Salt Ditch/Black Lake Land Ownership
 

[SIZE=3]I was unlucky enough to learn firsthand last weekend that a portion of black lake and the salt ditch is owned by a pirate land owner. I had heard stories in the past of men running up on fishermen in an airboat and circling around them but this is the first time it happened to me. I happened to have my wife and two small children with us, just trying to catch a few redfish in high winds. The area I was in was not marked private and I did not go through a tight levy system like the one on the salt ditch which is more clearly “off limits”. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]The men that ran us off came to a dead stop 10 feet from my boat a threw a wake that almost knocked my three year old in the water. They were extremely rude and wreckless. I had no idea I was fishing on “private land” when these pirates showed up to endanger my family. I’m sure they were carrying weapons and any resistance from me could have resulted in a really bad results for both sides. Had I been by myself my reaction would have been different.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I know the CCA is basically silent on this issue and that several Louisiana politicians have tried to get the water access rules from the Foster administration overturned but have been unsuccessful. What can I/we do to fight this? Are you guys aware of an organization that is trying to overturn these laws or someone I should speak with? I do not mind spending a few thousand dollars to fight the cause. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I take my children with me to the outdoors just like my grandfather took me to teach them to respect our resources and the pureness of our sport. I had a very hard time explaining the actions of this drunken pirate to my seven year old. At the end of the day I just told him we broke a rule even though we did not know we were breaking a rule and these guys were water police.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]My understanding is that the owner of this land is the big money man in the town of Sulphur and Hackberry. Our country was created by patriots who were willing to fight the fight, I’m concerned enough to join the cause.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]I hope none of you have had this same experience. Had there been a posted sign or some sign that the land was posted I would have disagreed with the principal but I would have respected the rules and turned around.[/SIZE]

That's why I pack.

I think me & him would have a bad problem if I had my young kids in the boat & he acted that way!

I've been told by a lot of people about that guy...he is the land man...never got me but.

He has flashed a gun (want to say it was a AR) to a guy too. there are no signs but a levee, which is being rebuilt, to ward you off. If you want to endanger someone's life because of a piece of land with water on it your a sorry SOB...would love to catch his *** on land.

He flash his piece, I take it away, stick it up his azz and pull the F-ing trigger

Till it goes CLICK......

Someone here knows the land man's name.

What is it?

Its Palermo's Land isnt it?

Agreed, I really thought he was going to try and get in my boat. He had three other guys with him when they ran up on me in their air boat. Is this the guy whose last name start with a P and is a big real estate man in Sulphur?

That is what I was told by a local guide that I sometimes fish with.

chicken you need to google earth the spot you were in, pull the GPS coordinates then figure out if you were on his land. I heard this guy was running people out of places he wasnt supposed to and the LDWF was patrolling the area.

Thats what i thought. Not a very liked man.

its not palermo himself...its his land guy and yeah not very liked...when the levees broke yes people were on his property and I completely understand but on the otherside (black lake side) he told them the property ran about 100 yards east...

I was on the black lake side in an area without a levee. Basically the far north east side of black lake. There are cranes and equipment there now.

To me that is the problem with the water access debate, it is a law that the state does not have the manpower to enforce and few people understand. You have v[SIZE=3]igilantly justice and they guys inforcing it may or may not be right in their understanding of the boundries. Plus with no posted signs who know when you are or are not one someones land. Let's just hope the oil comapnies do not change thier position on anglers or the marsh in general may be off limits to most of us. [/SIZE]

Tell me where it at. Ill ruffle his arse. He better be prepared ta not just show his gun cus u only get to pull it once so use it with me. And especially if my kids were on board. Man i tell ya they wouldve HAD to have had funeral. Either mineor his. Freakin idiot

Depends on where you are at in that area, its not all palermos land anymore,but they will all run you out if your on their land

It may take that for this issue to finally be resolved and get everyones attention.

I agree with you that based upon the current law landowners are running people out of thier "land". There is no requriement for posted signs or a levee so how is somone suppose to know they are own these folks land. I have two issues with it, one with the law itself which in my opinion is a violation of the constitution and two with a landowner taking the law into his own hands.

As you know boats are not cars, they won't stop on a dime. He came within 10 feet of my boat and could have knocked my children into the water, for what? To save his redfish that he owns?

Take a picture of my boat and turn me into Cameron parish and they can prosecute me, I do not approve of this guy becoming the law.

I never fish past the line at the weirs. However we both know some people do. Should I be allowed to unanchor people when they are past the line? no, I don't have the authority to do so.

x 2...call ldwf or sheriff to come get my butt and if I'm in the wrong sue the hell out of me.

Call the Cameron D.A.

I'm afraid someone is going to get hurt before this gets straightened out.
Only in Louisiana can you post part of a Lake or a canal that joins to public waters.
Money talks, legislators listen, CCA keeps quiet. Just my 2c.

