Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a Bayou Pigeon man for his connection to an illegal deer market. 

Brad Rineheart, 35, of Plaquemine, turned himself in to the Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office on a warrant issued by Judge James Best and was booked into the Iberville Parish jail on Jan. 25, 2010 for three counts of allegedly selling deer.  Rineheart sold three deer to an undercover LDWF agent.      

Rineheart is the third person to be arrested for selling deer to undercover agents in an investigation that was initiated in January 2009.  His brother, Henry Rineheart, 34, was arrested last week.  Uniformed LDWF agents from the area are currently investigating other charges as a result of the year-long investigation. 

As of Jan. 26, 2010, Brad Rineheart is being held without bond in the Iberville Parish jail.

The penalties for selling deer are fines between $500 and $750, and imprisonment between 15 to 30 days, or both plus court costs.  Civil restitution for the illegal deer is $524.54 each.  The deer in the case were seized and are being held as evidence.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four individuals on Jan. 21 in Iberville Parish for alleged weapons violations and theft in the Bayou Pigeon Area of the Atchafalaya Basin. 

       
Christopher Carbo, 29, of White Castle, Frank Floyd, 30, of Plaquemine, Rex Romig, 37, and Bradley Verret, 29, both of Bayou Sorrel, were arrested and booked into the Iberville Parish jail for illegal possession of stolen things and felony possession of a firearm.

Agents checked the four men in the Bayou Pigeon area while hunting from a houseboat and found them in possession of firearms that were stolen previously in camp burglaries.  A total of five guns were confiscated along with crawfish wire.

The penalty for illegal possession of stolen things shall be imprisonment with or without hard labor for up to 10 years, or a fine up to $3,000 or both.  The penalty for felony possession of a firearm is imprisonment at hard labor between 10 to 15 years without the benefit of parole, or suspension of sentence and a fine between $1,000 to $5,000.

Agents participating in the cases were Sgt. Ronald Hebert and Agent Anthony Adams.  Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation along with Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Ferriday man on Jan. 13 for allegedly hunting from his deer stand at night with the aid of night vision equipment.

Shelby Glynn Carlton Jr., 34, was cited for two counts of taking deer during illegal hours, taking deer with an illegal weapon, taking deer with electronic sights and hunting on land enrolled in the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) without owner permission.

Agents located a climbing stand, a trail camera and salt lick that had been placed on DMAP property without the consent of the landowner.  Agents began monitoring the area and made contact with an individual who informed them that the hunting equipment belonged to Carlton.  After interviewing Carlton, he admitted to placing the stand, camera and salt lick on the DMAP property.  He also admitted to killing two deer at night with his Ruger .17 rifle equipped with a night vision scope.

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine between $900 and $950, or up to 120 days in jail, or both plus court costs.  Taking deer with an illegal weapon carries a fine of $100 to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.  Taking deer with electronic sights is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500, or up to 90 in jail days or both plus court costs.  Hunting on DMAP without permit from the owner carries a fine of $100 to $350, or up to 60 days in jail, or both plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Joey Merrill and Joey Tarver.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three Baton Rouge men for allegedly taking over the limit and undersized red drum and angling without the proper licenses in Lafourche Parish on Jan. 12.

Thomas Marrero, 58, Louis Baker, 25, and Ron Carter, 34, were cited after agents found them in possession of 92 red drum while fishing near La. Hwy. 1 between Fourchon and Grand Isle.  All three subjects were also cited for angling without a basic fishing license and angling without a saltwater fishing license. 

Out of the 92 fish, 72 were found to be under the legal size limit of 16 inches.  All of the fish were seized and later donated to charity.

The penalty for the take or possession of undersized red drum is a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.  The take or possession of over the limit of red drum is punishable by a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.  The penalty for angling without a license includes a $50 fine, or jail time up to 15 days or both.

All three subjects were also issued a civil restitution citation for the value of the illegally taken red drum and if found guilty could pay up to $1918.61 jointly.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Dean Aucoin and Stephen Rhodes. 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents issued citations on Jan. 15 to a man in West Baton Rouge Parish for selling deer and alligators to undercover agents.

