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FEBRUARY 2008 NEWS |
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WHITETAILS UNLIMITED DONATES NIGHT-VISION EQUIPMENT TO L.D.W.F. REGION 5 ENFORCEMENT OFFICE PIERRE PART MAN CITED FOR OVER THE LIMIT OF DEER AGENTS RESCUE HUNTER ON MAUREPAS SWAMP W.M.A. L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE FELONY DRUG ARRESTS ON WEST BAY W.M.A. THREE PORT ALLEN WOMEN CITED FOR FISHING VIOLATIONS NIGHT HUNTERS CAUGHT IN ST. CHARLES PARISH ALLEGED NIGHT HUNTING LEADS TO SEVERAL VIOLATIONS FOR WOODVILLE MAN POINTE COUPEE PARISH MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS HUNTERS CITED ON MAUREPAS W.M.A. SEVEN DEER SEIZED IN THREE DAYS ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS HIGH SPEED PURSUIT ENDS IN ARREST OF TENSAS PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS FERRIDAY MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING TWO HUNTERS CITED FOR FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS
WHITETAILS UNLIMITED DONATES NIGHT-VISION EQUIPMENT TO L.D.W.F. REGION 5 ENFORCEMENT OFFICE The Beauregard Parish chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, Inc. recently donated three sets of electronic night-vision units to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division’s Region 5-A Unit is comprised of Allen, Beauregard and Evangeline parishes. In making the donation, Bryan Redler, president of the Beauregard Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, coordinated with local enforcement agents from LDWF and identified equipment needs that are pertinent to the daily operational requirements of enforcement agents. Night-vision instruments and capability came up repeatedly as a much sought after piece of equipment by the agents due to the prevalence of night hunting activity, officer safety and search and rescue efforts. The night vision units are comprised of a monocular style optic with generation two plus capability and include military specifications for quality and performance. Whitetails Unlimited Inc., established in 1982, is a national nonprofit organization. The organization was developed and created to generate funding in support of education, habitat conservation and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the direct benefit of whitetail deer and other wildlife. To date, Whitetails Unlimited fundraising activities and cost-share partnerships have generated over $46.4 million in support of their goals. Whitetails Unlimited has about 70,000 members representing all 50 states and Canada and 452 chapters in 25 states.
PIERRE PART MAN CITED FOR OVER THE LIMIT OF DEER Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited Trey Charlet, 17, of Pierre Part on Jan. 11, for allegedly possessing over the limit of deer. Agents received information that Charlet had allegedly left a gas station in Grand Bayou with two antlered deer in the bed of his truck traveling towards Pierre Part. Charlet was then noticed by an agent parked at another gas station in Pierre Part looking into the bed of his truck with several other people. After an investigation and questioning by the agent, Charlet admitted to shooting two antlered deer in the same hunt on the same day. The daily limit for deer in Louisiana is one antlered and one antlerless deer per day. The agents seized both antlered deer and later donated them to charity. If convicted of possessing over limit of deer, Charlet could face fines of $250 to $500, or up to 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Charlet could also be ordered to pay civil restitution of $524.54 to LDWF for the replacement cost of the illegally taken deer. Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Winston Michel and Ronnie Hebert.
AGENTS RESCUE HUNTER ON MAUREPAS SWAMP W.M.A. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents rescued Mitchell Guist, 43, of Gonzales, on the St. James track of the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area on Dec. 27. At approximately 8 p.m., agents received a call that a truck and boat trailer had been parked at the Grand Point Boat Launch all day. The truck license plate was checked with LDWF Dispatch, who notified the agents that the truck belonged to Guist. Agents contacted his residence and were told by family members that he had not checked in and had not returned any phone calls. Agents immediately conducted a search in the surrounding swamp near the vessel location. Around 11 p.m., approximately 1 1/2 miles from where the boat was found, agents heard shouting from the waters edge. Guist was located by a small fire he had built for warmth. Guist told agents he had gotten lost while hunting and had to stop walking when it got dark because he did not have a flashlight. Agents returned Guist to his boat and followed him in to the boat launch. Agents contacted LDWF Dispatch, who notified his family he had been located. Agents involved in the search and rescue were Sgt. Aron Hastings and Senior Agent William Boyd.
