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WEST CARROLL PARISH MEN CITED
FOR TRAPPING VIOLATIONS
ST.
LANDRY HUNTER CITED FOR TAKING ILLEGAL DEER
POINTE COUPEE PARISH MAN
CITED FOR DEER HUNTING VIOLATIONS
HUNTER CITED FOR W.M.A.
VIOLATION
ST. CHARLES
MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
WILDLIFE
ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ARREST BOATER FOR D.W.I.
CHRISTMAS NIGHT HUNTER NABBED
IBERVILLE PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS APPREHENDED
CRAWFISH THIEVES NABBED IN ACADIA PARISH
DERIDDER MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
WEST MONROE MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER IN CALDWELL PARISH
PURSUIT WITH FRANKLIN PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS ENDS ON I-20 IN
RICHLAND PARISH
COMMISSION SETS 2005 SEASONS FOR RED SNAPPER AND OTHER
REEF FISHES
COMMISSION SETS COMMERCIAL KING MACKEREL SEASON
PORTION OF LOUISIANA OFFSHORE TERRITORIAL WATERS CLOSED TO
SHRIMPING
MILLER TAKES SEAT ON WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION
SAGRERA ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES
COMMISSION
PINTAIL SEASON TO CLOSE JANUARY 7
WEST CARROLL PARISH MEN CITED FOR TRAPPING VIOLATIONS
Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents cited two
West Carroll Parish
men on December 21, 2004, for alleged trapping
violations. Steven
W. Miles, 40, and Nathan E. Murrell, 29, both of Oak
Grove were issued
citations for trapping without a license and possession of
fur bearing animals
without a license. In addition, Murrell was cited for
being in possession
of marijuana and expired boat registration. The men
were trapping in
the Goodwill community along Boeuf River.
Three raccoons,
seven beaver, and one otter were seized as evidence. The
men were issued a
civil restitution citation for the replacement value of
the animals. The
suspected marijuana was also seized, and is being held as
evidence.
The maximum penalty
for trapping without a license is a fine of $500, jail
for not more than
90 days, or both, plus court costs. Possession of fur
bearing animals
without a license is punishable by a fine of $100 to $350,
jail for not over
60 days, or both, plus court costs. First offense
possession of
marijuana carries a penalty of up to $500, jail for not more
than six months, or
both, plus court costs. Having an expired boat
registration
carries a fine of $50.
Agents
participating in the case were Lt. Rick Owens and Sergeants Darren
Bruce and Scott
Mathews.
ST.
LANDRY HUNTER CITED FOR TAKING ILLEGAL DEER
On January 13,
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents
cited William H. Kaiser, 23, of Krotz Springs for allegedly
taking an illegal
deer during the open deer season.
After investigating
rifle shots in a wooded area, agents found Kaiser
dragging a button
buck deer from the woods. On January 13, it was illegal to
take antlerless
deer in this area. Kaiser was cited and his rifle was seized
for evidence. The
deer was donated to charity.
The penalty for
taking an illegal deer during open season is a fine of $400
to $750, jail for
no more than 30 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents
participating in the case were Senior Agents Cliff Ortis and Brad
Guidroz.
POINTE COUPEE PARISH MAN CITED FOR DEER HUNTING VIOLATIONS
On January 14,
agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries
Enforcement Division cited Michael A. Lasseigne, 30, of Ventress
for allegedly
taking an illegal deer during open season and taking over the
limit of deer.
Agents responding
to a complaint found two untagged doe deer at a processing
facility in New
Roads. After interviewing Lasseigne it was found that he
had taken both deer
earlier that morning on property enrolled in the DMAP
program. Antlerless
deer taken from DMAP property must be tagged before
being moved, and it
is illegal to take more than one anterless deer per day.
Both deer were
seized and donated to charity. The rifle used to take the
deer was also
seized and is being held as evidence. Lasseigne was
additionally issued
a civil restitution citation for the replacement value
of each deer, which
is assessed at $524.54 per deer.
The penalty for
taking illegal deer during open season is a fine of $400 to
$750 and jail for
not more than 30 days and forfeiture of anything seized.
Possession of over
the limit of deer is punishable by a fine of $250 to
$500, jail for not
more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents
participating in the case were Sergeant Brad Garon and Senior Agent
Cliff Ortis.
