LDWF News

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents are seeking leads for several illegal black bear killings that have taken place recently.

The killings have taken place from coastal bear habitat in St. Mary and Vermillion Parishes to Tensas Parish.  The bears have either been shot or trapped in hog snares by poachers.

Citizens are reminded that killing a Louisiana black bear is a violation of both state law and the federal Endangered Species Act.  Violators are subject to penalties of up to $50,000 and six months in jail.  In addition, a civil restitution fine of $10,000 per bear may be imposed on anyone convicted of killing a black bear in Louisiana.

Anyone with information regarding these illegal bear killings or any other wildlife crime should call the Louisiana Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511.  Cash rewards up to $5,000 are offered for information leading to the apprehension of individuals harming a black bear.  Callers will also remain anonymous.

"The department is working very hard to remove the Louisiana black bear from the Endangered Species List with the goal of maintaining a sustainable population that can support legal hunting. Illegal killing of Louisiana black bears may impede this effort and make this goal more difficult to attain," said Maria Davidson, Large Carnivore Program Manager for LDWF.

Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze of LDWF's Enforcement Division added that “The loss of these animals is regrettable and agents of the Enforcement Division will make every effort to locate the poachers responsible for these crimes.”

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze at 225-765-2988 or klacaze@wlf.la.gov. 

In an effort to help children in need this Christmas season, members of the Louisiana Wildlife Agents Association (LWAA) in the Monroe area have this year contributed $2,000 toward the toy drive organized by the radio station K104 and the Radio People in Monroe.

LWAA President Lt. Scott Mathews said the toys were purchased and delivered to the local radio station on Dec. 9 and will be distributed to those in need in time for Christmas.

Mathews also thanked Spotted Dog Sporting Goods in Columbia and Academy Sporting Goods in West Monroe for providing discounts that allowed more toys to be bought for the drive.

“Both stores have been excellent partners in our attempt help out local children in need,” Mathews said. “The agents association would also like to thank K104 and the Radio People for organizing the drive. Through their contacts and wide reach, we know the toys will find a home with the children who most need them.”

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Law Enforcement Division Chief Col. Winton Vidrine commended the LWAA for the generous donation. “The gifts are a wonderful way of helping those in need. The toys will surely brighten Christmas morning for a lot of kids,” Vidrine said.

The LWAA is a fraternal organization whose members are LDWF Enforcement Division agents.

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

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Office of Law Enforcement special agents are seeking information regarding the killing of two federally protected southern bald eagles.

Agents believe both eagles were killed on or about Dec. 7 on the East Bank area of Plaquemines Parish.

Deputy Roy Lally of the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office discovered the first illegally killed bald eagle along the Mississippi River levee near the town of Phoenix located in Plaquemines Parish. LDWF Senior Agent Brett Nabors responded to the area to take custody of the bird and begin an investigation.

During the ensuing search of the area where the first eagle was found, LDWF Lt. Robert Martin found a second dead eagle. Agents believe that both eagles were killed using the same method. Both eagles were delivered to the USFWS and will be forensically tested for cause of death.

The southern bald eagle is listed on the Endangered Species list, and fines up to $100,000 may be imposed for shooting or injuring the bird. Anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party is eligible for significant cash rewards.

Anyone with information may call Special Agent Stephen Clark at the USFWS office in Lacombe at 985-882-3756 or the LDWF Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-442-2511.

For more information, contact Capt. Steve McManus at the LDWF Region 8 Enforcement Office at 504-284-2024 or smcmanus@wlf.la.gov.

The first online magazine for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) was launched on Tues, Dec. 7, opening the gateway for global exposure to the well-known and historical document, Louisiana Conservationist magazine (LCM).

As with many traditional publications these days, the LCM ceased printed publication in Spring 2010 with plans to launch an electronic version in the summer. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill, however, postponed the magazine's new electronic format, consuming LDWF staff’s time during the summer. Now, just in time to finish out 2010 the Louisiana Conservationist is available again in a web page format viewable in any browser http://louisianaconservationist.org or in a book format featuring the familiar magazine-style layout. http://louisianaconservationist.org/current

Each issue will contain the same great stories and photography that was the hallmark of the printed magazine. Articles in this first online issue include details on LDWF’s efforts throughout the recent oil spill disaster, great gun cleaning tips and recipes from the 2010 Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off in New Orleans.   Links to related web sites, department videos, and photographs are scattered throughout the magazine along with all the popular social networking tools.  The new site also offers the option to create a username, allowing for access to comments and notification of upcoming editions.

“We are excited about this new venture for the Conservationist,” commented LDWF Secretary Robert Barham,  “Moving forward with an online version invites the entire world to step inside and see our great state from a closer view.”

First printed in 1926, Louisiana Conservationist magazine was created to keep Louisiana citizens informed and educated on fish and game regulations and conservation programs.  It has survived through the generations, evolving and changing with the world.  Today its legacy continues, moving forward with the electronic age. 

For more information contact Marianne Burke, Public Information Director at mburke@wlf.la.govor 225-765-2917.

NOAA predicts 2010 quota will not be met; federal and state recreation season will stay open, continuous with 2011 season

(Baton Rouge, La.) December 8, 2010 – Recreational anglers will have the chance to continue to take home their greater amberjack catches in both state and federal waters off the Louisiana coast throughout the remainder 2010 and into the 2011 season, which starts on January 1. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plan to keep the greater amberjack recreational season open for the remainder of the year, as NOAA predicts the quota for the harvest of greater amberjack will not be met.

