February 3, 2009

Members of Louisiana Operation Game Thief, Inc. (LOGT), Louisiana's grass root wildlife crime prevention program, held their annual meeting on Saturday, Jan. 31 in Baton Rouge.

The group considered reward amounts for tipsters in a total of 28 wildlife violation cases. A total of $9,100 in case rewards was awarded to concerned citizens from around the state who had reported wildlife violations. The cases ranged from hunting alligators to taking deer at night, with one reward paid for reporting the illegal shooting of a white pelican.

Assistant Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Administrator, Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze, provided LOGT members with information on each case recommendation for reward amounts. "We rely heavily on participation by concerned citizens in reporting these crimes," he said. "LOGT provides the cash rewards offered for information leading to arrests in these cases."

LDWF Secretary Robert J. Barham attended the meeting and expressed appreciation to the members for their dedication and participation in the program. "Each of you is to be commended for your hard work," Barham said. "This program is vital to our law enforcement program."

Members heard recommendations from the board of directors for LOGT officers for 2009. All current officers for 2008 will remain in office for 2009. They are President Tommy R. Hicks, Shreveport; Vice President Rodney Richard, Sulphur; Secretary Ray Bordelon, Mansura; and Treasurer B. T. Chapman, Baton Rouge. Nominated to continue on the board of directors were Allen Davis of West Monroe and Verbis Lafleur of Opelousas.

LOGT was instituted in 1984 and provides cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of violators of fish and wildlife regulations. Funds are raised through private donations, court directed contributions and through contributions from cooperative endeavor agreements with organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Quality Deer Management Association.

Anyone wishing to report wildlife or fisheries violations should contact a wildlife enforcement agent or call LDWF's 24-hour toll free Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511. Callers may remain anonymous.

LOGT meets quarterly throughout the year to review cases and dispense rewards. The next meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 2 at the LDWF Education Center at Woodworth.