Incident occurred on opening day in Winn Parish, LDWF says
Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited four men for alleged squirrel hunting violations on opening day in Winn Parish.
According to a news release, agents cited Joshua Young, 24, and Ernest Nowlin, 64, both of Tullos, for possessing over the limit of squirrels. Agents also cited Michael Sullivan, 50, of Olla, and Richard Decker, 54, of Tullos, for hunting squirrels without a basic hunting license.
Acting on a tip that hunters were taking too many squirrels, agents set up surveillance at a nearby camp. When the men arrived back from their opening day squirrel hunt, agents made contact and allegedly found Young in possession of 16 squirrels and Nowlin in possession of 10 squirrels.
The legal daily bag limit is eight squirrels per licensed hunter for the fall and winter season. Agents also found Sullivan in possession of seven squirrels and Decker with one squirrel, but neither man had a hunting licenses, according to the release.
Possessing over the limit of squirrels brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. The men may also face civil restitution up to $365 for the replacement value of the illegally taken squirrels. Hunting squirrels without a basic hunting license carries up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.
Agents seized the 34 squirrels in the case, according to the release.