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DEER,
TURKEY TAGGING PROPOSAL UP FOR DISCUSSION
DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL PROGRAM
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED
LDWF AMENDS PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULE
ILLEGAL NIGHT HUNTERS CAUGHT
LITTER SUSPECTS CITED
COMMISSION ACCEPTS TENTATIVE HUNTING
SEASON RULES
L.W.F.C. PASSES NOTICE OF INTENT TO MODIFY
OYSTER LESSEE OUT-OF-STATE LANDING PROGRAM
ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF L.D.W.F.
ENFORCEMENT AGENT
LDWF ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROUSSEL EARNS
PRESTIGIOUS VAN PELT AWARD
MORROW APPOINTED TO FILL VACANT L.W.F.C.
SEAT FOLLOWING DEATH OF DR. JERRY STONE
HAUGHTON MEN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING
DOVE HUNTERS SENTENCED IN MONROE FEDERAL
COURT
ST. MARY PARISH MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF
CRAB TRAPS
PIERRE PART MAN CITED FOR COMMERCIAL
FISHING VIOLATIONS
DEER,
TURKEY TAGGING PROPOSAL UP FOR DISCUSSION
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is seeking input from
hunters across the state concerning a proposed deer and turkey tagging
system. Public comment will be taken during a series of 10 public hearings
scheduled to obtain public input on the proposed upcoming season dates, bag
limits and wildlife management area regulations. The public hearings begin
in Lake Charles at 6 p.m. on March 11 at the LSU Agriculture Center.
For hunters unable to attend any of the public hearings, comments on the
tagging proposal may be made through the LDWF's website at
www.wlf.louisiana.gov. To reach the web poll questionnaire, click on
"Deer/Turkey Tagging Proposal" under "What's New" on the LDWF home page.
The full schedule of public hearings is also available via the home page.
The department and commission will review comments from hunters and a
tagging plan will be developed.
LDWF's Wildlife Division is specifically interested in the opinions of
resident hunting license holders, license-exempt resident hunters ages 60
and older, and license-exempt resident hunters ages 15 and younger who
participated in the 2004-2005 hunting season.
Wildlife Division administrators have acknowledged that tagging will not be
in place for the 2005-2006 hunting season. If a tagging program can be
developed that is acceptable to hunters, and if funding is available, LDWF
will attempt to initiate the program in 2006-2007 or 2007-2008 with
point-of-sale vendors.
Legislation passed during the 2004 Session gave authority to the Louisiana
Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to establish a tagging system for turkeys
and a tagging system for deer, if the deer proposal includes a limit on
antlered bucks. Many hunters in Louisiana would like to see the state pass
regulations that would help develop an older age structure of bucks in the
deer population. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists
believe that a buck limit is the best approach statewide to develop this
older age class of bucks rather than using statewide antler restrictions. A
tagging system would provide the means to enforce a buck limit and provide
the LDWF with harvest information. Tagging would provide an exact count of
hunters who hunt deer and hunters who hunt turkeys. A validation or
reporting program would provide information to the LDWF concerning harvested
deer.
All deer hunters and all turkey hunters, regardless of age or license
status, would obtain deer tags and turkey tags for hunting deer and turkeys.
Deer and turkey hunters would obtain tags from license vendors who issue
them through current point-of-sale system. Turkey hunters would receive two
gobbler tags and deer hunters would receive three antlerless deer tags that
could be used at any time during the season, and three buck tags.
One alternative to having three buck tags would be two bucks-of-choice tags
and one program buck tag (six point or better). This would restrict the
harvest to only two young bucks and the third buck would be an adult. LDWF
is also looking at ways that tags can be issued to hunters via the internet
or by phone.
Tagging will involve added administrative cost that LDWF must accommodate,
and the department is exploring ways of paying for a tagging program without
increasing license fees. One option the department is considering is a
bonus tag program that would allow hunters to purchase a bonus buck tag and
bonus antlerless deer tags.
DERELICT CRAB TRAP REMOVAL PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS STILL
NEEDED
Preliminary results are available for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife
and Fisheries (LDWF) winter derelict crab trap clean ups in Sabine Lake,
Terrebonne Bay estuary, and Breton Sound estuary. The volunteer-based
program, which is funded by a federal grant from the NOAA Habitat
Restoration Center, has resulted in the removal of 3,245 derelict crab traps
from the three closure areas. The total number of traps collected is
impressive considering that the recent 2005 statewide derelict crab trap
clean up in Texas yielded 2,267 traps.
