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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 NEWS |
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INFORMATION SOUGHT ON WESTBAY W.M.A. FIRES TWO CITED FOR BLACK DRUM VIOLATIONS IN LAFOURCHE PARISH REPEAT WILDLIFE VIOLATOR RECEIVES LARGE FINE AND PROBATION FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON SALVADOR W.M.A. JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR THEFT AND MULTIPLE DRUG CHARGES INTERAGENCY COOPERATION RESULTS IN POACHER APPREHENSIONS DEER HUNTER CITED IN ACADIA PARISH New Restrictions on Canvasbacks and Scaup for Upcoming Waterfowl Season LOUISIANA MEN ARRESTED FOR KILLING ALLIGATOR Man Arrested for Impersonating L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT AGENT FIVE MEN CITED FOR STEALING OYSTERS NEAR MILE PASS IN TERREBONNE PARISH HORNBECK MAN CAUGHT KILLING DEER IN CLOSED SEASON L.D.W.F. CITES 25 MEN FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST L.D.W.F. VERIFIES TWO COUGAR SIGHTINGS
INFORMATION SOUGHT ON WESTBAY W.M.A. FIRES On the afternoon of Nov. 5, four fires broke out in separate wooded areas on the 60,000-acre West Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Allen Parish. The cause of the fires is suspected to be arson and is under investigation by the Allen Parish Fire Marshall’s Office and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division. The initial investigation and response to the fires by the LDWF Enforcement Division resulted in the recovery of an incendiary device found near where the fires were started. This evidence will be turned over to the Fire Marshall’s Office. The LDWF Enforcement Division is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires. Anyone with information may call the LDWF Enforcement Division 24 hour toll free number, 1-800-442-2511, or Capt. Jubal Marceaux at the LDWF Lake Charles Office, 337-491-2599 or jmarceaux@wlf.louisiana.gov. Callers may remain anonymous. LDWF LT. COL. JEFF MAYNE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF THE GULF OF MEXICO FISHERIES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL LAW ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY PANEL Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division Assistant Chief Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne was elected chairman of the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel at the October meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC) in Key Largo, Fla. The GMFMC Law Enforcement Advisory Panel is made up of law enforcement representatives from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA General Council. “I am honored to represent the council’s law enforcement panel as chairman,” said Mayne. “Our committee is dedicated to the efficient and effective service to the citizens who use and enjoy the abundant resources of the Gulf of Mexico, and will work toward furthering education and outreach programs, increase public trust and awareness maximizing voluntary compliance and enhancing identification of illegal activity.” The GMFMC is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils, which were established, by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act in 1976 (now called the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Magnuson Act). The council prepares fishery plans which are designed to manage fishery resources from where state water boundaries end to the 200-mile federal boundary in the Gulf of Mexico. These waters are also known as the Exclusive Economic Zone. Current state and federal regulatory approaches require development and implementation of concurrent law enforcement strategies. Concerns over ocean ecosystems, living marine resources, coral reefs, coastal habitat conservation and international fisheries have escalated law enforcement responsibilities throughout the Gulf of Mexico. The foundations of fishery management plans are dependent upon sound regulations and the ability to maintain acceptable levels of compliance. The role of law enforcement in the fishery management process is to provide guidance to ensure effectiveness, consistency and enforceability of proposed and adopted regulations. TWO CITED FOR BLACK DRUM VIOLATIONS IN LAFOURCHE PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited two fishermen for alleged fishing violations on Oct. 19 in Lafourche Parish. Agents assigned to the Statewide Strike Force, while on patrol on Pointe-Aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area, found two fishermen in possession of 35 black drum of which 18 were under the legal size limit. The fishermen were identified as Aaron Griffin, 38, Stephanie Griffin, 39, both from Raceland and an unnamed juvenile. Agents cited the fishermen for unlawfully taking and possessing over the limit of black drum and unlawfully taking and possessing undersized black drum. Agents seized and later donated the fish to charity. The penalty for unlawfully taking and possessing over the limit of black drum is a fine of $100 to $350, or imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. The unlawfully taking and possessing undersized black drum is also punishable by a fine of $100 to $350, or imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Todd Laviolette and Agent R. Bear Fletcher. REPEAT WILDLIFE VIOLATOR RECEIVES LARGE FINE AND PROBATION FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ON SALVADOR W.M.A. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited five bow fisherman on June 15, 2008 for illegal nighttime activities and other criminal violations on the Salvador Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in St. Charles Parish. Alan Yedor II, 36, of Marrero, and four others were each cited with one count of failure to abide by WMA rules and regulations for entering a WMA during illegal hours. Additionally, Yedor was cited with three violations including failure to abide by WMA rules and regulations for illegally operating an airboat, failing to comply with charter boat regulations and angling without a basic license. 29th Judicial District Court Judge Robert A. Chaisson, St. Charles Parish, accepted Yedor’s guilty plea on Sept. 29, 2008. Yedor was given a six-month sentence in parish prison that was suspended. He was also sentenced to one-year misdemeanor probation and was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines. Assistant District Attorneys, Michael Weinberg and Howat Peters, of the office of District Attorney Harry J. Morel Jr., prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Louisiana. Yedor, who was acting as a charter guide, accepted responsibility for his clients and all charges against Jeffery Gavel, 46, of Littleton Colo., Thomas Maddox, 37, and Thomas Finnie Jr., 57, both of Sulphur, and Michael Benoit, 33, of Jennings, were dismissed. Agents involved in the investigation were Sgt. Ray Champagne, Senior Agents Gary Pierce and Villere Reggio and Agent Tim Fox. JEFFERSON PARISH RESIDENT CITED FOR THEFT AND MULTIPLE DRUG CHARGES A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent apprehended a Jefferson Parish resident on Oct. 27 for alleged theft and drug charges. Gary Josey, 31, of Lafitte, was cited for theft of property valued between $300 to $499, simple criminal damage under $500, possession of marijuana, hydrocodone, codeine and drug paraphernalia and use of a firearm with controlled dangerous substance. The agent was on patrol on the westbank of Jefferson Parish when he observed a vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road in an area known for night hunting. After noticing that several of the street lights in the area were out, the agent continued to watch the vehicle and observed Josey using a small red light to illuminate the wooded area around his vehicle. The agent observed Josey was dressed in camouflage and had walked away from his vehicle several times while shining the red light in the wooded areas along the road. The agent stopped Josey and discovered that he was in possession of a large amount of copper wire, along with drugs and drug paraphernalia. During the investigation, the agent discovered that Josey was illegally removing the copper wire from the street lights along the highway. Consequently, Josey was turned over to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office and booked into the Jefferson Parish jail. The LDWF agent participating in the investigation was Sgt. Ray Champagne along with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. INTERAGENCY COOPERATION RESULTS IN POACHER APPREHENSIONS A joint investigation by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents and the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force resulted in citations for six Louisiana residents for their alleged involvement in illegal hunting activities in Vernon Parish. Susan E. Hamby, 49, of Leesville, was cited for possesson of an illegally taken deer. Jobe L. Holsomback, 31, of Anacoco, and Gilbert A. Smithwick Jr., 20, of Haughton were both cited for two counts each of taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light, taking deer during a closed season, possession of an illegally taken deer, hunting from a moving vehicle and taking deer from a public road. Douglas C. Sneed, 24, of Leesville, was cited for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light, three counts of taking deer during a closed season, three counts of possession of an illegally taken deer, two counts of hunting from a moving vehicle, two counts of taking deer from a public road, two counts of discharging a firearm from a public road, and one count each of illegal possession of an alligator and intentional littering. Leland S. Singletary, 23, of Leesville, was cited for possession of an illegally taken deer, taking an alligator during a closed season and taking an alligator without a license. Jerome L. Thompson, 41, of Leesville, was cited for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light, taking deer during a closed season and possession of illegally taken deer. Holsomback, Smithwick, Sneed, Singletary and Thompson will also owe restitution to LDWF for the illegally taken game. This extensive investigation began on Sept. 25 after the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force contacted LDWF agents with information concerning illegal hunting activities, which they received during their own investigation of an armed robbery. Agents seized four one-gallon bags of deer meat, one deer shoulder, a quart bag of deer meat, a container of alligator meat, three deer hides and two alligator heads. Agents donated the useable parts to charity, but had to discard the rest due to spoilage. Agents also seized a .22 caliber rifle, a climbing deer stand, a game camera, a laptop computer, a computer hard drive, an eight-point and 10-point deer head, all of which are being held for evidence. The penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is a fine between $1,000 to $5,000, and imprisonment at hard labor for 10 to 15 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. Taking deer during illegal hours with an artificial light and taking deer during closed season are each punishable by a fine of $900 to $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. The penalty for possession of an illegally taken deer, taking an alligator during a closed season and illegal possession of an alligator is a fine between $400 to $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle and taking an alligator without a license are each punishable by a fine between $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for taking a deer from a public road is a fine between $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Intentional littering is punishable by a fine of $250, eight hours of community service in a litter abatement work program and a $100 special court fee. 