>>> IN A LAND OF MIGHTY RIVERS, LAZY BAYOUS, WOODLANDS, WETLANDS AND UNDER WATER GARDENS, THE BOUNTY OF NATURE COMES ALIVE IN AMERICA'S DELTA.

IN THE SKIES OVERHEAD -- >> PARTICULAR AREA THAT IS DATED.

THERE'S USUALLY MORE VIOLATIONS.

>> IN COASTAL MARSHES -- ON THE OPEN WATER OF THE GULF -- >> CHECK TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY BOATS IN CLOSED WATERS.

>> IN THE FRESH WATER OF LOUISIANA'S RIVERS APPEARED LAKES -- >> IF THERE WAS NO GAME WARDENS, NO ENFORCEMENT, THERE WOULD BE NO RESOURCES.

>> A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED MEN AND WOMAN WORKDAY AND NIGHT TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE STATE'S LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES.

THEY ARE DELTA GUARDIANS.

>>> THIS PROGRAM WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.

KEEPING OUR WILDLIFE RESOURCES HEALTHY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

WILDLIFE MATTERS.

>>> AND BY THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>>> LOUISIANA TRULY IS A SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE.

ENSURING THE FUTURE OF THIS PARADISE AND THE CREATURES LIVING IN IT IS THE JOB OF LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.

CONSERVATION REGULATIONS ESTABLISH THINGS LIKE HUNTING SEASON DATES AND SIZE AND BAG LIST.

BUT WHILE RULES MAY BE WRITTEN TO PROTECT WILDLIFE IT'S NOT THE ANIMALS THAT MUST COMPLY, IT'S THE PEOPLE.

THE TASK OF ENFORCING THESE CONSERVATION LAWS AND ALL OTHER STATE CRIMINAL STATUTES PLUS FEDERAL GAME AND FISHERIES LAWS FALLS TO AN ELITE GROUP OF MEN AN WOMEN.

WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING AT THE TIME IT OCCURS.

>> LIEUTENANT JOSEPH ARNO IS A 12-YEAR VETERAN OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> EWITH CAN ARREST MURDERERS AND WRITE TRAFFIC TICKETS BUT WE SPECIALIZE IN ENFORCING THE WILDLIFE LAWS OF THE STAY OF LOUISIANA.

>> LOUISIANA BEGAN WRITING CONSERVATION LAWS MORE THAN 150 YEARS AGO.

TODAY JUST OVER 200 AGENTS ENFORCE THOSE LAWS USING PLANES, BOATS, ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO PATROL THE ENTIRE STATE.

43,000 SQUARE MILES OF LAND AND 8,000 SQUARE MILES OF WATER.

>> A NORMAL DAY FOR A COASTAL AGENT WOULD BE AN EIGHT TO NINE HOUR BOAT PATROL WITH A TWO HOUR LAND PATROL GOING TO AND FROM WHEREVER YOU'RE PLANNING ON LAUNCHING YOUR BOAT.

DEPENDING WHAT TIME FOR THE YEAR IT IS WE GO FROM DUCK HUNTERS TO DEER HUNTERS TO COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN, RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN AND YOUR EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

>> TODAY HE AND PILOT MICHAEL SHAW WILL BEEF UP AERIAL SURVEILLANCE OVER THE MARSHES OF SOUTHERN LOUISIANA.

>> THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN BOATS AND CONDUCTED CHECKS.

THEY POSSIBLY COULD HAVE BEEN BAITING.

WE'RE DOING A FLYOVER TO SEE IF WE CAN FIND ANY CONCENTRATION AT WHICH TIME I CAN RELOCATE MY AGENTS PER GPS COORDINATES.

WE'LL ACCESS THE AREA.

WE'LL USE BAIT SCOOP TRYING TO SEE IF THE BIRDS ARE THERE FOR NATURAL VEGETATION AND FEED OR FEED PLACED BY INDIVIDUALS.