Aaron Comeaux, 35, of Gueydan, allegedly sold four deer and three alligators to undercover agents.  Area agents are currently executing warrants for other suspects involved in the yearlong investigation.

Comeaux will be assessed with civil restitution for the illegal deer at $524.54 each.  The restitution on the alligators will be based on the length of each alligator at $35 a foot and also on the weight at $2.21 per pound.  Both the deer and the alligators in the case were seized and are now being held as evidence.

The penalties for selling deer are fines between $500 and $750, and jail time between 15 and 30 days, or both plus court costs. 

Penalties for selling alligator are fines between $100 and $350, and jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested a man in Iberville Parish on Jan. 15 for selling deer to undercover agents.

Henry Rineheart, 34, of Plaquemine, was booked into the Iberville Parish Jail this past Friday on a warrant signed by Judge James Best for five counts of selling deer.  Rineheart sold five deer to an undercover agent during an investigation that started back in January of 2009.       

The arrest marks the first of several to come of persons selling deer to undercover agents throughout Iberville and West Baton Rouge parishes.  Uniformed agents from the area are currently executing warrants for the other suspects involved in the investigation.

Henry Rineheart will be held in the Iberville Parish Jail and if released will be booked into the West Baton Rouge Parish Jail for selling deer to undercover agents in Port Allen.  He will also be assessed with civil restitution for the illegal deer at $524.54 each.  The deer in the case were seized and are now being held as evidence.

The penalties for selling deer is fines between $500 and $750, and jail time between 15 to 30 days, or both plus court costs. 

A severely injured female Louisiana black bear was found and reported to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) on Sunday, Jan. 10.  The bear was discovered and reported by a resident on Coulee Road near Lydia in Iberia Parish. 

LDWF Large Carnivore Biologist Maria Davidson went to the location and found the bear in such poor condition it could no longer survive in the wild.  The bear was removed from the location and taken to LDWF Headquarters for examination and evaluation.

Due to the extent of its injuries and near-death condition the bear was euthanized on Tuesday, Jan. 12.  LDWF Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour performed a necropsy on the bear and determined it had been shot. 

LDWF Enforcement Division agents are investigating the case and asking anyone with any information to come forward. 

“We suspect the bear did not travel very far from where it was shot,” Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze said.  “Someone in the Coulee Road area knows what happened and we hope they will step up and help.”

Killing a bear is a state and federal offense with penalties up to $25,000 in fines and jail time.  This is the seventh Louisiana black bear killed in recent months.

Anyone with any information regarding this or any other wildlife crime should call LDWF’s 24-hour toll free hotline at 800-442-2511. Cash rewards offered through Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. can total up to $5,000 for information leading to the apprehension of individuals harming a black bear.  Callers may remain anonymous.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Pointe Coupee Parish residents on Dec. 28 for alleged hunting violations near Lettsworth in north Pointe Coupee Parish.

Benjamin Wilkinson, 22, and Marcus Weber, 29, both of Batchelor, were cited for hunting deer from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting on Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) property without permission.  Wilkinson was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Agents were set up near an area of high deer density when they saw Wilkinson and Weber traveling by vehicle down Hwy. 418.  Agents then watched them fire two shots from their vehicle at deer feeding in a pasture.  A deer was hit but was not recovered.

The penalty for hunting deer from a from a public road is a fine of $100 to $300, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine of $250 to $500 or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  Hunting DMAP property without permission carries a fine of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Cliff Ortis, Senior Agents Channing Duvall and T.J. Ashley.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three men and a juvenile in Natchitoches Parish on Dec. 9, 2009 for numerous alleged wildlife violations. 

Ralph W. Mobley, Jr., 32, of Natchitoches, along with Billy H. Merrell, 48, William G. Merrell, 22, and a 16-year-old, all of Lena, were each cited following an investigation into possible illegal hunting activities near Chopin. 

Lt. Bill Tyree and Senior Agent Russell Brack began questioning the men after receiving information that William Merrell and Mobley had allegedly been hunting deer at night.  During the investigation, agents found violations dating back to Oct. 31, 2009 when Mobley killed a doe deer and a button buck on the same day. 

Agents also found Mobley in violation of killing an eight-point buck at night.  Agents also found several deer that were killed by the men that were not properly tagged or validated. 