HUNTER CITED FOR W.M.A. VIOLATION
On January 4, an
agent from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries
Enforcement Division cited Marshall Hirstius, 28, of Metairie, for
an alleged
violation of wildlife management area rules and regulations.
Hirstius was cited
in St. James Parish for hunting from a permanent stand or
blind on Maurepas
Swamp Wildlife Management Area. According to WMA rules,
hunter's stands or
blinds must be constructed only of natural materials if
they are going to
be left in place. If the stand or blind is constructed of
"man-made"
material, the stand or blind must be disassembled and removed
upon completion of
the hunt.
This violation is a
class II offense for which the penalty is a fine of
$100 to $350, jail
for not more than 60 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agent William Boyd
issued the citation.
ST. CHARLES MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
On January 7, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Enforcement Division cited Charles A. Mancuso III, 24, of Montz, for
allegedly hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours with artificial light
and possessing wild quadrupeds without a license.
Agents allegedly observed Mancuso hunting with the aid of artificial light
on private property near US 61 North in St. Rose. Mancuso was stopped and
found to be in possession of one rabbit, a .22-caliber rifle, a 12-guage
shotgun and three flashlights. The rabbit, guns and lights were seized as
evidence. The rabbit was later donated to charity.
The penalty for each of these violations is a fine of up to $500, jail for
up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Eddie Skena and Agent
Scott Jeansonne.
WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT AGENTS
ARREST BOATER FOR D.W.I.
On December 10, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division arrested Dylon B. Taylor, 31, of Arnaudville
for allegedly operating a watercraft while intoxicated and failing to comply
with navigational lights.
Agents stopped Taylor on the Atchafalaya River in St. Martin Parish near
Butte LaRose after they spotted him after sunset operating without
navigational lights displayed on his vessel. While conducting a boating
safety check Taylor exhibited signs of impairment and his vessel was towed
to the landing. Taylor performed poorly on several field sobriety tests and
was arrested and booked into the St. Martin Parish jail.
The penalty for the first offense of operating a vessel while intoxicated is
a fine of up to $1000 or jail for up to 6 months. The penalty for failure
to comply with navigational lights is a fine of $50.
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Mitch Darby and Senior Agent
Dylan Bertrand.
CHRISTMAS NIGHT HUNTER NABBED
On December 25, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division apprehended Herman E. Persilver, 33 of
Thibodeaux for allegedly hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a
moving vehicle and hunting from a public road.
Agents allegedly observed Persilver shoot at several deer from his vehicle
on Highway 404 in Iberville Parish. A .22-caliber rifle was seized in
connection with the case. Persilver was arrested and booked into the
Iberville Parish jail.
The penalty for hunting deer illegal hours is a fine of up 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 up to $500, jail
for up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty or hunting from a
public road is a fine of up to $350, jail for up to 60 days, or both, plus
court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Ronald Hebert and Senior
Agent Jordan Bayham.
IBERVILLE PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS APPREHENDED
On December 21, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents apprehended Donald Stein, 24, and John Stein, 28, both of
Baker, for allegedly hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting from a
moving vehicle and hunting from a public road. Donald Stein was
additionally cited for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and improper
lane usage.
Agents allegedly observed the two men hunting from a vehicle and after
hearing gunshots stopped the vehicle and found a loaded 12-gauge shotgun on
the floorboard. The men were arrested and booked into the Iberville Parish
jail, and the shotgun was seized and is being held as evidence.
The penalty for hunting deer during illegal hours is a fine of up to $950,
jail for up to 120 days, or both, plus court of costs and forfeiture of
anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by a fine of
up to $500, jail for up to 90 days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty
or hunting from a public road is a fine of up to $350, jail for up to 60
days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty for operating a vehicle while
intoxicated first offense is up to $1000 or jail for up to six months.
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Mitch Darby, Sergeant Donald
Vallet and Senior Agent Jerry Stassi.
CRAWFISH THIEVES NABBED IN ACADIA PARISH
A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agent cited a
man and a woman in Acadia Parish for allegedly stealing crawfish from a
private pond and criminal trespass on crawfish ponds.