THIS FARM I'M FLYING OVER RIGHT NOW WITH A BLIND THEY HAVE NUMEROUS DUCKS GETTING OFF THAT POND RIGHT NOW.

>> RIGHT BACK ON THE WATER -- AN INDICATION THAT THERE IS BAIT IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA.

>> SHOOTING MIGHTER TO GAME BIRDS OVER BAITED WATER IS ILLEGAL.

IT DOESN'T SIT WELL WITH AGENT ARNO.

LIKE MOST FELLOW OFFICERS HE'S AN AVID HUNTER.

>> DUCKS LOSE ALL SENSE OF WILDNESS WHEN THERE'S A BAITED POND.

THEY WILL START FEEDING IN THAT POND AND THE HUNTERS WILL GET IN THE BLIND AND SHOOT OVER THE LIMIT AND VIOLATE MORE SERIOUS CRIMES OTHER THAN JUST BAITING.

BOTTOM LINE ACTION IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE GUYS WHO DO IT LEGALLY.

THESE GUYS ARE RAPING THE RESOURCES ILLEGALLY.

>> BAITED PONDS ARE CONFIRMED, PLANS MADE FOR A STAKEOUT WHEN DUCK SEASON OPENS IN A FEW WEEKS' TIME.

AGENTS OPERATEING IN REMOTE AREAS LIKE THIS ARE WELL EQUIPPED TO ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSIONS BUT THAT WASN'T ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> YEARS AGO PEOPLE HAD TO FURNISH THEIR OWN VEHICLES.

WE FURNISHED OUR OWN GUNS WHEN I FIRST STARTED.

>> NOT ANY MORE.

>> STANDARD ISSUE GEAR WOULD BE A 45 CALIBER PISTOL, A REMMINGTON SHOTGUN AND 12-GAUGE.

WE'RE ALSO ISSUED A SIX HOUR 556 AR15 TYPE 23 RIFLE.

FROM THERE WE GO TO COMMUNICATION CHS WE HAVE IN OUR BOATS, TRUCKS AND PORTABLES.

WE HAVE HAND BATONS AND HANDCUFFS.

WE'LL HAVE A 4-BY-4 TRUCK AND EVERYONE IS ISSUE SOME TYPE OF BOAT RANGING FROM A 14 FOOT TO A 38 FOOT BOSTON WHALER.

>> ALONG WITH BETTER EQUIPMENT CAME MORE ADVANCED TRAINING.

A LONGER AND MORE INTENSIVE VERSION OF THE BASIC 12 WEEK PEACE OFFICERS TRAINING COURSE.

THE RIGOROUS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CHALLENGES INCLUDE CLASSES ON THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES, AND OFFICER SURVIVAL AMONG OTHER SUBJECTS.

A LOT OF PHYSICAL CONDITIONING.

>> WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 14 WEEKS OF SPECIALIZED TRAINING WHICH INCLUDES DUCK WATERFOWL ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY, DICK IDENTIFICATION, FISH IDENTIFICATION, ADVANCED BOATING ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION.

WATER SURVIVAL.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAINING THAT WILL HELP OUR OFFICERS DEAL WITH THE ENVIRONMENT WE DEAL IN.

WE DO HAVE ADVANCED TACTICS, ADVANCED FIREARMS.

IN OUR PROFESSION KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE USUALLY ARMED SO WE TRAIN OUR OFFICERS TO DEAL WITH THAT ARMED SITUATION WITH EVERY ENCOUNTER.

>> OVER THE YEARS, A NUMBER OF AGENTS HAVE BEEN WOUNDED BY GUNFIRE AND OTHER WEAPONS WHILE PERFORMING THEIR JOB.

SEVEN AGENTS HAVE DIED WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

PREPARING FOR THE WORST IS ESSENTIAL, BUT IT'S VERY RARE FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH A HUNTER OR FISHERMAN TO INVOLVE FORCE.