All three men were cited for possession of illegally taken deer and failing to comply with deer tagging requirements.  Mobley and William Merrell were also cited for hunting or taking deer during illegal hours, hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting or taking deer from a public road.  In addition Mobley was cited for taking over the limit of deer, failing to comply with deer tagging rules and discharging a firearm from a public road.  Billy Merrell was also cited for failing to comply with deer tagging rules and regulations.  The juvenile was cited for failing to comply with deer tagging rules and regulations.

Agents seized an eight-point set of deer antlers, three antlered deer tags and an antlerless deer tag.  Restitution in the amount of $1,049.08 is also owed to LDWF for the illegally taken deer if the men are found guilty.

The penalty for hunting or taking deer during illegal hours is a fine between $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.  Possession of an illegally taken deer is punishable by a fine between $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized.  The penalty for hunting from a moving vehicle and taking over limit of deer is a fine between $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court cost.  Hunting or taking deer from a public road and failing to comply with deer tagging rules and regulations are each punishable by a fine between $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court cost.  The penalty for discharging a firearm from a public road is a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 30 days or both.

Senior Agent Carla Rachal assisted in the case.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents, assigned to the Oyster Strike Force, and Special Investigations units, cited 15 men for alleged oyster violations in St. Bernard Parish on Dec. 14.

Working the opening day of the temporary Lake Borgne Public Grounds, agents found the vessels, Four Brothers, Connie Rene, Mr Bob, Cajun Viagra Express and Leatherneck dredging oysters from a private lease without the lease owner's permission.

The men were identified as Pasko Piacun, 67, from Empire; Austin Gomez, 29, and Jose Ruiz Martinez, 32, both from Port Sulphur; Juan Umanzor, 42, Roberto Garcia, 43, Juan Garcia, 19, Rodriguez Garcia, 35, and Tony Esteve, 44, all from Chalmette; Roosevelt Falgout, 73, and Al Molinere, 45, both from Montegut; Wilbert Dion, 41, from Houma; Diego Velazquez, 19, and Galvieno Sotelo, 20, both from Buras; Damjan Pesvic, 42, from Belle Chasse; and Mike Dillan, 46, from Magnolia, Miss.

The agent cited the men for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission to dredge for oysters from a private lease.

Agents seized a total of 37 sacks of oysters and placed the boats and dredges under an LDWF seizure order.

The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine between $900 and $950, or imprisonment up to 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation.  Failure to have written permission is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. 

Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system.  Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF.  For that year, the person convicted of these violations shall identify for the department which vessel he will be using to harvest oysters.

The agents participating in the cases were Sgts. Bryan Marie, Kris Bourgeois, and Sean Green; Senior Agents Mike Garrity, Villere Regio, Jason Gernados and Robert Turner.

Husband and wife Thomas and Monique Use, ages 39 and 37, of Houma, were cited on Dec. 23 for numerous Wildlife and Fisheries Regulation violations. 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited the Uses at their home ending an undercover investigation starting in January of 2008 and lasting until August of this year.  

In late 2007 agents learned that Thomas Use was allegedly hunting deer at night and then selling the deer from his residence.  Undercover agents made contact with Use and were able to verify the complaint.

Undercover agents documented 22 violations which included; deer hunting during illegal hours, selling fish without wholesale or retail license, selling reptiles or amphibians without the proper license, selling commercial fish without the required license, selling fur bearing animals without a fur dealer’s license and selling deer meat.

If convicted on all counts, the Uses could face fines in excess of $11,000 with a combined maximum jail time of 1,770 days plus all court costs.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Thibodaux men for numerous deer violations in Lafourche Parish on Dec. 20.

Agents cited Timmy Andras, 43, and Alex Andras, 24, for allegedly taking deer from a moving vessel, failing to maintain sex identification, taking over the limit of deer and violating deer tagging requirements.

Agents received a complaint of persons taking over the limit of deer in Lafourche Parish.  Upon arriving at the location, agents found Timmy and Alex Andras in possession of three whitetail deer.  Further investigation revealed two additional deer in an ice chest.