L.D.W.F. AGENTS MAKE FELONY DRUG ARRESTS ON WEST BAY W.M.A. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested two Duson men on Dec. 29 for allegedly possessing illegal drugs and for camping at night in a non-designated area on the West Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Allen Parish. Sherwood Bourque, 39, was arrested for possession of marijuana, second offense, three counts of carrying a firearm while in possession of illegal drugs, two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia, and not abiding by WMA rules and regulations and camping in a non-designated area. Billie Lofton, 36, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, three counts of carrying of a firearm while in possession of methamphetamine, possession of a prescribed drug without a prescription, and not abiding by WMA rules and regulations and camping in a non-designated area. Agents while on night patrol on the West Bay WMA observed a campfire and found both Bourque and Lofton camping in a wooded area. Agents observed both men acting very nervous and pre-occupied during the interview. After searching both men and their vehicle, agents discovered illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, two rifles and a shotgun. Agents confiscated approximately one gram of suspected crystal methamphetamine, 20 Soma capsules and two rifles from Lofton. Agents also seized suspected marijuana, one pack of rolling paper, one marijuana pipe and one shotgun from Bourque. Both men were booked into the Allen Parish Correctional Center. All three firearms were seized as evidence. Lofton’s vehicle was towed off the WMA and impounded. The penalty for illegal possession of schedule II drugs (Meth) carries a fine up to $5,000 or jail time between two and five years. Illegal possession of marijuana second offense carries a fine up to $2,000, or jail time up to five years or both. Illegal carrying of firearms while in possession of a schedule II drug carries a fine up to $10,000, or prison at hard labor between five and 10 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. Possession of drug paraphernalia carries a fine up to $500, or jail time up to six months or both. Possession of a prescribed drug without a prescription carries a fine up to $5,000 or prison with or without hard labor for not more than five years. Not abiding by WMA rules and regulations carries a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Lt. Jesse Savoie, and Senior Agent Wendell Vaughn.
THREE PORT ALLEN WOMEN CITED FOR FISHING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two women on Dec. 27 and one woman on Jan. 1 for alleged red drum violations in Cameron Parish. Melissa Landreneau, 41, Jennifer Pickens, 46, and Rhonda Thibodeaux, 45, all from Port Allen, were each cited for two counts of possessing over the limit of ten red drum off the water. Agents received an anonymous tip saying that the women were fishing off Hwy. 27 south of Holly Beach and catching over the daily limit of red drum and transporting the fish to their camper located in Holly Beach. The informant provided agents a description of the vehicle used to transport the fish. Agents located a vehicle that fit the description parked at a camper in Holly Beach. The informant positively identified Landreneau and Thibodeaux. Pickens was later located on Jan. 1 in Port Allen. An investigation by the agents revealed the three women arrived in Holly Beach on Dec. 26 and fished that day taking over the limit of red drum. The three women again fished on Dec. 27 and caught 42 red drum and admitted to making trips back and forth from the fishing grounds to their camper. All three women admitted to the violations and provided voluntary statements regarding their illegal activity. A total of 45 whole red drum along with 26 red drum filets were seized from the three women. The daily limit on red drum is five fish per person per day. The penalty for possessing over the limit of 10 red drum (Off Water) carries a fine up to $950, or jail up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. The state shall also assess a civil penalty for the total value of $497.58 the illegal fish. All the fish were seized and donated to charity. Agents participating in the case were Capt. Jubal Marceaux, Lt. Remy Broussard and Senior Agent Sean Moreau.
NIGHT HUNTERS CAUGHT IN ST. CHARLES PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two St. Charles Parish residents on Jan. 3 for alleged hunting violations. Wilton Comardelle III, 23, of Paradis, and Brad Kubelka, 24, of Des Allemands, were cited for hunting deer during illegal hours and possession of an illegally taken deer. Agents were on patrol in the Bayou Gauche area while Kubelka and Comardelle were allegedly hunting deer by means of a mud boat and with artificial light. Agents then followed the subjects to a residence on Bayou Gauche and observed them unload a doe deer at approximately 10:25 p.m. Comardelle gave agents a written statement stating that the two subjects were hunting deer during illegal hours and that he had shot the doe at approximately 9:15 p.m. from his mud boat with a shotgun. Agents also performed a time of death forensics test on the deer, which showed evidence corroborating Comardelle’s written statement. Agents seized two shotguns along with a spotlight, five buckshot shells and the deer. The guns and equipment will be held as evidence until trial. The deer was donated to charity. Hunting or taking deer during illegal hours carries a fine up to $950, or jail time 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 illegally taken deer carries a fine up to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost. In addition to the criminal charges, Comardelle will be assessed a civil penalty for the value of the deer totaling approximately $530. Agents participating in the investigation were Senior Agent Kris Bourgeois and Agent Douglas Danna.
