Two Acadiana men cited for migratory game bird violations

Pair accused of being 34 ducks over the limit in Acadia Parish, LDWF says

Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited two men for migratory game bird violations in Acadia Parish after they were allegedly found with a total of 46 ducks on Jan. 18.

Matthew Castile, 34, of Lafayette, and Jeremy Soileau, 32, of Ville Platte, were cited for over the limit of ducks, wanton waste of migratory game birds and failing to comply with personal flotation device regulations, according to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Agents observed Castile and Soileau hunting from a pirogue on Bayou Mallet, and Castile allegedly exited the boat with a large stringer of ducks just before Highway 98 and hid them behind a tree. The two men then carried the pirogue up the bank to Castile’s truck with another load of ducks, the release states.

Agents made contact with the men and retrieved a total of 46 ducks, including 26 teal, 11 wood ducks, eight mallards and one pintail. The men also did not have a PFD in the pirogue, according to the release.

The legal limit of ducks is six in aggregate per person per day, making the men 34 ducks over the limit, the release states.

Taking or possessing over the limit of ducks and wanton waste each brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Failing to comply with PFD regulations brings up to a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail, according to the release.