None of the deer were tagged with harvest tags as required by law and had apparently been taken from a moving motorboat from levees.  Recent high water from rainfall had forced the deer to the higher ground provided by the levees.  

The penalties for taking over the limit of deer and failure to maintain sex identification are fines between $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  Hunting deer from a moving boat and failure to comply with deer tagging or harvest report card requirements are each punishable by a fine between $100-$350, or jail time up to 60 days or both plus court costs.

Civil Restitution for the replacement value of the five deer, if imposed, amounts to $2622.70.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Joe Arnaud and Senior Agent Jamie Folse.

A female Louisiana black bear was found dead by a hunter on Three Rivers Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Concordia Parish on Sunday, Dec. 20.

The bear was identified as one of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) research bears equipped with a transmitter collar.

The hunter reported the information via the Louisiana Operation Game Thief toll free hotline.  LDWF Enforcement Division agents responded to the scene and have started an investigation.   LDWF’s Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour and Large Carnivore Biologist Mike Hooker performed a necropsy on the bear to aid in the investigation.

According to Enforcement Division’s Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze the bear was shot.  “This is the fourth illegally killed bear on a WMA to date for the 2009-10 hunting season.  Three others have been killed on Red River WMA,” he said.

This bear, along with her three cubs, was moved in 2006 as part of the multi-agency Louisiana Black Bear Reintroduction Program.  She denned on Three Rivers WMA and produced two cubs in 2009.  The status of her orphaned cubs is unknown. 

“The loss of another adult female in her prime is a significant loss to bear recovery,” noted LDWF Secretary Robert J. Barham.  “Setbacks like these are not only frustrating and costly, but they may also delay removal of the Louisiana black bear from the Endangered Species List.”

Killing a bear is a state and federal offense with penalties including up to $50,000 in fines, jail time and loss of hunting privileges.  Anyone with any information regarding this or any other wildlife crime should call Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. at 800-442-2511.  Cash rewards up to $5,000 are offered for information leading to the apprehension of individuals harming a black bear. Callers may remain anonymous.

John D. Youngblood, 42, and Jeffrey A. Miles, 37, both of Pineville were arrested in Rapides Parish for numerous hunting and drug violations after they allegedly shot a deer decoy near the Camp Beauregard Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on Nov. 7.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents had set up the decoy after receiving complaints that Youngblood and Miles were hunting deer at night on the WMA. 

After a short pursuit by LDWF agents, the two men abandoned their vehicle and fled into a wooded area on foot.  Agents captured Youngblood after they found him hiding nearby.  Miles escaped, but was later arrested by Pineville Police Department.

Wildlife agents seized a .17 caliber rifle and a .22 magnum rifle, each with a light attached to the gun.  Agents also seized a freshly killed buck deer, a cooler that contained half of another deer and a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS).  Restitution in the amount of $1,049.08 is also owed to LDWF for the illegally taken deer.

Youngblood and Miles were each booked for possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS, illegally carrying of weapons with drugs and obstruction of justice.  They were also booked for two counts of taking deer during illegal hours with artificial light, possession of an illegally taken deer, two counts of hunting from a moving vehicle, failure to maintain sex identification, field possession of deer meat without a tag, failure to abide by deer tagging regulations, two counts of hunting deer with an illegal weapon, two counts of taking deer from a public road, illegal possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer and hunting without a resident big game license. 

In addition, Miles was booked for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and hunting without a resident license.  Youngblood was also booked for discharging a firearm from a public road.

The penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is imprisonment at hard labor for 10 to 15 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. 

Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for two to 30 years and in addition may be fined up to $50,000.  The penalty for illegally carrying of weapons with drugs is a fine up to $10,000 and imprisonment at hard labor for five to 10 years without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.  Obstruction of justice is punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or imprisonment for up to five years, with or without hard labor, or both. 

The penalty for taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light is a fine of $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized.  Possession of an illegally taken deer is punishable by a fine of $400 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court cost and forfeiture of anything seized. 

The penalty for hunting from a moving vehicle, failing to maintain sex identification and field possession of deer meat without a tag is a fine of $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  Hunting deer with an illegal weapon, taking deer from a public road, failure to abide deer tagging regulations are each punishable by a fine of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. 

