Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
GAME WARDEN
Spring 2010
Table of Contents
ON THE COVER
PO Box 14119 Sr. Agent Steve Vidrine (left) and Sgt. Scott Fontenot and
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
stopped one man’s method of harvesting deer. See com-
plete story beginning on page 87.
PRESIDENT
Sgt. Scott Mathews
VICE PRESIDENT
Sgt. Davis Madere
SECRETARY
Sgt. Scott Watson
FINANCE OFFICER
Sgt. Wayne Parker
REGION REPRESENTATIVES
DEPARTMENTS
Lt. Jay Diez - Headquarters
Sr. Agent Frank A. Reger - Region 1 President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 5
Sr. Agent Josh Estis - Region 2
Sr. Agent Scotty Delaney - Region 3
Sgt. Travis Huval - Region 4 Headquarters
ters Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 7
Sr. Agent Derek Logan - Region 5
Sr. Agent Dean Aucoin - Region 6 Region 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 19
Sgt. Todd Lewis - Region 7
Sgt. Jason Russo - Region 8
Region 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 33
Louisiana Game Warden
is published quarterly by the
Louisiana Wildlife Agents Region 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 43
Association
P. O. Box 14119
Baton Rouge, LA 70898
Region 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 63
to provide regional coverage
of the activities of Louisiana’s Region 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 85
wildlife agents. The nonprofit
LWAA fosters, protects and pro-
motes the welfare and interest Region 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 107
of all classified commissioned
wildlife enforcement agents,
active or retired. Advertising Region 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 131
revenues generated by
Louisiana Game Warden
help fund LWAA’s hunting,
Region 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 143
fishing and boating safety
projects through the state. Braggin’ Board
oard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 159
Louisiana Wildlife Agents’
Association does not assume Advertisers’ Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 166
responsibility for statements
of fact or opinion made by a
contributor, nor do opinions Classified Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 169
expressed by authors
necessarily
reflect the policies of LWAA.
W
organizations.
e have just
Even in this time
wrapped up
of economic hardships
our 2010
within state government,
LWAA Conference in
it is my goal to make
Shreveport. I applaude
sure that we prosper and
the efforts of Region 1 for
advance forward. The
hosting this conference.
upcoming legislative ses-
A special thanks goes to
sion will be the toughest
Frank Reger for the time
and most difficult time
that was spent organizing
that the Department of
and making sure every-
Wildlife and Fisher-
thing was taken care of.
ies has faced in many
I would like to thank the
years. If you look at
members in attendance GENERALCONTRACTORSƑCONSTRUCTIONMANAGEMENT
other Wildlife Agencies
for their confidence by
around the country you
electing me to the of- POBOX14176ƑBATONROUGE,LA70898
can see the trend that we 225Ͳ928Ͳ0700PHONEƑ225Ͳ928Ͳ0711FAX
fice of President of the
may be facing. Merit in-
LWAA. I will strive to
creases, home storage of
represent the members
vehicles, and furloughs,
of this Association to the
are just a few of the cuts
best of my ability. I have
that have been made
been with the LDWF
to many agencies. We
Enforcement Division
provide a valuable ser-
since I was hired in 1991.
vice to the people of the
I was a Region Repre-
State of Louisiana. With
sentative on the board in
these potential cutbacks
the early days when our
we cannot possibly do
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 5
Page 6 Louisiana Game Warden www.lwaa.org
HEADQUARTERS
FABRICATION SHOP
LT. JAY DIEZ
FABRICATES FALSE PAPERWORK
By Sr. Agent Jason Dreher
L
Headquarters
Baton Rouge ouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries years.
1-800-442-2511 Enforcement Division agents from the Special The Special Inves-
Investigations Unit arrested two Houma men tigations Unit of the
Chief of Enforcement on January 28 for felonies surrounding an attempt to Department of Wildlife
Col. Winton Vidrine
defraud the state by registering a stolen boat. and Fisheries learned
Assistant Chiefs Matt Benoit, 29, and Lloyd Hebert Jr., 49, both of through a complaint and
Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze Houma, allegedly conspired to commit a felony when subsequent investigation
Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne Hebert agreed to fabricate a material sales receipt for that Matt G. Benoit was
Benoit to register a stolen boat with the Department. in possession of a stolen
Staff
Upon filing the receipt with the Department, along boat, a 17 foot alumi-
Maj. Joey Broussard
Maj. Sammy Martin with the registration, Benoit allegedly committed two num homemade boat.
Capt. James Carter other felonies. In an effort to register
Capt. Cliff Comeaux Hebert was charged with conspiracy (to injure said boat, Matt Benoit
Lt. Rachel Zechenelly public records) and false accounting. For conspiracy, conspired with Lloyd
Sgt. Spencer Cole
Hebert faces a fine of no more than $1,000 and im- Hebert, owner of H &
Special Investigations prisonment for no more than 1 year, with or without P Sheet metal, Inc., to
Lt. Jay Diez hard labor. For false accounting, Hebert faces a fine
Sgt. Sean Green no more than $500 and imprisonment no more than 6 Continued
Sr. Agt. Louis Burnett months. If found guilty of both charges, Hebert faces
Sr. Agt. Jason Dreher
a fine of no more than $1,500 and imprisonment for
Sr. Agt. Ladd Turner
Sr. Agt. Eddie Ridgel no longer than 1½ years.
Benoit was charged with conspiracy, illegal pos-
Oyster Strike Force session of stolen things, injuring public records and
Sgt. Brian Marie filing false public records. For conspiracy, Benoit
Sr. Agt. Michael Garrity
faces a fine of no more than $1,000 and imprison-
Statewide Strike Force ment for no longer than 1 year. For illegal posses-
Lt. James “Billie” Gomillion sion of stolen things, he faces a fine of no more than
Sgt. Todd Lavoilette $500 and imprisonment no longer than 6 months. For
Sgt. Ezekial Talbot injuring public records he faces a fine of no more than
Sr. Agt. Bear Fletcher
$1,000 and imprisonment no longer than 1 year, with
Sr. Agt. James Robertson
Sr. Agt. Wesley Duck or without hard labor. For filing false public records,
Sr. Agt. Michael Williams Benoit faces a fine of no more than $5,000 and im-
Sr. Agt. Ronnie Englehard prisonment for no longer than 5 years. If found guilty
Agt. Michael Stout of all charges, Benoit faces a total fine of no more
than $7,500 and imprisonment for no longer than 7½
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 7
GREMILLION & SON FIRE EXT LOUISIANA FEDERAL LAND BANK
P.O. BOX 8676 P.O. BOX 5465
ALEXANDRIA, LA 71306 ALEXANDRIA, LA 71307
(318) 442-1422 (318) 442-8896
fabricate a material receipt to turn into the Depart- cated the receipt (08319). He also said no transaction
ment, therefore injuring public records in the second took place even though he put “paid cash” on the re-
degree and filing false public records by knowingly ceipt. He also said he didn’t do any metal fabricating
submitting the false material receipt for Departmental as stated on said receipt, nor did he order any material
registration. for Mr. Benoit to build said boat. He said he falsified
On 11/26/08, Mr. Justin Breaux filed a stolen boat the receipt for a friend to register a boat.
report with Houma Police Department. On 10/2/09, On 5/13/09 Matt Benoit applied for a Department
the boat was recovered and Mr. Breaux was contacted registration for the boat and listed it as homemade.
to identify said boat. Mr. Breaux arrived at Falgout Mr. Benoit was advised he needed to apply for a
Marina in Bayou Dularge, Louisiana and identified Homemade Boat inspection. On 6/19/09 Mr. Benoit
his boat. Matt Benoit was in possession of said boat applied for a Homemade Boat inspection from the
at the time it was identified. The boat was returned to Department. On 7/27/09 an agent with the Depart-
Mr. Breaux. No charges were filed by Houma Police ment inspected the boat. A requirement for a satis-
Department or Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office. factory inspection is proof of taxes paid on material
On 10/6/09, the Special Investigations Unit re- purchased to build a boat. It was at this time that
ceived this information from Brittney Breaux, Justin Mr. Benoit presented the fabricated receipt from H &
Breaux’s wife. On 11/4/09, I, Senior Agent Jason P Sheet Metal, Inc. The receipt was then filed with
Dreher, initiated an investigation into this case with the Departments Motor Boat division at Louisiana
concerns of a false registration. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters
On 12/30/09 Matt Benoit was interviewed by located at 2000 Quail Dr in Baton Rouge.
me, Senior Agent Jason Dreher and Senior Agent Ed Matt G. Benoit did knowingly violate LA R.S.
Ridgel. Mr. Benoit was advised of his rights per- 14:69 Illegal Possession of Stolen Property by trying
taining to Miranda. Mr. Benoit waived his rights to register an illegal boat that had no legal documen-
and agreed to speak with us. Mr. Benoit advised he tation, violated LA R.S. 14:26 Conspiracy by conspir-
purchased the boat from an unknown person, and ing with Lloyd Hebert, owner of H & P Sheet Metal,
did so without receiving any documentation of the Inc., to fabricate a receipt violating LA R.S. 14:132
vessel. Mr. Benoit tried to register the boat with the Continued
Department, but couldn’t without proper documenta-
tion. Mr. Benoit stated to us that he knew the boat
was missing legal documentation so he asked for and
received a fabricated material receipt from Lloyd
Hebert, Jr., owner of H & P Sheet Metal, Inc.
On 1/15/09, I, Senior Agent Jason Dreher, went
to H & P Sheet Metal, located at 1138 Barrow St. in
Houma. I interviewed Lloyd J. Hebert, Jr. I advised
him of his rights pertaining to Miranda in which he
waived and spoke to me. Mr. Hebert stated he fabri-
I
t started about ten years ago. I work as an in- product. Buying direct from the boat or shrimp dock
vestigator in the Special Investigations Unit and seemed the only sure way. So, why were these com-
inspect seafood companies for violations typically panies doing it? Money…it was the bottom line!
found at the white collar level. I had been an Agent They would try to sell people foreign shrimp when
for about four years and started getting tips about the domestic ran out, but when that didn’t work, they
companies repackaging shrimp from other countries would repackage it and tell us it was domestic.
and putting the shrimp in boxes marked as a product Finally, last year, we got a real break and the
of the U.S.A. and then selling that shrimp under false technology became available. With willing complain-
pretenses. The problem was that I did not really have ants who didn’t “spill the beans” and DNA testing
a way to investigate the issue. Let’s face it; unless I for shrimp (yep, I said it – DNA testing for shrimp)
saw the box come in and get repacked into a box and we could build a case, have the repackaged shrimp in
then saw it repacked with my own eyes, I had no case. hand and find the villains.
No one I knew could tell the difference and if anyone The National Marine Fisheries Service Special
could, I needed absolute proof. Back then, a shrimp Agents approached us with tons of shrimp they had
was just a shrimp. gotten a tip on and completed the DNA testing. It
The complaints I would receive were about empty was repackaged! We began an investigation that I had
boxes labeled with shrimp from other countries in a long awaited. In 2009, the price of shrimp dropped to
dumpster by these businesses. Of course by the time almost nothing in Louisiana, and now we could really
I could get there, the boxes were gone. Complainants do something to help our commercial fishing industry
in this business seem to like to tell the culprits that get back on its feet! After all, one company couldn’t
they called Wildlife, thus giving the culprits a chance do all that repacking by themselves. There would
to get rid of the evidence. Truth is, it seemed like an have to be many players involved.
impossible case to make. In 2002, when laws began to Continued
get passed by the FDA and the Louisiana Legislature
about country of origin, businesses began to “clean
up” their act. I put that in quotes because they didn’t
stop repackaging, they just covered up the paperwork
trail.
It is bad enough that we as consumers have to buy
shrimp from the retail store that said the shrimp was a
product of another country; but worse yet we couldn’t
even be sure, though it said product of U.S.A., or
Louisiana, that we were actually eating a domestic
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Page 14 Louisiana Game Warden www.lwaa.org
WORKING NEWLY OPENED
PUBLIC OYSTER GROUNDS
By Sgt. Bryan Marie
W
orking a new opening can result in numer-
ous enforcement challenges. Improved
technology jointly used with navigation
equipment can minimize patrol time and result in a
successful patrol. The opening of the temporary Lake
Borgne Public grounds was a perfect opportunity.
It was a foggy morning with visibility of about 75
yards. Agents launched and proceeded to the Point
Marchet area. The area contains private leases and the
newly opened public grounds. Proceeding to the area,
the agents’ challenges were to bypass vessels legally
harvesting and proceed to the ones in violation.
Relying on the programmed routes, agents lo-
cated five vessels on a private lease. The vessels, elle Chasse; and Mike Dillan,
Belle Dillan 46,
46 from Magnolia,
Magnolia
Four Brothers, Connie Rene, Mr Bob, Cajun Viagra Miss.
