Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents cited a southwestern Louisiana man on June 17 for allegedly illegally taking a Louisiana black bear in Concordia Parish.

Agents cited Madison M. Watkins, 36, of Welsh, for taking a bear during a closed season and two counts of failing to validate his deer harvest.

Agents received information that Watkins harvested a black bear in Concordia Parish in December of 2023. During the investigation, agents made contact with Watkins’ on June 17 and he admitted to taking a black bear with a compound bow on the Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 12, 2023. He also admitted to taking two antlered deer in Calcasieu Parish in October of 2023 and failing to validate the tags on both deer.

Agents seized two sets of four point deer antlers and the compound bow.

Taking a bear during a closed season brings a $900 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Failing to validate deer tags carries up to a $350 fine.

Watkins may also face civil restitution totaling $10,000 for the replacement value of the illegally taken bear.

Agents participating in the case are Corporal Katie Matthias, Lt. David Sanford, Sgt. Stuart Guillory and Agent David Williams.