LDWF officials estimate that approximately 14,500 greater amberjack weighing more than 337,000 pounds were harvested in Louisiana in 2009. Each year, recreational anglers in Louisiana land approximately 276,000 pounds of greater amberjack at docks across the state’s coast.
Greater amberjack are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in some parts of the Atlantic Ocean in temperate and tropical waters. They are typically found near offshore platforms, artificial reefs and near offshore wrecks in waters as deep as 300 feet.

The average size of a greater amberjack landed in Louisiana is more than 20 pounds, with the record weighing in at 139 lbs. The record catch was made by Bill Weldon in South Timablier Block 300 in May 2009.

Recreational saltwater fishing in Louisiana accounts for $472.1 million in retail sales in Louisiana annually and more than 7,700 jobs. The total economic impact is approximately $757.1 million each year. However, the BP oil spill kept many recreational anglers dockside throughout the summer.

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.

For more information, please contact Olivia Watkins at 225-610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov.

Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will re-evaluate season opening in January

The 2010/2011 oyster season will remain closed for public oyster seed grounds east of the Mississippi and in Hackberry Bay. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission did not take action to open the season, which was originally scheduled to open on November 15, 2010. The Commission originally made the decision to keep the season closed for public grounds in order to help rebuild the natural resource for future use by the commercial and recreational industries.

Biologists with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) recommended to the Commission that the 2010/2011 season for these public seed grounds remain closed in order to allow for a reproductive event currently taking place in some waters east of the Mississippi River to continue. This reproductive event has lead to the a large number of spat (young oysters less than one inch in length) in some areas. Allowing the spat to mature will aid in rebuilding the area’s oyster resource.

LDWF biologists documented high mortality rates in some harvesting areas throughout the summer months, which added to the depletion oysters in these public seed grounds. The public grounds east of the Mississippi River contribute approximately 28% of all oyster harvest in Louisiana on an annual basis.

The Commission with re-evaluate whether or not to open the 2010/2011 oyster season at its next meeting on January 6, 2011.

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.

For more information, please contact Olivia Watkins at 225-610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) today welcomed Billy Broussard of Pecan Island to the seat previously held by Earl King. Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointment of Broussard in November, replacing Mr. King, who resigned due to health issues. Broussard, a coastal parish resident, will serve as a representative of the commercial fishing and fur industries, as required by statute.  He owns and operates Pecan Island Redfish Charters.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission was created to protect, conserve and replenish the natural resources and wildlife of the state, including all aquatic life. The commission has the authority to establish definite management programs and policies and to approve and accept all contracts at its discretion. According to the statute, the commission is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to senate confirmation. Members include three residents of the coastal parishes of the state who are representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries and four members from the state at large.

For more information, contact Bo Boehringer at 225/765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov.

Hunting and Fishing Advisory Education Council
Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010 - 1:30 p.m.
Louisiana 4th Floor Conference Room
Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries Headquarters
2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, La.  70808

1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of Sept. 21, 2010
3. Welcome and Opening Comments
   Woody Crews, Chairman
4. Organization Overview: LSU AgCenter
   Dr. Donald Reed
5. Enforcement Division Report: Boating Safety Course Compliance
   Lt. Col. Jeff Mayne
6. Office of Fisheries: Tilapia Control in Plaquemines Parish
   Dr. Tom Lorenz, University of New Orleans
7. Whooping Crane Re-introduction Project
   Robert Love, Office of Wildlife, CNR Division
8. 2010-11 Duck Season Update
   Larry Reynolds, Office of Wildlife, Wildlife Division
9. Sector Separation
   Woody Crews, Chairman
10. Set Next Meeting Date
11. Receive Public Comments
12. Adjournment

For more information, contact Bo Boehringer at 225-765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov.

The next regular Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 AM on Thursday, December 2, 2010, in the Louisiana Room at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA. The following items will be discussed:

1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of November 4, 2010
3. Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege
4. To receive and hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/November
5. To hear presentation on NAWCA Project Update on Russell Sage WMA
6. To consider Declaration of Emergency and Notice of Intent on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill
7. To consider Declaration of Emergency to Close Portions of State Outside Waters to Shrimping
8. To consider Declaration of Emergency to open the Primary Public Oyster Seed Grounds East of the Mississippi River and the Hackberry Bay Seed Reservation
9. To consider Notice of Intent on Oyster Lease Relocation for Leases Not Available for Renewal Due to those Leases Being Located Within a Public Oyster Seed Ground
10. Set April 2011 Meeting Date
11. Receive Public Comments
12. Adjournment

The next regular Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2010, in the Louisiana Room at the Wildlife and Fisheries Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA.

The following items will be discussed:

1. Roll Call
2. Approval of Minutes of November 4, 2010
3. Commission Special Announcements/Personal Privilege
4. To receive and hear Enforcement & Aviation Reports/November
5. To hear presentation on NAWCA Project Update on Russell Sage WMA
6. To consider Declaration of Emergency and Notice of Intent on Fisheries Closures due to Oil Spill
7. To consider Declaration of Emergency to open the Primary Public Oyster Seed Grounds East of the Mississippi River and the Hackberry Bay Seed Reservation
8. To consider Notice of Intent on Oyster Lease Relocation for Leases Not Available for Renewal Due to those Leases Being Located Within a Public Oyster Seed Ground
9. Set April 2011 Meeting Date
10. Receive Public Comments
11. Adjournment