ALLEGED NIGHT HUNTING LEADS TO SEVERAL VIOLATIONS FOR WOODVILLE MAN Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Woodville man for numerous alleged night hunting violations near Dunbarton, in Concordia Parish on Dec. 19. Senior Agent Trey Mason and Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Ainsworth responded to a call reporting an individual shooting at a deer at night. The caller was following the offender’s vehicle at the time of the call. After getting the vehicle information from the caller, Mason and Ainsworth observed a vehicle that fit the caller’s description traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then lost control in a sharp curve near Monterey and overturned coming to rest on its roof. Occupants of the vehicle identified as Phillip Wayne Netterville, 20, of Woodville, Miss., and a juvenile were later transported to Riverland Medical Center for minor injuries. Mason seized a Marlin 30-30 rifle found inside the vehicle. Netterville was cited for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting deer from a public road, hunting on Deer Management Assistance Program land without a permit from the owner, discharging a firearm from a public road, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, and underaged possession of alcoholic beverages. Hunting deer during illegal hours carries a fine up to $950, or jail not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture anything seized. Hunting deer from a public road carries a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle carries a fine up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting on DMAP land without permit from owner carries a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Discharging a firearm from a public road carries a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 30 days, or both plus court costs. Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile carries a fine up to $500, or jail time up to six months, or both plus court costs and possession of alcohol carries a fine of up to $500. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Trey Mason, Senior Agent Joey Tarver and Lt. Kenneth Hedrick.
POINTE COUPEE PARISH MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Pointe Coupee Parish man for numerous hunting violations on Thursday, Dec. 27. Bryan J. Bordelon, 21, of Lettsworth, was cited for allegedly hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle, and hunting and spotlighting from a public road. Agents watched him shine a spotlight shortly after 10 p.m. along the Morganza Spillway, in west Pointe Coupee Parish. Agents stopped the vehicle, driven by Bordelon, and located a .22 magnum rifle and a spotlight and one rabbit. When questioned, Bordelon admitted to hunting deer and rabbits. The rifle and spotlight were seized as evidence and the rabbit was donated to the needy. The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of $900 to $950, or 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Hunting wild quadrupeds carries a fine of $250 to $500, or jail not more than 90 days, or both plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by fines of $250 to $500, or not more than 90 days in jail, or both plus court costs. The penalty for hunting from a public road is a fine of $100 to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Cliff Ortis and Agent Allan Marbury.
HUNTERS CITED ON MAUREPAS W.M.A. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Gonzales men for multiple deer violations on the Maurepas Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in St. James Parish on Dec. 9. Agents cited Kenneth Daniel Corley Jr. 22, and Kristopher A. Brown, 17, for allegedly possessing an illegally taken deer, taking deer using illegal methods, hunting deer with a modern firearm during archery season on the WMA and failure to wear hunters orange. Agents apprehended Corley and Brown while exiting Maurepas WMA. Agents observed the two men loading a flat boat into the bed of a truck. The two men told agents that they were hunting squirrels but did not have any luck. Agents observed the tail of a deer sticking out of a tarp under the boat. After agents questioned the men, both men admitted killing the doe deer on the WMA while squirrel hunting. Possession of an illegally taken deer is punishable by fines between $400 to $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting deer using illegal methods carries fines of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Not abiding by WMA rules and regulations by using shotguns during archery only deer season on the WMA, and hunting deer without hunters orange on the WMA are each punishable by fines of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Agents also seized two shotguns and illegal fine shot in connection with the violation. Corley and Brown may also be ordered by the court to pay $525.54 as a restitution value for the deer. Agents participating in this case were Sgt. Aron Hastings and Agent William Boyd.
