Field operations weekly report, 2008 January 13-19

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 13-19, 2008
This report is a broad sampling of events that have taken place in the past week, but does not include all actions taken by the Law Enforcement Section.

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
CARROLL COUNTY On Sunday, January 13, Cpl. Eric Brown responded to complaint of hunting without permission at the Snake Creek Reservoir. Cpl. Brown found three adults and one youth hunting ducks on a small pond adjacent to the reservoir. Licenses and equipment were checked and it was found that one subject was in possession of lead shot, one had no Georgia Waterfowl License and had not signed his federal duck stamp, and the other had also failed to sign his federal duck stamp. Upon further inspection, all subjects were found to be hunting waterfowl over bait. All subjects, excluding the youth, were charged with hunting waterfowl over bait and warned for the various other violations.
CATOOSA COUNTY On January 14th, Ranger McConkey spent the day at Ringgold High School allowing four classes to participate in the Laser Shot Program. Volunteer Instructor Chuck Williams teaches the Hunter Education course to his students at Ringgold High School and to add to their experience and learning, the students participated in different types of hunting scenarios through the Laser Shot Program. The students were able to hunt deer, hogs, ducks, and other game while learning about good hunting ethics. There were 80 to 100 students that participated throughout the day.
DADE COUNTY On January 14th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway presented two wildlife identification programs to the 4th grade classes at the Dade Co. Elementary School. A wildlife fur exhibit was used which assisted students recognize wildlife indigenous to Georgia. Students were taught to be familiar with certain wildlife habits and harmful diseases that these species may carry.
FANNIN COUNTY On January 19th Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Eddie Tompkins assisted the Fannin County Sheriff's Office with a call of subjects fighting at a residence. Three suspects were taken into custody at the residence and a fourth suspect was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

FULTON COUNTY On January 17th, at 2:30 am, RFC Bart Hendrix responded to a call from the Fulton County Police Department about a possible night hunting case. Once he arrived, Ranger Hendrix learned that Fulton County Police had approached a vehicle that was stuck in the woods near a construction site in Northeast Fulton County. After securing the occupants of the vehicle the officers located a rifle in the cab of the truck and two dead deer in the bed. Ranger Hendrix interviewed the three individuals about the events. All three men confessed to their respective role in the night hunting incident and completed written statements. The men were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
GILMER COUNTY On Saturday, January 19, 2008 Wildlife Technician Larry Ethridge, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, and RFC Eddie Tompkins participated in a Youth Squirrel Hunt on the Coosawattee WMA hosted by the Fightingtown Creek Chapter of the NWTF. Cpl. Elmore conducted a firearms safety presentation to the 15 participants. Despite the snow, all of the young hunters had a great experience.
WALKER COUNTY On January 19, 2008 CPL. Tommy Gentry assisted the Walker County Sheriff's Office by teaching the boating safety portion of the CHAMPS program at Gilbert Elementary School in LaFayette. CHAMPS is a Georgia Sheriff's Association sponsored program for 5th graders. It stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety. In last month Cpl. Gentry taught the hunter's safety portion of the CHAMPS program to Gilbert Elementary School and North LaFayette Elementary School.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On January 13th RFC Eddie Tompkins patrolled Mill Creek where he issued two citations for fishing without a license.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY On Jan.18 Cpl. Craig Fulghum found a large pile of trash dumped on a dirt road in Franklin County. Someone had cleaned out a refrigerator and dumped all the old food. He found a prescription bottle from a veterinary clinic with the name "Kermit". Fulghum was able to track down the violator by cross matching the prescription number at the local veterinary clinic and get the address of the violator. The subject was charged with unlawful dumping.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
MCDUFFIE COUNTY Region III Rangers were requested to assist with security at a murder trial after the McDuffie Co. Sheriffs Office received threats of violence directed toward the defendant. The trial began on January 15 and ended on January 18. Sgt. Brian Carter, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Sgt. Mark Padgett, Cpl. Ben Payne, RFC Brian Adams, RFC Leroy Ficklin, RFC Philip Nelson, RFC Bobby Timmerman, Wildlife Tech Mark Patterson and Ranger Richard Tanner participated in the detail.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On January 19, RFC Brian Adams and Sgt. Mark Padgett responded to a previously located baited pond to check for hunting activity. At first light shots were heard coming from the area. Seven (7) hunters were located in the baited area. Citations were issued to all hunters for hunting ducks over bait. One hunter was cited for hunting with an unplugged shotgun, one was cited for hunting without a license, and two hunters were warned for failure to sign federal duck stamp. RFC Adams located the baited pond on December 15. Between the date of discovery and the date of contact RFC Adams enlisted the assistance of Cpl Brian Hobbins, Cpl Ryan Swain, RFC Bobby Timmerman and Sgt Doyte Chaffin to insure that the area was worked daily.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On January 13, 2008 Sergeant Russ Ramsey and Corporal Wanda Roberts conducted a extensive hunting investigation off Martian Girls Road in Coweta County. Diagrams, measurements and interviews of the victim and shooter were documented and recorded. The findings of the hunting incident report will be forwarded to the Coweta County District Attorney for finalization of possible pending charges.
HEARD COUNTY On January 15, 2008, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and RFC Shawn Clark were checking fishing activity at boat ramps on the upper end of West Point Lake near Hwy. 100 in Franklin GA. At about 3:00 pm an aluminum Jon boat with three occupants came back to the ramp. The two Rangers met the boat at the ramp and spoke with the occupants who indicated they had caught a limit of crappie and were now leaving. The boat was taken out of the water and 89 crappie were counted, one crappie short of the three persons limit. Rangers had earlier noticed a large cooler behind the passenger seat of the subjects extra cab truck. Cpl. Bradfield asked the truck owner if he could look in the cooler that was in the truck. Rangers located 90 more crappie in this cooler. Cpl. Bradfield asked the subjects about the fish, and they indicated they had caught the crappie earlier that day and put them in the vehicle. All three subjects were charged with possession of over the limit of fish. The 179 crappies and the cooler used to conceal the fish were confiscated. The

