Field operations weekly report, 2008 January 20-26

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 20-26, 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 Saturday, January 26, Sgt. Danny Crook and Cpl. Eric Brown worked with the staff at John Tanner State Park and the Boy Scouts from Carroll and Haralson Counties to build Wood Duck boxes. The boxes were built at the state park and will be erected at various sites around Carroll and Haralson Counties.
FANNIN COUNTY On January 24th and 25th, DNR Law Enforcement Conservation Rangers and Game Management Wildlife Technicians, in conjunction with US Forest Service Officers, GBI, FBI, and Fannin County Sheriff's deputies, searched US Forest Service property and Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area for the body of a suspected murder victim.
POLK COUNTY On January 24, RFC Chad Cox conducted a wildlife identification program as part of Cool Science Night held at Eastside Elementary School in Rockmart. Furs, skulls, and various mounts of wildlife indigenous to Georgia were used to assist the students in the identification. RFC Cox gave participants wildlife identification booklets and provided them with educational facts about the various animals. Over four hundred students and parents attend this event.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
GWINNETT COUNTY While working on a trapping investigation in Gwinnett County, Ranger Pamela Garrison and Corporal Eric Sanders began to investigate a taxidermist in Dacula. During the investigation numerous animals were found without tags and no records of where most of the animals came from. At this point, Sgt. Lee Brown was called in because the circumstances of the investigation may reach into other states. However, the taxidermist was charged with failure to maintain records and failure to tag animals.
On January 12, 2008, Cpl. Eric Sanders received a complaint about a dog that had been caught in a trap in Gwinnett County. On January 13, Cpl. Sanders located the traps and began working the traps that also had a red fox in one of the trap sites. On January 14, Cpl. Sanders was assisted by Ranger Pamela Garrison to watch and wait for the traps to be checked. Cpl. Sanders was able to locate a tag on the trap that the dog had been in. The name came back to a subject that was caught eleven months earlier trapping illegally in Gwinnett County. The subject was charged with failure to inspect traps within a 24 hour period and trapping without written permission.

On January 14, 2008, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Ranger Pamela Garrison also recovered a black bear hide illegally traded. The subject had a taxidermy license and in his record book was a transaction with a black bear from Minnesota. The subject had traded a 45 cal. black power rifle to a subject in Minnesota for a black bear hide and skull. Cpl. Sanders seized the bear hide and skull for evidence and the subject was charged with illegally trading of bear parts.
FORSYTH COUNTY On Friday, January 25, 2008, Ranger Pamela Garrison and Sgt. Lee Brown were called to the US Army Corps of Engineers office to investigate a baited deer stand on government property. USACOE Ranger Jason Couch took Ranger Garrison and Sergeant Brown to the area. When they arrived, the suspect was in the blind. The man was charged with hunting without permission and warned for hunting over bait.
JACKSON COUNTY On Saturday January 26, 2008, Sergeant Mike Burgamy and Ranger First Class Tim Vickery were working a roost shoot on a swamp in Jackson County. Approximately ten minutes after sunset, the Rangers heard shooting and drove down to the swamp where they encountered two hunters. One of the hunters had killed a goose. He was charged with hunting migratory game birds after legal hours and warned for possession of lead shot. The other hunter was charged with hunting migratory game birds after legal hours and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. He was also warned for possession of lead shot, hunting without a Federal waterfowl stamp, and hunting without a Georgia waterfowl stamp.
MADISON COUNTY On January 20, RFC Shane Sartor investigated a hunting accident in Madison County that involved an 18 year old being shot. According to the victim, he was in the process of leaning a shotgun on a fence he was crossing and it discharged striking him in his right hand and right eye.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On January 26, Cpl Bill Bunch assisted the Georgia Department of Agriculture with a follow-up inspection on a pet store in Royston that sells snakes. The store was found to have some unsanitary cages a few weeks ago and told by the Dept. of Agriculture to clean them up. The follow up inspection found more unsanitary conditions. The store owner was cited for violations involving his record books and for unsanitary conditions involving snake cages.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LINCOLN COUNTY On January 25, 2008 Cpl. Ryan Swain investigated a complaint of unlawful dumping in Lincoln County. He located a total of 42 scrap tires. Swain recovered information from one of the retread tires that lead to a confession from the business owner. One citation for unlawful dumping was issued.

