Louisiana DWF Agents Seize 51 Teal on Catahoula Lake

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries 09.17.12

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited eight men for allegedly possessing over the limit of migratory game birds on Catahoula Lake in LaSalle Parish on Sept. 15 and 16.

Agents were on patrol on Catahoula Lake on Sept. 15 when they came in contact with four men that were leaving their hunting area. During a license and limit inspection, agents found the men in possession of 28 teal, which put them 12 over the limit. The men stated they were unaware of the four teal per person per day possession limit.

John P. Randall, 28, of Urania, Jereme B. Johnson, 27, of Ruston, Clint L. Cooksey, 27, of Jena, and Steven C. Douglas, 28, of Olla were issued state citations for possessing over the limit of migratory game birds.

On Sept. 16 on Catahoula Lake agents came in contact with four more men that were leaving their hunting area. Agents again performed a license and limit inspection and found them in possession of 23 teal, which put them seven over the limit.

Casey M. Deville, 17, of Lecompte, Dusty D. Ducote, 18, of Alexandria, Austin G. Linzay, 18, of Lecompte, and Brandon L. Simmons, 21, of Marksville, were issued citations for possessing over the limit of migratory game birds.

Agents seized the 51 teal from the eight men and donated them to charity.

Violating state migratory waterfowl violations brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Agents involved in the case were Senior Agents Troy Mayo and Joey Merrill.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.