JULY/AUGUST 2008 NEWS  
 

CATAHOULA PARISH MAN CITED FOR GAME FISH VIOLATION

L.D.W.F. ANNOUNCES NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO

GOVERNOR SIGNS TWO HUNTING-RELATED ACTS INTO LAW

EVANGELINE PARISH MEN CITED FOR SQUIRREL AND PARISH ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS

UNION PARISH MEN AND JUVENILE CITED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS

JUNE LITTER BUGS CAUGHT BY L.D.W.F. AGENTS

ILLEGAL NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY ON SALVADOR W.M.A. RESULTS IN NUMEROUS CITATIONS

ST. TAMMANY PARISH MEN AND JUVENILE ARRESTED ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested two men and a juvenile on July 5 for alligator violations.

Agents cited Ryan H. Lam, 19, Ryan S. Crain, 19, and a 16-year-old juvenile, all from Covington, after receiving several complaints of alligators taken illegally in the Madisonville area.

Agents working an area known as the rice fields observed three people on board a flatboat without required running lights in the Tchefuncte River.  Upon making contact with the two men and juvenile, the agents discovered one 16-inch and two 14-inch illegally taken alligators.

During questioning, agents discovered that while the three were bow fishing, Lam caught two of the alligators and the juvenile one.  Agents then transported both men to the St. Tammany Parish jail and released the juvenile to the custody of his parents.

Lam was cited for taking alligators during a closed season, illegal possession of alligators, operating a vessel with an expired boat registration and without running lights.  Crain was cited for taking alligators during a closed season, illegal possession of alligators and angling without a basic license.  The juvenile was cited for taking alligators during a closed season and illegal possession of alligators.

The penalty for taking alligators during a closed season and illegal possession of alligators is a fine between $450-$900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs for each violation.  The penalty for expired boat registration, improper running lights and angling without a basic license is a fine of $50 for each offense.

In addition to seizing the alligators, agents also seized a 16-foot flatboat and 25-horsepower Evinrude outboard motor.  Both men and the juvenile will be responsible for the civil restitution payment for the value of the illegally taken alligators.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Keith Francis, Lee Davis and Joel Cromp.

CATAHOULA PARISH MAN CITED FOR GAME FISH VIOLATION

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Catahoula Parish man for an alleged game fish violation on July 14.

Agents cited Joshua Earl Deville, 31, of Jonesville, for taking game fish illegally after they observed him lift and place hoop nets into his boat.  Deville kept all the fish in the nets and failed to immediately return the game fish to the water.  When agents made contact with Deville, they found him to be in possession of 48 crappie and two bream. 

Agents seized the two hoop nets and fish as evidence.  The fish were later donated.

Taking game fish illegally carries a fine up to $950, jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs.  A criminal restitution citation was also submitted to the court for the replacement value of the fish.

Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Joey Merrill and Sgt. James Parish.

L.D.W.F. ANNOUNCES NEW DEPARTMENTAL LOGO

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) unveiled a new logo at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting on July 8. 

The new logo is an updated and simpler version that represents most of the vast Louisiana outdoor landscape.  The logo design includes silhouettes of three major species managed by LDWF: deer, waterfowl and fish.  The coastline in the background is the outline of Vermilion Bay and cypress trees fill in the horizon set against a Louisiana bright blue sky.

“The old logo served us well through many generations,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.  “The new logo is a bold symbol of the conservation mission we are responsible for overseeing.”

LDWF will be using the new logo on all future projects, publications, programs, signage, trucks and other department objects.  The old LDWF will be slowly phased out as equipment and publications are replaced and reprinted. 

LDWF’s Public Information Office researched and designed the new logo with input from local graphic artists, marketing firms and LDWF employees.

GOVERNOR SIGNS TWO HUNTING-RELATED ACTS INTO LAW

The Louisiana legislature passed and Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed two hunting-related acts into law during the 2008 session that authorize the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to change several guidelines in the upcoming seasonal hunting regulations.

Act 22 changes the age requirements for all youth hunts to reflect 17 years of age and younger, which is a two-year increase from the previous 15 years of age and younger rule.  Act 51 allows the use of crossbows during archery season for all licensed hunters and changes the wording from muzzleloader season to primitive firearms season in the hunting regulations.  Both of these acts were already pre-approved by the commission and their provisions will be added to the 2008-09 hunting regulations.

