Seven cited for alleged goose violations in Vermilion Parish

Birds taken from a moving vehicle on a public road, LDWF says

Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries cited seven people in two incidents for allegedly hunting migratory game birds from a vehicle on a public road, according to a press release.

Agents cited Brian Debarge, 53, of Cameron, Brandon Debarge, 26, of Cameron, Jody Trahan, 37, of Cameron, Allen Romero, 51, of Gueydan, and Timothy Nelton, 55, of Houma, for hunting migratory game birds from a vehicle and from a public road on Dec. 21.

Agents also cited Jeremy Debarge, 32, of Cameron and Lakelyn Rougeau, 21, of Bell City, for the same violations on Christmas Day.

Agents also cited Brian Debarge, Brandon Debarge, Jeremy Debarge, Trahan, Romero and Nelton for possessing over the limit of geese.  Trahan was additionally cited for hunting without a basic hunting license, hunting migratory game birds without the state duck license and the federal duck stamp and hunting with an unplugged gun.  Nelton also was cited for hunting with an unplugged gun, the release states.

Acting on a complaint about hunters shooting geese from a moving vehicle, agents arrived at the scene and observed a vehicle matching the description called in actively hunting for geese, according to the release.

During questioning, the release states the subjects admitted to hunting from a public road for geese.

Agents seized 198 light geese and donated them to a local charity, according to the release. Licensed hunters are allowed 20 light geese per day.

Hunting migratory game birds from a vehicle, hunting migratory game birds from a public road, possessing over the limit of geese and hunting with an unplugged gun each carry a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.  Hunting for migratory game birds without a basic hunting license, state duck license and federal duck stamp each bring up to a $50 fine and 15 days in jail.