Express and Leatherneck were being used to harvest After confirming the coordinates through Region
oysters. Agents familiar with the vessels from past en- 8, agents issued citations to each men for unlawfully
counters knew the occupants did not have permission take oysters from a private lease and failure to have
to harvest from the lease. The occupants were identi- written permission to harvest on the lease. Agents
fied as Pasko Piacun, 67, from Empire; Austin Go- seized a total of 37 sacks of oysters and placed the
mez, 29, and Jose Ruiz Martinez, 32, both from Port
Sulphur; Juan Umanzor, 42, Roberto Garcia, 43, Juan Continued
Garcia, 19, Rodriguez Garcia, 35, and Tony Esteve,
44, all from Chalmette; Roosevelt Falgout, 73, and
Al Molinere, 45, both from Montegut; Wilbert Dion,
41, from Houma; Diego Velazquez, 19, and Galvieno
Sotelo, 20, both from Buras; Damjan Pesvic, 42, from
SSpring
i 2010 L
Louisiana
ii Game Warden Page 15
Page 16 Louisiana Game Warden www.lwaa.org
Continued from page 15
H
ello again from Region 1. We are excited about hosting the 2010 LWAA
Convention in Shreveport, Louisiana, this year. It has been interesting
SR. AGENT
meeting with vendors, Holiday Inn management, Shreveport Convention
FRANK A. REGER and Tourism Bureau, and local representatives in the planning process. We look
forward to food, fellowship, and fun at this year’s convention. Welcome to Louisi-
ana’s Other Side! Drive safely!
Region 1
We have had a busy hunting season working night hunting complaints. Agents
Minden in Region 1 have put in a lot of hours to catch poachers and our efforts have paid
318-371-3049 off. We are also seeing a growing number of people using management areas and
woods as a place to use drugs illegally. Impaired hunters are dangerous to them-
Region Supervisor
selves and everyone around them. If you are armed and impaired, stay out of the
Capt. Richie McCarthy
woods. Everyone can feel
Administrative Specialist confident that we are doing
Mary Jane Nixon our best to stop these indi-
viduals. Enjoy the upcom-
District 1-A
ing Turkey season! Good
Bossier, Caddo & Desoto
Parishes luck in the woods and be
safe on the water!
District Supervisor
Lt. Roy Schufft
District 1-B
Bienville, Claiborne,
Red River
& Webster Parishes
District Supervisor
Lt. Kenny Balkom
S
ometimes in our job we come across blatant immediately jumped out of the vehicle before I could
traffic violations that we just can’t ignore. even pick up my radio. We’ll call her “Ms. D.” I im-
Well tonight was one of those nights. Hunting mediately told Ms. D. to stand at the back of the car
season was almost over and I found myself working and not move. I asked Ms. D. for her Driver’s License
till midnight on this particular Saturday night in hopes and she produced a Louisiana ID card. That might
that I could catch somebody “riding dirty.” Little did I have been due to the fact that her DL was suspended,
know that it wouldn’t take long and this one was just but that was just the beginning of her problems. I
gonna fall right in my lap. Literally! I was on patrol found that not only was Ms. D. driving under suspen-
in South Bossier parish heading to check out Loggy sion but that she had four children bouncing around in
Bayou W.M.A., when out of nowhere this Pontiac the car like it was a Chuck E. Cheese’s. The children
Grand Am is on my bumper like it’s the Daytona 500! in the vehicle were ages six, three, two and one years
I thought to myself, this car is about to pass me up old and were not using a car seat or a seatbelt. Now
like I’m sitting still! Nobody ever pays attention to just add a couple of open containers to the list and
those big green trucks with the blue lights. A Game you’ve just won yourself a trip to the Bossier Parish
Warden? What’s that? “Ya’ll came to get that dog? Maximum Facility!! After all was said and done and
Ya’ll here to get those dead cats?” I could go on all the children were released to the family, the booking
day with the things I’ve heard so far. So anyway back charges went as follows: No Passing Zone; Care-
to the race! As I looked in my side mirror I could less Operation; Driving While License is Suspended;
tell this driver wasn’t going to slow down, and as we Open Container; and Child Seat Restraints (Four
entered into the No Passing Zone, the driver decided Counts). Everyday something different comes at you
that it’s now or never! Never mind that oncoming in this job and if you’re not careful in some cases, it
traffic and that blind curve! Now I it was time for me will come at you and pass you up. Literally!
to make personal contact and see what the hurry was
all about. After coming to a complete stop, the driver
W
e had been getting complaints about For his numerous offense,s we cuffed the dude and
someone shooting deer at night in a neigh- sent him to jail.
borhood within the city limits of Minden, We contacted Webster Parish Detectives Scotty
LA. Agents in District 1B had been putting in long, Tucker and Dusty Reynolds with what we found. The
late nights trying to catch this sucker. One Saturday detectives got a warrant and with the assistance of Lt.
morning, Jared McIver and I decided to drive around Kenny Balkom and Deputy Bobby Igo Jr., went to the
that neighborhood to find the ideal place for some- jailbird’s house. Inside the house they found numer-
one to shoot a deer. Lo and behold, at what would be ous vials of steroids in a safe packaged for distribu-
considered a great spot to shoot a deer, we saw a truck tion. We also found a turkey that was freshly killed.
parked on a pipeline. The driver was passed out and
had his gun barrel sticking out of his window. That’s
a clue. Jared and I got out and walked up to his truck.
He never knew we were there. I yelled at him and he
slowly came to. The dude was stoned out of his mind.
He was hunting on a piece of property that did not
belong to him and we knew he didn’t have permission
because we knew the landowner. I took his rifle he
exited his vehicle, and we asked him a few questions.
Jared had dealt with this individual before; during
Jared’s first encounter with this sucker, he had meth in
his possession and illegally taken deer. This time was
no different. As I kept talking with him, Jared looked
in his vehicle. Long story short, Jared found meth,
xanax and steroids in plain sight. Upon further inves-
tigation, orders of steroids from Mexico were found Drugs and paraphernalia seized by Jared McIver and
in the back seat of his truck. A whole, untagged deer Ryan Brasher.
was found in a small ice chest in the bed of his truck.
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773 BOLTON
MCCLAREN LOOP 7466 OLD MONROE RD
LEESVILLE, LA 71446 BASTROP, LA 71220
(337) 239-7827 (318) 281-0181
www.OAKALLEYPLANTATION.COM (800)44ALLEY(442-5539)
CONTACTUS@OAKALLEYPLANTATION.COM VACHERIE, LA 70090
H
SR. AGENT ello to everyone from Region 2. I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and pro-
JOSH ESTIS
ductive hunting season. The Region 2 office extended its coverage area at
Region 2
the beginning of the year. Region 2 added four parishes this year due to
Monroe
318-343-2417 the closing of the Region 4 office. Franklin, Tensas, Madison, and Caldwell par-
ishes are now part of the Region 2 office located in Monroe, La. Region 2 would
Region Supervisor
Captain Alan Bankston also like to welcome three new Agents to the Enforcement Division. On February
Administrative Specialist
28, 2010, Agent Mike Jones, Agent Ray Ellerbe, and Agent Scott Bullitt graduated
Shetocquie Willis from LDWF Enforcement Training Academy. We welcome these guys and hope
District 2-A they have a long, successful career with the Department.
Ouachita, Union, As boating season begins, I want to remind anyone who was born before
Lincoln & Jackson
Parishes January 1, 1988, that they need to complete the boating safety course. Anyone
District Supervisor needing to participate in the course should contact their local Region office. The
Lt. Mike Rockett Department will also be promoting its annual “I GOT CAUGHT WEARING MY
Sgt. Lane Kincaid
Sgt. Duane Taylor LIFE JACKET” campaign this year as always. Children 12 years old or younger
Sgt. Thomas Risser
Sr. Agt. Stan House are required to wear a properly fitted personal floatation device when the vessel is
Sr. Agt. David Harrell underway.
Sr. Agt. Scott Jeansonne
Agent Joe Goeudy Agents in Region 2 have already taken to the waters. The high waters have not
Agent Mike Jones
Agent Scott Bullitt discouraged anglers from getting out there in hopes of a good catch. Several good
commercial fishing cases
District 2-B
Richland, Morehouse, have been made, in addi-
East and West Carroll
Parishes
tion to numerous criminal
citations being issued for
District Supervisor
Lt. Rick Owens boating safety violations.
Sgt. Scott Mathews As always, remember
Sgt. Darren Bruce
Sgt. Jamey Hagan to check your safety equip-
Sgt. Wayne Parker
Sr. Agt. Josh Estis ment and assure it is work-
Sr. Agt. Wendell Weeks ing properly before you
Sr. Agt. Justin Lee
Agent John Miller launch. Be safe and have a
Agent Ray Ellerbe
good summer.
District 2-C
Franklin, Tensas,
Madison, and Caldwell
Parishes
District Supervisor
Lt. Scott Watson
Sgt. Joe Chandler
Sgt. Larry May
Sgt. Jeff Robison
Sr. Agt. John Hendricks
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 33
BUILDER’S CUSTOM CENTRAL
CABINETS PROGRESSIVE BANK
O
ne of the com- expensive to hunt on private land nowadays, so for a lot of hunters (me included),
plaints we often hunting public land is the only way to go.
hear from the Despite all the complaints, public lands have a lot to offer. Short of equipment
public is that they don’t and licenses, there aren’t any other
see any “good deer” fees. The seasons are pretty gener-
while hunting on public ous on most of them, and assuming
land. The public has you get there first, you don’t have to
a lot of theories as to worry about someone reserving your
why this is so; anything favorite hunting spot.
from “global warming” The most important thing public
(not so common where lands offer, however, is a chance for
I live) to “the season’s a very special deer. The third largest
too long and you can whitetail ever recorded was harvest-
kill too many deer” (the ed off of Big Lake WMA, which oc-
most common). cupies portions of Tensas, Madison,
I dare say it’s none and Franklin Parishes. And once or
of the above. My feel- twice a year, a really good one gets
ing is that the so-called harvested.
“good deer” are just Such is the case with the deer
smarter and more cau- above. This deer was taken by Joey
tious than most, mak- Jarrett off of Buckhorn WMA, in Tensas Parish, on January 3, 2010. He was natu-
ing them much harder rally proud of it, and more proud, I think, that he got to use his last tag of the year
to harvest. Stupid deer for this one.
don’t last long on public Agent John Hendrix and I checked Mr. Jarrett at a parking area on Buckhorn.
land. It’s getting more We noticed the crowd looking at something, so we stopped in, because we’re very
Continued
O
riginally modeled after the “Make A Wish” 2000-4000 ATVs on the ride at any one time. And by
Foundation, which provides last wishes for the end of the day, I can guarantee you’ll be ready to
terminally ill children, “Wish I Could” is go home. On the upside, it’s a blast. It’s a showcase
Northeast Louisiana’s home-grown charity. Originally for some of the most phenomenal ATV technology
founded because of a lack of perceived responsive- you can imagine. Very few bikes on the ride aren’t
ness to local people, the founders decided they could highly modified...snorkeled, jacked up, and even
make a smaller, regional charity which would serve tracked. The people are there for a good cause, and a
the needs of Louisiana residents. In short, Make A good time is usually had by all.
Wish is a great idea, but because they’re large and Despite the nefarious connotations, the Suicide
national, a need was seen for something smaller and Ride gets its name from one particular hole located
more local. That, in short, is Wish I Could. about halfway through the ride. This hole is the rea-
For the last 25 years, Wish I Could has held their son most of these bikes are so modified. It’s a 5-foot
lone fund-raiser of the year on Boeuf Wildlife Man- deep ditch, about 75 yards long, and is the sole reason
agement Area, located in Caldwell Parish. Called the many of the riders come. It’s a badge of honor to
“Wish I Could Marengo Swamp Suicide Ride”, or survive the Suicide Hole. I can only venture a guess,
just the ‘Swamp Ride” for short. This is a 17-mile but I’d say it got the name “Suicide Hole” because so
ATV ride through Marengo Swamp, some of the many ATVs have died there. It gets worse as the ride
worst terrain you can imagine. It’s hard on equipment goes on, too, because as bikes attempt it, the bot-
and people. In an average year, 25-30 4-wheelers tom gets churned up, until by the end of the day, it’s
wind up broken down to the point where they have a muddy slurry with virtually no bottom. Very few
to be towed out days later. There are anywhere from bikes out of the thousands on the ride even attempt it,
Continued
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H
SR AGENT
SR. ello, all! As I write this, we have just finished up another long and busy
SCOTTY DELANEY hunting season. Several great cases were made throughout the region,
Region 3 ranging from waterfowl to whitetails. Region case numbers have picked
Pineville up thanks to the addition of Concordia, Lasalle, and Catahoula parishes. There
318-487-5634
Region Supervisor were a lot of great bucks taken both by the general public as well as fellow agents.