crappie were donated to a shelter in LaGrange, GA. The cases are pending in Heard County Probate Court.
HENRY COUNTY On January 18, 2008 RFC Kevin Godbee, RFC Travis Sweat and Kevin Kramer of Game Management performed an inspection of a deer farming facility in north Henry County. Several violations were noted including improper fencing, no proper watering area for the animals, and one fallow deer running loose on the premises. The Rangers findings were forwarded to the Ga. Dept. of Agriculture for further investigation. Charges will be made if the violations are not corrected in a reasonable amount of time.
HARRIS COUNTY On Friday, January 18, 2008 while on routine patrol, Cpl. Brent Railey checked a duck pond in northwest Harris County for bait. He found some cut up sweet potatoes in the pond. On Saturday, January 19, 2008 Cpl. Railey and RFC Shawn Clark were in the area listening at legal shooting hours and heard some shooting from the swamp. They went to the pond and met two hunters from the local area. They had killed one merganser between the two of them, which Cpl. Railey confiscated. They were both issued citations for hunting ducks over bait. The hunter that killed the merganser was warned for possession of illegally taken wildlife, and the other hunter was cited for hunting with lead shot and warned for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Several lead shot shells were taken for evidence. The case is pending in Harris County Probate Court.
JONES COUNTY On January 19, 2008 RFC Chad Welch responded to a complaint of hunting without permission in Jones County. The hunters were gone upon arrival, but RFC Welch was able to locate the area that had been hunted. RFC Welch located numerous dead ducks on the water, bait in the swamp and lead shot shell hulls on the ground. After investigating this incident for several hours RFC Welch charged two subjects with hunting without permission, hunting waterfowl over bait, taking over the bag limit, hunting waterfowl with lead shot, hunting with unplugged shotgun and hunting without the required licenses. Both subjects were cited to the Probate Court in Jones County on March 11, 2008.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
THOMAS COUNTY On January 15, 2008, Ranger David Brady received an in-progress night hunting call on Patten Speedway Road in Thomas County. The complainant advised Ranger Brady of the vehicle description and direction of travel. With the assistance of the Georgia State Patrol, Ranger Brady made a stop on the vehicle and determined the subjects were hunting deer at night. Both subjects in the vehicle were charged with the hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.

TIFT COUNTY On January 18, 2008, Corporal Tommy Daughtrey located an after hour duck shoot and checked several hunters as they exited the pond. Four citations were issued for hunting waterfowl after hours, one citation for hunting with unplugged shotgun and several warnings were issued for lead shot violations.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY January 13, 2008, RFC Ben Roberts was checking a complaint area for waterfowl violations when three subjects were located shooting a roost pond. RFC Roberts issued three citations for hunting waterfowl after hours and a warning for hunting without a license.
STEWART COUNTY On January 13, 2008, Cpl. Steve Robinson investigated a plume of black smoke in the Louvale area and discovered several subjects burning tires. The landowner took responsibility for the illegal activity and a citation was issued.
QUITMAN COUNTY January 19, 2008, Cpl. B.J. Foster conducted an open water waterfowl patrol on Lake Walter F. George. Cpl. Foster issued two citations for hunting without a license, one citation for failure to obey regulatory marker (no wake zone), and one warning for hunting without Georgia waterfowl license.
EARLY COUNTY January 17, 2008, RFC Jeff Phillips and RFC Jim Atchley attended a Nuclear Disaster Training Session at the GEMA facility in the Early County Sheriff's Office. This training is an annual event for all agencies that would be called on to respond in case of an incident at the Farley Nuclear Plant on the Chattahoochee River.
SEMINOLE COUNTY January 19, 2008, RFC Tony Cox responded to a boating incident on Lake Seminole. At approximately 11:00 pm, a 14 ft. johnboat occupied by 2 duck hunters was swamped by a wave after the motor stalled. The boat sank forcing the hunters to swim to a nearby island where they were rescued approximately 5 hours later.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On January 19, 2008 Cpl Johnny Ashe, RFC Rodney Horne and Fisheries Tech Dan Stiles set up and conducted the laser-shot, archery and general wildlife programs to the guests and youth for Gresston Baptist Church. The Gresston Baptist Church held it's 2nd annual "Wild Game Day" and with the assistance of Georgia's DNR, is attempting to reach out to the surrounding citizens to bring fun, fellowship and safety issues to the public while hosting a wild game supper for the attendees. This year's crowd exceeded 250 people and is expected to continue each year.