“The department and commission are always looking for ways to make hunting more accessible for the state’s youth and adults to keep the Louisiana hunting heritage alive,” said Jimmy Anthony, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) assistant secretary.  “Act 22 allows two more years for the youth of this state to hunt during our many special youth hunt weekends.  Act 51 gives the hunter more options on how they would like to hunt.  We would like to say thank you to the legislature and the governor for getting these two acts signed into law.”

The new 17 or younger age requirement will go into effect this upcoming hunting season and will include all special youth deer, duck, squirrel and dove hunts and other approved youth hunts.  This does not apply, however, to the special early season youth waterfowl hunt allowed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to the regular season opening in each zone. 

Each youth must be accompanied by one adult, 18 years of age or older, for all youth hunts.  Youths 16 years of age and older must possess a hunter safety certification or proof of completion of a hunter safety course, and a valid hunting license.  For hunters 15 years of age and younger, the accompanying adult must have hunter safety certification, a valid hunting license or proof of completion of a hunter safety course.  Adults may not possess a firearm, and youths may possess only one firearm while hunting.  The supervising adult shall maintain visual and voice contact with the youth at all times and may supervise only one youth during the youth hunt. 

The regulations for bow and arrow regulations will now read: Longbow, compound bow and crossbow or any bow drawn, held or released by mechanical means will be a legal means of take for all properly licensed hunters.

Legal primitive firearms for primitive firearm season include rifles or pistols with a .44 caliber minimum, or 10-gauge or smaller shotguns, all of which must load exclusively from the muzzle or cap and ball cylinder, use black powder or approved substitute only, take ball or bullet projectiles only, including saboted bullets, and muzzleloaders known as “inline” muzzleloaders.  Single shot breech loading rifles that are .38 caliber or larger manufactured prior to 1900 and replicas, reproductions or reintroductions having an exposed hammer that uses metallic cartridges loaded either with black powder or modern smokeless powder are also classified as primitive firearms.  All approved primitive firearms may be fitted with magnified scopes.

In addition to the required Basic and Big Game hunting licenses, a Bow license is required for the taking of deer during the archery season with a longbow, compound bow or crossbow.  A Primitive Firearm license, formerly sold as a Muzzleloader license, is required for the taking of deer during the primitive firearm season in addition to the required Basic and Big Game hunting licenses. During the still hunt and with-or-without dogs segments of the (conventional firearms) deer season, the Primitive Firearm license is not required.

For more information on Louisiana hunting regulations, visit the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov.

EVANGELINE PARISH MEN CITED FOR SQUIRREL AND PARISH ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited four men on June 9 for multiple squirrel violations within the city limits of Turkey Creek in Evangeline Parish.

Gabriel Alexander Harvey, 18, of St. Landry, and Zachary Brent Elliot, 21, of Ville Platte were cited for hunting squirrels during a closed season and discharging a firearm within city limits.  Robert Paul Vidrine, 21, of Pine Prairie, was cited for possession of squirrel during a closed season.  Joshua Curtis Guillory, 21, was cited for discharging a firearm within city limits. 

Agents responded to a complaint of firearms being discharged in the Turkey Creek City Park.  Upon arriving at the city park, the agents met with an Evangeline Parish Sheriffs deputy who had the four subjects in custody. 

After the agents conducted an investigation, they recovered one squirrel and a 22-caliber pistol.  The agents revealed that Harvey and Elliot directly participated in the taking of the squirrel.  Agents found the squirrel in Vidrine’s possession and agents discovered that Guillory discharged a firearm within the city limits. 

Hunting squirrel during a closed season and possession of freshly killed squirrels during a closed season each carry a fine of $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  The penalty for discharging a firearm within the city limits is a fine set by the district judge based upon proximity of occurrence. 

Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Keith Aucoin and Senior Agent Ray Thomas.

UNION PARISH MEN AND JUVENILE CITED FOR ALLIGATOR VIOLATIONS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three Union Parish men and a juvenile on May 29 for taking alligators during a closed season and related charges. 

Daniel S. Parker, 29, Bryan P. Upshaw, 17, James D. Ford, 18, and a 16-year-old juvenile, all from Farmerville, were cited after agents received a complaint that somebody was in Phillips Ferry Lake shining a light and shooting a .22 caliber rifle. 

Agents arrived at the lake area, which is adjacent to Bayou DeLoutre in Union Parish, and watched spotlights being shined from a boat and heard multiple gunshots.  Agents made contact with the three men and the juvenile at a boat ramp and found them in possession of an illegally-taken, dead 7-foot alligator and a raccoon. 