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. LDWF agents participating in the case were Lt. Bill Tyree, Sgt. Curt Belton, and Senior Agents Russell Brack, Scotty Delaney and Eric Droddy. DEER HUNTER CITED IN ACADIA PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Robert Colomb, of New Iberia, for taking over the daily limit of deer and failing to comply with deer harvest records in Acadia Parish on Oct. 25. Agents patrolling the area south of Crowley found Colomb, 40, and his son in possession of an 8-point and 10-point buck. Colomb later admitted he shot both bucks and had his son claim one of them. The daily limit for deer on privately owned land is one antlered deer and one antlerless deer per day, and a season limit of three antlered and three antlerless deer per year. The penalty for taking over the daily limit of deer is a fine between $250-$500, or jail time up to 90 days or both. The penalty for failing to comply with deer harvest records is a fine between $100-$350, or jail time up to 60 days or both. If convicted, Colomb will be responsible for a civil restitution for the value of the deer. Agents seized and donated the two deer to charity. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agents Justin Sonnier and Buddy Murray, and Special Agent Flip Siragusa with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. New Restrictions on Canvasbacks and Scaup for Upcoming Waterfowl Season With the first waves of fall migrant ducks and geese starting to show up in Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding eager hunters about the changes for the 2008-09 migratory waterfowl season. The season on canvasbacks is closed this year, which represents a big change from last year's two canvasbacks allowed in the daily bag for the entire season. Despite a lower than anticipated harvest last year, the annual breeding waterfowl survey showed a decline in canvasback population below the 500,000 threshold needed to open the season for at least 30 days. Consequently, there is no open season for canvasbacks in the entire Mississippi Flyway this year. In 2007, Louisiana harvested more canvasbacks than any other state in the Mississippi Flyway taking 40 percent of the total flyway harvest. Although many Louisiana hunters have limited opportunities in the habitats they hunt, canvasbacks are regularly taken at Catahoula Lake, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Area (WMA), and the deltaic marshes and flats near the mouth of the Mississippi River. The bag limit on scaup, sometimes referred to as bluebills or dos gris, has been reduced to one per day for the first 40 days of the 60-day duck season. Scaup populations have been declining since 1984, and although small population increases were seen the past two years, scaup remain 30 percent below their long-term average. Despite widespread controversy over the scientific value of its population model, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented a scaup harvest management strategy that calls for additional harvest restrictions. Therefore instead of two scaup per day for the entire season, like the last two seasons, the bag limit on scaup is one per day through Dec. 29 in the West Zone and Jan. 5 in the East Zone. On Dec. 30 in the West Zone and Jan. 6 in the East Zone, the bag limit increases to two per day. Hunters in areas where scaup and ring-necked ducks co-exist need to be particularly attentive, as the bag limit on ringnecks remains six per day. Scaup and ringnecks can be tough to distinguish on the wing, so hunters should be extra careful in identifying their targets. Conversely, the bag limit on wood ducks has increased to three per day for this season. So while hunters need to exercise caution with regard to the closed canvasback season and reduced bag limit for scaup, they can take part in the added harvest opportunities on this sporty bird. LOUISIANA MEN ARRESTED FOR KILLING ALLIGATOR Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested four Louisiana men for allegedly killing a nearly 12-foot female alligator considered to be a local icon in the St. Francisville area on Oct. 8. The approximately 35-year old alligator, which lived in a small pond along Ferdinand Street, had become a tourist attraction and wildlife attraction for local residents for many years. “Everyone in St. Francisville knew about the big gator,” stated one local resident. “We all bragged about our big alligator and it was not unusual to drive down the street and see people who had stopped to look over the chain-link fence at her. It’s such a shame that someone killed her needlessly!” After finding several crossbow arrows protruding from the wounded alligator, the reptile ultimately had to be euthanized. LDWF agents then began an investigation, which ultimately led them to the four subjects arrested. All four