L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A Reserve man was cited by state Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement officials for shooting non-game migratory birds while hunting within the Manchac Wildlife Management Area, according to an enforcement spokesman.

Capt. Len Yokum of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement division said while agents were checking hunters during the opening of teal breed duck season late last month, they spotted Bobby M. Scioneaux, 19, of Reserve shoot and kill a pair of ibises, a protected species commonly found within the Manchac area. Yokum said when agents questioned Scioneaux about shooting the birds, Scioneaux explained it was out of boredom because no other birds had flown his way. Yokum said Scioneaux was cited for taking the ibises, which have no established season, along with failure to abide by various established rules for wildlife management areas. Scionaeux also did not have a self-clearing permit needed for hunting.

“Our enforcement is done throughout all seasons,” Yokum said. “It just so happened that these birds were shot at the time checks were being done in that area.”

Yokum said Scioneaux faces a fine and other penalties, which are set by the U.S. Magistrate at federal court in New Orleans. Yokum said the exact fine is determined by the judge who handles the case.