The men and juvenile were transported to the Union Parish Sheriff's Office. During questioning, agents learned that Parker had allegedly killed another alligator earlier in the day during a fishing trip.  Agents later located the meat from that alligator and also recovered another 7-foot alligator that had been shot floating dead in Phillips Ferry Lake.  Upshaw and Ford were questioned about the alligator found floating and they allegedly admitted to shooting at two different alligators, but only recovered one of them.

Parker was cited for three counts of taking alligators during a closed season, two counts of taking raccoons by using illegal methods, no possession of a boat registration, no running lights and failure to comply with personal flotation device (PFD) requirements.  Upshaw was cited for two counts of taking alligators during a closed season and possession of an illegally taken alligator, and two counts of hunting raccoons by using illegal methods.  Ford was cited for two counts of taking alligators during a closed season, two counts of taking raccoons by using illegal methods (from a boat and without a dog) and possession of an illegally taken alligator.  The juvenile was cited for two counts of taking alligators during a closed season and two counts of taking raccoons by using illegal methods.

The penalty for taking alligators during a closed season and the possession of an illegally taken alligator is a fine from $450 to $900, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs.  The penalty for taking raccoons illegally is a fine from $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs.  The penalty for no boat registration, improper running lights and failure to comply with PFD requirements is a fine of $50 for each offense.

Agents seized two .22 caliber rifles and two spotlights as evidence.  Agents also seized the raccoon, one 7-foot alligator and the alligator meat.  The men and the juvenile will also be responsible for civil restitution to be paid to LDWF for the illegally taken wildlife.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agent John Volentine and Agents David Harrell and Joe Gouedy

JUNE LITTER BUGS CAUGHT BY L.D.W.F. AGENTS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents issued intentional littering citations to two Ouachita Parish men and a Union Parish man in early June.

Mark J. Hicks, 41, of West Monroe, was cited for intentional littering on June 8.  Agents were patrolling on the Ouachita River and observed Hicks throw a beer bottle into the river north of Forsythe Park in Monroe.

Agents cited John D. Hudleston, 63, of West Monroe for intentional littering and violating the open container law on June 13.  Hudleston was cited at the Cheniere Lake Spillway in Ouachita Parish after agents watched him stop his vehicle in the parking lot and throw two empty beer cans into the grass and drive away.  Agents stopped his vehicle in the parking lot and located an open beer in the cup holder of his console. 

Agents cited Ladarius Dixon, 23, of Farmerville, for intentional littering after they observed him throwing trash from his vehicle as he traveled south on Hwy. 33 in Farmerville on June 14.

The penalty for intentional littering is a fine of $250 and eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program as approved by the court.  The penalty for possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle is a fine of $100 plus court costs.

Agents involved in the littering cases were Sgt. Duane Taylor, Sgt. Thomas Risser, Agents Scott Jeansonne, John Volentine, David Harrell and Joe Gouedy.

ILLEGAL NIGHTTIME ACTIVITY ON SALVADOR W.M.A. RESULTS IN NUMEROUS CITATIONS

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited five bow fishermen for illegal nighttime activities and other criminal violations on the Salvador Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in St. Charles Parish on June 16. 

Alan Yedor II, 36, of Marrero, Jeffery Gavel, 46, of Littleton, Colo., Thomas Maddox, 37, and Thomas Finnie Jr., 57 both of Sulphur, and Michael Benoit, 33, of Jennings, were each cited with one count of failure to abide by WMA rules and regulations for entering a WMA during illegal hours.  Yedor was also cited with three additional violations that included failure to abide by WMA rules and regulations on a WMA for illegally operating an airboat, failure to comply with charter boat regulations and fishing without a basic license.

Agents were on patrol in Jefferson Parish near the WMA when they received a call from the LDWF Dispatch Office concerning an airboat operating illegally on the WMA.  The agents conducted surveillance of the area and observed the airboat, which appeared to be engaged in bow fishing.  After the agents observed the airboat on the WMA for approximately 90 minutes, the vessel was intercepted.  During the investigation, agents determined that Yedor was acting as a fishing guide and had not obtained the required charter boat license or fishing license.

All nighttime activity on the Salvador WMA is prohibited.  It is also unlawful to operate an airboat on the Salvador WMA unless granted a permit by the LDWF Fur and Refuge Division.

Each count for failure to abide by WMA rules and regulations carries a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs.  Failure to comply with charter boat regulations carries a fine up to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized.  Angling without a license carries a fine of $50, or jail time up to 15 days or both.

Agents involved in the investigation were Sgt. Herman Champagne, Senior Agents Gary Pierce and Villere Reggio, and Agent Timothy Fox.