Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited 15 Louisiana residents for alleged duck hunting violations on Jan. 17 in Acadia Parish.
Agents cited Blake Zaunbrecher, 22, John Gates, 17, Mason Menard, 26, Jordan Comeaux, 23, Millard Conques, 19, Caleb Robichaux, 18, Martin Dischler, 37, and Drake Conques, 22, all of Rayne; Bryce Credeur, 17, and James Richard, 17, both of Crowley; Brantley Yeager, 29, and Reese Besse, 18, both of Church Point; and Dustin Reiners, 18, of Branch, with wanton waste of migratory game birds.
Thomas Garrett III, 55, of Rayne, was cited with using lead shot in an area designated as steel shot. Scott Johnson, 53, of Rayne, was cited with hunting without a state duck license and a federal duck stamp. Martin Dischler was also cited for contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Caleb Robichaux was also cited for hunting without a resident hunting license, state duck license and a federal stamp.
Agents received a tip on Jan. 16 about a large group of people hunting at the Rayne sewer plant with the possibility of over the limit of ducks occurring the next day.
On Jan. 17, agents watched as the hunters surrounded a large pond inside of the fenced in plant and observed the men shoot at ducks in the pond. After the hunt was over, agents observed all but one of the hunters leave the hunting area and return to their vehicles and begin to leave the area. Agents approached the hunters and checked them for hunting regulation compliance. Agents discovered that Robichaux and Johnson did not have the proper licenses to hunt ducks and that Garrett was using lead shot to hunt ducks.
Agents then went to the pond and discovered several ducks and coots left out on the banks and in the water of the pond. Agents seized a total of 89 ducks and 72 coots.
Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Keith Delahouyasse, Sgt. David Sanford, Senior Agent Buddy Murray, Senior Agent Jason Stagg and Senior Agent Justin Lowry.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