Capt. Peter Oliver In talking with other agents, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we
Administrative Specialist do our best in educating the public. When we stop at gas stations, restaurants,
Christy Ellington
boat launches, etc., the public asks questions, and we do our best to educate them.
District 3-A During hunting season, one of the most frequently asked questions I get pertains
Rapids, Grant, Winn &
Avoyelles Parishes to deer tags. The whole process is explained, the instructions are shown on the
District Supervisor
harvest card and in the hunting pamphlet, and still, for some reason that I can’t
Lt. Eric Stokes comprehend, people still aren’t understanding or using their deer tags and valida-
Sgt. Travis Burnett tions. And it’s those people that can’t understand why they’re getting a hard card
Sgt. Gabe Guidry when we find them. The only thing we can do is keep up the hard work that comes
Sgt. Marcus Constance
Sgt. Rusty Perry with the job.
Sr. Agt. Kevin Hill Now it’s time to
Sr. Agt. Byron Cammack
Sr. Agt. John Volentine switch gears to turkey
Sr. Agt. Jay Callegari
Sr. Agt. D.J. Anderson season and the beginning
Sr. Agt. Chad Watts of boating season. There
District 3-B were several good turkey
Sabine, Vernon, and bait cases made last year,
Natchitoches Parishes
so we’ll see if we can top
District Supervisor
Lt. Bill Tyree it. As we all know, check
Sgt. Curt Belton Continued
Sgt. Joe Dewil
Sgt. David McAlpin
Sr. Agt. Eric Droddy
Sr. Agt. Russel Brack
Sr. Agt. Scotty Delaney
Sr. Agt. Maury Leone
Sr. Agt. Jared Adams
Sr. Agt. Ronnie
Robertson
Sr. Agt. Carla Rachal
District 3-C
Lasalle, Concordia &
Catahoula Parishes
District Supervisor
Lt. Russ Kiser
A & W OUTDOORS
P.O. 1156
NEW ROADS, LA 70760
(225) 618-8099
DUGAS SOILEAU & BROAUX LLC A J TOUPS JR & SON ELEC CONTRS
P.O. DRAWER 307 316 W ELM ST
CROWLEY, LA 70527-0307 CROWLEY, LA 70526
(337) 783-0650 (337) 783-0471
A
s the last weekend of duck hunting in the East tiful canvasback population attracted three illegal
Zone was coming to an end for the 2009-10 duck hunters. Lt. Eric Stokes received information
season, many central LA duck hunters were that three hunters were shooting over their daily
getting their last shots at the remaining ducks in the limit of canvasbacks on Catahoula Lake. Sr. Agent
area. This winter was very cold and wet compared to Byron Cammack and I joined him in conducting the
typical Louisiana winters. Ducks seemed to be scat- investigation. The daily limit for taking canvasbacks
tered across the area and were not concentrated like during the 2009-2010 season was one per day. The
past winters when water levels were lower. Catahoula three hunters killed seven canvasbacks on this date
Lake is known throughout the duck hunting commu- but exited the lake with only three intact. The other
nity as being a popular wintering place for many spe- four canvasbacks were breasted out and hidden in the
cies of diver ducks. According to www.wetlandsforto- hunter’s waders. The hunters stated during the inves-
morrow.duck.ca/homepage Catahoula Lake in LA has tigation that they wanted to continue to duck hunt
recently hosted the world’s largest single aggregation after taking their daily limit of canvasbacks and the
(sometimes >70,000) of wintering canvasbacks. With only thing flying on the lake was canvasbacks. They
the season winding down and the remaining ducks were cited accordingly and we donated the ducks to a
scattered due to high water, Catahoula Lake’s plen- charity in Alexandria, Louisiana.
O
n the night of December 9, 2009, I had just .17 HMR cartridge. Unfortunately, no one was home.
walked in the house and warmed a plate We suspected that as the outlaws left the house and
of food for supper after a long, cold day turned onto the road, they saw a deer, shot it, loaded
at work. At least I thought I was going to get to it up, and took off to do whatever. We figured we
eat. Dispatch contacted me by phone and gave me would wait ‘em out. But after several hours of hiding
a call-back number of a complainant stating that in their yard, and no light colored pickup returning,
someone just shot a deer off a road not far from my we decided to call it a night. I told Curt that I would
house. He stated that there were only two houses on sneak back to the house early in the morning and see
his road. He said he heard three small caliber rifle if the suspect’s vehicle was home. I would call Curt
shots from the direction of the other house. When he if it was there and he would come to the house. Sure
walked outside, he could hear and see someone load- enough, at 6 a.m. the truck was there with fresh blood
ing something into the bed of a light colored pickup in the back. Unfortunately, the cooler in the back was
truck. When he told me where the suspects lived, I half full of beer and no deer. Curt met me and we
immediately called Sgt. Curt Belton for assistance, started knocking on the door. After thirty minutes,
and for good reason. The man that lived at the sus- we finally got a woman outside. She told us that her
pect residence has a history with me. A few years son drove the truck, and she got him outside. After a
ago, I had to chase him down the highway after I lot of interrogation, “Son” would only admit that he
pepper sprayed him. He had a large quantity of meth hit a deer with his truck a few nights prior. He also
and paraphernalia on him and a meth lab at his house. said he knew nothing about the blood on the road
So I figured backup was a good idea. Sgt. Belton and by his house or the .17 HMR cartridge found by the
I located where the deer was shot, as well as a spent blood. I told “Son” to go put some shoes on so we
Continued
M & S GRINDING
SERVICE MCGOLDRICK OIL
COMPANY
P.O. BOX 1074
RUSTON, LA 71273 8808 MCGOLDRICK DR
(318) 247-6344 SHREVEPORT, LA 71129
(318) 687-6491
O
n January 21st, Sgt. Joe Dewil and I (Sr. us to take it. While we talked to the responsible party,
Agent Jared Adams) received a complaint he admitted to taking the deer as a fawn from the
of someone having a deer in captivity near woods about four years earlier. As we talked their dog
the town of Zwolle. Well, we all know that when started barking at and aggravating the deer. It jumped
someone says that, you think it will be a fawn. When into the yard with all of us and ran around for a while
we arrived at the address, no one answered the door. getting more agitated. Becoming more aggressive, he
While I rang the door bell, Sgt. Dewil saw a deer pac- started hooking things, breaking a birdbath and yard
ing in a stall inside the barn. On closer inspection, it ornaments. The home owner stated that this was the
was a buck, a full grown mature 10 point. We decided first time it had jumped the fence into the front yard.
to leave and come back later to try and catch someone As I started taking pictures, the deer didn’t think
at home. Not 10 minutes later, when we pulled back much of being photographed, so he started toward
into the drive, the residents and family were home me. Thinking he would stop in front of the truck, I
and had let the deer out of the stall and were grazing backed around the side of it, but he kept coming, get-
with the other livestock like it belonged in a pasture ting close enough to reach out and touch. Fearing he
with horses and cattle. The two little girls there were would attack, I drew my sidearm. As he backed me
crying about having to let the deer go and didn’t want around the truck, I instructed the adults to take the
Continued
O
n a cold, crisp December morning I received
a phone call from a fellow Agent. This phone
call was from Sr. Agent Lee Tarver. Sr. Agent
Tarver was hunting on a private hunting lease in Con-
cordia Parish and was hearing numerous gun shots
coming from an adjacent hunting lease. This particu-
lar location where the shots were coming from has
been a place of interest for me due to past violations
and suspicion of hunters taking over the legal limit
of deer. Sr. Agent Tarver told me that he had heard 8
total rifle shots coming from inside the woods and it
was only 8:30 in the morning. I travelled to this loca-
tion and heard several shots coming from inside the
woods as well. As I pulled up to the camp, there was
an untagged, freshly killed 7 point buck lying in the Deer seized in over limit case.
gravel, as well as three other untagged deer hanging
in a tree that had been field dressed. I made contact exiting the woods one by one. As each hunter exited
with a subject at the hunting camp who admitted to the woods, they were checked for license compli-
killing the 7 point buck that morning, and said that ance and so on, as the violations Sr. Agent Tarver and
there were a total of 12 other people still in the woods I were observing kept piling up. One hunter exited
hunting. He also stated that the deer hanging up in the the woods on a 4 wheeler wearing camo, hunter’s
tree were deer killed by other members of the hunt- orange, and carrying a fully loaded high powered
ing party on the previous day. I sat and waited for rifle. As I asked the subject for the appropriate hunt-
the other hunters to exit the woods while Sr. Agent ing license, he said “Oh, I don’t have to have them; I
Lee Tarver and Lt. Russ Kiser arrived at my location wasn’t hunting: I am just the cook.” I informed this
for assistance. A short time later the hunters started
Continued
A
s a wildlife agent, you come to expect the It was 3:24 p.m. and I was returning home from a
unexpected when dealing with complaints Region 3 meeting in Pineville. I was scheduled to get
and violators. It doesn’t matter whether you off work at 3:30 p.m. and had just passed the school
receive a complaint of a violation in progress on the bus that was carrying my two sons. I was think-
other side of the parish as you pull into your drive- ing that they were going to be excited that I would
way at the end of your shift, spend half of the night be home on time for a change and would actually
searching for a “missing” hunter or boater and find be waiting for them. I was only five miles from my
out that they were warm and cozy somewhere they house when a car with a female driver passed me at
shouldn’t have been, are being cursed out by an “up- an extremely high rate of speed and swerved reck-
standing citizen” for catching them in a violation and lessly when she pulled in front of me. She was going
not letting them go with a warning, or are to listening so fast, that I never even saw her approaching from
to complaints from earnest individuals who have a behind me. She continued driving in a very erratic
panther living under their house or have seen Bigfoot manner and I decided that I had better stop her to find
prowling around their backyard, you generally take out what was wrong before she caused an accident.
everything in stride. Unfortunately, that’s when you When I engaged my emergency lights and siren, she
can become the most vulnerable and you encounter a refused to stop and accelerated to over 100 mph. I
dangerous situation when you least expect it. That’s could see her looking in the rearview mirror at me
what happened to me on September 30, 2004. while shaking her fist and yelling. I contacted the Sa-
Continued
SWIFT ENERGY
16825 NORTH CHASE DR
HOUSTON TX 77060
(281) 874-2700
bine Parish Sheriff’s Office for assistance and contin- of her vehicle. She suddenly pulled out a rifle, shoul-
ued to chase the reckless driver. After a few miles, she dered it, and using her open door for a prop, took aim
slowed down and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. at me! I immediately laid down across my front seat,
I stopped behind her, but before I could get out of my put my vehicle in drive, and hit the accelerator! When
unit she sped off. After a few more miles, she pulled I got a safe distance away, I stopped and waited for
over and again sped off when I stopped behind her. back-up. The woman was now pacing back and forth
She began taking more chances and actually forced a carrying the gun and occasionally shaking her fist in
log truck off the roadway. She then doubled back and my direction. Moments later other law enforcement
started heading in the direction we had just left. As officers arrived on the scene. It was at this time that I
we got back to where the chase had started, she pulled learned that this woman had a long history of mental
over and stopped for a third time. I decided that I illness which had been made worse by drug abuse.
needed to stop her from driving off again, so this time The woman was still holding the gun, but seemed
I pulled my unit in front of her vehicle at an angle to to have calmed down. Two of the officers knew the
block her escape. At this point, I had been chasing woman from previous dealings and it was decided
her for about ten minutes and could tell that she was they may have the best luck talking to her. They were
diminutive and felt she did not pose a physical threat able to talk her into putting the gun down and I was
to me. I had an ATV in the bed of my truck, which then able to take her into custody. She kept rambling
blocked my view out of my back window. Since on about how she worked for the CIA and she thought
I pulled in front of her at an angle, I could clearly that I was an alien spy that was trying to kill her.
see her in my passenger mirror. I was watching her She also kept saying that she was being watched and
intently, to make sure she didn’t back up, while I someone was listening to her thoughts. When her gun
unbuckled my seat belt to get out. As I reached for my
door handle, I saw her door open and she stepped out Continued
was recovered, it was found to be a .22 caliber rifle ish Sheriff’s Office. She came to my house a third
that was loaded with nine rounds, including one in the time, but when she pulled into my driveway, deputies
chamber. Despite the felony charges, she only spent were there to stop her. She began rambling to them
a month in a mental health facility and a couple more that someone had called
in jail while awaiting a court date. While in jail, she her and that she had to
told other inmates that she was going to kill me when do something. Deputies
she got out. At her trial, she pled guilty and was sen- found a machete and a
tenced to PROBATION for two years! At this point, I large hunting knife in her
thought to myself that at least I wouldn’t have to deal vehicle. She was arrested
with her anymore now that the case was over. and charged with trespass-
However, the story doesn’t end there. On the night ing and stalking. She was
of June 4, 2006, I started receiving harassing phone again ordered to outpatient
calls at my residence from this mentally disturbed mental health care. I was
woman. I documented 24 calls in a 12-hour period hoping not to hear from
and recorded six messages in which she threatened her again for at least more
me. Her probation was not revoked, but she was two years, but she contin-
ordered to outpatient mental health care. It helped for ues to drive by my resi-
awhile, but she began harassing me again two years dence from time to time as
later. if to let me know she’s still
On August 8, 2008, this same mentally disturbed around. I guess sometimes
woman drove to my house, pulled into my driveway it’s never over.
and then sped away when she saw me. She did this
twice. I recognized her and contacted the Sabine Par-
H
ello everyone and greetings from Region 4. Since our last magazine our
SGT. TRAVIS HUVAL
numbers changed from four to six with the closing of our Region 4 of-
fice. Well, this past hunting season left a lot of hunters in our area say-
Region 4
ing, “Where.” Where are the deer and where are the ducks? Most hunters agreed
Opelousas that there was plenty of sign but little in the way of sightings. Who knows what
337-948-0257
this is from; of course there are plenty of theories. These will surely continue to
Region Supervisor
Capt. Lastie Cormier be debated around those ole’ campfires. We definitely had the cold weather but
the rain seemed to come every week and a lot of it. We have been gearing up for
Administrative Specialist
Tina Faul turkey season and look-
District 6-A ing for bait sites. The
St. Landry, Pointe
Coupee,
price of crawfish has a lot
Lafayette, & West Baton of people trying to catch
Rouge
Parishes crawfish in the basin.
