Six From Louisiana Cited for Migratory Game Bird Hunting Violations, Eight Ducks Seized and Donated Local Charity

Louisiana – On November 22, 2022, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reported that enforcement agents cited six subjects for alleged migratory game bird violations on November 19 in St. James Parish.

Agents cited Mitchell Vidrine, 25, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Taylor Diez, 28, of Gonzales, Louisiana, Justin Savoy, 24, of St. Amant, Louisiana, Lucas Aquiluz, 24, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Grant Theriot, 26, of Prairieville, Louisiana, and Lance Relle, 25, of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, for rallying migratory game birds. Relle was also cited for taking over the daily limit of ducks.

Agents were out on patrol when they noticed five people actively hunting ducks. Relle then allegedly drove a pickup truck around the perimeter of the pond, shooting a shotgun to scare the ducks that were resting on the pond. The five subjects admitted to collaborating with Relle to scare the ducks.

When agents made contact with Relle, he was in possession of more than his daily limit of ducks from a hunt earlier in the day. Agents seized and donated eight whistling ducks to a local charity.

Rallying migratory game birds and holding more than the legal limit of ducks result in a fine of $400 to $950 and up to 120 days in jail for each crime. Relle must also pay $212 in civil restitution for the replacement value of the whistling ducks.

Sgt. Gerald Sander, Sgt. Thomas Wolf and Senior Agent Sal Mangano are among the agents engaged.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.