On December 31, April Romine, 24 and Blaine LeJeune, 18, both from Rayne
were observed in a private crawfish pond south of Estherwood in Acadia
Parish at approximately 1:30 a.m. LeJeune was in the pond emptying crawfish
traps while Romine waited at the vehicle. The couple admitted to stealing
crawfish to sell.
The penalties for theft of pond raised crawfish is a fine of not more than
$300, jail for not more than one year, or both, and for criminal trespass on
crawfish ponds is a fine up to $500, jail for not more than 91 days, or
both, plus court costs.
Lieutenant Robert Buatt conducted the investigation and was assisted by
deputies from the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department.
DERIDDER MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
On December 24, Donald R. Johnson Jr., 34, of Deridder was cited by a
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent
for allegedly hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting from a public road and
hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours.
In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, Sergeant David Liles allegedly
observed Johnson shining a spotlight into a cow pasture off of Greentown
Road in Beauregard Parish. Upon stopping Johnson, Sgt. Liles found a loaded
.22-caliber rifle lying across the front seat of Johnson's truck. Upon
questioning, it was determined that Johnson was hunting with the intent to
take wild quadrupeds during illegal hours. Seized in connection with the
case were a Ruger .22 rifle and a Q-beam spotlight.
The penalty for hunting from a moving vehicle carries a fine of up to $500,
up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus court costs. Hunting from a public
road carries a fine up to $350, up to 60 days in jail, or both, plus court
costs; and hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours carries a fine up to
$500, up to 90 days in jail, or both, plus court costs.
WEST MONROE MAN CITED FOR ILLEGAL DEER IN CALDWELL
PARISH
William A. Edgeworth, 31, of West Monroe, was cited on December 10 for
allegedly taking an illegal deer during the open deer season. December 10
was a bucks-only day, and antlerless deer may not be taken except on days
designated as either sex harvest days during the gun season for deer.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Sergeant
Gary Watts cited Edgeworth at 4:30 p.m. for the offense. Edgeworth had
cleaned the deer and was attempting to exit his hunting lease when Watts
made contact with him. Watts was able to recover the hide and antlerless
head from the yearling deer taken by Edgeworth.
Edgeworth's rifle was seized as evidence in the case. The yearling deer was
also seized and donated to a charity in Caldwell Parish.
The penalty for taking an illegal deer during the open season is punishable
by a fine of up to $750, and jail for not more than 30 days.
PURSUIT WITH FRANKLIN PARISH NIGHT HUNTERS ENDS ON I-20 IN RICHLAND PARISH
On December 16, Jacob Whitstine, 19, of Rayville, Cletus Clay, 19, of
Pioneer, Dusty Hale, 22, and Riad Jamal, 21, both of Epps were all arrested
following a vehicle pursuit by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Enforcement Division Senior Agent Scott Watson, and deputies from
the Richland Parish Sheriff's Office. All four 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.
Whitstine, the driver of the vehicle, was also arrested for aggravated
flight from an officer and reckless operation of a vehicle. Hale was
arrested for obstruction of justice, for allegedly throwing a spotlight from
the truck during the pursuit.
At approximately 10:30 p.m. Watson saw a spotlight being shined from a
vehicle as it traveled west along La. 132 in Franklin Parish. When Watson
turned on blue lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, the pursuit began.
Whitstine reached speeds near 100 miles per hour before stopping
approximately 17 miles later on I-20 west bound between Holly Ridge and Bee
Bayou. Sr. Agent Brian Rawls recovered the spotlight thrown from the truck
on Burke Road. Agents seized two rifles and the spotlight as evidence.
Hunting deer during illegal hours or with artificial light carries a fine of
up to $950, jail for not more than 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 for not more than 60 days, or both, plus court
costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle is punishable by fines of up to $500,
jail for not more than 90 days, or both, plus court costs.
Aggravated flight from an officer, a felony, is punishable by imprisonment
at hard labor for not more than two years. Reckless operation of a vehicle
carries a fine of up to $200, jail for up to 90 days, or both, plus court
costs. Obstruction of justice is a felony and carries a fine of not more
than $10,000, imprisonment for not more than five years, with or without
hard labor, or both.
