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TENSAS PARISH NIGHT HUNTER ARRESTED
OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR HEALTH CODE
VIOLATIONS IN ST. BERNARD PARISH
NIGHT HUNTER CAUGHT IN ORLEANS PARISH
NIGHT HUNTERS ARRESTED IN FRANKLIN PARISH
L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE NIGHT HUNTING ARREST IN CATAHOULA
PARISH
KELLY MAN CITED FOR MIGRATORY VIOLATIONS
TWO NORTHWEST LOUISIANA MEN CITED FOR ILLEGALLY DUMPING
DEER CARCASSES
BALD EAGLE POACHER SOUGHT IN JEFFERSON PARISH
ST. CHARLES PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
SULPHUR MAN CITED FOR HUNTING TURKEYS DURING A CLOSED SEASON
ON THANKSGIVING DAY
TWO MEN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING IN ALLEN PARISH
ST. AMANT MAN JAILED FOR HUNTING VIOLATIONS ON MAUREPAS W.M.A.
MAUREPAS MAN CITED FOR TAKING GREBE
RAPIDES PARISH MEN CITED FOR TAKING OVER THE LIMIT OF DUCKS
TENSAS PARISH NIGHT HUNTER ARRESTED
A Welsh man identified as Scott Deshotel, 42, was arrested and booked into
jail in Tensas Parish for alleged night hunting violations.
On Dec, 2, at approximately 11 p.m. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division Sgt. Larry May observed Deshotel shining a
hand held spotlight from the window of a vehicle as it traveled along Ice
House Road in Tensas Parish. Sgt. May stopped the vehicle and found
Deshotel in possession of a 12-gauge shotgun and 00 buckshot.
Deshotel was arrested for hunting deer with artificial light, hunting from a
moving vehicle and hunting from a public road. The 12-gauge shotgun and
spotlight were both seized in conjunction with the case.
The penalty for hunting deer with artificial light is a fine up to $950,
jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of seized
items. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine up to $500,
jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for hunting
deer from a public road is a fine up to $350, jail time up to 60 days, or
both plus court costs.
OYSTER FISHERMEN CITED FOR HEALTH CODE VIOLATIONS IN ST. BERNARD PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two men on Dec. 7 for alleged violations of the state sanitary code
specific to oysters.
Agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force and Region 8 investigated a
seafood dock located in lower St Bernard Parish. Agents seized 135 sacks of
oysters in violation of the state sanitation code.
Agents cited Stephen A. Martin, 40, of Violet, for improper tags, failure to
fill out the harvester log book correctly, and failure to refrigerate
oysters. At the same location, Christopher Reed Laforce, 39, of Grand Bay,
Alabama, was cited for improper tags.
State sanitary code regulations require the harvester perform the initial
tagging of shell-stock before the oysters are removed from the harvester's
boat. In the event that shell-stock are harvested from more than one
growing area on a given day, the shell-stock shall be sacked and tagged
before leaving from the growing area from which the shell-stock was
harvested. The harvester's tags shall contain all the necessary legible
information for the purpose of identifying the date of harvest, dealer
information, location of harvest, type and quantity of shellfish and
commercial fisherman information.
State sanitary code regulations also require during the month of December
that oysters are placed under refrigeration within 36 hours from the time
harvest begins.
The state sanitary code regulations also require that prior to the taking of
oysters, the harvester shall make the following legible entries in the
harvester log sheet:
* Boat name/number;
* Harvester name/license number;
* Harvester signature and date;
* Harvesting area/lease number (note: if there is a change
relating to harvesting area/lease number, the changes must be documented on
log sheet);
* Time harvesting begins;
* Harvester shall declare whether oysters will be bedded,
shucked, relayed or other.
Upon completion of the taking of oysters, and prior to the leaving of the
harvesting site, the harvester shall record the time harvesting ended and
the total number of sacks harvested.
The 135 sacks of oysters were seized and returned to an area where they
could not be harvested.
The penalty for violating the sanitary code is a fine of $25 and loss of the
oysters.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie, Sr. Agt. Mike
Garrity, Lt. Stephen McManus, Sgt. Jimmy Gregoire, Sgt. Eddie Skena, Senior
Agent Jason Gernados and Senior Agent Kris Bourgeous.