CLINCH COUNTY On January 15, 2008, Cpl. Gary Simmons assisted Clinch County Sheriff Office with a traffic checkpoint in Fargo, GA at the intersections of GA 94 and US 441. Two subjects were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Both subjects were arrested and taken to Clinch County Jail.
CHARLTON COUNTY On January 16, 2008, Cpl. Gary Simmons assisted Game Management personnel with inspecting fox pens in Charlton County. Three fox pens were inspected with few violations found. Verbal guidance was given for having too many animals in pens.
PIERCE COUNTY On January 18, 2008, Cpl. Gary Simmons assisted Game Management personnel with inspecting fox pens in Pierce County. Five fox pens were inspected and few violations found. Verbal guidance was issued for not having records and having too many animals in pens.
EVANS COUNTY On Wednesday, January 16, RFC Debbie Brannen along with officers from DNR Game Management and the office of special permits inspected two fox pens in Evans County. One fox pen owner was given verbal guidance on record keeping. The other fox pen had no violations noted.
BULLOCH COUNTY On January 13, 2008 Cpl. Dave Sims tracked and located a deer hunter on private land in southwest Bulloch County. This hunter was under the age of 17 and not wearing the required fluorescent orange clothing. The hunter was escorted from the woods, issued a warning and released at the scene.
CANDLER COUNTY On Sunday, January 13, 2008 Sgt Donny Peebles, RFC Jamey O'Brien and RFC Clint Jarriel were patrolling for deer dog hunters in western Candler County along Hwy 46 in the Oak Park area. RFC O'Brien caught a deer dog running deer on non-permitted property and issued the dog owner a warning for allowing dogs on non-permitted property.
TATTNALL COUNTY On Wednesday, 16, January 2008, RFC Clint Jarriel, Cpl Jon Barnard, Biologist Todd Nims and Wildlife Tech III Bobby Sanders inspected Fox pens in Tattnall Co. No violations were detected.
EMANUEL COUNTY On Friday, January 18, 2008, RFC Danielle Partin, Biologist Todd Nims and Wildlife Tech III inspected fox pens. No violations were detected.

TRUETLEN COUNTY On Friday, January 18, RFC Danielle Partin, Biologist Todd Nims and Wildlife Tech III Bobby Sanders inspected fox pens. No violations were detected.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On Thursday, January 17, 2008 RFC Danielle Partin traveled to the State Capital for the governor's outdoor day and operated the laser shot and fishing simulator with Cpl Eric Sanders and Sgt Danny Crook.
BACON COUNTY On Saturday January 12, 2008, Corporal Jimmy Williams was working a night hunting complaint when he observed a spotlight being shined from a vehicle. Upon stopping the vehicle, he discovered it was a golf cart and the subjects had a .22 caliber rifle. Two male subjects were cited for hunting rabbits at night and hunting from a vehicle.
On Saturday January 19, 2008, Corporal Jimmy Williams met with members of the Georgia Trappers Association during their annual meeting and trapping competition. The event drew trappers from all over the state. The members held a trapping competition in Bacon County with each trapper trapping a designated tract of land. The event was shortened by the rain but provided an opportunity for DNR Law Enforcement and the Trapper's Association members to come together.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On Sunday 1-13-08, USGC Station Tybee requested assistance with illegal hunters on an island upriver from their station on Tybee Island. Cpl. Jay Morgan, Cpl Cindy Miller and Ranger Buster Cooper responded. Seven individuals were issued a total of 14 citations ranging from hunting without permission, hunting deer without fluorescent orange clothing and hunting without licenses. In addition three deer were confiscated.
During this past week two companies that were investigated by Cpl. Bill Bryson and Ranger Buster Cooper for illegal dumping came to a resolution. Georgia DNR's Environmental Protection Division, who assisted Ranger Cooper and Cpl. Bryson advised that one company paid $5,000 while the other company paid $20,000 to the State for their violations.
LONG COUNTY On 01-13-08 while checking a dogging hunting complaint, Cpl. Bobby White noticed two individuals walking across a field. One was carrying a rifle and neither were wearing an orange vest. Cpl White approached the two and they said they were checking some traps that they had set to catch coyotes. Neither had a trapping license or a choke stick but they did have the 22 cal. rim-fire rifle. Two citations were issued for trapping w/o a license and two warnings for failure to carry a choke stick

On 01-15-08 RFC Randy Aspinwall responded to a dog hunting complaint on Hwy 196. 8 hunters were checked and one was written a citation for hunting from a public road.
GLYNN COUNTY January 13-19, 2008, RFC Mark Carson assisted in instructing students in the 27th Basic Ranger School in the use of firearms and the use of deadly force at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Georgia.