More than 100 hunters cited for dove-related violations opening weekend

Most tickets for hunting over a baited area, LDWF says

Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued 101 citations across the state during the opening weekend of dove season.

According to a press release, 55 tickets were for hunting doves over a baited area, with other citations issued for hunting with an unplugged gun, hunting without a basic license, placing bait, hunting from a moving vehicle and taking non-game birds.

Most citations for hunting doves over a baited area were issued in Franklin Parish, where agents found 28 people hunting over a baited field. Tickets for hunting over bait also were issued in Avoyelles, Tensas, Claiborne, Washington, Beauregard, Rapides and St. John Parishes.

According to the release, agents seized more than 300 doves associated with the citations.

Hunting over a baited field for doves, placing bait, and taking non-game birds each brings a state penalty of $400 to $950 in fines and up to 120 days in jail.  Hunting with unplugged guns and from a moving vehicle each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.  Hunting without a basic hunting license brings up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail, the release states.