IN FACT, AGENTS DEPEND ON THE PUBLIC AS A PARTNER IN ENFORCEMENT.

THE SECRET TO SECURING THIS CRUCIAL COOPERATION?

>> TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LICENSE.

>> BEING NICE.

>> HOW YOU DOUGH, MAN?

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> THE KEY IS WHEN YOU APPROACH THEM YOU TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT.

HOW YOU DOING?

LET ME TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LICENSE.

>> SERGEANT TRAVIS UDALL PRACTICE WAS HE PREACHES IN THE SHERBURN WILDLIFE MANHATTAN AREA.

IT'S ONE OF 53 PUBLICLY OWNED HUNTING AREAS MANAGED BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.

>> DO YOU KNOW THE REGULATIONS?

BEFORE YOU MOVE IT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TAG T. THAT ALLEVIATES PEOPLE FORGETTING.

>> IN THIS CASE A CITATION IS ISSUED AND THE INTERACTION IS CIVIL AND CALM.

>> GOING TO ISSUE YOU A CITATION FOR NOT TAGGING THE DEER BEFORE YOU MOVE T. WE'LL ALLOW YOU TO KEEP THE DEER BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAG IT BEFORE Y'ALL LEAVE.

>> THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE APPRECIATE WHAT WE DO OUT HERE.

THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE JOB NEEDS TO BE.

>> IT'S A JOB LIEUTENANT DONALD SAL PETRA HAS BEEN ON MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

>> THE ONES THAT GET DISGRUNTLED ARE THE ONES THAT GET A TICKET BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TAKE TIME TO READ THE HUNTING OR FISHING TABLET.

>> MOST DON'T INVOLVE CITATIONS.

TODAY IS ONE OF SEVERAL SET ASIDE EACH YEAR FOR A SPECIAL DEER HUNT AT SHERBURN.

THE PROGRAM MANAGER SCOTT DURHAM LENDS A HAND, WEIGHING AND MEASURING EACH BUCK BROUGHT IN BY HUNTERS.

>> GIVES US A WAY TO MONITOR THE HEALTH OF THE HERD, DETERMINE IF THEY ARE GETTING APPROPRIATE NUTRITION.

>> OTHER INDICATORS LIKE THE QUALITY OF ANTLER DEVELOPMENT ARE CAREFULLY NOTED.

BECAUSE OF THE MANAGED HUNT NO DUCK HUNTING IS ALLOWED.

>> FOR SAFETY REASONS WE CLOSE ALL THE OTHER ACTIVITIES INCLUDING DUCK HUNTING.

LISTED IN THE PAMPHLET SO EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT IT.

>> BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS GOTTEN THE WORLD.

-- THE WORD.

FAILING TO FOLLOW THE RULES CAN BE A RESULT OF NOT READING THE REGULATIONS OR INTENTIONALLY THWARTING THEM.

[AUDIO NOT UNDERSTANDABLE] >> THE DAYBREAKS CLEAR ON A COLD NOVEMBER MORNING.

IT'S A START OF DUCK SEASON.

LIEUTENANT APPEARED A HALF DOZEN AGENTS HAVE BEEN ON STAKEOUT FOR TWO HOURS.

>> MIKE IS GOING TO HEAD TO THE HUT.

WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GET ANTSY AND START MOVING.

>> IN THE DISTANCE SHOTS RING OUT.

FROM A DUCK BLIND ON THE EDGE OF A BAITED POND.

>> WE SEEN THEM ENOUGH AND WATCHED THEM HUNT, MAKE SURE HE'S NOT SHOOTING OVER THE LIMITS.

WE'LL GO IN AND CHECK THEM.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE TO WAIT LONG.

>> HE'S MOVING ALREADY.

WE GOTTA GO.

>> HE AND HIS TEAM WEAVE THEIR WAY THROUGH A MAZE OF TINY ISLANDS WITH HELP FROM A HAND-HELD GPS THE AGENTS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE FIRST BLIND.

>> HOW YEO YOU DOING, MAN?

