Three Louisiana Men Cited for Wildlife Violations

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited three Avoyelles Parish men for alleged wildlife violations on Sept. 14 in Avoyelles Parish.

Agents cited Kristopher A. Dugas, 21, of Marksville, and Eric M. Dauzat, 25, of Hessmer, for allegedly taking a six-point buck during a closed season, during illegal hours with artificial light, hunting from a public road and moving vehicle, without basic and big game licenses, and possession of an illegally taken deer. Kristopher Dugas was also cited for taking deer with an illegal firearm.

Agents also cited Terry A Ducote Jr., 42, of Hessmer, for possession of the illegally taken deer and illegal possession of an alligator.

An LDWF agent received information that Dauzat and Kristopher Dugas killed a buck at night during the month of August. During questioning, Dauzat admitted that he and Kristopher Dugas killed the buck at around 12:28 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 21 in the Fifth Ward community with a .17 caliber rifle.

The deer’s six-point head still in velvet was at the residence of Terry Ducote Jr. When the agents went to Terry Ducote’s residence to take possession of the head, they also found an untagged alligator tail.

Taking deer during a closed season and during illegal hours brings a fine of $900 to $950 or up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Possession of an illegally taken deer carries a fine of $400 to $950 or up to 120 days in jail. Hunting from a public road and taking a deer with an illegal firearm brings a fine of $100 to $350 or up to 60 days in jail for each offense. Hunting from a moving vehicle carries a fine of $250 to $500 or up to 90 days in jail. Hunting without basic and big game licenses brings a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail for each offense.

Illegal possession of an alligator carries a fine of $400 to $950 or up to 120 days in jail.

Kristopher Dugas and Dauzat may also be held responsible for restitution in the amount of $1,624 for the illegally taken deer. Terry Ducote may also be held responsible for restitution in the amount of $375.80 for the illegally taken alligator.

The deer and alligator tail were seized and donated to charity.

Agent participating in the case are Sgt. Gabe Guidry, Senior Agent John Volentine, and Senior Agent Doug Anderson Jr.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.