NIGHT HUNTER CAUGHT IN
ORLEANS PARISH
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents
cited a St. Bernard Parish resident on Dec. 3 for allegedly hunting deer
during illegal hours and for illegal possession of untagged deer meat.
Agents were on patrol in New Orleans East when they saw Jason C. Cutrer, 34,
of Meraux, using the headlights of his vehicle to illuminate several
pipelines. Agents stopped Cutrer and discovered that he was in possession
of a loaded high-powered rifle and an untagged deer hindquarter. During the
investigation, Cutrer told the agents that he was looking for deer. The
rifle was seized and held as evidence. The untagged hindquarter was also
seized and donated to charity.
Hunting or taking deer during illegal hours carries a fine up to $950, or
imprisonment up to 120 days, or both plus court costs, and shall include the
forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation. Possession
of an untagged deer carries a fine up to $500, or imprisonment up to 90
days, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Eddie Skena and James Gregoire.
NIGHT HUNTERS ARRESTED IN FRANKLIN PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested Daniel Wayne Phillips, 25, of Wisner and Thomas Wade Wisenor, 26,
of Mangham on Dec. 5 for allegedly hunting deer during illegal hours,
hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public road. Phillips was
also arrested for possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage
in a motor vehicle.
Agent Trey Mason observed their vehicle traveling along Rogers Lane in
Franklin Parish. The vehicle turned sideways in the road several times,
using the headlights to shine wheat fields. Agent Mason stopped the vehicle
and found the men to be in possession of a loaded .300 WSM rifle. The rifle
was seized in conjunction with the case.
The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine up to $950, jail
time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of seized
items. Hunting from a moving vehicle carries a fine up to $500, jail time
up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for hunting deer from
a public road is a fine up to $350, jail time up to 60 days, or both plus
court costs. The open container violation carries a fine up to $100 plus
court costs.
Other agents assisting in the case were Sgt. Scott Watson and Senior Agent
Joe Chandler, Jr.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE NIGHT
HUNTING ARREST IN CATAHOULA PARISH
On Dec. 9, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents arrested Christopher Scott Barlow, 20, of Gilbert, for
alleged night hunting violations. Barlow was booked into jail at the
Catahoula Parish Sheriff's Office for allegedly hunting deer during illegal
hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting from a public roadway.
Agents watched Barlow hunting from his vehicle with the aid of artificial
light for several minutes. Upon making contact, agents found a loaded .270
caliber rifle on the front seat of the vehicle. The rifle was seized as
evidence.
Hunting deer during illegal hours carries a fine up to $950, or jail time up
to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is
punishable by a fine up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus
court costs. Hunting from a public roadway has a fine up to $350, or jail
time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Robbie Mayo and Sgt. Russ
Kiser.
KELLY MAN CITED FOR MIGRATORY
VIOLATIONS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division
agents
cited James R. Smith, 46, of Kelly, on Dec. 4 for alleged migratory game
bird violations in LaSalle Parish.
Agents were patrolling near Castor Creek when they heard gun shots. Upon
arrival, agents made contact with Smith and found him to be in possession of
a freshly killed wood duck and a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with 7 1/2 lead
shot shells. After going to a nearby camp where Smith was staying, agents
found another wood duck allegedly killed by Smith earlier that day.
He was cited for possession of freshly killed migratory game birds during a
closed season, violating non-toxic shot requirements (lead shot) and hunting
ducks without a federal duck stamp.
The two wood ducks and five 7 1/2 lead shot 12-gauge shells were seized as
evidence.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Melvin McDowell and Senior Agent
Robbie Mayo.
TWO NORTHWEST LOUISIANA MEN CITED FOR ILLEGALLY DUMPING
DEER CARCASSES
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited two men for alleged gross littering by illegally dumping entire deer
carcasses. Marvin W. Young, 17, of Shreveport, and Jeremy D. Hobson, 30, of
Bossier City, were both issued citations in two separate investigations.
Agents investigated a complaint of a whole, unskinned deer carcass found on
an oil well road off La. Hwy. 527 in Bossier Parish on Dec. 1. Agents
discovered an LADT tag attached to the deer and were able to identify Young
as the person who harvested the deer.
