Louisiana Resident Cited After Being Caught Allegedly Harvesting an Alligator During Closed Season

Louisiana - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported on November 14, 2022, that enforcement agents cited a Metairie resident for alleged alligator hunting offenses on November 7 in St. Charles Parish.

Following an illegal alligator harvest within the Bonnet Carre' Spillway, agents reportedly cited Daniel Duzac, 29, of Metairie, Louisiana, for taking an alligator during a closed season.

Agents from the LDWF were patrolling the spillway at the US Army Corps of Engineers field office when they saw Duzac catch an alligator near the Mississippi River flood control locks. St. Charles Parish is located in the east zone for the alligator hunting season, which began on the final Wednesday of August and lasted 60 days. Agents seized the 7-foot-9-inch alligator.

Taking an alligator during a closed season is punishable by a $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Duzac may also face civil restitution for the $375.80 replacement value of the illegally captured alligator.

Sgt. Kyle Wagner and Agent Heather Fitzgerald are working on the investigation. The case will be referred to District Attorney Joel Chaisson's office for prosecution.