>> HUNTING OVER A BAITED POND.

I'M GOING TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS.

LISTEN TO ME.

>> AFTER COLLECTING BAIT AS EVIDENCE THEY HEAD TO A NEARBY HOUSEBOAT WHERE AGENT OAKLAND ENCOUNTERS HIS PRIMARY SUSPECT.

THE HUNTER'S FATHER.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

DID YOU PUT THE BAIT OUT?

>> YES.

>> THAT'S WHAT I NEED TO KNOW.

THAT'S YOUR SON, CORRECT?

HOW LONG YOU BEEN HUNTING IT LIKE THAT?

WE INSPECTED THE BOAT AND FOUND APPROXIMATELY 100 SACKS OF CORN AND 40 SACKS OF MILO IN THE HULL OF THE VESSEL.

>> LET'S UNLOAD, BOY.

>> IT'S RARE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY FIND SACKS OF FEED IN A SPECIFIC AREA.

GENERALLY WHEN WE WORK BAITED AREAS WE ONLY FIND EMPTY SACKS OR WE DON'T EVEN FIND THAT SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES JUST REMNANTS OF THE BAIT IN THE BOND.

THE FACT THAT WE DISCOVERED THE ACTUAL SACKS OF FEED IN THE HOUSEBOAT IN THE AREA OF WHERE THE BAIT WAS IS GENERALLY PRETTY RARE FOR US TO ENCOUNTER.

>> WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, WE'RE GOING TO DO A LITTLE INVESTIGATION HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO DOCUMENT WHAT WE FOUND.

THE CORN SACKS AND ALL THAT.

Y'ALL WILL BE GETTING ISSUED SOME CITATIONS FOR HUNTING OVER BAIT AND YOU'LL BE GETTING A CITATION FOR PLACING BAIT.

>> WHENEVER WE MAKE A CASE LIKE THIS IT'S A SATISFACTION TO WHAT I DO.

WE CATCH SOMEBODY DOING IT THE WRONG WAY.

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I TAKE PRIDE IN.

>> THOSE WHO HARVEST LOUISIANA TREASURES THE HARD WAY REQUIRES CONSTANT VIGILANCE.

>> HOW YOU DOING, MAN?

>> MOST COMMERCIAL OYSTER HARVESTERS MAKE THEIR LIVING HONESTLY BUT A FEW BAD ACTORS CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE.

>> GOT YOUR LICENSE?

ALL RIGHT.

>> LIEUTENANT BULL ROBINSON AND SERGEANT GUILLORY ARE PATROLLING IN CAMERON PARISH.

>> THEY HAVE CLOSED THE EAST SIDE OF THIS LAKE.

CAN'T NECESSARILY SAY IT'S A DIRECT CORRELATION BETWEEN ALL THE GUYS AND THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS WE WERE HAVING WITH OVER THE LIMIT AND EVERYTHING, BUT IT DEFINITELY HAS AN IMPACT.

GUYS GOING OUT THERE MAKING TWO AND THREE TRIPS A DAY EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR AN ENTIRE OYSTER SEASON, DOING THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE'RE CATCHING THE SAME GUYS TIME AND TIME AGAIN AND THEN YOU GOT GUYS DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY, THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE A LIVING AT IT TOO.

>> A TIP ABOUT TAKING OF UNDERSIZED OYSTERS BRINGS ROBERTSON TO THE WHOLESALERS' DOCK.

>> WE LOOKED AT THE RECORDS AT THE FISH HOUSE AND DETERMINED WHO WE THOUGHT HAD THE OYSTERS ON BOARD.

>> THE SACKS ARE LOCATED AND UNDER-SIZED OYSTERS DISCOVERED.

IT RESULTS IN A CITATION AND SEIZURE OF THOUSANDS OF OYSTERS.

>> ONCE WE MAKE A SEIZURE COME BACK TO WEST COVE AND RETURN THE OYSTERS BACK TO THE WATER WHERE THEY COME FROM.