Young told the agents he had given the deer to Hobson. On Dec. 2, agents
contacted Hobson, who told the agents the deer must have fallen out of his
truck as he was driving. The agents issued him a summons to appear in the
26th Judicial District Court in Benton.
Agents participating in this case were Sgt. Roy Schufft and Senior Agents
Frank Reger and John Blalock.
On Dec. 5, 2006, Lt. Dickie Barnes and Sr. Agent Troy Parker received an
anonymous complaint through Operation Game Thief reporting that someone had
dumped an entire unskinned deer carcass off Tacoma Road near Cross Lake in
Shreveport. The caller provided the agents with the license plate number of
the vehicle, which led to Young. Agents then contacted Marvin Young at his
residence later that evening, where he told the agents he hit the deer with
a vehicle and intended to clean it, but decided to dump it instead. Agents
issued him a summons to appear in 1st Judicial District Court in Shreveport.
A first conviction of gross littering carries a fine between $500 and $1,000
plus cost of courts, and eight hours of community service in a litter
abatement work program as approved by the court.
BALD EAGLE POACHER SOUGHT IN JEFFERSON PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division
agents and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement
special agents are seeking information regarding the killing of a federally
protected southern bald eagle. Agents believe the eagle was killed on or
about Dec. 6 in the West Bank area of Jefferson Parish.
A concerned citizen contacted the LDWF dispatch office at 4:20 p.m. on Dec.
6 and reported finding a dead eagle behind the Mississippi River levee in
the town of Waggaman in Jefferson Parish. LDWF Sgt. Eddie Skena responded
to the area and discovered the illegally killed eagle. The eagle was
delivered to the USFWS and will be forensically tested for cause of death.
The southern bald eagle is listed on the Endangered Species list, and fines
up to $100,000 may be imposed for shooting or injuring the bird. Anyone
providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty
party is eligible for significant cash rewards.
Anyone with information may call Special Agent Stephen Clark at the USFWS
office in LaCombe at 985-882-3756, the LDWF Operation Game Thief Hotline at
800-442-2511 or Cpt. Brian Clark at the LDWF Region 8 Enforcement Office at
504-282-4375.
ST. CHARLES PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited a St. Charles Parish resident on Dec. 3 for alleged hunting
violations. Christopher J. Morales, 25, of Montz, was cited for hunting
wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and for hunting from a moving vehicle.
Agents were on patrol near the east bank hurricane protection levee when
they heard several gunshots. Agents approached and observed Morales using
the headlights of his vehicle to illuminate a small food plot. The agents
then watched Morales shoot several nutria from his vehicle.
Morales was stopped and found in possession of a loaded .17 caliber rifle
and 11 freshly killed nutria. The rifle was seized and held as evidence.
The nutria were seized and donated to local charity.
Hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting from a moving
vehicle each carries a fine up to $500, or imprisonment up to 90 days, or
both plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Eddie Skena and James Gregoire.
SULPHUR MAN CITED FOR HUNTING TURKEYS DURING A CLOSED SEASON ON
THANKSGIVING DAY
On Nov. 29, 2006, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents cited Adam K. Foster, 26, of Sulphur, for allegedly killing
two wild turkeys on Thanksgiving Day in Beauregard Parish.
Agents received a tip that Foster had been deer hunting on the morning of
Nov. 23 and shot two turkeys from his deer stand. Agents conducted an
investigation and questioned Foster at his residence in Sulfur on Wednesday,
Nov. 29.
Foster admitted he had killed two turkeys on Thanksgiving Day and that one
of the turkeys had already been consumed. The remaining turkey was seized
as evidence along with the shotgun that was used to commit the violation.
Agents cited Foster for two counts of hunting turkeys during a closed
season. He was also issued a civil restitution penalty for the replacement
costs of the two illegally taken turkeys.
Louisiana does not have a fall turkey season. During the spring season in
portions of the months of March and April, hunters may harvest gobblers
only. The limit is one per day and two per season.
The penalty for taking turkeys during a closed season is a fine up to $950,
up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs, and forfeiture of anything
seized for each count. The civil restitution value is $802.50 for each
turkey.
Agents involved in the investigation were Sgts. David Liles and Keith
Aucoin.