I hear ya man.

Why is it CCA's responsibility to fight every battle the fisherman wants?

CCA cant fight every battle, I really think there needs to be another orginization to fight the land battle for us.


We have Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl and I think its great to have 2 orginizations representing the hunter. (Most will argue they have different agendas) So thats why you need more than 1 orginization to represent the interest of all parties.

Peace Love and Chicken Grease....

Well said and I agree completly.

I am willing to put some money in this cause but I need to know where I should focus my efforts. I'm sure Palermo has Hackberry on a string so I can't go after him direclty so I intend to focus on the bigger picture which is the rule itself.

Getting the media focused on "pirates in Lousiana waters" may get the local authorities attention.

This really has turned into a wild west type of situation with people on both sides taking the law into their own hands.

The Cameron D.A.'s line on this is that you are fine as long as you stay in your boat. I f you are harassed call the Game Wardens, Sheriff and Cameron D.A. they know whats going on and they are tired of it.

Here we go.........
 

First of all, in Cameron Parish, you are NOT required to have POSTED signs across your canals or land. Second, if it was his land, then why are you mad? I understand the whole children situation and close call with the boat, but it is still his land. It's the same as if he were to come to your house without your permission. You're right, he probably was rude and arrogant. Normally, he is. Actually, "his" land comes out into Black Lake several hundred feet. I know that if my boss caught someone in our duck marsh, which is accessible by public waterway, he would run them out with no hesitation. So, calling the sherrif's office or the DA would do no good. They'd just tell you the same thing I just stated, unless there were weapons involved. And chances are it was NOT Palermo or his peeps.

BD

It's not that he told them to get off. It is the dangerous way he did it.
Trying to scare kids don't sit well with most.

Yes, it would infuriate me, also. I was just letting him know abaout the "his" land issue. Snd to ask CCA for help is useless. They have no say so when it comes to private lands. Shouldn't even be a thought.

BD

a guy with the last name of Marcantel owns the private land in Black Lake Marsh. I believe his levee broke during one of the last 2 hurricanes. Another man named Barbe owns land on the north end of the salt ditch on the East side. The cameron parish school board owns land on the south side of the salt ditch on the west side entering into black lake. Not really sure where Palermos land is except that they once owned the old jeff murphy marsh on the north end of the salt ditch on the west side.

I know how them land owners feal, we have some marsh not far from there and people tresspass all the time. We quite kicking people out years ago cause it just got old exept during hunting season. Its not that we dont want them fishing its just come alligator season we have a bunch of hooks hanging all over the marsh and it could get dangerous plus people run all your birds out. Another reason is if im on my land running trails thru the marsh I dont wanta have to worry about someone eles running into me.

I'll be sure to go down to the courthouse and pull the property lines and know where to fish next time...***...how the hell are you to know where his property begins...sorry...but if you don't want them there put up a sign maybe half the people he threatened would not need to be threatened...

i know marcantel.he was a customer of mine.if he are his peeps did that to me are my kids it would be his LAST.i know people bigger than him.it would be my fn lake.take his guns and shove them.well you know.post the gps and i will find out who's land your own:pissed:

his name is curt.

I was introduced to this particular spot two years ago by a well respected local guide, he told me to come back and fish it and he didn't mind me knowing about his spot. For the last two years I have fished that very spot several times having great trips. I had no idea I was on someones land. Running on me like a criminal in front of my family was unacceptable. Clearly you know the guy to take this view. For you to think that someone being in my home is the same as someone drifting in a boat over something I think is my property is a laughable discussion. I also happen to own land in Cameron parish, waterfront land. I don't plan to run out in an airboat and endanger people to protect my redfish in my canal.

You understand the whole children situation but still it was his land? You must not have kids to make a statement like that.

Do I agree with landowners owning the water that is effected by the tide? No I do not and I realize the CCA is sitting on thier hands on this issue that in iteslf is an entirely different discussion. What can't happen at least in the United States of America (which includes Cameron Parish) is citizens policing each other the way these landowners are. A trained police officer would not have endangered my family and acted like this in front of my children. Don't worry about me, I will take my issue up with someone outside of the parish.

I own a business and have 30 employees, if one of my employees stole from me what would I do? The only thing I can do is document the theft and call the police. I can not imprison them or take action against them other than firing my employee. I am not the police. Soon I guess people will be getting pulled over by other normal citizens for speeding right? Why not, they did speed just like I was on his land?

It is only a matter of time before your buddy does this to the wrong guy or wrong family and someone gets hurt. Again, over a redfish. Considering the guy is spending Saturday evenings on a airboat running off fishermen, maybe the solution is just to get him a women. Based upon the looks of this guy it has probably been a while.