It is not too late for volunteers to participate. The Breton Sound and
Terrebonne Bay closures will continue through 6 a.m. March 13 and 6 a.m.
March 20, respectively. All crab traps remaining in the closed areas may
be removed between one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after
sunset and returned to the following designated disposal sites:
- Terrebonne Bay estuary -- LUMCON (on LA Hwy. 56 in Cocodrie)
and Boudreaux's Marina (at end of Four Point Road south of Dulac).
- Breton Sound estuary -- End of the World Marina (on LA Hwy.
300 in Delacroix) and Beshels Boat Launch (on LA Hwy. 39 in Pointe a la
Hache).
There will be another "volunteer" day on March 12 for the Terrebonne Bay
closure. LDWF personnel will be present at each disposal site beginning at
7:00 a.m. and remain until approximately 4 p.m. to distribute instructions,
maps, and supplies (tarps, grappling hooks, garbage bags, and gloves) to the
volunteers and to assist with the unloading and smashing of derelict traps.
In addition, derelict crab traps can be retrieved in both the Terrebonne Bay
and Breton Sound closure areas at any time during each closure period;
volunteers should deposit these traps in the storage receptacles at the
designated disposal sites.
For specific information about each closure, please contact one of the
following individuals.
- Terrebonne Bay Estuary - Vince Guillory (phone:
985-594-4139; e-mail:
vguillory@wlf.louisiana.gov)
- Breton Sound Estuary - Keith Ibos (phone:
504-568-5671; e-mail:
kibos@wlf.louisiana.gov)
More details, including additional regulations, maps, and instructions for
volunteers, are also available at the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program web
site (www.derelictcrabtrap.net).
LDWF AMENDS PUBLIC HEARING
SCHEDULE
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has amended its original
schedule of nine public hearings to include a tenth meeting in Opelousas on
March 22. The meetings will be held across the state to give the public an
opportunity to voice opinions about season dates, bag limits, and Wildlife
Management Area regulations before the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission finalizes them this summer.
Tentative season dates and WMA season dates are currently available on the
LDWF website (www.wlf.louisiana.gov)
under the "What's New" section.
The schedule of meetings follows.
Friday, March 11, Lake Charles
LSU Agricultural Center, 6 p.m.
Monday, March 14, Ruston
Ruston Civic Center, 6 p.m.
Monday, March 14, Houma
Houma Municipal Auditorium, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15, Lafayette
National Wetlands Research Center, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, March 15, Bossier City
Bossier Civic Center, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 16, Hammond
SLU University Center, 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 17, Baton Rouge
LDWF Headquarters, Louisiana Room, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 22, Opelousas
Yambilee Building, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23, Alexandria
Alexandria Convention Hall, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 24, Winnsboro
Council on Aging Building, 7 p.m.
ILLEGAL NIGHT HUNTERS CAUGHT
On January 26, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement
Division agents arrested three men for alleged illegal night hunting
activity in the Ponchatoula-Wadesboro area.
On the night of January 26, 2005, wildlife enforcement agents apprehended
Patrick B. Fink Jr., 21 and Joel P. Tantillo, 20, both of Hammond for
spotlighting by boat on the Wadesboro and Natalbany Rivers. During the
investigation, agents determined that Christopher J. Brown, 21, of Albany,
hunted illegally on January 25, 2005, with Fink.
Fink was booked into Tangipahoa Parish Jail for two counts of hunting deer
during illegal hours, two counts of hunting deer from a boat, hunting deer
from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting raccoons
illegally, operating a boat with no running lights, and displaying improper
boat numbers.
Tantillo was also booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail for hunting deer
during illegal hours and hunting deer from a boat. Christopher J. Brown was
later cited for hunting deer during illegal hours, hunting deer from a boat,
hunting deer from a public road, hunting from a moving vehicle, and hunting
raccoons illegally. Two rifles and two spotlights were seized.