TWO MEN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING IN ALLEN PARISH
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Senior Agent Joey
James cited Eric S. Gordon, 28, of Mittie and Kacey L.Trahan, 25, of
DeRidder for allegedly hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting from a public
road and hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours on Nov. 23, 2006.
Gordon and Trahan were spotted traveling at a slow rate of speed down
Trammel Road in Allen Parish. A spotlight was shined from both the driver
and passenger side of the vehicle to illuminate fields and ditches along the
roadway and a .22 caliber rifle was fired from the vehicle.
James then stopped the vehicle and found the .22 caliber rifle and a hand
held spotlight in the console area. A freshly killed cottontail rabbit was
found in the vehicle.
The rifle, a spent .22 caliber cartridge, the spotlight and the rabbit were
seized as evidence. The rabbit was donated to charity.
The penalties for hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting
from a moving vehicle each include fines between $250-$500, or jail for up
to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a public road carries a
fine between $100-$350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court
costs.
ST. AMANT MAN JAILED FOR HUNTING VIOLATIONS ON MAUREPAS W.M.A.
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents cited a
St. Amant man on Nov. 26 for allegedly killing four deer on the Maurepas
Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
James M. Duhe, 47, of St. Amant was cited after agents set up surveillance
and apprehended Duhe near Highway 641, in St. James Parish. Duhe and three
other men were observed dragging two button bucks, a doe and a 10-point buck
through the swamp to the edge of the highway.
After further investigation and interviews by the agents with the four men,
Duhe ultimately confessed to killing all four deer. The legal daily limit
for deer on a WMA is one antlered and one antlerless deer (when legal) per
day.
Duhe was placed under arrest and booked into the St. James Parish jail.
Agents seized the rifle used by Duhe as evidence. The four deer were also
seized and later donated to charity.
If convicted, Duhe faces fines up to $750 or jail time between 15 and 30
days for possession of illegally taken deer. For taking over the daily
limit of deer, he faces fines up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or
both plus court costs. Failure to comply with rules and regulation on a WMA
carries fines up to $350, or jail not more than 60 days, or both plus court
costs. Duhe also faces civil restitution penalties of $524.54 per deer.
Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Aron Hastings and Agent Robert
Turner.
MAUREPAS MAN CITED FOR TAKING GREBE
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents cited a
Maurepas resident on Nov. 18 for allegedly killing grebes.
John C. Marston, Jr., 42, was cited after LDWF agents found him in
possession of two grebes he killed on the Manchac Wildlife Management Area
in St. John Parish. Grebe does not have a hunting season and it is a
federal violation to hunt or take them. The waterfowl were discovered
during a compliance check after Marston was observed hunting ducks.
Marston was issued a federal citation for taking grebe during a non-hunting
season for the waterfowl. The case will go before a federal magistrate in
the Eastern District in New Orleans.
If convicted Marston faces fines up $5,000, or jail not more than six months
or, both plus court costs
Agents involved in this case were Sgt. Davis Madere and Agent Edward Ridgel.
RAPIDES PARISH MEN CITED FOR TAKING OVER THE LIMIT OF DUCKS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
cited six men on Nov. 11, the opening day of the 2006-07 West Zone duck
season, for allegedly violating the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act by
taking more than the daily limit of ducks on Douglas Farms in Rapides
Parish.
Michael Fisher Jr., 60, and Ricky L. McMickens, 45, both of Alexandria,
along with Neal L. McMickens, 42, Francis Melder, 59, Joseph M. Vincent, 46,
and Thomas R. Vincent, 48, all of Pineville, were cited for taking over the
legal limit of ducks and failure to maintain field possession of migratory
game birds. Fisher and Melder were also cited for hunting ducks without a
federal waterfowl stamp.
Sgt. Travis Burnett and Senior Agent Spencer Cole checked the hunters and
found them to be in possession of 11 wood ducks, three teal and one gadwall.
Further investigation by the agents revealed more wood ducks concealed where
the men had been hunting and in a decoy bag hidden in the bushes near their
parked ATVs. A total of 48 ducks were seized from the hunters.
Violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act are punishable by fines up to
$5,000, imprisonment for up to six months or both. The case will be
prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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