>> PUT THESE BACK ON THE REEF.

LET THEM GROW UP A LITTLE BIT.

>> REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING WHEN YOU COME OUT HERE AND WRITE A FEW TICKETS FOR THAT OR YOU SEIZE SOME OYSTERS OR A BOAT OR DREDGE FROM ONE OF THESE GUYS THAT DELIBERATELY ARE TRYING TO STEAL FROM THE RESOURCE.

>> PROTECTING LOUISIANA'S LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES IS A 24 HOUR A DAY EFFORT.

NIGHTTIME MARINE PATROL HEADS FOR THE GULF WHERE THE SHRIMP ARE RUNNING.

THE SEASON IS STILL A FEW DAYS OFF.

AGENTS ARE LOOKING FOR SHRIMPERS WHO WANT TO GET A JUMP ON THE COMPETITION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE ENFORCING THE INSIDE OUTSIDE SHRIMP LINE FOR VESSEL SHRIMPING IN CLOSED WATERS.

THE SHRIMP SEASON DOESN'T OPEN FOR ANOTHER WEEK OR SO, SO WE'RE GOING TO CHECK TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY BOATS IN CLOSED WATERS ACTIVELY SHRIMPING.

>> THE AGENTS SOON LOCATE A VIOLATOR AND QUIETLY CLOSE IN.

>> THEY DIDN'T SEE US.

WE WERE ABLE TO PULL RIGHT UP TO THE GUY, CHECK HIM WITH OUR GPS.

HE'S APPROXIMATELY A MILE INSIDE.

WE SEIZED THAT GENTLEMAN'S SHRIMP AS WELL AND ISSUED HIM A CITATION FOR SKIMMING BEFORE THE SEASON.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO HEAD BACK IN.

>> SERGEANT RICH PURVIS ARE PLYING THE WATERS NEAR GRAND ISLE.

>> WE'RE JUST CHECKING NETS COMPLIANCE, MAKE SURE THEY GOT THEIR LICENSES, THEIR BOATING SAFETY EQUIPMENT, MAKE SURE THEIR NETS ARE IN ORDER.

>> ALL THE EQUIPMENT HAS TO BE CHECKED TOO.

IT DOESN'T END JUST BECAUSE THE SEASON OPENS.

>> SOMETIMES SERIOUS VIOLATIONS ARE ENCOVERED BY ROUTINE CHECKS.

SOMETIMES IT'S A TIP FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> WE ORIGINALLY GOT THE CALL FROM OFFSHORE RECREATIONAL FISHERMAN THAT THEY HAD SEEN A BOAT FINISH OFF WHERE THEY CUT THE FINS OFF THE SHARK AS THE SHARK IS LANDING ON THE BODE THEN DUMP THE BODY BACK OVERBOARD, WHICH IS HIGHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.

>> AGENTS INTERCEPT THE BOAT OFF VENICE, LOUISIANA.

>> WE FOUND A HIDDEN COMPARTMENT IN THE BOAT UNDERNEATH THE STOVE INSIDE THE VESSEL.

IT HAD A FIBERGLASS COMPARTMENT THAT CONTAINED OVER 2,000 INDIVIDUAL FINS FROM SHARKS THAT HAD BEEN ILLEGALLY FINNED.

IT TOTALED UP TO 529 SHARKS, WELL OVER THEIR DAILY LIMIT OF 33 PER DAY.

FORTUNATELY WITH THIS CASE AND THESE CONVICTIONS THAT ARE COMING UP WE HAVE DEFINITELY PUT A HALT TO THAT OPERATION.

>> SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF CASES LIKE THIS HELPS ENSURE THE FUTURE OF COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING IN THE GULF.

NORTH OF THE COAST SPORTSMEN ARE DRAWN TO LOUISIANA'S FRESH WATER RESOURCES LIKE TOLEDO BEND, THE LARGEST MAN MADE RESERVOIR IN THE SOUTH.

