Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents participated in a successful search and rescue mission on Bayou Nezpique on the Evangeline and Allen Parish line on Dec. 8.

Agents received a 911 call around 11 a.m. on Dec. 8 about a couple that was stranded in Bayou Nezpique.  Agents arrived on scene around 2 p.m. and found Mark Tarver, 26, and Michelle Tarver, 27, both of Elizabeth, along the banks of the bayou.

Agents retrieved the Tarvers in their 15 foot vessel and brought them to a waiting Acadian Ambulance at the Guidry Road Bridge.  The Tarvers were treated for severe hypothermia and transported to the Savoy Medical Center in Mamou for further treatment.  The Tarvers are expected to make a full recovery.

The Tarvers were canoeing in the bayou when they got hung up in the fast moving water.  They were able to get out of the canoe and make their way to the bank, but could only partially get up the side of the muddy bank thus having half of their bodies remaining in the cold water.

The Tarvers admitted to duck hunting and had harvested two ducks.  However, the Tarvers were duck hunting in a closed area.  Agents subsequently cited the Tarvers for duck hunting in a closed area.  Hunting ducks during a closed season brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

Agents participating in the search and rescue mission included Lt. Jesse Savoie and Sgt. Scott Fontenot.  Their search area included the bayou waters between the Highway 104 Bridge and Guidry Road Bridge.