Louisiana is known as the Sportsman’s Paradise because of its vast amount of wild woodlands, waterways and marshland. The responsibility for patrolling those areas falls on the shoulders of Louisiana wildlife enforcement agents.
I served as an enforcement agent for five years starting in Class 14 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). My time as a wildlife agent was filled with some of the most enjoyable, heartbreaking, challenging and memorable experiences of my life.
I had the opportunity to reminisce about my years as a game warden recently when I met with Sgt. Anthony Verret at the Region 5 Headquarters in Lake Charles. Verret began his career as a game warden in late 2006 after honorably serving his country in the United States Air Force. Verret and I spoke at length of what a day in the life of a modern-day Louisiana game warden was like.
“The biggest challenge in transition to becoming a game warden from the Air Force was the independence and freedom to make decisions in the field,” Verret said.
Verret pointed out that all Louisiana game wardens are POST certified officers as well as deputized federal agents. The latter allows them to write certain citations with National Marine Fisheries and migratory game birds cases that go to federal court for prosecution versus state court.
Each day is different
Verret said that he prepares his schedule based on several factors that impact his day-to-day routine.
“I consider what time of year it is, what seasons are open, what seasons are closed, and what complaints we might receive,” he said.
The agents work a rotating 12-hour shift that is always subject to change. At the time of this interview, it was boat season. That means that most of Verret’s enforcement activity was related to all things aquatic in the tremendous number of waterways in Southwest Louisiana. Verret said that in October they transition to working a combination of water and woods.
Southwest Louisiana is unique because the parishes that make up Region 5 have a lot of coastal water, marshland and piney woods. Agents can work offshore on National Marine Fisheries cases one day and in the piney woods working deer hunters the next. Agents must be able to not only identify all species of migratory game birds and wild quadrupeds, but also identify a tremendous variety of fish species from freshwater, inland saltwater, saltwater reef fish and pelagic fish.
Boating safety
Verret said that boating safety enforcement is one of the most important parts of his job. It is important that boaters understand and abide by the navigation rules of the road and on-board safety regulations.
Verret said that although he is allowed to stop any vessel for a boating safety inspection, there are some observations that prompt his action. The examples he gave include “bow riding,” also known as having a passenger ride on the front of a vessel with their feet hanging over the front of the boat while the boat is under power, expired registration, failure to abide by the rules of navigation, or erratic operation. The erratic operation can also be a sign of an impaired vessel operator.
“Don’t drink and drive,” Verret said. “The penalty on the water is the same as on the road. Have fun, but have a designated driver.”
One point that Verret pointed out is that the boating safety regulations apply equally to waterfowl hunters who use boats to travel to and from the blind or hunt waterfowl from their boats.
Serving as a wildlife enforcement agent comes with significant sacrifice, and agents often work in some of the harshest environments and conditions. This can include weather disaster rescue or searches for lost boaters or hunters.
Louisiana wildlife enforcement agents are people that often get into the job because they love the resources available in Louisiana. They want to see the opportunities we have today to experience fishing, hunting or commercial activities continue for our children and generations that follow.
“Working outdoors, having such an unlimited workspace that covers about eight parishes and educating the public are some of the most enjoyable parts of the job,” Verret said.
