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A St. James Parish man was sentenced in the Eastern District of Louisiana Federal Court on March 9 for violating migratory game bird regulations.

The honorable Karen Wells Roby sentenced Wyatt J. Hymel, of Paulina, to pay a $1,500 fine and suspended his hunting privileges for two years, put him on two years of probation and two years no entry into any National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents were patrolling St. James Parish on the opening day of dove season on Sept. 7, 2019.  The agents found people dove hunting in a field near Convent.

Agents performed a compliance check and found the dove hunters hunting over a baited area.  Agents learned the field was baited by Hymel prior to the dove hunt.  Hymel admitted to placing bait for the purpose of attracting doves.  Agents cited Hymel for aiding and abetting others in taking migratory game birds over a baited area.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Mellissa Bucher prosecuted the case.  LDWF Capt. Jeff Boyd and Senior Agent Gerald Sander participated in the case.