Tip from the public led to investigation of 62-year-old at WMAs in Concordia, Avoyelles parishes
Agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recently cited a Marksville man for alleged alligator hunting violations on the Richard K. Yancey and Grassy Lake Wildlife Management Areas.
Ray Ussery was cited for violating alligator tagging requirements and taking alligators from an unapproved alligator hunting area, according to a press release.
After a tip from the public about potential alligator violations, agents set up surveillance at the adjacent WMAs, which are separated from each other by the Red River.
On Sept. 5, agents observed Ussery, who had previously won a bid to legally take alligators from the Grassy Lake WMA, take an alligator from the WMA without using an alligator tag, according to the release.
Later that morning, agents observed him allegedly take two gators on the Richard K. Yancey WMA, which is an unapproved area for taking alligators, according to the press release.
Agents made contact with Ussery and located two more gators in his boat, and three more on lines belonging to him on the Richard K. Yancey WMA.
Agents seized the six alligators, as well as Ussery’s remaining tags for the Grassy Lake WMA and the lines he had set on both WMAs, the release states.
Failure to comply with alligator tagging requirements and taking alligators from an unapproved area each bring a $400 to $950 fine, and up to 120 days in jail per offense, according to the LDWF release.