The penalty for illegal possession of drug paraphernalia is a fine up to $500, or jail time up to six months or both.  Flight from an officer is punishable by a fine between $150 and $500, or jail time up to six months or both.  The penalty for discharging a firearm from a public road is a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 30 days or both.  Hunting without a resident license and a resident big game license are each punishable by a fine of $50, or jail time up to 15 days or both.

Sgt. Marcus Constance along with Senior Agents Byron Cammack, Kevin Hill and Chad Watts participated in the case.  Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and Pollock Police Department assisted agents in the case.

Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division cited a resident of the Westbank of Jefferson Parish for alleged deer tagging regulation violations on the Salvador Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in St. Charles Parish.

The agents were on a patrol of the WMA when they spotted Ted Joseph Hogan Jr, 33, of Nine Mile Point, hunting from an elevated stand.  The agents set up surveillance on the Hogan Jr. and watched him shoot a deer. 

Agents then watched him drag the deer from the area in which it was shot to where his boat was moored on the bank of a nearby canal.  When the agents stopped Hogan Jr., they found that he had not tagged the deer.  The law requires the hunter to tag a deer before it is moved from the place taken. 

Hogan Jr. was issued a citation for not complying with deer tagging rules and regulations.  The violation carries a penalty of $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Jason Russo and Senior Agent Austin Arteaga.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents assigned to LDWF's Oyster Strike Force cited two men for alleged oyster violations in Plaquemines Parish on Dec. 8.

Agents responding to complaints of illegal oyster harvesting on the unapproved (polluted) area located in Black Bay, spotted the vessel, Dictator being used to harvest oysters in the polluted area.  Baron Navarro, 34, and Gregory Navarro, 21, both from St. Bernard, were cited for taking oysters from an unapproved area.

Agents seized and returned six sacks of oysters to the water.  The vessel and dredges were seized on a department seizure order.

The penalty for taking oysters from an unapproved area (polluted) is punishable by a fine of $400 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs.  Any person convicted of these violations may for one year after the date of such conviction only harvest oysters from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system.  Access to the monitoring system shall be granted to LDWF.  In addition, the oyster harvester's license or licenses under which the violation occurred will be revoked for the period for which it or they were issued.  For the first offense, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for one year.  For the second and subsequent offenses, the license or licenses shall not be reinstated for three years.

Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Bryan Marie and Scott Keller.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force cited three men on Dec. 8 for alleged oyster violations in Lake Fortuna.

While on patrol in lower St. Bernard Parish, agents observed the vessel, Captain Mark, being used to harvest oysters from a closed area located in Lake Fortuna.  Mark Naquin, 47, from Montegut, David Naquin, 31, from Chauvin, and Kenneth Naquin, 48, from Houma were cited for harvesting oysters in a closed area. 

The commission kept the area they found the Captain Mark defined as south of N29`40’00” and west of W89`30’00 closed for the 2009-10 oyster season.

Agents seized and returned 20 sacks of oysters to the water.

The penalty for not abiding by harvesting oysters in a closed area is a fine up to $350, imprisonment up to 60 days or both plus courts costs. 

Agents participating in the case were Sgts. Bryan Marie and Scott Keller.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited a hunter on Nov. 27 for killing two Louisiana black bears on Red River Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish.

 
Gary Kinsland, 62, of Sunset, was issued citations for two counts of taking bear in a closed season. Agents were called to the site by Wildlife Division biologists working at the WMA’s check station as part of a managed deer hunt. Kinsland, who was deer hunting, stated that he shot the bears after mistaking them for feral hogs. He then self-reported the incident.

 
Charges will be filed in Concordia Parish. If convicted on the two counts, Kinsland could face fines totaling up to $950 per count, or up to eight months in jail, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Additionally, restitution to the department in the amount of $10,000 per bear will be sought.

 
A 30.06 rifle with hunting scope was seized after the incident.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested three St. Landry Parish residents on Nov. 24 for alleged night hunting violations near Big Cane in north St. Landry Parish.

Raymond Howard, 18, Gregory Howard, 17, both of Lebeau, and Ray Rideau Jr., 17, of Palmetto, were arrested for taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.  In addition, Ray Rideau was also charged with no driver's license and flight from an officer.  A 16-year-old juvenile was cited for hunting deer during illegal hours with an artificial light and released to his parents.

