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SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWS |
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L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION HONORED WITH KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL AWARD LITTERING CASE TURNS INTO DRUG ARREST IN LASALLE PARISH L.D.W.F. AND D.E.Q. ISSUE ILLEGAL DUMPING VIOLATIONS L.D.W.F. TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY L.D.W.F. REMINDS HUNTERS OF DEER TAGGING REGULATIONS IN EFFECT FOR 2008-09 HUNTING SEASON LASALLE MAN CITED FOR COMMERCIAL FISH VIOLATIONS JEFFERSON PARISH MAN CITED FOR FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS MISSISSIPPI MEN CITED FOR OVER LIMIT OF CRAPPIE IN CATAHOULA PARISH LAFAYETTE PARISH MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS L.D.W.F. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES FOLLOWING AUG. 9 BOAT ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED FIVE LIVES L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST BOAT OPERATOR FOR D.W.I. AND BATTERY OF OFFICER
L.D.W.F. ENFORCEMENT DIVISION HONORED WITH KEEP LOUISIANA BEAUTIFUL AWARD The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division received a 2008 Keep Louisiana Beautiful award at the 6th annual Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Keep Louisiana Beautiful Conference on Aug. 22 in West Monroe. In all, DEQ and Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) jointly recognized 11 award winners at the conference. The Keep Louisiana Beautiful awards are designed to give special recognition to organizations that have developed outstanding litter prevention, beautification and community improvement, waste reduction and law enforcement programs in their communities. Recipients of the awards may include: nonprofit, civic, community organizations, youth groups, schools, government agencies, businesses and professional organizations. The Law Enforcement KLB award category recognizes the law enforcement organization that has done the most to promote a clean Louisiana, either through education or the issuance of litter citations. For the second year in a row the first place award in Law Enforcement went to the LDWF Law Enforcement Division for their Littering Enforcement Project. The second place award went to Deputy Richard Elam of Quachita Parish. "Keeping our woods, roadsides, swamps and waterways clean is a very important part of our everyday duties and something we don't take lightly," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. "Litter prevention and enforcement is one of the department's top priorities and littering will not be tolerated. We appreciate the Keep Louisiana Beautiful award as it brings recognition of another job well done by our Enforcement Division." A 2008 LDWF Enforcement Agency report, “The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Law Enforcement Division Continues Its Campaign Against Littering”, details field activity from July 1, 1991 to June 30, 2007. LDWF agents issued 4,819 citations for intentional littering and gross littering during that time. The report notes a rise in littering-related citations from 229 in fiscal year 1992 to 716 in fiscal year 2007. A copy of the report is available on the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/publicservices/LED_Anti_Littering_Efforts_040108.pdf. LDWF Enforcement Division Col. Winton Vidrine reminds the public, “Not only is littering ugly and harmful to our environment, it is also against the law. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents will continue to take a strong stance against littering.” The Waste Reduction category recognizes efforts to minimize the impact of waste and promote responsible waste handling in communities. The first place award in Waste Reduction went to St. Margaret Science Club for their efforts in addressing the waste issues of the Lake Charles area. The second place award went to Valero St. Charles Refinery and the third place award went to Deputy Wayne Heckford of Quachita Parish. The Beautification and Community Improvement category honors efforts to improve, beautify and preserve the visual aspects of communities. The first place award went to the partnership of U.S. Corps of Engineers, Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful, Keep West Monroe Beautiful and Keep Monroe Beautiful for their Ouachita River Water Sweep project. Monsanto Company, Luling Plant took the second place award and third place went to SDT Waste and Debris Services, LLC. The Litter Prevention category award is in recognition of litter prevention activities that were used to change the attitudes and behaviors of citizens in communities. First place went to U.S. Corps of Engineers and Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful for their litter