adjust the
regulations from the department at their June 2004 meeting. Following the
public comment period LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau ratified the rule and
it went into effect on October 20, 2004.

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF DEER MEAT RESULTS IN CITATIONS

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited Terry L. Britt, 42, of Noble, on November 13, 2004, in Sabine
Parish for allegedly possessing deer meat illegally.

Agents cited Britt after they found him on Chay Hunting Club with two
coolers of deer meat without any sex identification. Agents were able to
determine that the meat, which consisted of five hindquarters, five
shoulders, two backstraps and two tenderloins, came from at least three
different deer. Britt was cited for failure to maintain sex identification
and possession of over limit of deer. He was also issued a civil summons to
pay restitution in the amount $1,573.62 to LDWF for the three illegally
possessed deer. The deer meat was seized and donated to charity.

Sgt. Dennis Weldon, Senior Agent Joe Dewil, and Senior Agent Maury Leone
participated in the case.

Positive evidence of sex identification, including the head, is required to
be kept on any deer taken in Louisiana while it is in a camp, the field, or
in route to the domicile of the possessor until it has been stored at the
domicile of the possessor or divided at a cold storage facility and has
become identifiable as food rather than wild game.

Failure to maintain sex identification and possession of over limit of deer
are each punishable by a fine of up to $500, jail for not more than 90 days,
or both, plus court costs.

EAST CARROLL MEN ARRESTED FOR TAKING ILLEGAL DEER AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE

On the afternoon of November 16, enforcement agents from the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two Transylvania men for alleged
violations related to the taking of an illegal deer. Robert Fletcher, 51,
and Ray Fairchild, 41 were both cited for hunting from a moving vehicle and
discharging a firearm from a levee road.

The following morning enforcement agents recovered a doe deer that the men
had allegedly taken during a bucks only season. Arrest warrants were
obtained and the two were arrested. The men were booked into the East
Carroll Parish jail on charges of taking illegal deer open season and
obstruction of justice. Bond was set at $10,750 for each man.

Further investigation revealed that Fairchild was and had been a resident of
Mississippi since 1996. He was subsequently cited for hunting without a
non-resident basic license, hunting without a non-resident big game license,
obtaining a license by fraud, and issued a civil citation for the
restitution value of the illegally taken deer.

A .270 and a .30-06 rifle were seized as evidence in the case. The
illegally taken deer was also seized.

Taking an illegal deer during open season carries a fine of up to $750, jail
for not more than 30 days, or both, plus court costs. Obstruction of
justice is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for not more
than five years, with or without hard labor, or both. Discharging a firearm
from a levee road has a fine of up to $50, jail for not more than 30 days,
or both, plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle and obtaining a
license by fraud each carry fines of up to $500, jail for not more than 90
days, or both, plus court costs. Hunting without non-resident basic license
and a non-resident big game license are punishable by fines of up to $350
each, jail for not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sr. Agent Wayne Parker, and Sergeants
Scott Mathews, Darren Bruce, and Jamie Hagan.

RICHLAND PARISH TRIO CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division cited three Rayville men on November 22, for alleged violations
surrounding an illegal deer. Wilburn Dove, 56 was cited for taking illegal
deer during the open season. Calvin Stowe, 56, and Kevin Dove, 32 were each
cited for possession of illegally taken deer during the open season.

According to agents, Wilburn Dove shot a doe deer near Bee Bayou on the
afternoon of November 22, a bucks only day. Stowe then transported the
illegally taken deer to the residence of Kevin Dove, where the three men
skinned and quartered the deer.

Dove's .270-caliber rifle and the deer were seized as evidence. The deer
was donated to charity.

Taking illegal deer during the open season is punishable by a fine of up to
$750 or jail for not more than 30 days. Possession of illegally taken deer
during the open season is punishable of a fine of up to $750, jail for not
more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Lt. Rick Owens and Sr. Agents Brian
Rawls and Scott Watson.

LICENSES TO BE AVAILABLE AT L.D.W.F. BOURG OFFICE

The Licensing Section from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries will be setting up shop again in its Bourg satellite office. This
time, not only will they be offering commercial fishing licenses, but they
will also be offering instruction.

For a three-day period, from December 14 through December 16, commercial
fishing licenses will be available for purchase at the LDWF Bourg office.
Fishermen may renew or purchase new licenses using cash, cashier's checks or
money orders. As an added bonus this year, staff from the Marine Fisheries
Division will be on hand to train license holders and wholesale/retail
seafood dealers in trip ticket reporting requirements and ordering tickets.

The Bourg office is located at 468 Texas Gulf Road in Bourg and can be
reached at (985)594-4139. The office will be open to the public from 8:30
a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Fishermen wanting to renew licenses are asked to bring
their renewal forms with them. License holders are reminded that they can
still renew or purchase licenses by mail or by visiting the LDWF
Headquarters Building in Baton Rouge.

UNSEASONABLE WEATHER IMPACTS EARLY DEER SEASON SUCCESSES

Weather conditions have had a major impact on hunter success during all of
the managed hunts conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries to date, according to LDWF Wildlife Division Administrator David
Moreland. The warmer than normal temperatures during the months of October
and November have slowed deer movement during the first part of this year's
hunting season. The numbers of hunters in the woods have also dropped this
year, in part due to complaints about abundant mosquito populations.

The first managed hunt conducted on an LDWF wildlife management area was
held the weekend of October 22 through 23. From that weekend through the
Thanksgiving weekend, 2,362 deer have been taken on WMAs in managed hunts.
These deer were taken as a result of 25,694 hunter efforts. That translates
to one deer per 11 hunter efforts. Moreland said that the overall deer
harvest for the season is projected to be lower than the 2003 numbers.