Acting on a complaint, agents located a doe deer shot on the side of Hwy 361 shortly after 12 a.m.  Agents set up surveillance and waited until the suspects picked up the doe.

While attempting to stop the suspect’s vehicle, agents got in a vehicle pursuit with the individuals and made the stop a short distance later.  Agents seized the deer and later donated it to charity. 

The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine between $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.  Raymond Howard was also assessed civil restitution in the amount of $524.54 for replacement value of the deer.  The penalty for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile is a fine up to $500, or imprisonment for up to six months or both.  The penalty for flight from an officer is a fine between $150 to $500, or imprisonment for up to six months or both.  The penalty for not having a driver's license is a fine of $250.

Agents participating in the case were Capt. Lastie Cormier and Senior Agent Lance Devillier.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents rescued an injured hunter on Nov. 23 in Pointe Coupee Parish.

Sgt. Brad Garon along with Senior Agents Thomas Ashley and Channing Duvall were notified that Wade Allemond, 48, of Morganza, had fallen from a tree stand and could not move his legs.  Allemond had accessed his stand location by boat due to high water and was on a small area of dry land still above water level near the Mississippi River.

The three agents transported Acadian Ambulance personnel and Pointe Coupee Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Adams to the scene by boat.  Agents then transported Allemond to a location where he could be air lifted to the hospital.  His condition is unknown at this time.  

Two Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents were honored at the Nov. 5 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting held in Baton Rouge.

Agent Aron Hastings of Paulina in St. James Parish received the Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) Litter Enforcement Officer of the Year award from KLB Executive Director Leigh Harris.

Senior Agent Beau Robertson of Bell City in Cameron Parish was awarded the Shikar-Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year award for Louisiana.  Shikar-Safari Club International representative Tom Montgomery made the presentation.

Harris presented the award to Hastings and thanked him for his work and dedication to litter prevention.  Hastings works out of the LDWF Region 9 Office and is assigned to patrol the St. James Parish area.

"Keeping our woods, roadsides, swamps and waterways clean is a very important part of our everyday duties and something we don't take lightly," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.  "Litter prevention and enforcement is one of the department's top priorities and littering will not be tolerated.  We appreciate these Keep Louisiana Beautiful awards which confirm another job well done by our Enforcement Division and agents."

A 2008 LDWF Enforcement Agency report, “The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division Continues Its Campaign Against Littering”, details field activity from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 2007.  LDWF agents issued 4,819 citations for intentional littering and gross littering during that time.  The report notes a rise in littering-related citations from 229 in fiscal year 1992 to 716 in fiscal year 2007.  A copy of the report is available on the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/publicservices/LED_Anti_Littering_Efforts_040108.pdf.

The Shikar-Safari award recognizes an agent from each state for outstanding efforts in conservation law enforcement.  Robertson, an agent for four years, received the award for several high profile commercial fishing cases including one resulting in Lacey Act violations on an oyster dealer involving more than $800,000 worth of illegal oysters. 

"Senior Agent Robertson has consistently carried the highest case load, not only in his district but also in his region," said Region 5 commander, Capt. Jubal Marceaux.  "The quality and complexity of many of those cases has allowed him to enhance his experience in dealing with many aspects of law enforcement."

Robertson coordinated his own youth deer hunt during the 2008-09 hunting season.  Along with other members of his deer lease, Robertson guided, tracked and helped process the deer harvest for 14 youth hunters.  He also gave a presentation on ethical and lawful hunting practices to educate the youth hunters.

Robertson distinguished himself during the 2008 hurricane season, leading LDWF rescue teams into the Grand Lake and Sweet Lake areas after Hurricane Ike to help residents evacuate their flooded homes. 

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents responded to several search and rescue missions over this past weekend in northern and western Louisiana due to high waters caused by severe rainfall.

Agents from the Region 1 Shreveport office rescued a total of 18 people between Friday, Oct. 30 and Sunday, Nov. 1.  The majority of the rescues took place in the Barron Road area of Keithville including a man who was heard by agents yelling for help.  Sgt. Troy Parker and Agent Joey Melton found the man clinging to a tree after he tried to ride his bike through floodwaters and was swept downstream.  The agents were able to safely return the man to high ground without injury. 