Hunting deer during illegal hours carries a fine of $900-$950, or jail for
not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything
seized. Hunting deer from a public road and hunting deer illegally from a
boat each carry fines of $100-$350, or jail not more than 60 days, or both,
plus court costs. Hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting raccoons
illegally are both punishable by fines of $250-$500, or jail for not more
than 90 days, plus court costs. No running lights and improper boat numbers
each carry fines of $50.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Toby Miller, Sergeant
Dane Thomas, and Lieutenant Len Yokum.
LITTER SUSPECTS CITED
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
investigated littering cases in February of 2005 that resulted in numerous
citations issued in the parishes of Tangipahoa, St. Helena and Livingston.
Adrien Montegut, 63, Theresa Henderson, 33, and John Fultz Jr., all of
Roseland, along with Roy M. Cavaretta of Amite, were all cited for gross
littering in Tangipahoa Parish.
In St. Helena Parish, Donnie Wainwright, 47, of Walker, Kahdedrai Johnson,
27, of Hammond, and Betty Washington, 66, of Amite, were all cited for gross
littering.
In Livingston Parish, Vernon Hollingsworth, 25, and Jeremy Hill, 26, both of
Springfield, and Cedric Brown, 40, and Craig Brown, 41, both of Baton Rouge,
were all cited for gross littering. Julie Kelly, 51, of Livingston was also
cited for intentional littering.
If convicted, each person may be fined not less than $500 nor more than
$1,000 and sentenced to serve eight hours of community service in a litter
abatement work program as approved by the court. The judge may also require
the individuals convicted of the violations to remove litter from state
highways, public right-of-ways, public playgrounds, public parks, or other
appropriate locations.
COMMISSION ACCEPTS TENTATIVE HUNTING SEASON RULES
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted Thursday to accept the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' recommendations for the
2005-2006 hunting seasons and wildlife management area (WMA) regulations.
The vote marks the beginning of a four-month process of taking public
comment and refining the dates and rules as the commission sees necessary,
which will end with a final vote at their July 7 meeting.
The most significant change to this year's regulations is a decision to make
the rules effective for three years instead of one year. Additionally, Area
6 deer season dates were restructured. Archery season would last from
October 1-15, bucks only, and October 16-February 12, either sex;
muzzleloader season would run from November 12-18 and January 23-30;
still-hunt only from November 19-December 9; and hunting with or without
dogs from December 10-January 22. All of Terrebonne Parish will now be
included in Area 6.
Changes to WMA rules include allowing seniors and handicap permit holders to
use ATVs to retrieve deer, the addition of specified year-round ATV trails,
giving hunters permission to leave portable deer stands on WMA property with
certain requirements, additional nighttime raccoon hunting in some areas,
more squirrel-dog and beagle hunting, and additional youth lottery deer
hunts. A special youth squirrel hunt was established on a few areas, and
will take place on September 24 and 25.
Interested persons are invited to attend any of a series of public hearings
the department will hold around the state beginning March 11 in Lake
Charles. A full schedule of hearings can be found at
http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/apps/netgear/index.asp?cn=lawlf&pid=13&id=11097
82095 .
L.W.F.C. PASSES NOTICE OF INTENT TO MODIFY OYSTER LESSEE OUT-OF-STATE
LANDING PROGRAM
Plans to modify current administrative rules governing the Oyster Lessee
Out-Of-State Landing Program began as the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries
Commission unanimously passed a notice of intent during the March 3, 2005
meeting. The program allows properly licensed oyster leaseholders to land
oysters outside of Louisiana that were harvested from Louisiana oyster
leases. The rule modification will improve the program by more clearly
defining the permitting process and will also set guidelines for a vessel
monitoring system that will be required on each vessel operating under an
out-of-state landing permit.
The vessel monitoring system units (VMS) will be a requirement on board all
vessels landing oysters outside of Louisiana, enabling LDWF to track vessel
locations at all times. The units must be acquired by the permit holder and
may only be those devices approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) or the Secretary of LDWF for fisheries in the Gulf of
Mexico.
Interested parties may submit comments relative to the proposed rule to:
Patrick Banks, Marine Fisheries Division, Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, prior to May 5,
2005.
ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT AGENT
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Enforcement
Division join the family and friends of Senior Agent Jim Matkin in mourning
his passing.
Sr. Agent Matkin, 30, was a native of Pineville who joined the agency in
November of 1999. He was assigned to the LDWF Enforcement Division
Statewide Strike Force and lived in Monterey.
