Field operations weekly report, 2008 December 14-20

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 14-20, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Byron Young assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a vehicle that ran off the road during a heavy rain on Highway 140 near Adairsville. The driver had minor injuries. Ranger Young pulled the vehicle out of a ditch and assisted the driver with getting medical attention. GSP worked the accident upon their arrival.
On December 20th, Sgt. Mike Barr and Cpl. Chip Cox closed an investigation that started back in September on Alford Road in north Bartow County. The rangers received a complaint involving hunting w/o permission, night hunting, and thefts of deer stands and a trail camera. While on foot-patrol in the area in November, Sgt. Barr and Cpl. Cox located a man hunting deer w/o fluorescent orange. A trail camera was tied to a tree next to his stand. The camera was the same type as reported stolen. The rangers realizing that the trail camera came with straps for attachment, they seized the camera and downloaded the pictures. The pictures identified the owner of the camera walking up to check the camera in August and had pictures of the camera being stolen on September 22nd, at 11:30 PM. The investigation revealed wildlife violations involving an illegally taken bobcat and an eight-point deer. Confessions were obtained from suspects involved in the thefts. Citations were issued for the wildlife violations and arrest warrants are pending for the theft of the deer stands and trail camera. All stands and camera will be returned to their rightful owners.
CARROLL COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Eric Brown located a suspect hunting deer over bait in Villa Rica. The subject was also found to be hunting without fluorescent orange. He was cited for hunting big game over bait and given a warning for hunting without fluorescent orange.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC Byron Young completed an information and education program at Creekside High School. The program focused on safety while in the activities of hunting, boating, and water sports. Over 60 teens attended and had a lot of questions regarding laws and about the job of a conservation ranger.
FANNIN COUNTY On December 20th, Ranger Cody Jones checked an area where baited deer stands had previously been located. Ranger Jones located one juvenile and one adult, both of which were hunting over bait and hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. The adult was charged with hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Verbal guidance was given to the juvenile.

GILMER COUNTY On December 14th, Sgt. John VanLandingham issued a deer hunter a citation for hunting without the required fluorescent orange. The hunter was also issued a warning.
HARALSON COUNTY On December 19th, Sgt. Danny Crook and Cpl. Eric Brown were patrolling Haralson County for subjects hunting deer at night. A vehicle was stopped for hunting at night and after an investigation, two subjects were charged for hunting coyotes from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle.
On December 20th, Sgt. Danny Crook was patrolling Haralson County for subjects hunting deer at night. Two subjects were taken into custody for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl Casey Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins cited a deer hunter for hunting big game over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife for a deer that he killed over the baited area.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On December 13th, Cpl. Jason Roberson was answering a complaint of someone shooting a house. During the investigation, Cpl. Roberson encountered the subject that had shot. The subject had killed a deer and was hunting over bait. Cpl. Roberson issued citations and warnings for hunting big game over bait, possession of illegally taken wildlife and failure to record deer harvest. The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is handling the shooting the house part of the investigation.
On December 20th, Cpl. Jason Roberson held his annual Youth Squirrel Hunt. The hunt was conducted on Dawson Forest WMA with the assistance from RFC Mitchell Crump, RFC Pamela Garrison and National Wild Turkey Federation volunteers. There were a total of 34 kids in attendance with 11 squirrels harvested. Every kid in attendance was given a pocketknife, fishing pole and a hat.
HALL COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Mitchell Crump received a complaint of hunting without permission. After meeting with the landowner and finding the hunter a citation was issued for hunting without permission.