District Supervisor Hopefully this cold weath-
Lt. Donald Salpietra er and rain every week
Sgt. Brad Garon will slow down so people
Sgt. Travis Huval
Sgt. Chris Carpenter will increase their activi-
Sgt. Cliff Ortis
Sr. Agt. Channing Duval
ties on our vast waterways.
Sr. Agt. Lance Devilleir We have already had one
Sr. Agt. Allen Marbury
Sr. Agt. Jason Sanchez fatality in our region this
Sr. Agt. Thomas Ashley
Jr. year. Just a reminder,
Sr. Agt. Ryan Faul that as of July 1, 2010 all
Sr. Agt. Seth Gautheir
persons born after January
District 6-B
Upper St. Martin, 1, 1984 have to take the
Iberville,
& Iberia Parishes
boater safety course. These
courses are free and are
District Supervisor
Lt. Darryl Moore given throughout the state.
Sgt. Ronald Hebert Remember to always wear
Sgt. Dusty Rhodes your pfd, take one of our
Sgt. Mitch Darby
Sr. Agt. Jerry Stassi free boating safety classes
Sr. Agt. Donnie Bozeman
Sr. Agt. Jason Romero and enjoy the outdoors.
Sr. Agt. Jason Marks
Sr. Agt. David Boudreaux
S
enior Agent Allan Marbury and I spotted some deer in a field on the North end of Pointe Coupee parish
one evening, including one very nice buck. The field was adjacent to a highway that averaged a vehicle
every hour and was secluded from the rest of the world. We knew that someone would eventually come
by and capitalize on the grazing animals. We had worked it several times and finally one clear, crisp, cold eve-
ning, I happened to be the one who was out and hurried up there
just before dark. Just as I had figured, the deer were already
feeding out in the field. I positioned myself to be able to watch
the deer and the road at the same time and within 10 minutes, a
red truck came by but never slowed down. I began to think that
this wasn’t going to be the day when 5 minutes later the same B O OTS • W E ST E R N W E A R
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rolling back up slowly and positioned himself straight across
from the deer. He sat there for at least 40 seconds and I started
thinking that maybe he was just out observing wildlife (yea)! At
PROTECT
this time two shots blasted from the vehicle and the deer scat-
tered. The passengers in the truck started to drive off and were YOURSELF!
surprised by a man in a green uniform standing in front of their with Hunting
truck (me). I asked them pleasantly to exit their vehicle, to which Boots from
they complied. At the beginning of our interview they said that
they had just shot in the air, but when I explained to them where
I was, they recanted and admitted to the violation. The violators
had indeed hit one of the deer because we found blood, but we
could not recover the deer. They were charged with hunting from
a moving vehicle, hunting from a public road, hunting on DMAP
property and possession of drug paraphernalia.
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f you have ever been to Alaska, then you can As I said, we “planned” to go to Nome to teach
understand how the amazing natural beauty can VBS, but due to weather problems planes were not
take your breath away. There is no way simple landing in Nome. After a few days of waiting, we
words can describe the raw wilderness that is Alaska. learned of a missionary in need north of the Arctic
When you think about Alaska, most of us think of its Circle in a little-known town of Kotzebue, Alaska.
awe inspiring landscape, but there is another side of After a short discussion, it was decided that 4 of us
Alaska that so few people know about. would take the trip to Kotzebue and see if we could
Last summer I was fortunate to accompany a visit with and help the missionary there. Kotzebue is
small group of missionaries headed up to Anchor- located approximately 38 miles north of the Arctic
age, Alaska. We were to head up and help with the Circle.
Alaskan Collegiate Ministries work in local churches, Landing up north of the Arctic Circle, there is
then go up to Nome to put on a week long Vacation tundra as far as the eye can see and further. In fact, on
Bible School class. But as I’ve come to learn over the the 3 hour jet ride from Anchorage there was noth-
past few years, what we have planned in our lives and ing but wilderness, mountains, rivers, and wide open
what God has planned more often than not are two expanses of land, no roads! We had heard how tough
different things. the way of living was up there, but until you see and
Continued
experience it for yourself, it is hard to understand. In While in Kotzebue, we spent a couple days help-
walking from the airport to the church, we could see ing the missionary around the church. We replaced
what appeared to be an economically struggling com- sheetrock, painted, and even cooked crawfish etouffee
munity. It was hard to understand how people could for the missionary and his family. After staying a
survive the harsh, cruel winters, but these people do. couple days and meeting some of the locals and
Once we met with the missionary, we learned of the learning the town, we were headed off to try to make
other battles the people of these communities face. it once again to Nome. Two of our missionaries were
We discovered the exorbitant high cost of living. able to make it to Nome while we were in Kotzebue.
Simple items we take for granted were either unavail- We could not figure out why God had led us to Kotze-
able or 10 time the cost of those in the lower 48. For bue, but the two ladies who did make it to Nome were
example, milk $4 or higher a quart, watermelons $20 teachers. They were able to organize and complete
or higher, sheetrock $80 a sheet, not to mention the a shortened version of the original Vacation Bible
price of gas and electricity. School.
There are extremely high levels of alcoholism, drug Our group of 4 was never able to make it to
abuse and sexual abuse, and suicide rates more than Nome; in fact we missed the approach twice in try-
5x times that of the lower 48. You might ask your- ing to land at Nome. After some intense prayers, we
self why someone would want to live up there. This aborted the landing and headed back to Anchorage.
area is the homeland of the proud Eskimo people. The next day while attending a luncheon celebrating
The land is beautiful but demanding and the hunt- the newly painted Mission’s Headquarters at Anchor-
ing and fishing is unmatched. Because of the modern age, I was approached by a young man. He explained
outside influences, the younger generation has slowly he did not know why he was led to talk to me, but
abandoned the ways of their ancestors. With these it was as if he was being directed. He introduced
modern influences come the problems of the modern himself as Lance Kramer from Kotzebue. He said I
world. The elders know that the younger generation is looked as if I was someone he should talk to and get
experiencing a disconnect from that of their ancestors. to know. After a brief conversation explaining his
Because of the people’s independent nature, trying the background, we knew this meeting was not by coin-
traditional way of church and Sunday school is diffi- cidence. Lance himself was an Eskimo native from
cult and slow in gaining confidence. Even in speaking Kotzebue. He was a young missionary with a wife
with the missionaries, they conveyed they were trying and 4 children. Lance was avid in hunting, fishing and
“non-traditional” means of reaching the Eskimos for trapping. He just “happened” to be in Anchorage for
Christ.
Continued
the celebration and other work he was doing for the proclaiming the love of Christ. It includes the bows,
church. He was telling me of trying to start a Chris- arrows, lesson books, and Christian scriptures. It
tian youth camp in an effort to reach the young people was perfect for what Lance had wanted for the youth.
of his region. He wanted to steer them away from the I’ve also received donations of duck calls from Delta
destructive behavior and find ways to reach them thru Waterfowl to give to participating youth and many
Christ. We both agreed one of the best ways to reach area churches have sent boxes of donations to help the
them was through God’s own creation. I told Lance missionaries of Alaska.
I was from Louisiana and worked for the Louisiana As a note, the Mathews Youth Bows have been sent
Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division. I ex- up to Lance and the missionary program. We have a
plained that we had just returned from Kotzebue and I small group headed back up to Alaska in July. We will
was amazed at the social problems we encountered. I be meeting him with the “Centershot Program” on
also told him I knew now that it was His (God’s) plan arrival. We will be teaching and helping at the church
that our group had gone there in the first place. God in Nome. We will also be heading down the Kenai
had allowed us to see the need of the people of the Peninsula to assist and reach people for Christ at the
Arctic region. I immediately knew the purpose of this Salmon Frenzy. Who knows what stories and testimo-
visit and my life would forever be redirected for this nies we will have after this trip! There may have been
mission. no other purpose for my life to have taken this path
Lance told me of his plans for the Christian hunt- of Wildlife and Fisheries other than to be at a specific
ing youth camp on the tundra, and I told him areas I time and place to help these people in need
thought I would be able to help, even from Louisiana. Thanks to the men and women of the Wildlife
On returning home I approached the La. Wildlife Agents Association, who knows what young boy or
Agents Association and told them of the need of the girl may be “saved” from destructive behavior? A
young people of the Arctic Region of Alaska. Without message of faith “From Louisiana to Arctic Circle”!
hesitation, the members of the Association voted to
purchase a Christian Archery program called “Center-
shot Ministries” in conjunction with Mathews Bows.
It is a program that teaches Bow Hunter Safety while
GREVEMBERG LEWING
COMMUNICATIONS CONSTRUCTION
Sergeant Travis
Huval presenting a
$500 donation to the
Louisiana Lions Camp
from Region 4.
H
SR. AGENT ello, hope ev- past duck and goose season. As far as the deer season,
DEREK LOGAN eryone stayed many hunters scored some nice trophies this winter in
Region 5 warm this Region 5.
Lake Charles winter. To many, this With the waterfowl season slow and the wild hog
337-491-2588
winter was extremely population on the rise, many hunters have saved their
Region Supervisor cold. I am sure that shotguns and picked up their small caliber rifles this
Capt. Jubal Marceaux
everyone who reads this winter. Wild hog hunting can be extremely fun and
Administrative Specialist 4
Cindy Pippin article knows someone provide a great assistance to land owners. Since wild
that had to fix or repair hogs may be taken year round, your freezer may stay
District 5-A
Allen, Beauregard & a broken pipe under a full all year.
Evangeline Parishes house. Also, I am sure Region 5 Agents stayed busy this winter. Not only
District Supervisor that everyone knows did we respond to night hunting complaints at the
Lt. Jesse Savoie
someone who went wee hours of the night, but we also conducted many
Sgt. Keith Aucoin hunting before the pipes large scale patrols regulating the commercial take of
Sgt. Scott Fontenot
Sr. Agt. Steve Vidrine got fixed! oysters. When it comes to the enforcement of oyster
Sr. Agt. Wendel Vaughn Avid hunters flooded regulations, there are no grey areas in the law. Many
Sr. Agt. Shawn Brewer
Agt. Danon Maircle the fields in Region 5 Continued
Sr. Agt. Buddy Murray
Sr. Agt. Justin Sonnier this winter with hopes
Sr. Agt. Derek Logan to take wild game home
Sr. Agt. Jason Stagg
Sr. Agt. Lonnie Cambell for supper. Now days,
Sr. Agt. Anthony Verret everyone has internet
District 5-B access and can google
Calcasieu & Cameron
Parishes any wild game recipe. I
personally have sampled
District Supervisor
Lt. Remy Broussard a few recipes I found on
Sgt. David Sanford
the internet. I have to
Sgt. Aaron Herpin admit my favorite was
Sr. Agt. Carl Pickett
Sr. Agt. Chris Hoag the fried speckle belly
Sr. Agt. Beau Robertson goose breast. So before
Sr. Agt. Sean Moreau
Sr. Agt. Jonathan Verrett you give your father in
Sr. Agt. Stuart Guillory law or neighbor your
District 5-C wild game, check out
Acadia, Jefferson Davis
& Vermilion Parishes game recipes on the
internet.