Other agents involved in the investigation were Sergeants Scott Mathews,
Darren Bruce, and Jamie Hagan. Deputies involved in the pursuit and
investigation were Deputies Randy Swain, Travis Stephenson, Gary Gilley,
Jerry Spencer, Brian Shiers and Delhi Chief of Police Greg McKinney
COMMISSION SETS 2005 SEASONS FOR RED SNAPPER AND OTHER
REEF FISHES
Two declarations of emergency, one setting the 2005 recreational fishing
season dates for red snapper and the other setting the 2005 commercial
fishing season dates for red snapper and other reef fish, were issued by
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at the January 4 meeting, as
recommended by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The recreational fishing season for red snapper in Louisiana state waters
will open at 12:01 a.m. on April 21, 2005. The season will remain open
until midnight October 31 to coincide with season dates in federal waters.
The size limit for red snapper taken by recreational fishermen will be 16
inches minimum total length, with a daily bag limit and possession limit of
four fish per person.
The Commission also authorized Secretary Dwight Landreneau of the Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries to change or modify opening and closing dates for
the recreational red snapper season in Louisiana waters to comply with
changes or modifications in season dates in federal waters.
The first commercial fishing season for red snapper will open at 12 noon on
February 1, 2005, and remain open until 12 noon on February 10. This
pattern will continue each month until two-thirds of the 2005 commercial
quota for red snapper is harvested. The second commercial red snapper
season will open at 12 noon on October 1, 2005, and remain open until 12
noon on October 10. The pattern will also continue each month until the
entire 2005 quota is harvested. The minimum size limit for commercially
harvested red snapper is 15 inches total length.
The Commission also authorized the Secretary of the Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries to change or modify opening and closing dates for the
commercial red snapper season in Louisiana waters to comply with changes or
modifications in season dates in federal waters.
The Commission authorized the Secretary to close the season for the
commercial harvest of any species or group of species of reef fish in
Louisiana state waters if he is informed by the Regional Administrator of
NMFS that the applicable commercial quota has been harvested in the Gulf of
Mexico, and if he is requested by NMFS to enact compatible regulations in
Louisiana state waters.
The Secretary was also authorized to re-open and close those commercial
seasons in Louisiana state waters if the commercial season dates in the
Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico have been modified, and that NMFS
requests that the season be modified in Louisiana state waters.
The commission's actions ensure that regulations in state waters will
complement regulations of the National Marine Fisheries Service for
federally managed waters. NMFS and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management
Council typically request consistent regulations for Louisiana waters to
enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations.
COMMISSION SETS COMMERCIAL KING MACKEREL SEASON
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission issued a declaration of
emergency setting the 2005 commercial fishing season for king mackerel at
the January 4 meeting. The commercial fishing season for king mackerel in
Louisiana state waters will open at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, 2005, and will
remain open until the 2005 commercial quota for the western Gulf of Mexico
is harvested or projected to be harvested.
The Commission also authorized Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Secretary Dwight Landreneau to close the commercial king mackerel
season in Louisiana waters and re-open the commercial season to coincide
with season dates in federal waters. The commission's actions ensure that
regulations in Louisiana state waters will mirror regulations of federally
managed waters. The National Marine Fisheries Service and the Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council cooperatively manage king mackerel in
federal waters off the coast of Louisiana, and consistent regulations
enhance effectiveness and enforceability of those rules.
PORTION OF LOUISIANA OFFSHORE TERRITORIAL WATERS CLOSED
TO SHRIMPING
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced a shrimping
closure in a portion of Louisiana offshore territorial (outside) waters at
its January 4, 2005 meeting. The action protects small white shrimp
currently over-wintering in these areas as well as additional over-wintering
white shrimp expected to recruit to these waters.
The closure area includes that portion of state outside waters, south of the
Inside/Outside Shrimp Line as described in LA R.S. 56:495, from the western
shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal at longitude 92 degrees 18 minutes 33
seconds W to the eastern shore of Belle Pass at latitude 29 degrees 5
minutes 07 seconds N and longitude 90 degrees 13 minutes 30 seconds W. This
closure will become effective Monday, January 10, 2005 at 6 a.m. All state
outside waters east of longitude 90 degrees 13 minutes 30 seconds W as well
as state outside waters west of Freshwater Bayou Canal will remain open to
shrimping. The Department would like to remind shrimpers that the closure
area described in this action is identical to the area description used in
last year's closure order.