Sr. Agent Matkin was patrolling Highway 565 near Wildsville on the morning
of March 2. His vehicle left the roadway sometime between 4 a.m. and 4:45
a.m. and struck a tree. Matkin was killed instantly. A passerby discovered
the accident shortly before 5 a.m. and reported it to the Concordia Parish
Sheriff's Office.
Matkin is survived by his parents, Mr. James B. and Mrs. Rosella W. Matkin
of Pineville, his sisters Bridget Clark and Mickey White, and his stepson
Taylor James Perron, age 7.
Visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. March 4, and funeral
services will be held at 10 a.m. March 5, at Forest Lawn Memorial Funeral
Home in Pineville.
LDWF ASSISTANT SECRETARY ROUSSEL EARNS PRESTIGIOUS VAN
PELT AWARD
John Roussel is this year's recipient of the Arthur Van Pelt Award,
presented by the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association (LOWA) in recognition
of a lifetime of conservation achievement. Roussel is a 26-year veteran at
the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and currently holds the
position of Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fisheries.
Roussel, originally from Lutcher, Louisiana, is a graduate of Lutcher High
School and Nicholls State University. Roussel earned a post-graduate degree
at Tennessee Tech. After graduating from Tennessee Tech, he joined the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Roussel's professional affiliations include the American Fisheries Society,
the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the Gulf States Marine
Fisheries Commission, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies, Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, the LSU Sea Grant
Advisory Council, the Louisiana Groundwater Resources Commission, the
Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the National Shellfisheries Association and
many more. He has received numerous awards for his work and has written
over 30 publications, articles, fisheries plans and reports.
The Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association cites three accomplishments above
the rest as reasons for presenting the award to Roussel.
Early in his career Roussel created the LDWF's Boating Access Program.
Under this program, federal sportfishing restoration money is made available
to local governments to renovate or construct boat ramps and associated
infrastructure.
Roussel established the Saltwater Finfish Section within the Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries. This section bought a complete new level of
scientific management to apply to the management of marine finfish such as
speckled trout and redfish. Under Roussel, Louisiana moved from near last
to first in marine finfish management in the Gulf.
Roussel also was integral in the establishment of Louisiana's Trip Ticket
Program for gathering commercial fisheries landings data and in involving
the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries personnel in the
nationwide Marine Recreational Fishing Survey.
A written announcement of the award released by LOWA stated, "Roussel is the
shepherd and compass for fisheries management in Louisiana. His stand on
any issue is based on good science, fair treatment and ethical actions.
Still, he is so approachable that the path to his door is well-worn by both
recreational and commercial fishermen."
MORROW APPOINTED TO FILL VACANT L.W.F.C. SEAT
FOLLOWING DEATH OF DR. JERRY STONE
Patrick C. Morrow will attend his first meeting as the newly appointed
member of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on Thursday, March
3. Governor Kathleen Blanco appointed Morrow on February 21 to complete the
term of Dr. Jerry Stone, at-large commission appointee who passed away on
January 26.
Morrow, a life-long resident of Louisiana, was reared in Arnaudville, and
has practiced law in Opelousas for the past 32 years. He is a member of the
St. Landry Parish, Louisiana State and American bar associations. He is
also a member of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl and the Cajun Becasse
Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society.
"It is imperative that we protect our bountiful resources through the use of
state-of-the- art equipment and management technology," said Morrow. "Both
the sporting industry and the commercial and fur industries have a
tremendous economic impact on Louisiana, and we must strive to foster and
protect our renewable resources for the future economic growth of
Louisiana."
The term of the at-large commission position that Morrow fills will run
through the end of 2005.
HAUGHTON MEN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTUNG
Two Bossier Parish men, Alvis Cyrus III, 26, and Blake Cyrus, 20, both of
Haughton, have been cited by a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries enforcement agent for allegedly participating in illegal night
hunting activities.
Around 2 a.m. on February 22, Haughton Police Officer Paul Sims observed a
spotlight shining from a vehicle into a field off Alford Rd. The officer
stopped the vehicle and found the Cyrus men to be in possession of a
spotlight, a night vision scope, and a 12-gauge shotgun. Officer Sims then
summoned LDWF Sgt. Roy Schufft to pursue the investigation. Both men
admitted to the agent that they were hunting coyotes, which may not be
hunted at night under Louisiana law. Sgt. Schufft issued both men a summons
to appear in the 26th Judicial District court for violations of hunting wild
quadrupeds illegal hours and illegal spotlighting from a public road.