THAT'S WHERE SERGEANT ADAMS AND SENIOR AGENT BRACK ARE ON PATROL.

>> HOW IS EVERYTHING THIS MORNING?

>> WE STOPPED TO CHECK BOATS, MAKE SURE THEY HAVE LIFE JACKETS IN THE BOAT.

PEOPLE FISHING, WE'LL CHECK TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A VALID LICENSE.

THEN WE'LL CHECK THEIR LIMIT OF FISH TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T HAVE OVER THE LIMIT OR UNDER-SIZED FISH.

WE DID A CREK OF A SUBJECT THAT WAS WHITE PERCH FISHING.

HE WAS OVER THE LIMIT.

WE HAVE HAD MAJOR ISSUES, LOTS OF COMPLAINTS OF PEOPLE TAKING OVER THE LIMIT WHITE PERCH.

>> SAFEGUARDING RESOURCES AND PROTECTING LIFE AND PROPERTY ARE TO THE PRIORITIES.

-- ARE POP PRIORITIES.

HERE EASY WATER SIDE ACCESS TO ALCOHOL CREATES ADDED CHALLENGES FOR SERGEANT RANDY LE KNEW AND SENIOR ARGUMENT CARL ARMSTRONG.

>> WE ENFORCE ALL BOATING SAFETY LAWS, DUI LAWS, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

IT'S JUST LIKE A CAR.

YOU GET A DUI ON THE WATER IT'S JUST LIKE GETTING A DUI ON THE ROAD.

>> HI A BEER.

>> WE'RE REALLY STRICT OUT HERE.

>> DON'T MOVE YOUR HEAD.

FOLLOW WITH YOUR EYES.

>> ESPECIALLY DRINKING AND DRIVING A BOAT.

IF YOU DO THAT YOU'RE GOING TO JAIL.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN DO.

WE CAN'T PREVENT EVERYTHING, WE KNOW THAT.

>> SADLY, ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS ARE ALSO PART OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.

>> WHEN YOU GOT TO GO KNOCK ON SOMEBODY'S DOOR AT 2:00 A.M. AND TELL THEM THEIR FAMILY IS NOT COMING HOME FOR ANY REASON, ESPECIALLY IN A BOAT ACCIDENT WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT HAVING FUN, IT GETS TO YOU AND YOU DON'T FORGET ABOUT T. >> BUT DURING THE PAST DECADE STRICTER ENFORCEMENT -- >> ENOUGH LIFE JACKETS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> AND A MANDATORY BOATING EDUCATION PROGRAM HAVE BEGUN YIELDING RESULTS.

>> WE THINK A COMBINATION OF ALL THESE COMPONENTS AS A TOTAL PACKAGE HAS HELPED REDUCE FATALITIES FROM A HIGH OF ALMOST 50 TO LOWS OF 20 AND 24 AND 25 WHERE WE ARE NOW.

>> BOAT HANDLING ABILITY AND EXPERTISE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE TWO THINGS THAT SET THESE AGENTS APART FROM OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

IN 2005, HURRICANES KATRINA AND RITA PUT THESE SKILLS TO THE ULTIMATE TEST.

HOURS AFTER KATRINA PASSES THROUGH LOUISIANA, RISING WATER FROM MULTIPLE LEVEE BREACHES FLOODS MOST OF THE CITY, STRANDING THOUSANDS OF DESPERATE PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AGENTS HEAD FOR NEW ORLEANS WITH EVERY AVAILABLE BOAT.

SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS BEGIN IMMEDIATELY.

SPECIAL AGENT JAY CALI GUARDEE REMEMBERS THE FIRST OF MANY LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS.

>> WE ENDED UP AT THE BRIDGE AND WERE LAUNCHING BOATS OFF THE BRIDGE INTO THE NINTH WARD NEIGHBORHOODS.