admitted to participating in the crime. Agents arrested Charles Dousay, 25, and Adam Bonaventure, 25, both of Jackson, La., and Jerred Wunstel, 32, and Kelsey Landrum, 24, both of St. Francisville, La. Each subject was cited and booked into the West Feliciana Parish Jail for hunting alligators at night, taking an alligator from an unapproved area, taking an alligator without the required license, not abiding by the rules and regulations regarding the taking of alligators and for cruelty to animals. If convicted, the four each face fines totaling up to $3,750, or up to 19 months in jail, or both, plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. They also each face up to 40 hours of community service if convicted and will be responsible for the civil restitution payment for the value of the illegally taken alligator. Seized were a crossbow and a winch pole with cable and hook attached. Agents involved in the case were Sgts. Will Roberts and Ronnie Engelhard. Man Arrested for Impersonating L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT AGENT Louisiana State Police Detectives, working in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), arrested a Denham Springs man on Oct. 15 for impersonating an LDWF Enforcement agent. Representatives with LDWF contacted State Police after receiving information that Johnny B. Pomares, 37, was representing himself as an LDWF agent. Pomares approached his neighborhood homeowners association in an effort to gain approval to patrol the neighborhood and enforce traffic violations in the area. Additionally, operational emergency lights were found in Pomares’ white GMC Yukon. “The information we had obtained was shared with State Police and investigating officers from both agencies moved quickly to apprehend Mr. Pomares,” said Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze, LDWF Enforcement Division. “Impersonation of a law enforcement officer has serious implications and cannot be tolerated in any community.” Pomares was booked into the Livingston Parish Prison on false personation of a peace officer. State Police Detectives are continuing their investigation. If anyone believes they may have been stopped by Pomares in his unmarked Yukon, please contact State Police Detective at 225-754-8500. FIVE MEN CITED FOR STEALING OYSTERS NEAR MILE PASS IN TERREBONNE PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited five men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on Oct. 14. Agents assigned to the Oyster Strike Force, while on oyster-growing-area patrol in Sister Lake, found two vessels dredging oysters on a private lease without the lease owner's permission. The men were identified as Jessie Dardar, 62, Ismael Gomez-Dominguez, 28, and Jesus Adrian Topia, 21, all from Houma, Al Molinere, 53, from Montegut, and Johnathan Reyes, 17, from Dularge. Agents cited the men for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease and failure to have written permission. Agents returned all the oysters contained in the dredges and on the cited vessel to the private lease. The penalty for unlawfully taking oysters from a private lease is a fine ranging from $900 to $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 $750, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in case were Sgt. Bryan Marie, Sgt. Richard Purvis and Senior Agent Bryan Robertson. HORNBECK MAN CAUGHT KILLING DEER IN CLOSED SEASON Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited Garret D. Sterling, 19, and Ashley D. Townson, 17, both of Hornbeck, for allegedly killing a deer illegally in Sabine Parish on Sept. 22. LDWF Enforcement Sgt. Joe Dewil and Senior Agent Billy Shoemaker cited Sterling after receiving a complaint that he had shot and killed a deer from Arnold Dowden Road. When the agents found Sterling, he had the remains of a freshly killed doe deer in a plastic tub in the back of his truck. He also had the meat from the deer in a cooler in his truck and admitted to shooting the deer. Agents cited Sterling for taking a deer during a closed season, hunting from a moving vehicle, hunting across a public road, failure to abide by commission rules (fail to tag deer), and discharging a firearm from a public road. Agents cited Townson for possession of an illegally taken deer. Agents also advised Sterling he would owe restitution in the amount of $524.54 to LDWF for the illegally taken deer. Agents seized the deer meat and later donated it to charity. Agents also seized a 7mm magnum rifle for evidence. The penalty for taking a deer during a closed season is a fine between $900 and $950, or jail time up to 120 days, or both plus court costs and forfeiture of anything seized. Hunting from a moving vehicle and hunting across a public road are each punishable by a fine between $250 to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. The penalty for failure to abide by commission rules (fail to tag deer) is a fine between $100 to $350, or jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Discharging a firearm from a public road is punishable by a fine up to $50, or jail time up to 30 days or both. L.D.W.F. CITES 25 MEN FOR ILLEGAL OYSTER HARVEST Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents assigned to LDWF's Oyster Strike Force (OSF) cited 25 men for alleged oyster violations in Terrebonne Parish on Oct. 5. OSF agents responded to complaints of illegal oyster harvesting on the closed seed grounds located in Sister Lake. The agents spotted eight oyster vessels engaged in illegal oyster-dredging operations. Guillermo Cardenas, 27, and Vincente Cardenas, 26, both