District Supervisor
Lt. Robert Buatt The waterfowl
Sgt. Kane Thomas
season was fair to many
Sgt. Keith Delahoussaye and incredible to only a
Sr. Agt. Buddy Murray
Sr. Agt. Justin Sonnier hand full. Many hunters
Sr. Agt. Derek Logan said the amount of wa-
Sr. Agt. Jason Stagg
Sr. Agt. Lonnie Campbell terfowl they would see
Sr. Agt. Anthony Verret in the sky lessoned this
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 85
Continued from page 85
In Support of LWAA
3903 Second Street
New Iberia, LA 70560
337-367-9943
800-326-6130
Serving the Oil Industry for over 25 years
Near Acadiana Regional Airport
I
n November, 2009, concerned citizens of Evan- when, where, why and how these snares were being
geline Parish contacted local agents, Sgt. Scott used. On December 16, 2009, Sgt. Scott D. Fontenot
D. Fontenot and Sr. Agent Steve Vidrine, and and Sr. Agent Steve Vidrine took their new 18 ft.
advised them that David Messer of St. Landry was boat, powered by a 35 horse Gator-tail motor, and
snaring deer in the Blood Bend area. Having never went up Bayou Cocodrie. Traveling through many
dealt with this method of trapping, Agents contacted a floating obstacles, agents finally arrived near the area
couple of local trappers who explain how this works. where Messer has the snares set.
This gave them an idea of where and how these After walking towards the wooded area, the
snares would be set out. News of the snaring traveled agents heard an ATV coming towards them. Before
into Saint Landry parish, and Captain Cormier gave agents could duck out the way, the hunter on the ATV
Sgt. Fontenot a call with new information. spotted them. The agents were in full camouflage, so
Surveillance began; agents were studying the the hunter did not recognize them as agents, instead
area where the snaring was taking place. There were he thought they might be hunters trespassing on his
nighttime and daytime surveillance of the area going property. So he came driving right up to them. When
on. Agents began working with several concerned he arrived to question the possible trespassers, the
citizens who would supply very accurate details of agents revealed their true identity. This hunter turned
Continued
out to be the proposed violator, David Messer. He was two sets of horns were seized. Messer was charged
carrying his 12-gauge shotgun loaded with buckshot. with two counts of hunting deer illegal methods and
Immediately you could see the surprise in his eyes, four counts of deer tagging and harvest card commis-
kind of like “the deer in the headlight” look. After sion rules and regulations. The deer were validated
speaking to Mr. Messer for a while, Sgt. Fontenot and logged on Messer’s deer harvest card. The two
took a ride on the ATV with Messer back to the area tags were seized and destroyed. Civil restitution was
he had just exited. filed for the two Whitetail bucks that were taken ille-
Sgt. Fontenot noticed a place where it appeared gally. Agents are still waiting for a trial date to be set;
that Messer had pulled off the trail into the woods. this should be a very interesting trial.
Messer was going to pass up this area, but Sgt. Fon-
tenot asked him to stop. After taking a short walk
from where the ATV tracks stopped, Sgt. Fontenot
spotted a snare set on a deer trail. When Messer was
asked earlier if he had any snares out, he had stated
only along the edge of the field for coyotes. Now
when asked again about the snares, Messer came
clean and stated that he did have a few snares set out
in the woods for catching deer. This snare had corn
thrown on the ground on the deer trail near the snare.
Messer admitted that he had eight snares set out in
the woods for deer and that he harvested two White-
tail bucks with the snares. Messer said that the eight
point and seven point bucks were snared by the horns
and were still alive when he came up on the deer, so
he took his 12-gauge shotgun and finished them off.
Messer stated that the horns were at his house in his
storage area. Sgt. Fontenot radioed back to Sr. Agent
Vidrine, who was back in the field securing the shot-
gun that Messer had, and advised him to take the boat
back to the unit and meet with us back at Messer’s
house in Blood Bend. Sgt.
Fontenot took GPS coor-
dinates of all the snares.
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er, giving details of how 2640 Linwood Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71103-3722
he snared the deer, was 318-635-6404
I
t never ceases to amaze me what kinds of outlaws recent past and this year was no exception. With the
that we game wardens have the chance to meet birds flying as good as they were I thought it would
from time to time. There’s the “Slick Willy” that be a good idea to take Ashley along since she would
manages to elude your grasp time after time until probably get plenty of shots. So we loaded up Di-
you finally catch him one day and you feel a strong xie, my 3 year old yellow lab, and headed out to the
sense of accomplishment when you tell him to “Press marsh. Just as we were getting settled into the blind I
hard…you’re making five copies.” Then there’s the heard a four wheeler coming up behind us. I thought
“Crash Test Dummies” of the world that will abso- to myself, “That’s odd,” because I had talked to Ash-
lutely fall into your lap and leave a warden asking ley’s uncle and nobody else was supposed to be out
himself, “What on earth was this guy thinking?” The there to hunt that morning. We watched as the four
two gentlemen that will grace the next couple pages wheeler made its way to the levee on the east side of
of this story definitely fit into the latter category, the pond that held our decoy spread.
and will lead me to give the moral of the story at the When the ATV stopped, it was only about 150
beginning of this tale rather than at its end. If you’re yards away from our set up and Ashley was already
going to outlaw while hunting, you might want to fit to be tied. After calming her down a little, I myself
make sure that the guy hunting right next to you isn’t began to wonder if we should try to move to the other
a game warden first. side of her property since these two gibronies basi-
My girlfriend Ashley’s family property in Cre- cally came and got right on top of us. I looked at my
ole has been the scene for many good duck hunts in Continued
watch and it was already too late for a move because As Ashley and I were nearing our limit a large
there were only 5 minutes left until shooting time. group of coots landed in front of the subjects and they
When the time came, 3 teal lit on the water just out- shot into the group, killing 5. Again, nobody exited
side the decoys and Ashley drew a bead on the unsus- the blind and the birds floated away and eventually
pecting birds. When she pulled the trigger, I saw two all the way past our blind. Seeing this, I realized that
birds left on the water so I sent Dixie for the retrieve. these guys weren’t going to make an attempt to get
This wouldn’t be the first time that morning that my the birds they shot. I called Sgt. David Sanford, who
dog would prove that she has a better nose than I have was working with my brother Sr. Agent Bryan Rob-
eyesight, because she came back with three teal. I ertson and Sr. Agent Ronnie Engelhard, and advised
told Ashley that I would bring her all the time if she him of the situation. They decided to wait at the
continued to make pot shots like that. subject’s vehicle until I could call and let them know
With our hunt off to a good start, we heard the if the subjects left the birds in the field or not.
guys next to us start their hunt as well. As the sun When Ashley and I reached our limit and gathered
began to rise, we watched as a pair of ducks crossed our things as it we were going to leave, the subjects
in front of us just out of range and directly toward our decided it was a good time to leave as well. The only
unwelcome guests. The ducks landed on the water in thing they forgot was all the birds they had killed. I
front of their blind and the subjects shot them. I con- called Bryan to let him know that the subjects were
tinued to watch as the ducks floated on the water, but leaving the marsh and that there were at least 9 birds
nobody exited the blind to go get them. The wind was that we saw on the water that the men didn’t take out
blowing strongly out of the east that morning, directly with them. When the two men reached Bryan and
away from their blind, causing the birds they just Ronnie, the agents conducted a regular field check,
killed to travel further and further away from them. finding out that one of the subjects had lead shot, an
unplugged shotgun, no duck stamp and no state duck
license.
Continued
Sgt. Delahoussaye on
stakeout at Shell Keys.
P.O 365
216 BIG BAXTER RD CROWLEY, LA 70527
SPRINGHILL, LA 71075 (337) 783-3431
(318) 539-2189
CHEMTECH CONSTRUCTION
CHEMICAL SERVICE AGGREGATE SUPPLY
H
ello to all from activity begins to pick up in our area. A reminder to
Administrative Specialist
Elaine Moore
Region 6, for- all fishermen: check all regulations to be sure that as
mally known you enjoy your activities, you follow the law. In re-
District 6-A as Region 9. Hunting cent years there have been several changes to federal
Assumption, St. Mary,
St. James, St. John, &
season is wrapping up fisheries laws.
Lower St. Martin and it is time for the I would like to congratulate Sgt. Joe Arnaud on
Parishes cold to leave us. For his promotion to Sergeant since our last magazine
District Supervisor
the past few months, was sent to the prints. I wish him and his family well.
Lt. Les Rulf we in this regionhave I would also like to welcome two new cadets to the re-
been extra busy with gion: Ryan Breaux and Jonathan Amico. Both Cadets
Sgt. Ross Mire
Sgt. Davis Madere
the deer season. Due to will be assigned to District B which covers Terre-
Sgt. Aron Hastings the amount of rain this bonne, Lafourche, and Grand Isle. Good Luck to both
Sgt. Winston Michel past winter the state was of you. Until next time, be safe.
Sr. Agt. Jeff Boyd
Sr. Agt. Scott Dupre
forced to close parts
Sr. Agt. Tyler Marroy of the areas in Region
Sr. Agt. David Ducote 6. The Region 6 of-
Sr. Agt. Joey Thompson
fice received several
District 6-B complaints of subjects
Terrebonne, Lafourche illegally hunting deer
Parishes
& The Grand Isle
due to the high water.
Community Agents made their pres-
ence known and made
District Supervisor
Lt. Chad Hebert
several cases off the
complaints. Thanks to
Sgt. Richard Purvis all the agents and com-
Sgt. Joe Arnaud
Sr. Agt. Thomas DeWitt
plainant for bringing
Sr. Agt. Jamie Folse those who took advan-
Sr. Agt. Dean Aucoin tage of the high water to
Sr. Agt. Stephen Rhodes
Sr. Agt. Nicholas
justice.
Guillory As the weather be-
Agt. Thomas Wolf gins to heat up we will
begin working towards
checking commercial
fisherman and sport
fisherman as the fish
O
ne of the most exciting and rewarding experi- that small community. Joey and I had seen several
ences a Wildlife Agent can have is to catch deer hanging out by the highway and noticed that
a night hunter in the act. I mean to watch they really had nowhere to retreat. We were patrol-
his every move, to see him shine a light, to watch ling and talking about the numerous deer we were
him shoot, and then to catch him as he tries to flee seeing, when around a sharp bend we turned and
the scene- now that is exhilarating! Sr. Agent Joey spotted a very slow traveling vehicle heading towards
Thompson and I got that exhilarating feeling the night us. In unison, we voiced to each other “These guys
of December 15th. The swamps were full of water are looking!” As we approached the vehicle I did the
from the recent deluges of rain that we had received only thing I could do – I bright lighted them – so they
in the past weeks; consequently, deer had been seen couldn’t make out my truck. Knowing that an ap-
in unusual places. We had decided to work Hwy. proaching vehicle would be enough to scare off most
643, typically a desolate road, that stretches for miles night hunters, we didn’t think using a simple tactic
before dead ending in a small fishing community. We such as “bright lighting” the oncoming vehicle would
decided to drive to the end of the highway and set give us much of an advantage. Not so, for as soon as
up in an area that would give us a good view of any we passed the vehicle up, we could see a Q-Beam be-
vehicles that decided to turn around prior to reaching ing worked from the passenger side. Joey and I were
Continued
RSI GLOBAL
2063 PAXTON ST
HARVEY, LA 70058
(504) 340-1992
E
very story always starts as “another day on the other guys. Having being familiar with the general
job, another day in paradise, so there I was, location, we knew what the subjects were going to
etc……” Well, this isn’t any different; just an- do. Our assumption, based on the information, was
other day as previously described. Sgt. Richard Purvis that the subjects were taking the pirogue and paddling
and I were headed down the bayou to check out some across the levee bayou to gill net inside the marsh.
of the fishing holes that have been reported to hold At this time, we started heading toward the loca-
some small drum and reds. Well, we received a call tion. We told Mr. R that we were en route and if he
from our dispatchers stating that there is a guy, Mr. saw the subjects coming out of the woods, give us a
R, in one of our great towns that saw someone “gill call back. Well, at this time we contacted Lt. Chad
netting.” Well, we called up Mr. R to find out the low Hebert and Senior Agents Dean Aucoin and Ste-
down and dirty. Mr. R told us that he saw four to five ven Rhodes to assist us on catching these individu-
people walk across the field and down a trail toward als. Well, Sgt. Purvis and I finally arrived on scene,
the bayou in the back of the woods. He also stated slipped on our rubber boots, hid our truck and started
that the people were carrying a Pirogue with a gill net walking. Lt. Hebert parked his truck down the street
inside of it. We were also told that one subject parked from where the subjects parked and watched that
his car in the neighborhood and walked to meet the location just in case they pulled a fast one on us. Sr.
