Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two Louisiana men for alleged migratory game bird violations on Jan. 18 in Acadia Parish.
Agents cited Matthew Castile, 34, of Lafayette, and Jeremy Soileau, 32, of Ville Platte, for over the limit of ducks, wanton waste of migratory game birds and failing to comply with personal flotation device (PFD) regulations.
Agents observed Castile and Soileau hunting from a pirogue on Bayou Mallet and Agents saw Castile exit the pirogue from the Bayou just before Hwy. 98 with a large stringer full of ducks and hide them behind a tree. Castile and Soileau carried their pirogue up the bank to Castile's truck with another load of ducks.
Agents made contact with Castile and Soileau and were able to retrieve the hidden ducks. Agents found the men with a total of 46 ducks consisting of 26 teal, 11 wood ducks, eight mallards and one pintail. The men also didn’t possess a PFD in the pirogue. The legal limit of ducks is six in aggregate per person per day making the men 34 ducks over the limit.
Taking or possessing over the limit of ducks and wanton waste each brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to comply with PFD regulations brings up to a $50 fine and up to 15 days in jail.
Agents involved in this case are Sgt. Keith Dellahoussaye, Senior Agent Donald Murray, Senior Agent Derek Logan and Senior Agent Jason Stagg.