EVEN FROM THERE YOU COULD HEAR PEOPLE SCREAMING AND WINDOWS BREAKING, PEOPLE HANGING STUFF OUT OF WINDOWS AND ATTICS.

PEOPLE HOLLERING FOR YOU TO PICK THEM UP.

WE PULLED TO ONE OF THE FIRST STREETS AND IT WAS A ONE-STORY HOUSE.

IN THE TOP STORY OR THE ATTIC THERE WAS A SMALL WINDOW AND SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING A BABY OUT THE WINDOW.

THEY STUCK THEIR HEAD AROUND THE BABY AND WAS HOLLERING FOR US TO HELP HIM.

WE WENT STRAIGHT OVER THERE AND PULLED THAT FAMILY OUT.

THE BABY AND MOTHER, FATHER, AND A TEENAGE GIRL.

>> THE FOLLOWING DAY ADDITIONAL BOATS ARRIVE.

ENFORCEMENT AGENTS WITH SUPPORT FROM OTHER DIVISIONS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT LEAD MORE THAN 300 WORKERS IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS THAT CONTINUE INTO THE NIGHT.

>> WE BROUGHT OUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE.

AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE COULD HOLD AT A TIME.

EIGHT, 10, 12.

EVERY BOAT WAS DOING.

THAT EVERY AGENT WAS GOING AS FAST AS THEY COULD PICKING UP PEOPLE, BRINGING THEM IN.

>> OUR GUYS COMMANDEERED SCHOOL BUSES BECAUSE THEY SAW PEOPLE THAT NEEDED TO BE TRANSPORTED SOMEWHERE.

ANYTHING YOU SAW THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE YOU JUST WENT AND DID T. THAT'S WHAT OUR GUYS DO EVERY DAY.

>> AS A WILDLIFE AGENT I WAS MOST PROUD OF OUR ABILITY TO OVERCOME THAT SITUATION.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

THAT'S WHAT THEY TRAIN US TO DO.

WE'RE AN INDEPENDENT PROFESSION.

WE WORK BY OURSELVES AT NIGHT, DURING THE DAY, IN BAD WEATHER, AND I THINK BECAUSE OF THAT MENTALITY WE WERE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.

RESCUE PEOPLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL RESCUED 20,000 PEOPLE AND A NUMBER OF PETS.

IN THE END, THE DEPARTMENT DEPLOYED MORE THAN 300 WATERCRAFT TO NEW ORLEANS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

THREE WEEKS LATER, HURRICANE RITA WROUGHT HAVOC IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA AND AGENTS WERE AGAIN PUT TO THE TEST.

THEIR EXCEPTION OF A PERFORMANCE LED TO THE AGENCY BEING NAMED THE STATE'S LEAD SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZATION.

IT'S A VITAL MISSION BUT LIKE MANY AGENT RESPONSIBILITIES, IT'S ONE MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF.

>> COMMON PERSON DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE COMPLEXITY AND DIVERSITY OF WHAT WE DO.

>> IT'S NOT ALL CHECKING FISHING LICENSES AND INTERACTING WITH THE PUBLIC.

IT'S A LOT MORE ENTAILED THAN THAT.

>> AGENTS MAY INVOLVED IN ANTI-LITTER ENFORCEMENT AND ECO-SYSTEM PROTECTION, IMPORTANT AREAS THAT AFFECT THE STATE'S ECONOMY AS WELL AS WILDLIFE.

>> WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS BAGS LIKE THIS.

I'M GOING TO SEE IF I CAN FIND ANYTHING THAT WOULD LEAD ME BACK TO WHO THREW THE ACTUAL TRASH IN THIS RAVINE.

>> THE RANGE OF DUTIES OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AGENTS IS LARGE.

>> TAX EVASION, MONEY LAUNDERING.

WE RUN INTO DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, STEALING IN RURAL AREAS, WOODED AREAS.

SO THERE'S A VAST AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY THAT WE DO.

