Cases made on March 22 and 23 in West Feliciana, Jackson, Vernon, Claiborne and Tangipahoa parishes
Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were busy on the opening weekend of turkey season, citing 11 people for alleged violations ranging from hunting over a baited area to using an unplugged shotgun.
According to a press release, agents cited Jim Bailey, 73, Mathew Lenard, 37, Jimmy Lenard, 67 and Harvey Stover, 56, all of West Monroe, for hunting turkeys over a baited area on March 22 in Jackson Parish.
In Vernon Parish, agents cited Mark Granger, 54, of Hackberry, for failing to comply with turkey-tagging regulations, the release states. Also in Vernon Parish, they cited Jerry Green, 44, of Slagle, for hunting turkeys over a baited area and not possessing turkey tags.
Agents cited Brock Herring, 29, of Camden, Ark., for hunting turkeys with an unplugged gun in Claiborne Parish.
In West Feliciana Parish, agents cited Frank Gonzales, 58, of St. Francisville, for hunting turkeys over a baited area, according to the release.
In Tangipahoa Parish on March 23, agents cited Baylor Blanchard, 21, of Amite and John Bel, 20, of Arcolo, for hunting turkeys over a baited area.
Bel also was cited for hunting without a basic hunting license, without a big game license, without a turkey stamp and for failing to comply with turkey tag requirements, the release states.
According to LDWF’s 2014 Turkey Regulations pamphlet, hunters are not allowed to place, expose, deposit or scatter corn, wheat or other grains, salt or other feed to lure turkeys to a hunting area.
Additionally, turkey hunters are required to possess both Louisiana basic hunting and big game licenses, a Louisiana wild turkey permit and turkey tags.
Shotguns capable of holding over three shells must be plugged with a one-piece filler, the release states.
Hunting turkeys over a baited area and hunting without an unplugged gun each bring a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to comply with turkey-tagging regulations carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Not possessing a basic hunting license, big game license and turkey stamp brings a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail for each offense, according to the release.