awareness and education programs. The City of Alexandria won the second place award and Neighborhood Leaders of Alexandria received third. LITTERING CASE TURNS INTO DRUG ARREST IN LASALLE PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested Donnie Newhouse, 48, of Ball for alleged littering and possession of marijuana On Aug. 16. Agents were observing fishing activity near the Diversion Canal when they saw Newhouse litter and smoke a cigarette in an unusual manner. Upon contact with Newhouse, he was found to be in possession of a substance agents suspected was marijuana. He was issued a citation for littering and arrested for possession of marijuana and booked in the LaSalle Parish Jail. The penalty for littering is a fine up to $500, or jail time up to six months or both. Possession of marijuana is punishable by a fine up to $500, or imprisonment up to six months or both. Agents participating in the case were Sgt. James Parish, Senior Agent Joey Tarver and Cadet Troy Mayo. L.D.W.F. AND D.E.Q. ISSUE ILLEGAL DUMPING VIOLATIONS LDWF Enforcement Division agents working in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) charged two men in Livingston Parish for illegal dumping violations on Aug. 29. Milton L. Demars, 57, from Springfield, and Terry D. O'Neal, 64, from Killian, were charged for allegedly being involved in a conspiracy to commit illegal dumping. O'Neal, the landowner, gave permission to Demars, owner of the Prop Stop bar, to dispose of substances including various styrofoam plates, cups, refrigerator, vacuum cleaner, mattress and other assorted waste products into an excavated pit on his property in Livingston Parish. DEQ was alerted to the property located off of Keila Road in Killian and conducted an inspection/investigation with LDWF agents at the site. LDWF agents and DEQ officials declared the excavated pit is not a legal disposal site. Penalties for each conspiracy to commit illegal dumping carries a fine up to $25,000, which may be assessed for each day the violation continues and costs of prosecution, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. LDWF Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Clarence Marques, Senior Agent Brody Roberts and Sgt. Dane Thomas. The DEQ inspector participating in the case was Brad Taylor. L.D.W.F. TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY National Hunting and Fishing Day is Saturday, Sept. 27, and in Baton Rouge, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will mark the day with its 24th annual celebration. The department will also hold events in Minden, Monroe and Woodworth. LDWF invites people of all ages in the Baton Rouge metro area to celebrate this year’s event at Waddill Outdoor Education Center. The Baton Rouge event offers hands-on activities including canoeing, fishing, sports shooting and duck and goose calling. This year the department will again have a catfish pool where very young anglers can catch their first fish. "Hunting, fishing and other outdoor sports are fun, healthy activities for Louisiana families. The department is happy to offer hands-on shooting, archery and casting instruction from local experts at our National Hunting and Fishing Day events across the state," said LDWF Public Information Assistant Director Thomas Gresham. "At the Baton Rouge location, attendees can also sample wild game and seafood dishes, and enjoy hot dogs and Cokes absolutely free." Waddill Outdoor Education Center is located at 4142 Flannery Road. This event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, contact the LDWF public information office at 225-765-2496. This year’s event also offers numerous outdoor demonstrations and exhibits including Red Stick Fly Fishers, Louisiana Bayou Bluebird Society, Louisiana Hiking Club, J.B. Salter's Jiggin Poles, Louisiana Wildlife Federation, plus many more. National Hunting and Fishing Day is open to the public and all activities, food and drink are free of charge. A tasting booth will feature area chefs preparing and serving wild game and fish dish samples to the public. Soft drinks are provided by the Baton Rouge Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Associated Grocers will provide hot dogs. The event is sponsored in part by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, LDWF, The Advocate and Louisiana Fish Fry Products. L.D.W.F. REMINDS HUNTERS OF DEER TAGGING REGULATIONS IN EFFECT FOR 2008-09 HUNTING SEASON The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will enforce deer tagging regulations during the 2008-09 hunting season and urges hunters to become familiar with the steps in the process before the season begins. “The tagging of deer taken by hunters was voluntary last season and we wanted hunters to become familiar with the process,” said Jimmy Anthony, assistant secretary for LDWF’s Office of Wildlife. “This season tagging is mandatory and we are very interested in collecting the valuable harvest information the program will provide.” Prior to hunting deer this season in Louisiana, all deer hunters, regardless of age or license status, must obtain deer tags and carry them when hunting deer. Deer tags will be issued as follows: * At the point of sale,
