Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited 32 subjects for alleged dove hunting violations on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 dove hunting season that took place from Sept. 6-7.

Agents seized a total of 219 doves in connection with these cases and donated them to local charities.

In St. James Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited the following for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area:

Darren Wade Jr., 20, of Baton Rouge; Matthew Faucheux, 30, of Gramercy; Blake Roussel, 29, of Hester; Baylen Louque, 30, of Gramercy; Steven Dykes, 21,of Baton Rouge; Michael Pocorello, 20, of Baton Rouge; Ethan Watson, 20, of Baton Rouge; Talmar Butler, 21, of Baton Rouge; Philip Poche, 30 of Gramercy; Anthony Distefano Jr., 19, of Baton Rouge; Colin Frick, 20, of Baton Rouge; Nicholas Migliacio, 20, of Baton Rouge; and a juvenile. Wade Jr. was also cited for intentional concealment of wildlife.

In Madison Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited Laken Herring, 27, Thomas Caruthers, 25, and Thomas Hamilton, 42, all of Vicksburg, Miss., for hunting without non-resident hunting licenses.

In Tensas Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited the following:
Edward Kirkland, 50, of Saint Francisville, for hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun;
Raymond Smith, 50, of Ferriday, for placing bait to take migratory game birds, hunting migratory game birds over a baited area, and hunting migratory game birds with an unplugged gun;
Raymond Smith IV, 18, of Ferriday, for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area;
Drake Smith, 25, of Ferriday, for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area;
Lindsey Lee, 23, of Natchez, Miss., for hunting without a non-resident hunting license

Agents cited Danny Catoir, 20, and Wyatt Bonaventure, 19, both from Bueche, for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area on Sept. 7 in West Baton Rouge Parish.

In Rapides Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited Anthony Palermo, 26, of Lecompte; Terri Palermo, 59, of Lecompte; James C. Morace, 23, of Deville; Emily M. Morace, 24, of Deville; and William C. Barton, 38, of Marksville; for taking over the limit of doves.

Agents arrested Chris Lacombe, 36, of Marksville, for possession of a firearm by convicted felon, hunting with unplugged gun and possession of a stolen firearm in Avoyelles Parish on Sept. 6.

In Vernon Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited Jimmie West, 25, of Leesville, and Marvin Tarver, 23, of Mooringsport, for violating non-toxic shot requirements on a Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

In Concordia Parish on Sept. 6, agents cited Sawyer Perkins, 25, of Vidalia, for hunting migratory game birds over a baited area and placing bait to take migratory game birds.

Intentional concealment of wildlife carries a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. State charges for hunting over the limit of doves and hunting doves with an unplugged gun brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense. Hunting without non-resident hunting licenses and violating non-toxic shot requirements on a WMA carries up to a $350 fine for each offense.

Illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon carries a $1,000 to $5,000 fine and 10 to 20 years of jail. Possession of a stolen firearm brings one to five years in jail.

All migratory game bird baiting cases are filed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecution in Federal Court.