Continued
Agents Aucoin and Rhodes parked and hid in the subjects with some fish and a pirogue, and that we
neighborhood to keep an eye on the people coming in took their cell phones (with the last number that
and out. was called). They met us in the back of the field and
So, Sgt. Purvis and I started walking. We crossed watched the subjects while Sgt. Purvis and I took the
the field, crossed the ditch, walked the trail, and then pirogue and headed back across the bayou to look for
stopped. As we got near the Levee bayou, we noticed the “gill net.” After about an hour of searching and
that the pirogue that was described to us was sitting looking, we determined that there was no gill net and
on the other side of they bayou. Hmmmm, now if our then met back up with the other agents.
complainant was truthful, our assumption was true. So, Mr. D handed us his identification card, but
We backed off down the trail about 75 yards from the second subject, Mr. K, didn’t have anything on
where the trail met the bayou and entered the woods him. Mr. D, obviously the mastermind, told us that he
so that we were hidden. And The Wait Is On…. would cooperate with whatever we needed, stated that
One hour passed by as we told stories. On the he would give us statements, information, anything.
second hour, we created the wonderful game of “stick He began telling us that he knew he was busted, so,
flip.” Now this is where we sit down, find one stick yes, he caught the fish to sell, that’s why he caught so
and flip smaller sticks until there are no more sticks many. He also gave a written statement stating that he
to flip. Yeah, WE WERE BORED…. Ok, so on the did this on two other occasions and sold to the same
third hour, we saw some movement. We watched person. At this time, we began counting and measur-
two subjects loading what appeared to be fish, and an ing fish. The total was 26 Red Drum, 13 Undersize,
ice chest into the pirogue. Here they came, paddling and 13 Black Drum with 8 Undersize. Keep in mind,
back across the bayou and heading right toward us. the total is 5 per person, per species. O, did I mention
One subject got out and starts walking down the trail that neither subject had a fishing license either?
while the other subject stays in the pirogue and tries So, here come the citations. Both subjects were
to paddle in that ditch that we crossed earlier. The cited for: Angling without a basic and saltwater
subject that was walking was on the phone, and got license, Undersize red and black drum, Over the limit
within 20 feet of me and Sgt Purvis. We decided to let of red drum (offwater), Over the limit of black drum,
the subject keep talking, since he just stopped right and Selling gamefish.
there and had a full conversation. Now we turned the subjects loose. The next day,
Well, the conversation led to the subject, Mr. D,
telling the other person, Mr. H, that he had some red- Continued
fish for sale. Mr. D said,
“Yes sir, Mr. H, I have 13
bull reds for sale. Same
deal as last time? Yes sir,
we will see you in a little
while.” Sgt. Purvis and I
looked at each other and
smiled like we just got our
first tricycles for Christ-
mas!!! Now! Oh yeah!
Freeze! GAME WAR-
DENS! The look was Call +1-337- 625-7533
priceless.
At this time, we told
Lt. Hebert, and Sr. Agents
Aucoin and Rhodes that
we apprehended two
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 115
COLLEGETOWN IMPORTS LOUISIANA LAND BANK
112 HILL ST P.O. BOX 4806
MONROE, LA 71203 MONROE, LA 71211
(318) 345-0893 (318) 387-7535
MUNSON’S SALT
WATER CHARTERS SPICER BAIT CO
I
t was a day like most others. I found myself in compliance means we must be doing our job…
working with Sgt. Richard Purvis for the day. As right? The good thing about having a partner is they
most agents know who have been exposed to our often catch something that we have forgotten to do or
LWAA president, I will simply say he has an interest- simply missed. Well, Sgt. told me to hold up so that
ing sense of humor. We decided to work what we call we could examine the cars. Shoot… I should have
bucket cases (people fishing on the side of the road) remembered to do that. I told him that was a good
and we were well on our way down Hwy 1. We had call, and said I should have thought to do that. We
checked a few people, but up to this point we had not made our way through the subject’s cars and found
come across any violations. We exited a curve and hit nothing out of the ordinary, until Sgt. Purvis stopped
a little honey hole that had about 5 cars and about 10 me at a white king cab truck. The rear windows were
people fishing. Sgt. Purvis took the right side of the tinted so it was hard to see in the interior. Sgt. Purvis
group of people, I took the left, and we worked our said to look on the floor of the rear section and see if
way to the middle. We met several minutes later and I thought there was an ice chest hidden under a towel.
had nothing to show for our efforts. “Yep, it sure looks like it,” I said.
I expressed to Sgt. Purvis that I was surprised We called the owner of the vehicle over and
that we had not turned anything up, but hey, everyone requested permission to examine the interior of the
Continued
1105 Young St
Broussard, LA 70518
(337) 857-2505
Baton Rouge, LA
225-356-1301
Lake Charles, LA
337-882-6980
New Orleans, LA
504-837-2063
Pasadena, TX
713-477-3044
G
Region Supervisor reetings from
Capt. Len Yokum
Region Seven!
Administrative Assistant The Louisiana thank you for what you’re doing. While we’re at it,
Kayla Kirby
Wildlife Agents Associa- let’s send a crisp salute out to all the members of our
District 7-A tion annual conference armed forces! Kudos!
Ascension, E. Baton
was held in Shreveport By the time this issue goes to press we’ll be
Rouge,
E. Feliciana & W. and was a big success. well involved in boating safety for the summer sea-
Feliciana
We elected a new Presi- son. Boaters are reminded that agents have a zero-
Parishes
dent, Sgt. Scott Mat- tolerance policy for DWI on the water. You must keep
District Supervisor
thews and said goodbye a designated driver… ALWAYS! Also be aware of
Lt. Dennis Bueche
to former President, Sgt. and adhere to new boating regulations. Age require-
Sgt. Todd Lewis
Richard Purvis. Many ments for PFD’s have changed. As of July 1st, 2010,
Sgt. Paul Stuckey
Sgt. Will Roberts thanks to Rich for a job any person aboard a vessel less than 26’ in length who
Sr. Agt. Hal Bridges
well done and best wish- is sixteen years of age or younger is required to wear
Sr. Agt. Garret Kimble
Sr. Agt. Randy Lanoux es to Scott as he takes a properly fitted PFD while the vessel is underway.
Agt. Carl Armstrong
the helm. We have con- Another age related change. It used to be true that
District 7-B fidence that Scott will be any person who was born after January 1st, 1988 had
Livingston, St. Helena &
a solid and thoughtful to complete a Safe Boating course before they were
Tangipahoa Parishes
leader. Meanwhile, the allowed to operate a vessel powered by a motor larger
District Supervisor
Vice President’s posi- than 10 horsepower. That age has changed. The law
Lt. Cullen Sellers
tion was left open when
Sgt. Guy Adams
Scott was elected as Continued
Sgt. Dane Thomas
Sgt. Toby Miller President and Sgt. Davis
Sr. Agt. Scott Bell
Sr. Agt. Buck Hampton
Madere stepped up to
Sr. Agt. Clay Marques the plate. No one doubts
Sr. Agt. Ronny Robbins
that Davis’ high energy RICHARD’S INSPECTION
Sr. Agt. Brody Roberts
Sr. Agt. Daniel Varnado level will lend itself to a 304 E BURTON ST
successful term as Vice SULPHUR, LA 70663
District 7-C
St. Tammany & President. Congrats to (337) 527-3999
Washington Parishes
all.
District Supervisor Please allow me
Lt. Eddie Laviolette
a brief moment to send a
Sgt. Darryl Galloway crisp salute out to Senior
Sgt. Chuck Strain
Sr. Agt. Richard Clark
Agent Hal Bridges who
Sr. Agt. Joel Crump is serving our nation in GREG NAQUIN, CPA
Sr. Agt. Lee Davis
Sr. Agt. Keith Francis
Iraq. I know he’d much
Sr. Agt Robert Larsen rather be here at home 800 KIRBY ST
chasing turkey hunters LAKE CHARLES, LA 70601
and patrolling our wa-
(337) 433-1063
terways. We miss you,
buddy. Stay safe and
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 131
SOUTHERN HELICOPTERS INC
1127 RIVER RD JEFFERSON SPRINKLER INC.
SUNSHINE, LA 70780 P.O. BOX 129
(225) 642-0075 GRETNA, LA 70053
(504) 362-0198
LIVINGSTON PARISH
SHERIFF DEPT
B & J TIRE COMPANY P.O. BOX 850
299 WEST MAIN STREET LIVINGSTON, LA 70054
THIBODAUX, LA 70301 (225) 686-2241
(985) 446-0475
now requires anyone who was born after January 1st, encourage people to educate themselves on the issues
1984 to complete such a course before operating such and speak their minds to our duly elected representa-
a vessel. tives. Speak loud and speak intelligently. Be heard but
Persons operating vessels that are powered don’t be insulting. A squeaky wheel gets the grease
by tiller steered motors are reminded that everyone but a broken wheel gets replaced. Be squeaky.
on board, regardless of age, must wear a properly Have a safe season! See y’all next issue!
fitted PFD while underway if the vessel is less than
sixteen feet in length. Also, the operator of any vessel
powered by a tiller steered motor must wear a safety
lanyard (kill switch) any time the vessel is underway.
NOTE: This includes Go-Devils, Gator-Tails, etc…
All summer long I beg and plead for boat operators to
do three very simple things… stay sober, slow down
and keep a proper lookout. If every boat operator did
those three very simple things, boat accidents would
become an extremely rare occurrence. I’ve often
wondered… Most of us go out on the waters to relax
and have a good time. How is it possible to “relax”
when you have white knuckles on the steering wheel?
I encourage you to slow down and enjoy the day.
It’s been an interesting few months since our last is-
sue. The legislature is in session and issues of concern
for sportsmen are abundant. I won’t offer a personal
opinion on these issues but I will share the following:
A hog’s eyes don’t glow at night and they don’t
“freeze” when hit with a light. Instead, they quickly
depart from the area. The law enforcement division
of LDWF and the LWAA oppose the legalization of
hunting hogs at night with guns. The potential dan-
gers are very notable and the opportunity for tragedy
is very real. Night hunting for hogs at night with
firearms is reportedly not an effective method for
controlling hog populations. Hunting with dogs dur-
ing daylight hours is much safer and reportedly much
more productive. Trapping is also safer and more pro-
ductive. Lastly, hog hunting at night is already legal.
You just can’t use a gun or a bow. Knives, spears and
live-catch are already legal.
On the national scene, it appears that the cur-
rent administration has plucked the strings of power
and garnered unprecedented decision-making ability
for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis-
tration and National Marine Fisheries. Many sports-
men fear that the federal government may close vast
areas of our federally controlled waters to all fishing.
These may be or become legitimate concerns. I would
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 133
A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
By Sr. Agent Robert Larsen
I
t was a cold December night in Washington Par- tigation. He got all the answers we expected, that the
ish, and not much going on at all. Luckily, St. deer was killed at four thirty that afternoon, and was
Tammany Parish came through with a good com- still steaming because they had it too close to the fire.
plaint of night hunting in Pearl River. The members of The guys stated that they had killed the deer in Mis-
a hunting club along the East Pearl River had wit- sissippi, and never even been on the Louisiana side.
nessed two subjects in a flatboat shining a spotlight on As their stories were adding up less and less, the truth
both the Louisiana and Mississippi sides of the river. finally surfaced. The shooter stated that they had in
They also reported hearing a gunshot and seeing the fact hunted that day in Mississippi, however had not
occupants of the vessel drag a deer into the boat from seen any deer. So, they went and set up their camp,
Louisiana grounds. I immediately left the greenfield I and had dinner. He then stated that around eleven pm,
was sitting on, and soon after met Senior Agent Keith they got bored, and got back in the boat to go shine
Francis in Pearl River. for deer. He then pointed out the exact spot the doe
When I met Agent Francis, the complainants also deer was standing in Louisiana when he shot her with
met up with us. They informed us that the violators his twelve-gauge shotgun. He said that they then went
had in fact killed a deer, and were actually camping and picked her up and drug her into the boat, just as
on the Mississippi side of the river, right in front of the complainants had described. Agent Herron then
their camp. A phone call was made to Mississippi instructed the two to pack up their gear, and head back
Wildlife Agent John “Tank” Herrin, who was kind to the boat launch. At that time Agent Francis, Lt.
enough to meet us and assist. USFWS Agent Mike Eddie Laviolette and I took over. After further inves-
Downey also arrived a short time after, and provided tigation and questioning, a variety of violations were
a flatboat for us to get across the river. It wasn’t long discovered. The two men were each cited for; no hunt-
before all four of us were in the east Pearl River on ing licenses, taking deer at night, taking deer from a
our way to investigate the complaint. moving vehicle, hunt with an unplugged gun, expired
As we approached the campsite, we observed two boat registration, violating State Lacey Act.
white males sitting around a campfire, talking. There The shotguns involved were seized, and the two
was also a tent, two gun cases, an ice chest, and one men were also charged civilly for the value of the deer
doe deer hanging from a nearby tree. The deer had that they had taken. After what seemed like hours of
recently been field dressed, and was still steaming paperwork, the two violators were allowed to return to
from its warmth. (Keep in mind its well after mid- their homes in Mississippi.
night at this time!) Agent Herrin then approached the We were all very appreciative of the assistance
two guys and identified himself, and began the inves- from John Herrin and Mike Downey. After a collab-
orative effort from three separate agencies, two viola-
tors were taken out of the woods, and a great case was
made.