Agents from the Shreveport office also rescued an elderly cancer patient from his mobile home that was flooded in the Detiny Lane area of Desoto Parish.  Agents swept other flooded areas in the neighborhood in flatbottom boats making contact with about 125 people to determine evacuation needs.  Agents will remain on standby in this area until it is certain the Red Chute Bayou levee will hold.  If the levee breaches, residents would have 5 to 6 hours before flooding would threaten any homes.

Agents in the Region 3 Vernon Parish area responded to three search and rescue missions over the weekend along the Sabine River.  They were able to pull one man to safety after he was stranded on the top of his truck while attempting to drive through high water.  Agents in this area also rescued an adult and juvenile hunter who had camped in the Sabine River bottom and found themselves surrounded by rapidly rising floodwaters.

In the Beauregard Parish area, agents from Region 5 were dispatched to rescue four people stuck on top of a truck surrounded by the rising waters of the Sabine River.  The Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Office deputies on scene were able to borrow a flatbottom boat and rescue the people before the agents arrived. 

"We are no strangers to these types of search and rescue missions," said LDWF Enforcement Division's Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze.  "Wildlife enforcement agents receive swift water and first aid training and also have the trucks and boats to get into and out of most flooding situations.  All agents will remain on standby until the water recedes and people are no longer in harm's way."

A Centerville man was convicted on Oct. 14 for several Migratory Game Bird treaty Act Violations and one National Wildlife Refuge violation by Federal Magistrate Meldrid Methvin.

Enforcement agents of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) were working a baited field adjacent to the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 20, 2008 when they observed Rory J. Vanhaverbeke, 27, enter the area at 6 a.m. and begin hunting.  When Vanhaverbeke began to depart the hunting area he was stopped. 

Agents checked for the required licenses, which Vanhaverbeke did not have in his possession, including a federal duck stamp.  Agents also discovered Vanhaverbeke in possession of lead shot while hunting ducks and buck shot shells, which are illegal to possess on the NWR during the closed gun season. 

As a result, agents cited Vanhaverbeke for hunting ducks over a baited field, possession of unapproved shot while hunting migratory game birds, hunting migratory game birds without a federal duck stamp in possession, transporting a loaded gun on an ATV while traveling a public access road and possession of buckshot when prohibited.   

Vanhaverbeke was ordered to pay fines totaling $1,890, two years unsupervised probation and loss of hunting privileges for one year.

Agents involved in this case were Special Agent Scotty Boudreaux, Senior Agent Scott Dupre and Lt. Leslie Rulf.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division (LDWF) efforts led to five northeast Louisiana waterfowl hunters entering guilty pleas to violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act before U.S. Magistrate Karen Hayes at the Federal Courthouse in Monroe on Oct. 20. 

Those pleading guilty were William M. Downey, 19, Monroe; Justin L. Dewey, 19, West Monroe; Dustin L. Pierce, 22, Monroe; Ryan Russell, 20, Delhi; and Dennis Goodeaux, 48, Monroe. 

LDWF Enforcement Division agents cited Downey in late January on Lake D’Arbonne in Union Parish for hunting ducks over a baited area, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, hunting ducks during illegal hours, possession of lead shot shells and aiding and abetting.  He received a fine of $4,850 and loss of hunting privileges for three years. 

Agents cited Dewey on the Ouachita Wildlife Management Area after he was found to be in possession of a pied bill grebe during the special teal season.  He received a fine of $260. 

Agents cited Pierce and Russell on Feb. 26 in Richland Parish for hunting ducks during a closed season, possession of lead shot shells, and wanton waste.  Each received a fine of $1,205 and loss of hunting privileges for one year. 

Agents cited Goodeaux on March 28 on Bayou Bonne Idee in Morehouse Parish for hunting ducks during a closed season and possession of lead shot shells.  He was fined $1,070. 

Agents involved in the cases were Sgts. Thomas Risser, Lane Kincaid and James Hagan and Senior Agents David Harrell, Joe Gouedy, John Volentine and Josh Estis.