According to LA R.S. 56:498.B(1), the possession count on saltwater white
shrimp shall average no more than 100 (whole shrimp) count per pound except
during the time period from October 15 through the third Monday in December
when there shall be no count. Current sampling conducted by Marine
Fisheries Division biologists has indicated that white shrimp in this
portion of Louisiana outside waters do not average 100 count per pound
minimum legal size. This action protects small white shrimp and provides
increased opportunity for growth to a larger more valuable size.
The Commission also authorized the LDWF Secretary to close any part of
remaining state outside waters if biological and technical data indicate the
need to do so and to re-open any closed area when the closure is no longer
necessary. The Secretary is also authorized to open and close special
shrimp seasons in portions of inside waters where such a season would not
detrimentally affect developing brown shrimp.
With the exception of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds, all inside waters remain
closed to shrimping. Those portions of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds
currently open to shrimping will close March 31, 2005 at 6 a.m.
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), preliminary
landings statistics indicate that Louisiana shrimp landings through November
2004 totaled approximately 77.85 million pounds (all species
combined/heads-off weight) and comprised 56.5% of total Gulf of Mexico
shrimp landings. Although dockside prices continue to be impacted by
foreign shrimp imports, Louisiana shrimp landings for the year are on pace
to become the third highest on record. Annual landings in 1986, 2000 and
2001 totaled 93.7, 92.2 and 79.1 million pounds, respectively.
The opening dates for the 2005 spring shrimp season in inside waters will be
considered at the May commission meeting to be held at LDWF headquarters.
MILLER TAKES SEAT ON WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION
Frederic Miller attended his first meeting as a newly appointed member of
the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Tuesday, January 4.
Governor Kathleen Blanco named Miller to the board on December 23. He
replaces Bill Busbice, who completed his term at the end of 2004.
Miller is a lifelong resident of Louisiana and is currently working as an
attorney in Shreveport. He has a long background with several conservation
groups in the state. He served as chairman and commissioner on the Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commission, as state chairman for Ducks Unlimited
and state president of the Coastal Conservation Association. He is also a
member of Delta Waterfowl and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Foundation.
Miller's goals for his service on the commission are long-term. "I want to
conserve and protect Louisiana's natural resources and sporting heritage for
my grandchildren and generations as yet unborn," said the new commissioner.
He is also aiming to put in place a source of stable and recurring funding
for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Miller is an at-large appointment to the commission and his term runs
through 2010.
SAGRERA ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES COMMISSION
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted unanimously to name
Wayne Sagrera the chairman of the commission for 2005. Commissioner Henry
Mouton nominated Sagrera and he was elected unopposed. Terry Denmon was
also elected unanimously as vice-chairman.
Sagrera has been a member of the commission since January of 2002. He was
appointed by then-Governor Mike Foster as a Commercial Fishing and Fur
Representative. During 2004, he served as vice-chairman of the commission.
As a self-employed alligator dealer, Sagrera said he finds himself wearing
two hats. "I wear both hats. I'm a commercial appointment, but I also go
out and hunt and fish. As chairman, I will serve both commercial and
recreational interests. And over the last three years that I've been on the
commission, I have seen both sides coming together, being open minded."
When asked how he will base his decisions as chairman, Sagrera said he try
to achieve a balance between the public's desires and the recommendations
provided by biologists. "We will take input from the public, work with the
biologists, and then make the best decisions."
PINTAIL SEASON TO CLOSE JANUARY 7
The 30-day pintail hunting season in the state of Louisiana will officially
close at sundown on Friday, January 7. This closure will be statewide. Low
continental pintail numbers necessitated the 30-day season for the 2004-2005
waterfowl-hunting season.
The statewide canvasback season will end on January 16. This was also a
30-day season.
The other open seasons in the West Zone will close on January 23. The open
seasons in the East Zone will close on January 30.
For detailed information regarding waterfowl season dates, regulations and
limits, hunters are urged to consult the 2004-2005 Migratory Waterfowl
pamphlet available from license vendors or the Louisiana Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries. Hunters may also contact their local LDWF office
for more information. | 