SEVEN DEER SEIZED IN THREE DAYS ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents recently seized seven deer in three separate incidents for hunting violations, which occurred on three different Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). On Nov. 23, 2007, agents cited Arthur T. McKneely Jr., 54, of Pineville, and Steven M. Frazier, 55, of Monterey for violations they allegedly committed on Camp Beauregard WMA in Rapides Parish. Capt. Peter Oliver and Lt. Eric Stokes observed McKneely and Frazier retrieving a button buck from the WMA, but found that neither man had checked in. Further investigation by the agents revealed that McKneely had killed the button buck and two does earlier in the day. Both men were cited for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA. McKneely was also cited for two counts of possessing illegally taken deer and two counts of taking over the legal limit of deer. He is also responsible to pay restitution to LDWF in the amount of $1,049.08 for the illegally taken deer. Agents seized the three deer, which were donated to charity, and a .50 caliber muzzleloader in the case. On Nov. 24, 2007, agents cited Clifford J. Pousson, 68, Jason B. Rozas, 32, and Ralan J. Rozas, 60, all of Eunice, for violations they allegedly committed on Clear Creek WMA in Vernon Parish the previous day. Lt. Bill Tyree and Senior Agents Russell Brack and Scotty Delaney questioned the men after receiving a complaint that Ralan Rozas had killed three deer at the same time. Rozas admitted that he had killed two does and a button buck at the same time the previous morning. He then stated that his son, Jason, and Pousson helped him retrieve the deer and they each claimed one deer while checking out of the WMA. Ralan Rozas was cited for three counts of possessing illegally taken deer and two counts of taking over the legal limit of deer. He is also responsible to pay restitution to LDWF in the amount of $1,049.08 for the illegally taken deer. Pousson and Jason Rozas admitted their part and were each cited for possessing an illegally taken deer. Agents seized the three deer, which were donated to charity, and a 12-gauge shotgun in the case. On Nov. 25, 2007, agents cited Joshua K. Chance, 22, of Hornbeck, and Nathan S. Self, 27, of Anacoco, for violations they allegedly committed on Peason Ridge WMA in Vernon Parish. Lt. Bill Tyree and Senior Agent Ronnie Robertson observed Chance and Self hunting in a closed area on the WMA. Self had killed a three-point buck in this closed area. Both men were cited for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA. Self was also cited for possessing an illegally taken deer. Self is responsible to pay restitution to LDWF in the amount of $524.54 for the illegally taken deer. The deer was seized and donated to charity. Fort Polk Game Warden J. E. Haymon and Department of Army Police Officer Brad Johnson assisted in this case. The penalty for possessing an illegally taken deer is a fine of $400 to $750, and jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Taking over the legal limit of deer is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for not abiding by rules and regulations on a WMA is a fine of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.
HIGH SPEED PURSUIT ENDS IN ARREST OF TENSAS PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS On Dec. 11, Donald Merritt, 23, Joel Rushing, 21, and Justin Gossett, 20, all of Newellton were arrested following a vehicle pursuit by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Sgt. Larry May. All three men were arrested for alleged wildlife violations including hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting deer from a public road and hunting from a moving vehicle. Merritt, the driver of the vehicle, was also arrested for aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle and failure to yield at a stop sign. May saw a spotlight being shined from a vehicle and heard a rifle shot fired from the vehicle as it traveled north on La. 575 in Tensas Parish at approximately 8:30 p.m. When May attempted to stop the vehicle, the pursuit began. Merritt reached speeds over 100 miles per hour during the chase. May pursued the vehicle into a field, where Merritt’s vehicle got stuck in a flooded area. Hunting deer during illegal hours or with artificial light carries a fine of up to $950, jail time up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of seized items. Hunting deer from a public road carries a penalty of up to $350, jail time for up to 60 days, or both, plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by fines of up to $500, jail time for up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Aggravated flight from an officer is a felony and punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for up to two years. Reckless operation of a vehicle carries a fine of up to $200, jail time for up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. Restitution on the deer that was killed is valued at $524. Other agents involved in the pursuit and case were Lt. Gene Wilson, and Senior Agent Brandon Miller.
FERRIDAY MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Concordia Parish man for alleged night hunting violations near Lake Concordia on Dec. 5. Agents stopped Luke Eugene Reeves, 30, of Ferriday, after he was observed hunting from his vehicle with the aid of artificial light for several minutes. Upon making contact with Reeves, agents found a loaded .22 caliber rifle on the front seat of the vehicle and cited him for hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle. Hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle each carry fines between $250 and $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Trey Mason, Lt. Kenneth Hedricks and Senior Agent Joey Tarver.
TWO HUNTERS CITED FOR FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men for alleged violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act on Dec. 1 in Vermilion Parish. Agents observed John Wild, 52, of Denham Springs, and Jack O’Neil, 66, of Hammond, kill 38 ducks in the marsh near Pecan Island. The two hunters were in possession of 26 ducks over their daily bag limit of six per hunter. Agents also found they were hunting with lead shot. Waterfowl hunters are required to shoot non-toxic shot such as steel shot or other approved types. The penalty for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a fine up to $15,000, or jail time up to six months or both. Agents participating in the cases were Lt. Robert Buatt, Sgt. Aaron Monceaux, Senior Agent Justin Sonnier and Special Agent Flip Siragusa |