>> SPECIAL OPERATIONS SECTION USES UNDERCOVER METHODS TO STEM ILLEGAL SALES OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND TO FIGHT ONGOING CRIMINAL ENTERPRISES.

THE MAYOR I TAM SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM DEALS WITH MARITIME SECURITY THREATS IN LOUISIANA STATE WATERS.

MEMBERS COORDINATED WITH FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY FORCES DURING THE 2013 SUPER BOWL GAME IN NEW ORLEANS.

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST PORTS IN THE NATION AND BEING ONE OF THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF TARTS IN THE NATION WITH THE BIGGEST OIL STRIE, WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN SECURITY OF OUR PORTS.

>> THE AVIATION SECTION HELPS DETECTING ILLEGAL HUNTING AND FISHING AND ACTIVITIES AND IN SEARCH AND REGS CUE OPERATIONS AND THE STATEWIDE STRIKE FORCE CONCENTRATES ON CHERGS FISHING OPERATIONS AND LICENSE FRAUD.

A COMMON PROBLEM IS ILLEGAL FISHING BY NONRESIDENTS.

>> CLOSED SEASON RED SNAPPER -- >> WE WANT TO CATCH ESPECIALLY OUR FISH AND THE CRAB AND SHRIMP BECAUSE THEY ARE SO BOUNTIFUL HERE.

>> SERGEANT BURNETT IS A STRIKE FORCE MEMBER AND FRAUD EXPERT.

>> THEY DON'T WANT TO PAY THE FEES THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PAY SO THEY WILL GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE FROM LOUISIANA AN TRY TO SAY, HERE, I'M A RESIDENT BUT NEVER ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.

>> BURNETT PUTS HIS SKILLS TO WORK REPRESENTING THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES AT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR DISASTER FRAUD, A MULTI-AGENCY WORK GROUP HEADQUARTERED IN LOUISIANA.

WHETHER IT'S USING COMPUTEERS TO ACCESS DATABASES FOR WHITE COLLAR CRIME INVESTIGATIONS, OPERATING SPECIALLY EEQUIPPED VESSELS ON SALT WEAR PATROLS OR DRIVING HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS OVER ROUGH COUNTRY ROADS AGENTS HAVE TO BE READY TO PERFORM THEIR JOBS ANY HOUR ON ANY DAY OF THE YEAR, RAIN OR SHINE.

THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SERVE KNOW THE RISKS AND REWARDS.

THEY COUNT ON THEIR TRAINING AND THEIR WITS TO SEE THEM THROUGH EACH SHIFT OF WORK THAT FOR MANY IS MORE THAN JUST A JOB.

>> EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER, 12, 13 YEARS OLD I WANTED TO BE A GAME WARDEN.

I LOVE BEING ON THE WATER, BEING OUTDOORS.

>> YOU DON'T TAKE THIS JOB BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO GET RICH ON IT.

YOU TAKE THIS JOB BECAUSE YOUR PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S A PASSION AGENTS SHARE.

FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE RESOURCES AND THE PEOPLE WHO USE AND ENJOY THEM.

>> IF YOU SAVE SOMEBODY, IF YOU GO OUT AND SAVE SOMEBODY'S LIFE AND YOU KNOW YOU DID IT, THAT RIGHT THERE IS WORTH EVERYTHING.

>> A VALUE THAT MIGHT WELL BE PLACED ON THE OFTEN UNSEEN WORK OF THESE DELTA GUARDIANS.

>> I ENJOY THE OUTDOORS.

ON MY OFF TIMES I HUNT AND FISH.

THESE ARE THE RESOURCES OF THE STATE THAT I UTILIZE SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AROUND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> THIS PROGRAM MADE POSSIBLE BY THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES, KEEPING OUR WILDLIFE RESOURCES HEALTHY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

WILDLIFE MATTERS.

>>> AND BY THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> FOR A COPY OF THIS PROGRAM, CALL 1-800-973-7246, OR GO ONLINE TO WWW.LPB.ORG.