Hunting wild quadrupeds illegal hours is punishable by a fine of $250 to 500
or jail not more than 90 days, or both, plus court cost. Illegal
spotlighting from a public road carries a fine of not more than $175 or jail
not more than 30 days, or both plus cost of court.
DOVE HUNTERS SENTENCED IN MONROE FEDERAL COURT
Fourteen dove hunters pled guilty and were sentenced in Federal Court in
Monroe on February 8, 2005 for hunting migratory game birds over a baited
area and other related charges.
Dennis K. Puckett, 47, Gary W. Puffer, 35, Joey D. Brazzell, 22, Joe L.
Brazzell, 52, Christopher J. Brazzell, 31, Joshua W. Blades, 24, all from
Dubach, Bradley W. Foust, 23, Bernice, Bradley K. Trichell, 26, Britt D.
Trichell, 53, both from Monroe, Douglas L. Nations, 25, Lee A. Rainwater,
26, James E. Mitchell, 55, Jacub D. Alsup, 24, John A. Mitchell Jr., 57, all
from Ruston received fines ranging from $750 to $2000. In addition, Joshua
W. Blades received a $150 fine for hunting with an unplugged gun and Douglas
L. Nations received a $200 fine for hunting without a license. Lee A.
Rainwater received an additional fine of $250 for hunting without a license
and also received one year of probation during which time his hunting
privileges will be revoked. John A. Mitchell Jr. also received a fine of
$2000 for aiding and abetting the hunting of migratory game birds over bait
and received one year of probation with a loss of his hunting privileges for
one year.
The hunters were cited in Lincoln and Ouachita Parishes by Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Agents on September 4 and
5, 2004 during the opening weekend for the 2004-2005 hunting seasons.
Agents participating in the cases were Lt. Mike Rockett, Sgt. Lane Kincaid,
Sgt. Duane Taylor, Sgt. Mike Murray, Sgt. Jimmy Vining, Senior Agent Jason
Mouliere, Senior Agent Thomas Risser, Agent Cal Gunter, and Agent Mike
Jeter.
ST. MARY PARISH MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT OF CRAB TRAPS
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents
arrested a man in Vermilion Parish for the alleged theft of goods valued at
more than $500 and for illegally removing crab trap contents.
On February 14, Frank J. Schulmeister, 32, of Morgan City was arrested and
booked into the Vermilion Parish jail for allegedly stealing crab traps and
removing contents. Schulmeister was a crewmember on board the tugboat Ed
May working in Vermilion Bay. Agents recovered thirty-two crab traps
located in the engine room of the tugboat.
The penalty for theft of goods valued over $500 is imprisonment with or
without hard labor for not more than ten years or a fine of not more than
$3,000, or both. The penalty for illegally removing crab trap contents is a
fine up to $750 or jail for not more than 120 days or both plus court cost.
Agents participating in the cases were Sergeant Edwin Broussard and Senior
Agents Keith Delahoussaye and Layne Picard.
PIERRE PART MAN CITED FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING VIOLATIONS
On February 14, wildlife enforcement agents cited Nolan A. Morales, 42, of
Pierre Part for alleged commercial fishing violations.
Morales was cited in Assumption Parish for using a freshwater gill net with
illegal mesh and for failing to tag his net. Morales was using the net to
catch shad on Lake Verret when checked by agents. He was in possession of a
400-foot long, 2 1/2-inch by five-inch monofilament gill net and 230 pounds
of shad. The legal mesh size for freshwater gillnets is three inches bar or
six inches stretched. In addition, each net must be marked with a waterproof
tag with the name and the license number of the fisherman on each end of the
net.
The net and shad were seized as evidence. The shad were sold and the
proceeds will be held in escrow. Agents also seized an 18-foot aluminum
skiff and a 40 horsepower outboard motor on a department seizure order form.
The penalty for using illegal mesh nets is a fine for $400 to $750, or jail
time for not more than 120 days, or both, plus court costs. The penalty for
failure to mark or tag nets is a fine of $250 to $500, or jail for not more
than 90 days, or both, plus court costs.
Agents participating in the case were Sergeant Robert Daigle and Agent
William Boyd.
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