Four men cited for migratory game bird violations in East Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited four men for alleged migratory game bird violations on Dec. 3 in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Agents cited Logan Walker, 32, of Baton Rouge, Daniel Mesen, 33, of Baton Rouge, John Duvall, 40, of Prairieville, and Cory Chappell, 34, of Baton Rouge, for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area. Mesen was also cited for not possessing the state duck license.
Agents setup surveillance on a pond near Baton Rouge that was baited. Agents witnessed the four men arrive and then hunt over the baited area. Agents seized six wood ducks and donated them to a local charity.
Hunting migratory game birds over a baited area brings up to a $950 fine and 180 days in jail. Hunting migratory game birds without a state duck license carries up to a $50 fine.
The men may also face civil restitution totaling $160 for the replacement value of the illegally taken ducks.
Agents involved in this case are Senior Agent Seth Courtney and Senior Agent Jared Riddle.
Florida resident cited for charter guide violations in St. Bernard Parish
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a Florida resident for alleged charter guide violations in St. Bernard Parish on Dec. 4.
Agents cited Max McKinley, 24, of Stuart, Florida, for failing to comply with charter boat regulations by not having a charter guide license, failing to provide proof of liability insurance, failing to have a U.S. Coast Guard license, and failing to have a recreational fishing license.
Agents were on patrol in the Hopedale area when they stopped McKinley with paying customers onboard his vessel. McKinley did not possess the required U.S. Coast Guard Captains license, an LDWF charter boat fishing guide license and proof of at least $300,000 liability insurance.
Failing to comply with charter boat regulations carries up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case are Sgt. Jason Gernados, Corporal Thomas Forehand, and Senior Agent Austin Landry. This case will be forwarded to District Attorney Perry Nicosia for prosecution.
LDWF agents cite four men for deer hunting violations in Red River Parish
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited four men for alleged deer hunting violations in Coushatta on Dec. 5.
Agents cited Cederick J. Thomas, 36, of Vivian; Anthony B. Caldwell, 31, of Coushatta; Adam J. Caldwell, 30, of Natchitoches, and Javarrea Pouncy, 28, of Gloster; for hunting deer during illegal hours and hunting from a moving vehicle.
Anthony Caldwell was arrested for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and also cited for hunting without resident basic hunting and big game hunting licenses. He was booked into the Red River Parish Jail.
Adam Caldwell, Thomas and Pouncy were also cited for hunting without recreational big game hunting licenses. Adam Caldwell and Pouncy were also cited for hunting without basic hunting licenses.
Agents were on patrol around 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 when they heard shots being fired on the east side of the Red River near Coushatta. Agents went to the area they heard the shots and found a vehicle spotlighting for deer in an open field on private property.
Agents got closer to the vehicle and identified it as a Coushatta Police Department patrol unit. Agents then made contact with the four men inside the vehicle including Pouncy, whom agents identified as an off duty Coushatta Police Department Officer.
Agents found the men in possession of two antlered deer and three rifles with one of them having night vision capabilities. After further questioning, agents learned that Anthony Caldwell harvested an eight-point buck and is a convicted felon. Agents also found that Thomas harvested a spike buck.
The Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office (RRSO) also charged all four men with trespassing for not having permission to be on the private property. The RRSO may also have more charges pending for Pouncy.
Hunting deer during illegal hours brings up to a $950 fine and 120 days in jail. Hunting from a moving vehicle carries up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail. Hunting without recreational basic hunting and big game hunting licenses brings up to a $50 fine.
A convicted felon possessing a firearm brings a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and five to 20 years of jail. Trespassing carries up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
Anthony Caldwell may also face civil restitution totaling $2,033 for the replacement value of the illegally taken buck. Thomas may face civil restitution totaling $1,624 for the replacement value of the illegally taken spike.
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Kenneth Balkom, Sgt. Jared McIver, Sgt. Wesley Duck, Corporal Justin Greer, Corporal Mike Cook, Senior Agent Dalton Herrington, and Red River Parish Deputy John Egan Griffith.
Slidell man cited for commercial fishing violations in Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited a Slidell man for alleged commercial fishing violations on Dec. 5 in Plaquemines Parish.
Agents cited Michael Daigle Jr., 34, for taking commercial fish without a commercial license, vessel license and gear license.
Agents were on patrol in Baptiste Collette Bayou near Venice when they made contact with Daigle Jr. on a commercial shrimp vessel. Agents found that Daigle did not purchase any commercial licenses for the 2021 fishing year.
Daigle Jr. was in possession of 1,339 pounds of shrimp. The shrimp were seized and sold to the highest bidder.
Taking commercial fish without a commercial license, commercial gear license, and commercial vessel license carries a penalty up to $500 and 90 days in jail for each offense.
The case will be forwarded to District Attorney Charles Ballay for prosecution.
Agents participating in the case are Lt. Adam Young and Senior Agent Austin Landry.
