Wildlife & Fisheries Ramping Up Enforcement

It’s Memorial Day weekend and many of you will be heading out to lakes and rivers around Northeast Louisiana, but staying safe on a boat is no joke. NBC 10 spent the day with Wildlife & fisheries checking the Ouachita River. "I'm agent Scott Bullitt and this is Agent House from Wildlife & Fisheries and we're out doing safety checks,” said Wildlife & Fisheries Agent Scott Bullitt. Wildlife & Fisheries agents Scott Bullitt and Stan House are out checking the Ouachita River. "We're checking for fishing licenses, we're checking for life jackets,” said Bullitt. To make sure you enjoy nature or reeling in the big ones. "That's a good white bass,” said one boater. While not breaking the law or doing anything that could put yourself, or anyone else in danger. "Those Keystones, How many of those have you had?” asked Agent House. “Oh two,” said the boater. “Today?” asked agent House. “No.” said the boater. "Once you're at point 0-8 or above to the detention center we go understand?” said agent House. Anyone suspected of drinking, like this guy, will be subject to a field sobriety test. "If we determine they are under the influence they are under the influence or driving impaired we will take them to jail,” said Agent House. One of the things Wildlife and Fisheries check for is to make sure everyone on board has a life jacket and that it fits properly. If not, you'll get a $50 fine. And if you're 16 or younger you must be wearing a life jacket if the boat is in motion. This young boater got a warning. Agents will also be looking fishing licenses if you're fishing. That prized boat better have proper registration and be clearly marked with I-D numbers or else you may get a warning or even a ticket. "Just a reminder go get it done, you can't be warned for the same thing twice,” agent House told the boater. Agent House says before you go out tell someone where you are going. "That way if you’re an hour late or two hours, they can get a hold of us or the sheriff's office,” said agent House. The agents say they want everyone to have fun making waves and taking in the sun, keeping safety at the top. "You have a good weekend,” said the boaters. If you're driving the boat and you're born in or after 1988 you must have proof that you've taken a boater education course, but starting July 1st, anyone born in or after 1984 must complete the course to operate a boat. For more information about getting a boater safety course: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/boating/courses/mandatoryeducation/