GREG BAGGETT
FARM BUREAU INS.
CROFFORD WELDING & MACHINE INC
224 COUNTRY LANE P.O. BOX 1104
DERIDDER, LA 70634 VIDALIA, LA 71373
(337) 463-3243 (318) 336-5390
I
n January I got a call from Sgt. Todd Lewis about make a quick inspection, try to get some information,
a guy who was deer hunting and was reportedly a back off, distance myself, and wait for the guy to
convicted felon. The 4-wheeler he was using was come out. There was a large field that he had to cross
suspected to be stolen. Sgt. Lewis went on to advise to get back to his vehicle so I knew I could see him
me that he had gone by the area the day before but it coming.
had started raining, and the suspect was gone when he As we all know, nothing ever goes as planned.
arrived. When I got next to the vehicle I saw several rifle
The next day I went out on patrol and went cases and other hunting items which made me realize
straight to the area. Lo and behold, I found a truck, that there were likely multiple subjects hunting in the
trailer, and 4-wheeler matching the description of area, not just one.
those belonging to the guy I was looking for. They Suddenly I saw four guys emerge from the tree
were parked next to a building leading to a large field line and start walking in my direction. Three were
and a wooded area. carrying rifles. One wasn’t.
It was still really early so I figured it would still I still had some time to react before I made con-
be a while before the guy came out. There was no tact with them but it was too late to try to conceal my-
place nearby to really hide my unit so I decided to self. I knew if one of the guys was in fact a convicted
pull in close to the building, approach the vehicle, Continued
felon and this 4- wheeler was stolen, then there was convicted felon in possession of a firearm as well as
going to be an arrest and a good chance that things felony possession of stolen things.
might go bad with four of them and only one of me. I Later on, I was advised by some of my Sheriff’s
called Sgt. Will Roberts and Agt. Carl Armstrong who Office contacts that two of the subjects (including the
were patrolling north of me. At least I would have one we arrested) were considered violent criminals
them on the way in case things did go wrong. I also and dangerous. They had been implicated in past
requested the local sheriff’s office to send a unit while homicides but never fully prosecuted due to a lack of
I was waiting on the other agents. evidence.
Upon making contact with the four, I began con- This incident just reminded me. We all know we
ducting compliance checks. I found numerous wild- deal with a wide variety of people on a daily basis
life violations and began running their information who have high powered weapons, and on the surface
though dispatch. I was informed by dispatch that one they may seem harmless. We don’t run criminal histo-
of them was a convicted felon with a violent history ries on everybody we check.
and two of the others also had extensive criminal While most of the people we come into contact
records. Upon the arrival of Sgt. Roberts and Agt. with are good people, the fact is that we never know
Armstrong, we began to run checks on the 4-wheeler what type of history they have. Violent criminals
and found it to be stolen. Then we began to question come from all walks of life and don’t have any cer-
the guy that came out of the woods without a gun. tain looks to tip us off. They could become fearful
After a short, convincing conversation, he admitted that we’re going to find out their wrongdoing and
that he did have a gun and left it in the woods because become violent. We make contact with subjects in
he didn’t have a license. Needless to say, we ended up a variety of places and times. Camps with multiple
issuing several citations to three of the four for vari- subjects where alcohol is being consumed, extremely
ous wildlife violations and arrested one for being a secluded areas, boat landings, etc… Most of the time
Continued
10411 HWY 1
SHREVEPORT, LA 71115
(318) 795-3800
we are one on one or there may be groups of hunters easily had a different one. Let’s all be cautious and
and only one or two of us. use our training, experience, and senses when we’re
Chances are, if I wouldn’t have had prior informa- out there. The last thing we want is for our supervi-
tion about these subjects, I, (in all likelihood) would sors to have to wake up our family in the middle of
have conducted my compliance check’s issued some the night with bad news.
citations, and moved on.
This incident had a good outcome but could have
MIZE FARM
605 LITTLE CHOCTAW RD.
ST. JOSEPH, LA 71366
(318) 766-4338
O
n December 12, 2009, I, Agt. Carl Arm- the back of the trucks.
strong, along with Sgt. William Roberts, Upon our arrival, Sr. Agt. Lanoux was in a con-
was called for assistance by Sr. Agt. Randy cealed position. We then made contact with an indi-
Lanoux, who was patrolling along Frenchtown Road vidual dressed in full camouflage clothing, holding
checking for hunter compliance. He informed us that a shotgun, with no hunter’s orange. He told us they
he had noticed two pickup trucks parked on the side were running deer dogs. He informed us that there
of the road. He noticed that one of the trucks ap- were 13 others, with standers along the power line,
peared to have a large hunting dog transport box in its along the diversion construction road and along the
bed. Upon exiting his truck he heard several hunting Comite River. He lied and said he had just taken
dogs barking in the nearby woods. As he approached his hunte’rs orange off. However, Sr. Agt. Lanoux
the vehicles he observed several gun cases lying in informed him that he had been observing him for
the past twenty minutes. His 12 gauge was also
iillegally loaded with five buckshot shells. After
taking
t his identification and gun, we told him to
go
g back to his vehicle and wait for us to return.
We
W continued our tedious search of the remaining
scattered
s hunters, to check for compliance. Our
search
s revealed six more hunters who were found
to
t have illegally loaded 12 gauge shot guns. We
also
a found four other hunters who did not have
any
a hunter’s orange displayed.
To
T heighten our excitement, our last hunter was
found
f with no visible hunter’s orange and rid-
ing
i a 4-wheeler ATV, while also holding a rifle.
After
A identifications were made, Sgt. Roberts
asked
a for his license and rifle. The rifle was found
Continued
to be fully loaded with a live shell in the chamber. to validate the kill.
He was asked why his gun was loaded while he was Three of the fourteen hunters were found to be
riding the 4-wheeler and he replied, “If I see a deer, fully compliant. We then escorted the noncompliant
I’m gonna shoot it.” Classic!! He was advised that he hunters to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s sub-
couldn’t possess a loaded firearm while hunting deer station, where they were issued citations. Who would
and riding on a motorized vehicle. While checking his have thought the game wardens would come out on a
license it was found to have a deer tag attached with cold and rainy day to ruin the perfect dog hunt?
the date 11/26/09. When asked why the tag had a date,
yet still was attached, he said he must have forgotten
I
t was a cold December night and I was working almost directly towards me and I could see people
night hunters in East Feliciana Parish. I decided walking in front of the lights. The truck stayed parked
to work an area that has produced many night there for about 30 seconds or so and then left the area.
hunting cases in the past. We had already received I watched as the taillights disappeared in the distance.
complaints for the area this year. A huge garden had My initial excitement waned and I thought to myself,
been planted in the field that I was watching and the “Oh well, maybe someone had to pee or something.”
deer were treating it like their own personal late-night About that time I heard the chains on the gate
buffet diner. I had just got situated behind a big pile jingling. I watched as two guys climbed over the gate
of brush when I saw a truck pull off the highway and and started walking towards the garden. I whispered
up to the gate. The headlights of the truck were facing to myself, “They dropped them off. We’re back in
the game! It’s about to be on.” The moon was
really bright on this particular night so I could
see them good. I quickly called the landowner
and asked him if there was supposed to be
someone in his garden. His response was an
emphatic, “Hell No”!!!
When they got to the garden I saw a light
come on. I was just waiting to hear a shot.
Waiting…….Waiting……..Nothing. I thought
maybe there just weren’t any deer there. The
light went on and off a few different times
within about 15 minutes.
I radioed Sgt. Paul Stuckey to come and
meet me. I never heard a shot and I could see
the guys starting to walk back towards the
Continued
WOODROW WILSON
CONSTRUCTION
345 HIGHLANDIA DRIVE
BATON ROUGE, LA 70810
(225) 926-3000
Page 140 Louisiana Game Warden www.lwaa.org
Devon Energy
Production Company L.P.
20 N. Broadway
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
337-269-4394
gate. I ran over to the nearest tree line and cut them both in their 40’s, went to jail that night for theft and
off at the gate. I yelled, “Game Warden! Let me see trespassing. I’d have bet a lot of money that these
your hands!” The looks on their faces were absolute- guys were hunting. All of this over a couple bags of
ly priceless. Shock, surprise, confusion and disbelief veggies.
were a few of the emotions that were evident in their
expressions.
I radioed to Sgt. Stuckey, “I got em!” One of the
guys said, “No way.” It was about that time that the
truck that dropped the guys off, returned. There were MARTIN MECHANICAL & WELDING
two females in the truck. As I looked on the ground 4991 JAY JARDELL RD
where the guys were standing, I found the light but VINTON, LA 70668
no gun. It was my turned to be confused until I no- (337) 589-5281
ticed two large plastic bags overflowing with turnips,
lettuce, cabbage etc… When Sgt. Stuckey arrived, I
told him, “Man, you are not going to believe this.”
We looked everywhere
for a gun and could not
find one. The two guys
swore up and down they
weren’t hunting. They
said that they passed
through during the
day and saw the pretty
garden and planned a
time to go back and get
some free greens. The
East Feliciana Parish
Sheriff’s Office was
called and the land-
owner wanted to press
charges. The two men,
L
New Orleans et me start by trip limit for a commercial vessel by 18 sharks!
saying congratu- If there is a slow season in Region 8, this is it. But,
Region Supervisor
Capt. Steve McManus lations to all the in the coming months, we will be back to the usual
new cadets that have overpopulation on our waterways and our shorelines. I
District 8-A recently graduated the can’t wait.
Jefferson, Orleans & Wildlife Training Acad-
St. Charles Parishes
emy. Our new addition
District Supervisor is Cadet Terrance Hicks
Lt. Edward Skena who comes to us from
the Baton Rouge area.
Sgt. Kris Bourgeois
Sgt. Jason Russo He has got a lot to learn,
Sgt. Herman “Ray” but I think he is going to Philip Kramer
Champagne be just fine. thanks the
Sr. Agt. Timothy Fox The weather is
Sr. Agt. Douglas Wildlife Officers
starting to play tricks
Danna for protecting our Wildlife.
Sr. Agt. William on us. One day it is 70
“Austin” Arteaga degrees, and the next,
it’s 30. But I think all
District 8-B
Plaquemines & St. of us are ready for the
Bernard Parishes cold weather to end and
the warm weather to
District Supervisor begin again. With that,
Lt. Robert Martin DAVID BRIAN STATE FARM INS
we will start gearing up
P.O. BOX 124
Sgt. Scot Keller for the boating season. I
Sgt. Adam Young am expecting it to be an
WALKER, LA 70785
Sr. Agt. Gary Pierce unusually busy season. (225) 664-2523
Sr. Agt. Roy Pier
Sr. Agt. Robert Cosse’ Several good cases
Sr. Agt. Jason have been made in the
Gernados Region recently. Most
Sr. Agt. Villerie Reggio notably, while on a JEA
Sr. Agt Brett Nabors
federal fisheries patrol,
Region 8 agents caught
2 subjects illegally tak- PREMIER STEEL FAB & CONSTR LLC
ing sharks in federal P.O. BOX 610
waters without com- WALKER, LA 70785
mercial federal fisheries (225) 271-0213
permits. Not to mention
they were over the daily
Spring 2010 Louisiana Game Warden Page 143
Northstar Land
Development Co
1036 Harrison St
Rayville, LA 71269
(318) 728-5617
I
n mid to late February the weather seldom allows Cantore” once or twice. All jokes were/are made in
us to go offshore and work NMFS(National Ma- jest and are greatly appreciated by yours truly.
rine Fisheries Service) patrol safely. With linger- That being said, the weekend before this case,
ing north winds from REMNANT cold fronts and Sgt. Jason Russo and I were working on the tail end
lower than normal temperatures, it is tough to con- of our work weekend, and we checked the weather
vince any sane person to get out of his/her warm bed for the following week. According to the national
early in the morning to go and work on a scheduled weather service, the most advantageous day for us to
day off. However, we still do it and greatly appreciate work offshore was the following Friday. “Highs in
the opportunities to do so. the mid 60s, mostly clear, light north winds up to 8
I make it a point to check the projected weather mph”. Undoubtedly, this would be a pleasant depar-
forcasts for the upcoming week before I submit my ture from an unusually cold and late winter. All agents
schedule projection to the Lieutenant. Not only to and the majority of fisherman understand that marine
ensure that my partners and I are amply prepared for forcasts will differ somewhat from the inland forcast
the conditions but also this is done in hopes to have for a myriad of reasons. In the winter, the cold seems
as productive of a patrol as possible. Doing this as colder on the water and in the summer the heat is am-
well as alerting fellow agents in the area of approach- plified on the water. The wind is usually 3 to 5 mph
ing severe weather conditions has branded me with stronger as well (if not more).
the nickname “Foxweather”. I’ve even heard “Tim
Continued
So Friday morning comes around and we find Empire, and Venice. We’ve even made contacts there
ourselves with heavy cloud cover, northeast winds at with fishermen coming from as far west as Fourchon.
