Hunter Harassment in Duck Dynasty Country

Apparently not everyone in the bayous appreciates duck hunting…

Shortly after Christmas, duck hunters in Venice, Louisiana, had a very interesting “flock” come into their spread: a pistol-packing jerk named Brendan Nolan. Although Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents haven’t indicated Nolan’s alleged reasons for doing so, Nolan has been arrested for allegedly harassing hunters on public property in Plaquemines Parish on Dec. 26.

The duck hunters were lawfully hunting on public land when Nolan, 32, ran his boat directly into the hunters’ decoy spread. Once there, he honked off at the hunters verbally before pulling the handgun and shooting the decoys. Based on that behavior, we can probably assume that this harassment was motivated by anti-hunting sentiment.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

As you would expect, the armed citizens who were legally hunting waterfowl with (presumably) shotguns loaded with 3 1/2-inch shells, responded to Nolan’s provocation in a calm, lawful, civil manner. They recorded a video of the harassment and summoned the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office and the LDWF.  Law enforcement, once on scene, began their investigation. The result? Charges for harassment of persons lawfully hunting, simple assault, criminal damage to property and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Harassment of persons lawfully hunting carries up to a $350 fine and revocation of the permit or license under which the violation occurred for the period for which it was issued and barring of the issuance of another permit or license for that same period. Any person adversely affected by a violation of the law shall be entitled to recover actual damages, including expenditures of the affected person for license and permit fees, travel, guides, special equipment and supplies, to the extent that such expenditures were rendered futile by the actions of the person violating the law.

Criminal damage of property carries up to a $1,000 fine and six months in jail. Simple assault brings up to a $250 fine and 90 days in jail. Further charges may be forthcoming as the investigation unfolds. Agents seized a pistol in connection with the violations.