§118. Migratory game bird violations

A. The hunting of migratory birds has long been a source of recreation and tourism in the state of Louisiana. The provisions of this Section are enacted in order to enhance the efforts of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to promote the wildlife laws of the state, to aid in the apprehension and prosecution of violators of the state's wildlife laws, to promote public interest and involvement in the prevention of violations of the wildlife laws, and to increase the efficiency of efforts to protect and preserve one of the state's most valuable assets. This Section is also enacted to create an effective and expedient system to handle violations, prosecutions, and adjudications of violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1972, as amended.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1972, as amended, shall be a violation of the provisions of this Section and shall be enforced as such.

C. Except for failure to sign a federal duck stamp and failure to possess a valid federal duck stamp, any violation of the provisions of this Section shall constitute a class four violation and shall be enforced according to the provisions of R.S. 56:34. The penalty for failure to possess a federal duck stamp or for failure to sign a federal duck stamp shall constitute a class two violation and shall be enforced according to the provisions of R.S. 56:32.

D. Of the revenues received through the collection of fines imposed for violations of this Section, after deposit in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, an amount equal to fifty percent shall be credited to the conservation fund to be used solely for costs associated with the salaries and related benefits of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents and the purchase of equipment needed by such agents. The remaining fifty percent of the revenues received through the collection of fines imposed for violations of this Section shall be deposited in the criminal court fund of the parish in which the violation occurred.

Acts 1999, No. 154, §1.