when purchasing a Big Game license from a license vendor. * Resident Senior Hunt/Fish license holder: License vendors will issue tags free of charge when the Resident Senior Hunt/Fish license is presented. * Resident Seniors (not required to carry a hunt/fish license): License vendors will issue tags free of charge when a Louisiana driver’s license or state-issued picture I.D. is presented. * Hunters 15 years of age and under: License vendors will issue tags free of charge to youth hunters providing a Social Security number and date of birth. NOTE: Additional to license purchase and deer tag options at license vendor outlets, LDWF offices issuing licenses and deer tags include: Region 2 – 368 Century Tel
Drive, Monroe 71203; ph. 318-343-4045 When in the field, and
immediately upon harvesting a deer, the hunter must:
* Record the date of kill and the parish of kill on the Carcass Tag. When transporting the
harvested deer: * Hunters who keep the carcass or meat at their camp must also comply with game Possession Tag regulations. Possession Tags are printed within the back of the of the 2008-09 Louisiana Hunting Regulations booklet, or can be downloaded via the LDWF Web site, and document the identification of the hunter who harvested the deer. Correctly completed Possession Tags identify the hunter responsible for the dressed deer meat and allow anyone to transport the meat legally. Within 72 hours of the
harvest of each deer, the hunter must: Additionally:
Hunters are advised not to remove the Carcass Tags from the Deer Harvest Report Card until a deer is harvested. Single tags are automatically voided if detached from the license prematurely, not placed on a harvested animal, and then lost by a hunter. Duplicate tags will be available to replace lost tags at a charge to the hunter. Hunters who have harvested deer prior to losing their remaining tags will have to remove and discard the duplicate tags to account for the original tags that have been used and validated. Hunters must record these validated deer on the duplicate deer tag. Anyone purchasing a license by phone or the Internet will be given both an authorization number and a LDWF identification number that will serve as their temporary license until the actual license arrives by mail. Hunters will tag deer with Possession Tags using the authorization number and LDWF identification number for the required license numbers recorded on the Possession Tag. Hunters will maintain documentation of these harvested deer and will validate harvested deer as required by law when the hunter’s actual license is received. The hunter will validate the license information from these harvested deer and will discard the license tags for these validated deer. NOTE: Hunting license purchases by phone or the Internet will include a handling fee, as will deer tag requests by Lifetime license holders, Resident Seniors and hunters 15 years of age and younger. A complete listing of all rules pertaining to deer season and tagging is provided in the 2008-09 Louisiana Hunting Regulations booklet, or those same rules can be downloaded via the LDWF Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov. To view an instructional video on deer tagging via the LDWF Web site, go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov/hunting/regulations/deerhunting/. LASALLE MAN CITED FOR COMMERCIAL FISH VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a LaSalle Parish man for alleged commercial fish violations on French Fork Bayou on Aug. 8. Agents observed and cited Stephen Roy Ebrwein, 64, for taking undersized catfish from wire traps and placing them in his ice chest. The taking or possessing of undersized catfish by a commercial fisherman carries a fine up to $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Charlie Ferrington, Senior Agent Robbie Mayo, Lt. Russ Kiser and Agent David Nelson. JEFFERSON PARISH MAN CITED FOR FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD VIOLATIONS A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agent cited a Jefferson Parish man on Aug. 16 for allegedly hunting doves during a closed season and taking non-game birds in Lafitte. Both charges are federal migratory game bird violations. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office observed Kenneth Miller, 40, of Jefferson Parish, shooting a .22 caliber rifle from his vehicle in a wooded area near Lafitte. The sheriff's office found Miller in possession of dead birds and took him into custody. The sheriff's office then informed the LDWF New Orleans office. LDWF Enforcement Sgt. Kris Bourgeois responded and seized three mourning doves and one red-tailed hawk as evidence. If convicted of the migratory game bird violations, Miller could face fines up to $1,500 and up to six months in jail for each offense. MISSISSIPPI MEN CITED FOR OVER LIMIT OF CRAPPIE IN CATAHOULA PARISH Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited Larry Thomas, 54, and Eddie Jones, 65, both of Natchez, for allegedly possessing over the limit of crappie on July 29. While patrolling Lake Louie, agents came into contact with Thomas and Jones who were fishing in separate boats. Thomas was in possession of 69 crappie, and Jones was in possession of 74 crappie. The daily possession limit for white crappie is 50. All 143 fish were seized and donated to charity. Taking or possessing over the limit of freshwater game fish carries a fine up to $350, jail time up to 60 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Sgts. James Parish and Scott Watson. LAFAYETTE PARISH MAN CITED FOR NIGHT HUNTING VIOLATIONS Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited a Lafayette Parish man on July 31 for alleged night hunting violations near Longpine in Avoyelles Parish. Acting on a complaint, agents cited Cy Brown, 31, of Carencro after conducting an investigation into alleged night hunting violations. Upon making contact, Brown confessed to taking feral hogs at night. Feral hogs may be taken year round, but must be taken during legal shooting hours from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Brown was cited for hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle. Hunting wild quadrupeds during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle each carry fines between $250 and $500, or jail time up to 90 days, or both plus court costs. Agents participating in the case were Capt. Lastie Cormier, Capt. Peter Olivier, Sgt Travis Huval and Senior Agent Lance Devillier. L.D.W.F. INVESTIGATION CONTINUES FOLLOWING AUG. 9 BOAT ACCIDENT THAT CLAIMED FIVE LIVES Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division personnel are continuing their investigation into the cause of the collision on Aug. 9 of two boats on Blind River that resulted in five fatalities and left one passenger in critical condition. The accident, involving a 30-foot cabin cruiser and 20-foot runabout, occurred at approximately 5 p.m. near Alligator Bayou in St. John Parish. There were six passengers on board each watercraft, including the operators. Early reports, based on eyewitness accounts, indicate that the two operators apparently maneuvered to miss each other as they approached from opposite directions, rounding a bend in the river. The deceased accident victims include: Ken Michael Horzelski, LaPlace, 22; Joshua William McNulty, LaPlace, 20; Chance Michael Millet, Lutcher, 25; Patrick Timothy McTopy, Jr., LaPlace, 23; and Stanley Borne, Jr., Reserve, 22. Brandon Charles Prudhomme, LaPlace, 21, was hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the collision. All six were on board the 20-foot runabout. Two of the six boaters in the 30-foot vessel were treated for minor injuries. The operator of cabin cruiser was given a field sobriety and Intoxilyzer test at the scene and cleared of alcohol impairment. Results of toxicology tests on the (presumed) deceased operator of the runabout are not yet available. LDWF and the Ascension, Livingston and St. John Parish Sheriffs Offices all participated in the search and recovery efforts following the accident. L.D.W.F. AGENTS ARREST BOAT OPERATOR FOR D.W.I. AND BATTERY OF OFFICER Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents arrested a Ouachita Parish man on July 20 for Driving While under the Influence (DWI) 1st offense, resisting an officer and two counts of battery of a police officer. Agents arrested Charles E. Gray Jr., 46, of West Monroe, after they observed him operate his boat on the Ouachita River and dock at the Moon Lake Recreational Area boat launch. Agents suspected Gray of operating a boat while intoxicated and had him perform field sobriety tests. Gray then submitted to further testing by giving a breath sample at a LDWF Remote DWI Testing Unit where he was found to be legally drunk. While agents were escorting Gray from the testing unit, Gray became combative and hit one of the agents. Gray continued to resist and kicked another agent while being subdued. Gray was transported to Conway Hospital for treatment of minor injuries he received while being arrested and handcuffed. He was later booked into the Ouachita Parish Correction Center. Agents involved in the case were Lt. Mike Rockett, and Senior Agents David Harrell, Scott Jeansonne, Stan House and Adam O’Neal.
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