There is still time for numbers to rebound. Most areas will continue to
have some type of deer hunting (bucks-only, muzzleloader and archery) during
the months of December and January. Hunters are urged to check the
department's hunting regulations brochure for exact season dates.

COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR RED SNAPPER IN LA WATERS TO REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FEBRUARY 1, 2005

The fall commercial fishery for red snapper in Louisiana waters will
close at 12:00 noon on December 15, 2004, rather than the previously
announced date of December 10. The season will remain closed until the
opening of the spring commercial red snapper season on February 1, 2005.

The decision was made by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau, following notification by the
National Marine Fisheries Service that the Federal waters of the Gulf of
Mexico will be open for the commercial harvest of red snapper from 12:00
noon, December 1, 2005 until 12:00 noon December 15. It is projected that
the commercial red snapper quota for the fall season is projected to have
been taken at that time.

Secretary Landreneau was authorized by the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission to take these actions to provide consistent regulations
between state and adjacent Federal waters, and noted that the season closure
is necessary to prevent overfishing of the species.

After the closure, all commercial harvest, possession, purchase,
barter, trade, sale or attempts to purchase, barter, trade or sell red
snapper is prohibited until noon, February 1, 2005, the date set for the
opening of the spring season. The prohibition on sale/purchase of red
snapper during the closure does not apply to red snapper that were
harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the effective date of the
closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor provided
appropriate records in accordance with R.S. 56:306.5 and 56:306.6 are
properly maintained.

COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR SHALLOW-WATER GROUPER CLOSES IN LOUISIANA WATERS

A declaration of emergency was passed by the Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries Commission at their December 2 meeting to close the commercial
fishery for the shallow-water grouper (red, black, gag, yellowfin, scamp,
and yellowmouth groupers, rock hind, and red hind), as requested by the
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council requested consistent regulations for Louisiana
waters to enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations.

Regulations for the shallow-water grouper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico
include a commercial quota. Based on reported landings, the National Marine
Fisheries Service closed the shallow-water grouper commercial fishery in
Federal waters off Louisiana, and requested that the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries enact compatible rules.

At its December 2 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
closed the commercial season for shallow-water groupers in Louisiana waters
from 12:01 a.m. on December 3, 2004 until 12:01 a.m. January 1, 2005.

The commission also authorized LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau to change or
modify opening and closing dates for commercial shallow-water grouper
seasons in Louisiana waters to comply with changes or modifications in
season dates in federal waters. The commission's actions ensure that
regulations in state waters will mirror regulations of the National Marine
Fisheries Service for federally managed waters.

L.W.F.C. GIVES NOTICE OF INTENT TO REFINE FRESHWATER SHRIMP RULES

At their December 2, 2004 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission issued a notice of intent that would clarify the rules for
freshwater commercial shrimping. The improved rule will be up for final
ratification this spring after a period of public review and comment. The
document indicates legal freshwater commercial shrimping areas and gear.

Earlier versions of the rule inadvertently omitted legal gear other than the
freshwater shrimp trap. The new rule refers to a list of previously
authorized gear that is still acceptable. The rule also states that
freshwater commercial shrimping is legal anywhere in the state unless
otherwise prohibited.

Interested persons are encouraged to submit written comments to Inland
Fisheries Division Administrator Bennie Fontenot at Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000 before
4:30 p.m., February 5, 2005.

L.W.F.C. ACCEPTS NOTICE OF INTENT TO ADJUST TOLEDO BEND LIMITS

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission accepted a notice of intent
at their December 2, 2004 meeting that would adjust the limits on spotted
and yellow bass fishing on Toledo Bend Reservoir. Bennie Fontenot, Inland
Fisheries Division administrator for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries, presented the proposal to the commission. "This proposal is
a result of our workings with the state of Texas and is designed to benefit
anglers by clarifying regulations," Fontenot told the commission.

The changes deal specifically with the size limit for spotted bass and the
creel limits for yellow bass. Under the proposal, there would not be a size
limit for spotted bass caught on the reservoir, and there would not be a
creel limit on yellow bass. The notice also includes a statement that would
disallow the possession of any filets of any fish species while on the
water.

There will be a 120-day public comment period before the commission meets to
vote on the ratification of the proposal.

L.W.F.C. RATIFIES TURKEY DATES AND ACCEPTS OTHER NOTICES

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted unanimously at their
December 2 meeting to ratify the proposed turkey hunting season dates for
2005. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries made the initial
proposal to the commission in September and following a public comment
period, the dates were ratified unaltered. For the 2005 turkey season, Area
A will open on March 25 and close on April 24, Area B will open on Area 25
and close on April 17, and Area C will open on March 25 and close on April
3.

The commission also announced that beginning with the January meeting, which
was scheduled for Tuesday, January 4, their meetings will begin at 9:30 a.m.
They will be held in the Louisiana Room of the Wildlife and Fisheries
Building in Baton Rouge, unless otherwise announced.

In other actions from the commission, a notice of intent was accepted to
allow the LDWF Secretary to waive license fees for members of the outdoor
press, developmentally disabled persons and charitable organizations, youth
groups and schools. Another notice of intent was accepted that would
require members of the public to complete comment cards before addressing
the commission. These two issues will be available for public comment until
the commission votes to ratify them.

The December meeting also marked the final meeting for outgoing Chairman
Bill Busbice. Busbice, a Lafayette resident, has served on the board since
1998. LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau presented Busbice with a plaque and
thanked him on behalf of the department for his service and cooperation.