Two Louisiana Men Cited for Hunting Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men for alleged hunting and boating safety violations along Highway 23 near Triumph in Plaquemines Parish on Dec. 16.

Agents cited Christopher Hicks, 25, of Boothville, and Calvin Riggs, 34, of Buras, for hunting migratory game birds (MGB) with an unplugged gun and violating the non-toxic shot requirements. Agents also cited Riggs for hunting with an unsigned duck stamp. Furthermore, Hicks was cited for hunt MGBs without a basic hunting license, federal and state duck stamps, possession of an alligator during a closed season and failing to comply with personal flotation device (PFD) requirements.

Agents were patrolling along Highway 23 and observed a vehicle parked in a wooded area and heard people talking near the vehicle further into the wooded area. Agents then observed several subjects coming from a barrow pit carrying a shotgun and dragging a pirogue.

Agents made contact with the subjects and found several ducks and a small alligator in the pirogue. Agents checked the shotguns and found both shotguns were unplugged and both subjects hunted MGBs with lead shot.

While conducting a license check, agents found that Hicks did not have a hunting license or a state and federal duck stamp and Riggs did not sign his federal duck stamp. Agents also discovered Hicks had hunted MGBs from the pirogue without a PFD.

The penalties for hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp, with an unsigned federal duck stamp, with an unplugged gun, violating non-toxic shot requirements, and possession of an alligator during a closed season carry a fine from $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.

Failing to comply with PFD requirements, hunting without anresident basic license and hunting MGBs without a state stamp carry a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail for each offense.

Agents seized and donated seven ducks, three coots and an alligator to charity. Replacement value of the ducks, coots and alligator may total $605.96 in restitution.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Todd Laviolette and Senior Agent Michael Williams.

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.