ELBERT COUNTY Cpls. Greg Colson and Julian Wilkens spent much of January 26th and 27th investigating two separate incidents. The first was an unreported hunting incident that occurred on November 25th, 2007. The hunter fell from a tree and sustained a broken back, five broken ribs, left shoulder injuries, broken wrist and fingers and a collapsed lung. The second incident was a boating incident on Lake Russell where two boaters were ejected from their vessel into the water. The vessel was estimated to be traveling at a speed of 55 mph. Both subjects received minor injuries.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY Six officers have been involved with training at the 27th Georgia Conservation Ranger School. These officers were the instructors for various blocks of instruction including physical training, P.T. assessment, firearm training, and judgmental simulations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
PUTNAM COUNTY On January 21, 2008 Cpl. Lynn Stanford was checking squirrel hunters on the Piedmont National Forest in Putnam County. One person checked was hunting without license and had an arrest warrant issued for him out of Walton County. Cpl. Stanford took the subject into custody on the warrant and charged the man with hunting without license.
BLECKLEY COUNTY On January 25, 2008 RFC Tim Butler and Wildlife Technician Randy Wood encountered four subjects unlawfully collecting artifacts on Ocmulgee WMA. Upon investigation, it was discovered that one of the subjects was in possession of drug related paraphernalia and crystal methamphetamine. Additionally, it was learned that the subjects had opened a closed gate in order to access the area and that at least one of the four subjects had previously been charged with unlawfully collecting artifacts on a WMA. All four subjects were taken into custody and transported to the local sheriff's office where they were charged with unlawful collection of artifacts on state owned or controlled property. One subject was charged with going around a device intended to prevent vehicular access, and one subject was charged for possession of crystal methamphetamine.
JONES COUNTY On January 26, 2008 RFC Chad Welch checked two waterfowl hunters in Jones County who were found to be using lead shot shells. One hunter was hunting with an unplugged shotgun, and one did not have the required licenses. Three citations and one warning were issued for the hunters to appear in the Jones County Probate Court on March 11, 2008.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BROOKS COUNTY On Sunday, January 20, 2008, RFC Jon Penuel and Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey where conducting waterfowl operations along the Withlacoochee River when they detected an after hours waterfowl shoot. The officers set up surveillance of the area and apprehended two hunters a short time later. The subjects were charged with hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting w/o a license, and hunting w/o federal waterfowl stamps and issued warnings for hunting w/o Georgia waterfowl license, and hunting waterfowl with illegal ammunition. The operator of the vessel was also warned for operating a vessel with insufficient lifejackets and operating a vessel w/o lights during hours of darkness.
THOMAS COUNTY RFC David Brady, in conjunction with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission and the USFWS, organized a concentrated waterfowl detail to address waterfowl resource issues along the Georgia/Florida line in the Thomasville/Tallahassee area. RFC Brady coordinated Georgia's part of the operation by planning, coordinating and directing officers to specific areas of concern. Activity noted in Thomas County alone, included compliance checks on 6 duck ponds, 33 waterfowl hunters, and the apprehension of an after hours duck roost shoot. In all, a total of 14 waterfowl violations were documented covering state and federal license violations, bag limit violations, and hunting waterfowl after hours.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On Friday, January 25, 2008, RFC Jeff Phillips located a house that had been demolished and set on fire in Seminole County. The subject that was responsible for the fire was cited for unlawful burning of waste.
GRADY COUNTY On Saturday, January 26, 2008, RFC Mike Binion and Sgt. Rick Sellars apprehended three subjects shooting a duck roost in Grady County. All three subjects were charged with hunting ducks after legal hours and hunting ducks over bait. One subject was also warned for hunting waterfowl without a Georgia waterfowl license and hunting with an unsigned federal duck stamp.
QUITMAN COUNTY Cpl. B.J. Foster along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officers from the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge conducted joint waterfowl patrols on Lake Walter F. George. Cpl. Foster issued one citation for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness, and one warning for hunting without Georgia waterfowl license.
STEWART COUNTY On the night of January 26, 2008, Sgt. Butch Potter was conducting a patrol to address ongoing thefts and vandalism problems at Florence Marina State Park. At approximately 8 p.m. he noticed a person walking away from the vicinity of the parking fee pay box at the boat ramp. Sgt. Potter recognized the subject as a probationer who is banned from the