from Gray, La.; Javier Moreno, 24, from Gadsden, Ala.; Policarpo Delgado, 35, Enrique Torres Beiza, 23, Lazaro Perez, 39, Luis Zarraga, 35, Juan Resendiz, 36, Raymundo A. Garcia, 33, Jose Feliciano Rodriguez, 38, Filiberto Rodriguez, 31, Juvenal Cardenas, 37, Aureliano Rodriguez, 28, Mario Garcia, 32, Fermin Vega, 31, Benjamin Rodriguez, 32, Jose Miguel Rodriguez, 30, Ramon Vega, 33, all from Houma, La.; Lorenzo Aguilar, 25, from Pisgart Forest, N.C.; Jose Rodriguez, 22, Santiago Martinez, 46, both from Montegut, La.; Julio Garcia, 23, Oscar Garcia, 26, Lazaro Garcia, 43, Luciano Garcia, 32, all from Chauvin, La.; were cited for taking oysters during a closed season. Agents seized and returned 175 sacks of oysters to the water. The penalty for taking oysters during a closed season is a fine up to $350, imprisonment for up to 60 days, or both plus courts costs. In addition, any person convicted of any 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 notify the department as to which vessel will be used to harvest oysters. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. Bryan Marie, Senior Agent Joseph Arnaud, and Agent Kerry Gaillord. L.D.W.F. VERIFIES TWO COUGAR SIGHTINGS The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has received photographic evidence of the second and third documented cougar occurrences in the state in recent history. Private citizens sent trail camera pictures from two different sites to the department in September. LDWF Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson and LDWF Natural Heritage Zoologist Beau Gregory then conducted site investigations that confirmed the authenticity of the photographs. "The department interviewed the photo providers and investigated the sites and photographs. After inspecting all of the evidence, we have concluded with the best of our abilities that the photos are in fact real and of a cougar," Davidson said. The first photograph was taken in Natchitoches parish on Sept. 4, and the second was taken in Allen parish on Sept. 29. The sites are approximately 100 miles apart, leading to speculation that the same cougar could be in both photos. "Given the time lapse between the two pictures it is certainly possible for a cougar to have traveled that distance," Davidson said. "Both animals have the same general appearance of a young cougar, but it is impossible to determine conclusively if the animals are one and the same. It is also impossible to determine if the animals in the photographs are wild free-ranging mountain lions, or escaped captives." Although it is illegal to own a cougar in Louisiana, it is possible that there are some illegally held “pets” in the state. Anyone holding a captive cougar in Louisiana must have a permit issued by LDWF, as captive cougars may compromise public safety. LDWF may issue permits to existing owners in the state in order to reduce difficulties associated with determining the validity of reported cougar sightings. The mountain lion, cougar, panther or puma are names that all refer to the same animal. Their color ranges from lighter tan to brownish grey. The only species of big cats that occur as black are the jaguar and leopard. Jaguars are native to South America and leopards are native to Africa. Both species can occur as spotted or black, although in both cases the spotted variety is much more common. Although the department receives numerous calls about “black panthers”, there has never been a documented case of a black cougar anywhere in North America. The first recently documented cougar sighting was in 2002 by LDWF Program Manager Michael Carloss on Lake Fausse Point State Park. That sighting was later confirmed with DNA analysis from scat found at the site. The department receives many calls reporting sightings of cougars throughout Louisiana. The vast majority of these reports cannot be verified due to the very nature of a sighting. These animals can move through an area and leave little or no evidence to be found. Many of the calls are found to be cases of mistaken identity. Dog tracks make up the majority of the evidence submitted by those reporting cougar sightings. Other animals commonly mistaken for cougars are bobcats and house cats, usually seen from a distance or in varying shades of light. The significant lack of physical evidence leads the department to conclude that Louisiana does not have an established, breeding population of cougars. In states that have verified small populations of cougars, physical evidence can readily be found in the form of tracks, cached deer kills, scat and road kills. The recent occurrences of cougars in Louisiana may be young animals dispersing from existing populations in west Texas. An expanding population in west Texas can produce dispersing individual cougars that move into suitable habitat in Louisiana. Young males are known to disperse from their birthplace and travel hundreds of miles seeking their own territories. Cougars that occur in Louisiana are protected under state and federal law. Penalties for taking a cougar in Louisiana may include up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine. Anyone with any information regarding the taking of a cougar should call LA Operation Game Thief, inc. at 1-800-442-2511. Callers may remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward. To report verifiable sightings of cougars containing physical evidence such as photos, tracks and/or scat please call Maria Davidson at 337-948-0255 or your nearest LDWF Region office at: Minden 318-371-3050
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