Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agents cited two men for alleged migratory game bird violations in St. John Parish on Nov. 26.
Agents cited Dane Haydel, 20, of Norco, and Jack Strohmeyer, 20, of Destrehan, were each cited for taking migratory game birds during illegal hours and possession of over the legal limit of wood ducks.
Agents received a call about shooting past legal hunting hours on private property near Laplace from a land owner in the area. When agents arrived they could hear gun shots and were able to locate the subjects hunting in a pond.
Agents then began surveillance and recorded eight separate occasions of gunshots past legal shooting hours. When agents stopped the two subjects they were in possession of 12 wood ducks, which is six over the daily bag limit of three per person.
Hunting migratory game birds past legal shooting hours and over the daily limit of wood ducks each brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail for each offense.
Agents seized the wood ducks and donated them to a local charity. The men may also face civil restitution penalties totaling $140.40 for the replacement value of the illegally taken wood ducks.
Agents involved in the case are Lt. Jason Russo and Senior Agent Gary Levron.