Two Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents were honored at the March 3 Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting held in Alexandria.
Shikar-Safari Club International presented their 2015 Conservation Officer of the Year award for Louisiana to LDWF Sgt. Joey Melton, of Natchitoches. The Shikar-Safari award recognizes an agent from each state for outstanding efforts in conservation law enforcement.
Sgt. James Hagan, of Oak Grove, received the Louisiana Waterfowl Enforcement Officer of the Year award from the Mississippi Flyway Council. The Mississippi Flyway Council recognizes law enforcement officers from each state who make outstanding contributions to the protection of waterfowl.
Sgt. Melton has been an LDWF agent for eight years and mainly patrols Natchitoches Parish. Sgt. Melton also received the LDWF Enforcement Division’s “2015 Agent of the Year” award. Sgt. Melton was recognized for his high case load, being a team player and public outreach through boating and hunting safety.
Sgt. Hagan patrols Morehouse, East and West Carroll and Richland parishes and has been an agent since 2001. Sgt. Hagan was honored for his participation in numerous illegal waterfowl hunting investigations involving illegal hours shooting, taking over the limits of ducks, selling migratory game birds, and Lacey Act violations.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.