15 mph in Westwego (approximately 44 miles north In any case, there is a cluster of rigs and satellite rigs
of Grand Isle) and the temp at sunrise was 38 degrees. located theremostly in federal waters with approxi-
Assuming that the winds would be stronger near the mately 60 ft. Of water depth. At different points of the
coast, we didn’t anticipate an impressive amount of year, these rigs hold various species of fish and hence
contacts for the day. We even considered cancelling or attract recreational anglers as well as commercial
shortcutting the patrol after failing to see one recre- fisherman.
ational or commercial vessel between Westwego and As we were approaching the first rig (very much
Grand Isle. I remember cursing the weatherman when in federal waters) we notice a boat tied off to the rig.
I looked at the temperature on the radar/sonar/gps It appeared to be a 25 to 30 ft Reno Skiff (Manchac
panel on the new whaler. “42 degrees!!!!” I scoffed to Skiff). My first thought was that this was a com-
Russo, to which he replied, “Yeah, with these clouds mercial snapper fisherman, or possibly a commercial
covering everything up, I don’t think it’ll reach 50 sheepshead fisherman (as we commonly see them in
today.” similar skiffs in this general area). But as we neared
When we hit the pass at Grand Isle we were sur- the vessel, we learned otherwise. Pulling up along
prised to see that the gulf didn’t seem too rough, and side of the vessel, Russo and I looked at each other
also the wind was hinting more easterly than north- inquisitively because there was nobody on the boat.
east. Knowing that the river delta (southwest pass) There was however, a pile of dead sharks. Okay, so
would offer us at least a manageable amount of calm we’re dealing with shark fishermen. But where are
water, we decided to head for the Empire rigs to the they???
east southeast. These rigs are always good to check I boarded the vessel and looked around to see if
on federal fish patrol days because they can be ac- anything looked strange. After crawling over the pile
cessed with relative ease from Grand Isle, Port Sulfur, Continued
POWERTRON
1305 W CAUSEWAY APPROACH STE 220
MANDEVILLE, LA 70471
(512) 739-2250
that our long day in bad weather was well worth the obstacles crossed along the way. As with any case more
involved than a fishing license or boating safety infraction, I try to appreciate what I learned from it.
I’d have to say I learned several things that day.
1. Never trust a weatherman (this lesson obviously
must be learned several times before it sinks in). 2.
Be patient (sitting on a boat, truck, or whatever full of FLORIDA MASONRY
either fish, deer, rabbits, etc. is never a waste of time). 311 E IRONWOOD DR
Last but not least I learned that anything you have that WEST MONROE, LA 71291
is touched by shark blood and residue must be burned if (318) 237-0603
you can’t clean it with hot water and bleach. (My truck
still smells).
I
’ve talked to many other agents on different occa- months of that being in the academy). I’m not sure if
sions (in-service training, firearms re-quals, hurri- that’s above or below average for someone with my
cane response, and various schools). We all share amount of time on the job. I’m simply stating that this
stories when we get together, be it at work or outside particular fatality was not my first time at the rodeo. I
of work. Most stories are accounts of humorous en- recently investigated a fatality accident that affected
counters with the public, pranks played on each other me differently than any of the others have.
that produced hilarious reactions, or recent cases that It was May of 2009 approximately 5:45pm and Sr.
earned some renown. We may tell unbelievable sto- Agt. Doug Danna and I were patroling in the truck in
ries of equipment, both triumph and failure. In some New Orleans East. The day had been pretty slow. In
instances, agents from different regions may be close fact, I remember that we were on I-10 west bound and
enough friends that they will discuss the recent news we had just come off US Hwy. 11. I recall Doug being
and stories of their respective families and friends. Of uneasy because we hadn’t eaten lunch for whatever
all the themes we can’t seem to get enough of, there reason and we had just finished deciding that we were
is one that bonds us stronger than any of the other gonna go somewhere and get a bite. Just as we made
topics that we actually look forward to hearing from the decision, the truck radio queued up… “Hq-18 to
each other about. 824” (I used to be 824). After responding, Cpt. Mc-
I’ve read articles before in this magazine that manus informed us that there was a boating fatality in
chronicle the worst part of our job. Stories of fatal Lake Pontchartrain near the Bonnabel/West End area.
boat accidents are undeniably heartfelt and sincere. We high-tailed it over there, wondering all the while
No fatality accident is more or less important than what kind of mess we were walking into.
any other. In a perfect world (for lack of a better Before we got to the general area, Cpt. Mcmanus
term), all boating fatalities should affect agents the called us back on the phone. He and Lt. Rober Martin
same. Unless, God forbid, it was involving another were leaving the region office and were on their way
agent or someone familiar to the agent. However, we to the scene. They were going to beat us there, but
know that is not the case. I’ve been involved with from what he said, it sounded like there was only one
the investigation/recovery/search and rescue of ap- boat involved. I remember Doug and I talking about
proximately 18 boating accidents in just 3.5 Years (5+ Continued
how weird that was because the weather was pretty chance to take a breath.
calm that day, and other than being a little cooler Due to the sensitive nature of these incidents, I
than normal, there were no adverse conditions. The will refer to the deceased operator as the operator
captain also told us that we would not need a boat or by his initials only, C.C. There was no apparent
and could respond by truck. We made our way to the reason why this operator would have crashed into the
U.S.C.G. Station New Orleans protection jetty. As rock jetty. After talking to the one true witness who
we crossed over the levee, the blue and red flashing was several hundreds of yards away on the lakeshore
lights were everywhere. I deciphered which set of it did not seem that the driver was driving erratically
blue lights was a wildlife unit and made my way to or out of control and there was no other noted boat
it. There were law enforcement and EMS personnel traffic on this particular day. After some digging we
walking around looking to see who was in charge and were able to discover the young man’s identity and lo-
who knew what. It was quite the spectacle. Thank- cal address. The captain and Lt. Martin accompanied
fully the Capt. and Lt. Quickly assumed control of some other law enforcement personnel to the family’s
the scene before much time had passed. home to make the official notification. Since this is
The Captain and Lt. Martin gave us the very perhaps the worst duty any law enforcement officer
basics of what was told to them. The captain told me can ever be given, I was relieved that I was not in ei-
that I was going to take the lead role on this investi- ther of their shoes. At this time we moved the vessel
gation and to get to work. So we began the process. (a PWC) to a secured location to store and complete
Doug and I worked very well together collecting all the investigation.
photographs, taking measurements, interviewing I don’t remember if I was on or off the next day
witnesses, gathering statements, interviewing first in regards to the schedule, but the following morning
responders, recovering the vessel, inventorying the I returned to the scene to determine if there was any
vessel, etc. After all the co-ordination, documenta-
Continued
tion, and initial investigation was done, I finally had a
other evidence that I could find in full daylight that young women who stated that they were C.C.’s cous-
may have been overlooked because of the darkness. ins. I explained to them why I was there. I was hoping
Having taken a detailed inventory of the belongings that they would receive the items and that I would be
that the operator had stored on the vessel, I was or- able to leave. One of the young women entered the
dered by my supervisors to return the personal effects house with the items while the other two remained
to the family. This order, without a doubt, concerned and asked me several questions about the accident.
me. Driving to the residence, I remember thinking Trying to answer their questions as officially as
how this all seemed surreal. I had never had to con- possible while still keeping the unknown and poten-
verse with people who just endured or were in the tially incriminating topics unspoken, I could see that
midst of one of life’s tragedies. Being a fan of police/ there was a lack of surprise in the tone of the rela-
investigative dramas on T.V. I know I had seen these tives. That being said, I decided to ask a couple of
scenarios countless times on screen and couldn’t help questions to further the investigation. The third cousin
but wonder how accurate those portrayals were and emerged from the front door and approached me
what I was going to encounter. However, I recognized purposefully. She immediately asked me if I would
that my presence and actions could forever be etched mind talking to the parents. Keeping my true wish a
in the memories of these poor family members so I secret, I obliged and told them anything I could do to
must reserve a constant level of professionalism. help would be no problem. So they escorted me to a
I arrived at the home of the deceased operators small seating area with a patio table and chairs in the
parents and noticed many vehicles parked outside of front of the residence. I sat there for about five min-
the home. These were obviously family and friends utes before anyone came back outside, wondering all
who were present to spend time with the family who the while what kind of questions awaited me. Mo-
was understandably devestated. I was greeted by three
Continued
ments later, a huddle of 4 people exited the home and was now off duty, I wondered what this operator had
labored to walk the five feet to where I was waiting. been doing and what went wrong. I did a little bit
I immediately stood up and offered the assumed of investigation on the internet and was able to find
parents the bench where I had been seated. The dis- the subject’s profile of a popular public networking
pair and destruction that the previous day’s events had website. Reading the self description of the deceased
brought upon this family was eminent. The mother, operator, it seemed apparent that he lived life “on the
sobbing, finally consoled herself enough to ask a cou- edge”. The boastful admission of involvement in ac-
ple of questions. The details of her questions led me cidents and wrecks made me think about the attitude
to realize that she was still in a severe state of shock of the operator. He really painted a picture of himself
and stress. I assured her that anything I could do to as being a daredevil. Thinking of Brad Paisley’s song
help them, I would. I promised her that I would do all “I’m So Much Cooler Online” I decided not to put too
that I could to determine exactly what happened, to much credit in the information.
answer her main question which was “Why!!!”. I had After talking to my own family and some friends,
learned through a conversation that was relayed to me I remember thinking, “I’m surprised that this isn’t af-
that the operator’s father was a preacher, which made fecting me more.” I had no trouble sleeping or any-
the next request no surprise. The father asked me to thing else in the days following this unusual event. I
join them in a prayer for the family. I couldn’t believe remember talking to my fiance about how crazy the
what I was involved in and felt somewhat guilty that last couple of days were, having to document and
I was proud of myself for remaining stoic and unaf- investigate the untimely death of a man just 4 months
fected. younger than me. On day three I started feeling a
After I left the house, I was lost in my reflection little different. After searching some more, I found
of what had just happened. Despite the fact that I
Continued
WILHITE ELECTRIC
4450 VIKING LOOP
BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111
(318) 747-3780
a dedication to the deceased operator on the griev- tions to similar situations, both with LDWF and with
ing memorial site legacy.com. I knew about this site prior law enforcement work. After talking to him, I
because of recent losses in my own family or friend,s felt much better and realized that I wasn’t broken. He
and decided to dive into the messages left by the explained to me that this was all part of the job and
operator’s loved ones in hopes of finding some sort of that there are several situations that we find through-
evidence that could point to reasons for the accident. out our career where training just takes over and we
I found myself thinking more and more about don’t return to ourselves in reality until hours or even
how I reacted to the entire situation and worrying that days later sometimes.
something was wrong. I did this all without blink- I thanked him for the advice. He thanked me for
ing an eye. It was as if I was on autopilot. I began to calling him, and told me to never forget this because
wonder if we as agents deal with these tragic events one day it might be me who gets the call from a
so often that our ability to feel sorrow or shock for younger agent who is trying to figure out the mystery
others gets injured in the performance of our duties. of how we are able to deal with extrordinary circum-
I knew that I needed to talk to someone about it, so I stances while executing the crucial duties at hand. I
reached out to one of our region’s most experienced know that the experience has made me realize that I
officers at the time. I called this Sgt. on the phone can handle anything the job may bring. Unfortunately,
and explained to him what had happened and that I assume that I will encounter more horrific events
I thought something was wrong with me because I throughout my career. I understand that I will prob-
hadn’t been affected by this. He laughed and offered ably have to interact with people who are in some
some much appreciated words of wisdom. He ex- of life’s most trying moments. The most important
plained to me that I was handling everything correctly lesson learned from this experience would be that it is
and the fact that I even thought about it was proof that possible to remain professional and still reach out to a
it was affecting me. He offered stories about his reac-
Continued
SERVICE CHEVROLET
4313 CAMERON ST.
LAFAYETTE, LA 70506
(337) 234-3194
Sgt. Jason Russo’s son, Jace, with his first bluegill Sr. Agent Ted Dewitt with a hog he killed this past
perch. hunting season.