park for prior arrests for theft. Sgt. Potter identified himself and ordered the subject to stop, at which time the subject fled into the nearby woods. A check of the pay box showed it had been recently tampered with and the money collected was missing. Arrest warrants were taken for criminal trespass and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On Friday, January 25, 2008, Captain Jeff Swift, Sgt. Danny Bishop, RFC Al Greer and RFC Ben Roberts participated in the "Mike Commander Big Buck Contest" and the "MSA Safe Hunter of the Year Contest" sponsored by local physicians at Musculoskeletal Associates in Albany Georgia. According to Dr. Dan Webb, the contest coordinator, "The contest to promote hunter safety among young hunters was conceived by Dr. Phillip Hajek and former DNR Captain Mike Commander after they discussed the increased incidence of injuries related to falls from deer stands". Unfortunately, Captain Commander passed away before their plans could be realized. Dr. Hajek and the DNR staff choose to go forward with the original event and also honor Captain Commander and his commitment to wildlife conservation. Steven Harden, age ten, of Dawson Georgia was the winner of the "Mike Commander Big Buck Contest" with an impressive ten point buck. For his win Steven was awarded a John Deere Gator ATV. Cameron Williams, age 14, of Albany was the winner of the "MSA Safe Hunter of the Year Contest" and received a .243 Remington rifle and scope. DNR Captain Jeff Swift had this to say of the event, "It is an honor to be associated with those at MSA which recognize the importance of wildlife conservation, and more importantly, are willing to invest in our youth." He added, "The key to future success in the field of conservation lies within our youth, and the staff at MSA has demonstrated its commitment to this belief."
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On January 26, 2007 Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted inspections of four licensed taxidermy businesses in Effingham County. Of these businesses, two were found to be in violation of the wildlife tagging and record keeping requirements. Both businesses were issued written warnings and the Rangers explained all the license requirements in detail to the owner/operators.
WARE COUNTY On January 25, 2008, an individual approached Ranger First Class Brad Cox with questions about lawfully hunting ducks. He stated that he and several friends were going to shoot ducks the following evening in the Southwood community and he wanted to be legal. RFC Cox explained the license requirements and legal shooting hours for ducks.
On Saturday, January 26, 2008, RFC Brad Cox and Corporal Damon Winters went to the Southwood area to listen for after hours duck hunting. Legal shooting hours ended at sunset on January 26, at 5:57 p.m. At approximately 6:15 p.m., RFC Cox and CPL Winters heard a volley of shotgun shots coming from a pond close to their location. As the Rangers moved in, shots continued to ring out. Voices could be heard amongst the

shots "Low bird, coming at you, behind you". The individuals in the pond were also calling each other by name. It was determined the there were approximately five individuals shooting ducks in this pond. RFC Cox and Cpl Winters split up to move in on the violators. The shooting continued until approximately 6:35 p.m. and then the persons in the pond began to look for their ducks. The rangers stood by and observed the individuals picking up their ducks and walking out of the pond, where the Rangers then revealed themselves. Ducks were confiscated and citations and warnings were made on five individuals for hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without federal duck stamp, possession of unlawfully taken wildlife, hunting without GA waterfowl license, possession of over the daily bag limit, and hunting with unplugged gun. The individual with the questions about duck hunting from the evening before was not among the hunters.
EVANS COUNTY On January 28, 2008, RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. Dave Sims conducted an inspection of a Commercial Quail Breeder. The Breeder was found to be in violation of license requirements and permit violations. A written warning was issued at the scene. The breeder was informed in detail of the law requirements.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On Jan. 26, 2008, RFC Barry Britt and Sgt. Keith Byers charged four subjects with hunting waterfowl after hours, and several hunting licenses violations. Further investigation of the hunting area shortly after daylight on Jan. 27, 2008 revealed that the pond was baited with wheat and 4 citations for hunting ducks over bait were issued to those hunters later in the day.
On Wednesday, January 23rd, Cpl. Gary Simmons and K-9 partner Jake assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with a murder investigation. Cpl. Simmons used Jake to search for and find evidence along US Hwy. 221.
BULLOCH COUNTY On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Cpl. Eddie Akins attended a career day program at the Southeast Bulloch High School. The FFA chapter at SEB high school sponsored the career day event. Officer Akins spoke to about fifty students from Stilson Elementary School about his job and the duties of his job.
On Thursday January 24, 2008, Cpl. Eddie Akins attended a meeting of the Bulloch County Dog Hunters Association. At the meeting Cpl. Akins discussed the seasons activity in regards to dog hunting. The number of complaints pertaining to dog hunting was covered and the number of violations that had been documented in the form of cases and warnings were discussed. Cpl. Akins also spoke briefly about the recent fox pen inspections and the results of these inspections.

TATTNALL COUNTY On January 25, 2008, RFC Joe Hilton used his training as a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) operator along with GPS helicopter pilot Sgt. Jeff Rhodes in training exercises that also included dog handlers from the Georgia Department of Corrections. Several scenarios were performed that tested new equipment used for air searches.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On January 26, 2008, Cpl. Bobby White presented an information and education program to members and guests at Oak Hill Baptist Church in Brantley County for their annual Men's Wildlife Supper. Cpl. White set up and used the Laser shot system at the event where there were over 100 people in attendance. There were also other activities such as pig catching, archery competition, sheet shooting and log sawing. There was mule deer, whitetail deer, bear, quail, and wild hog served at the supper.