Exactly, had I known this was private land although I would still think it was a terrible law I would not have dragged my family across this guys land to go and "tresspass". Unfortuantly boatdriver is right about the actual law, signs do not have to be posted. This is another reason why we need to get the legislation changed.

Boatdriver it sounds like you're on the side of the IDIOT who loves to show how big of balls he has by beating his chest in front of kids. All i have to say is that i have a clue what spot this is and that either the land owner put up signs or this will not be the last incident. There is no way just by sight to know where his land is or not so unless there is signs this will continue and someone is going to get hurt.

Personally i would like to see if that would happen to a couple of guys without kids.

CKINCHEN, I agree with you that it was handled poorly and dangerously. Did you ask your well respected guide exactly where you were fishing and if it was public or private? He knew where he was and also knew he was Tresspassing. For him to give you permission to fish his spot is aiding an illegal activity. I would be just as pizzed at the Well Respected Guide as the azzhat in the Earboat.
On the same subject, how much land do you own? Keeping tresspassers off of private property is a daily battle for some. I know firsthand the kind of altercations that insue with tresspassers. If you don't have permission by the land owner,,, stay out, if you can't be sure where you are,,, stay out.
I will try to look up the Louisiana Supreme court decision that established the precedent for this issue. Yakem probably knows it chapter and verse so maybe he will chime in soon.

I have a half acre in Cameron, 60 acres in Livingston Parish, 10 and 2 acres in Harris County, Texas.

I have caught people ridding 4 wheelers on my land and doing other things but unless I make it my lifes mission I cannot police all of these tracts of land.

I put a fence up at my two houses and if someone came over the fence we would have an issue. I do not have a fence around the other properites that I own. If someone accidently wondered onto my property to be honest I probably woudln't care but if I did care I would tell them it was private property and ask them nicely not to come back. If they refused I woudl take a picture of them and their vehcile and turn them into the police.

My family at one time owned a very large percentage of the land in Livingson Parish, I watched my grandfatether spend most of his life fighting to keep people off of his land when he should have been enjoying his success.

If I were on these guys land and it sounds like I was, simply ask me to leave or put up a posted sign and I wouldn't have been there in the first place.

He could also have turned me into the police and I would be happy to have my attoreny talk to the Cameron D.A and or pay a fine.

There is no excuse for his actions or mine if I were tresspassing. My wrong does not make his actions a right.

As far as the law itself is concerned. As long as the landowners are the only people that the folks in Baton Rouge are hearing from the law will never change. The average fishermen does not have the money to fight most landowners. What we need is an organization that fights for us. The power is with the people. While one fishermen can't change the law, 1,000,000 fishermen in the state of Louisiana can if their voice is broadcast through one source.

I think it is a great idea. When is the first meeting and what are you thinking of calling the org.?

If I had to Guess it was Curt Marcantel ,he has a history of stupidity when it comes to his unmarked lines. I've heard several horror stories just like this that involved him. As the saying goes money is power. Hopefullly he will get stopped before any serious incidents happen.

i think he owns lakeland homes.i will never buy a home from him.do we have gps of were you were.money is power but sam colt has a remedy.

Wrong

Raymond please explain what I sm wrong about. Is it he owns Lakeland homes or money is power.

map for those who don't know...
 

Can someone show a map with the general area that is off limits?

Sulphite, want to go fishing??????

I say we all go fish there at the same time . Then let Mr Butthead try his scare tactics on a few boatloads of men . I would love to see the look on his fat face then.

You would be surprised how far a majority will get you these days (Tea Party);)

My boat is in Hackberry (with my GPS) and I can't tell from Google maps exactly where the spot is but I can tell you that if you enter Black Lake from the salt ditch you will come in on the south east side of the lake. If you go through the first pipe opening heading north and stay on a west north westerly course you will end up at the edge of the marsh at the end of the lake on the north western side. There is a small canal that runs through the marsh near the area I was fishing. The spot is farily well known as on weekends there are usually a couple of boats in the area. Right now there is a large piece of equipment that appears to be dredging the canal near the area I was fishing.

This area could very well be private property as it is not marked. There is still at least 1000 yards of water between where I was fishing and the actual shore.

It's simple...
 

First of all, I do have a 2 year old child. You might want to ask before you make assumptions. Second, learn the boundries. If you don't know, don't go. Tell, you what, I'll go to your lease in TX and kill me a few deer. Then, when you catch me on "your land or lease," you can run me out. But, when I get home, I'll call the DA, Sheriff's office, or whomever and try to get a law started for MY mistakes. Sound similar?

BD

Kinchen
 

You can learn a lot from what this gentleman is saying. Hey guys let's all go tresspass!!!!!

You're right, it won't be the last incident until the levee is finished. Then, there will be no more confusion. And, NO, he DOES NOT have to put up a sign. Read the law moron. Sounds like you are the IDIOT now.

BD