Former nuisance gator hunter cited for multiple violations

LDWF agents seize ten hides, 13 unused tags and hunter permit in investigation

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents cited a 51-year-old Denham Springs man who was a permitted nuisance alligator hunter with 26 alligator-related violations that occurred in Ascension and Livingston parishes over the past two years, according to a press release.

David Caveretta was cited for four counts of taking alligators without a license, four counts of taking alligators during a closed season, four counts with failure to comply with alligator tagging requirements, 10 counts of illegal possession of alligator skins and parts and four counts of not abiding with the nuisance alligator program’s rules and regulations, the release stated.

During the investigation, agents learned that Caveretta was allegedly using nuisance alligator complaint tags on alligators that were not nuisances, according to the release.

Agents determined that if Caveretta was given a complaint tag for a specific nuisance gator that was too small or for one he couldn’t locate, he would allegedly use that same nuisance tag on a larger alligator taken from a different area.

Agents seized 10 hides, Caveretta’s 13 remaining unused alligator tags, his nuisance hunter permit and he was removed from the nuisance alligator program, the release states.

Failing to adhere to nuisance alligator program rules and regulations and failing to comply with alligator tagging requirements each brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail for each count.  Taking alligators without a license carries a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each count.  Taking alligators during a closed season and possessing alligator skins and parts each brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each count, the release states.