General

Jan. 29, 2012 - Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) personnel have confirmed that a portion of Cross Bayou Weir has failed.  As a result, the Larto-Saline Complex in central Louisiana has begun to dewater and will soon become equal with the water level of Black River.  

The Cross Bayou Weir is a low-water dam designed to allow inflow of beneficial Black River water.  Current estimates suggest that the water level of the complex could fall an additional 6 feet without immediate repairs.  

The Cross Bayou Weir and similar structures at Long Branch and Open Mouth Bayou are considered to be primarily responsible for the renovation of the Larto-Saline sport fishery.  Waters  previously impaired by flood control projects have provided excellent fishing since LDWF constructed the structures in the late 1980’s.  LDWF staff recognize the urgency of the situation and are currently assessing damage to the structure and will initiate repairs as soon as possible.   

For additional information please contact Mike Wood mwood@wlf.la.gov.  For press inquires, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

01/28/2013 -- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents arrested three Eunice men for alleged possession of stolen property on Jan. 23 in Evangeline Parish.

Agents arrested Brandon P. Langley, 19; Kaleb A. May, 17; and Devonne T. Sias, 17; for possession of stolen property and operating an ATV and dirt bikes on a public roadway.  Langley was also arrested for flight from an officer.  All three men were booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail.

Agents were notified about off-road vehicles consisting of dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) running up and down Highway 374 about six miles south of Mamou.  Upon making contact with the three men around 6 p.m., Langley fled the scene on a dirt bike.  After a brief chase, agents were able to apprehend Langley.

With assistance from the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office, agents were able to confirm that one of the dirt bikes and the ATV were stolen earlier in the week from the Rayne area.  Investigators are still determining if the other dirt bike was stolen as well.

Possession of stolen property brings up to a $3,000 fine and 10 years in jail.  Flight from an officer carries a $150 to $500 fine and up to six months in jail.  Operating an ATV and dirt bikes on a public roadway brings up to a $175 fine and 30 days in jail.

Agents involved in the case are Sgt. Scott Fontenot and Senior Agent Steve Vidrine.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

01/28/2013 -- A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agent cited two Louisiana men for alleged hunting violations on Jan. 21 in Concordia Parish.

The agent cited Michael D. Burley, 46, of Monterey, and Duell S. Moreland, 22, of Jonesville, for hunting without resident, primitive weapons and big game licenses, failing to comply with deer harvest requirements, failing to wear hunters orange and hunting deer using illegal methods.  Burley was subsequently arrested for illegal possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana and booked into the Concordia Parish Jail.

Sgt. Trey Mason setup surveillance in the evening of Jan. 21 on a vehicle parked on side of Bodark Road in Monterey.  Sgt. Mason then observed two subjects walking in the direction of his vehicle.

After making contact with the two subjects, Sgt. Mason observed Moreland carrying a Browning A-Bolt 7mm Magnum Rifle and Burley carrying a .444 primitive weapon with a laser light mounted on the gun.

Modern firearm season for this area closed on Jan. 20 and the only season open is for primitive firearms and archery.  After confirming that both subjects were actively deer hunting, a license compliance check was performed.  Neither subject was in possession of a valid hunting license, deer tags or hunters orange.

Sgt. Mason also performed a pat down search of Burley and found him in possession of synthetic marijuana.

Taking deer using illegal methods brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.  Failing to comply with deer harvest requirement carries a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.  Hunting without resident, primitive and big game licenses and failing to wear hunters orange each carries a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail for each offense.

Possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana brings a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and 10 to 20 years in jail.  Possession of marijuana brings a fine up to $500 and up to six months in jail.

For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

Jan. 24, 2013-- Due to the increased nutria population on Marsh Island Refuge, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking trappers to participate in a special opportunity to harvest nutria, and possibly other furbearer species, from the refuge.

The nutria population is negatively impacting the habitat and the department’s goal is to reduce habitat damage and loss on the Iberia Parish refuge.

A maximum of six trappers will be selected from applications received by the Feb. 15, 2013 deadline.  Those selected will be authorized to hunt nutria on the refuge through March 31, 2013, and for the next three trapping seasons, provided they pass an annual harvest review.

Applicants must have a minimum of three years of trapping experience, necessary equipment and must belicensed in the Coastwide Nutria Control Program (CNCP).  To review the application form and all requirements, go to the LDWF website file: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/refuge/marsh-island-wildlife-refuge.

Application forms must be delivered or mailed to the following address to arrive by 4:30 p.m., Feb. 15, 2013:

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Marsh Island Refuge Fur Trapper Applications

2415 Darnall Road

New Iberia, LA 70560

Attn:  Leslie Campbell

Participants will be required to enroll in the Coastwide Nutria Control Program (CNCP), if they are not already.  LDWF will not collect a percentage of the funds generated as a result of nutria tail collections and/or other permitted furbearer harvest.

Overnight accommodations (primitive camping or houseboats) and staging of boats (flats, surface drives, etc.) at the refuge will be permitted to improve hunter efficiency.  But boat storage and overnight camping/mooring will be permitted on an “as available” basis.  Hunting/trapping activities will be permitted during the trapping season (November 20 – March 31).

For more information on Marsh Island Refuge nutria trapping opportunities or to obtain an application, contact Tyson Crouch or Cassidy Lejeune at 337-373-0032 or tcrouch@wlf.la.gov or clejeune@ wlf.la.gov.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.