On December 15th, RFC Mitchell Crump was investigating an illegal trash dump that was found the previous day. Articles were found with evidence of who dumped the trash. RFC Crump was then able to locate the subject and issued a citation for littering.
On December 20th, RFC Eric Isom received a call from Hall County requesting assistance for Flowery Branch Police Officers. A worker at an industrial complex had seen someone on a power line right of way possibly hunting without permission. The suspect was hunting from a ground blind with a 12-gauge shotgun. There was also corn, fruit loops, and apples approximately 25 yards away. The officers approached from behind the hunter and ordered him to show his hands. As he raised his hands up, he dropped a water pipe (bong) that he was smoking at the time. The water pipe contained a substance that looked and smelled like marijuana. The suspect also had in his possession a cellophane bag containing suspected marijuana. Field sobriety was performed on the suspect and he was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center to obtain a blood sample under the Georgia Implied Consent Law. The suspect was transported to the Hall County Detention Center for processing and RFC Isom was able to obtain the subject's criminal history report from the Georgia State Patrol Post in Gainesville, verifying that the subject was a convicted felon. The subject received citations for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, possession of drug related objects, hunting under the influence, hunting without a license, hunting without fluorescent orange and hunting big game over bait. Case is pending in Hall County Superior Court.
RABUN COUNTY On December 15th, Corporal Derek Dillard received a call from North Carolina Wildlife Officer Edwin Grant that he had a subject in custody that had been involved in the illegal killing of deer in Georgia. Corporal's Derek Dillard and Buddy Lovell went to Franklin North Carolina and interviewed the subject about his hunting activities in Georgia. The subject confessed to killing 3 bucks in Georgia this season without any Georgia hunting licenses. The officers charged the subject for: Non-resident hunting without a license, non-resident hunting without a big game license, and possession of illegally taken wildlife and seized 3 deer racks. The officers identified another subject from North Carolina who had also killed a buck in GA this season without any hunting licenses and are currently trying to locate him so they can file additional charges on that subject.
On December 19th and 20th, during the hours just before and after midnight, Corporal Derek Dillard received a call that someone had been night deer hunting in the Persimmon area. Cpl. Dillard received another call from a landowner in the same area stating that when he got home, he saw someone drive out of his pastures at a high rate of speed. The landowner stopped the vehicle to inform the driver that he was on private property. While talking to the driver of the vehicle and the female passenger, the landowner saw a gun in the front seat of the vehicle. The landowner got the vehicle description and tag number and contacted Cpl. Dillard with this information. Cpl. Dillard ran the tag number to get the owners name and address. Cpl. Dillard and Rabun County Deputy Chad Nichols went to the subject's home, found the vehicle in the driveway, and noticed a spotlight and 2 rifles in the front of the vehicle. Upon interviewing the subject and his girlfriend, it was

determined that they had been spotlighting for deer. Corporal Dillard arrested and charged the male subject for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
MADISON COUNTY On December 16th, RFC Shane Sartor was checking an area that had been reported as baited for deer. While checking the area, he noticed a hunter inside an enclosed box stand. He also noticed that the area around the hunter was baited. The hunter was charged for hunting over bait and warned for hunting without fluorescent orange.
On December 20th, RFC Shane Sartor heard a duck shoot going on in the Harrison community. Sartor called Sgt. Stan Elrod to advise him of the shoot and then waded into the swamp and started checking hunters. Sgt. Elrod arrived and also checked some of the hunters. The hunters had killed nine wood ducks. Sgt. Elrod and RFC Sartor found corn in the swamp that had been thrown out. Violations included hunting over bait, hunting with unplugged gun, hunting without federal waterfowl stamps, hunting without license, and hunting without Georgia waterfowl license.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OCONEE COUNTY On December 18th, RFC Nick Jenkins was working a night hunting complaint in Oconee County. At approximately 9:30 pm, a vehicle came by his location and shined a spotlight in the area he was working. The vehicle was stopped and it was determined that the subject was hunting deer at night. The subject was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
WARREN COUNTY On December 20th, RFC Brian Adams and RFC Bobby Timmerman checked baited deer stands on a club where feeders had been located. The officers found two subjects hunting on the property. One subject was cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting without orange. The second subject was not hunting any of the baited stands.
On December 20th, RFC Brian Adams completed an ongoing investigation related to a hunting without permission complaint. After a two month investigation the officer cited two subjects for hunting without permission in addition to one of the subjects for hunting big game over bait.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins responded to a call for assistance from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. At Approximately 6:00 pm an autistic male subject had wandered away from a residence and could not be located. Cpl. Hobbins assisted with the three-hour search, which included a GSP helicopter with FLIR and 20 deputies. The subject was eventually located in a wooded area near the residence.

On December 17th, RFC Bobby Timmerman was on routine patrol near Pollards corner. A vehicle passed the officer in a "no passing" zone at a high rate of speed. RFC Timmerman initiated a traffic stop on the reckless driver. In addition to the traffic charges the subject was in possession of 9 grams of marijuana. RFC Timmerman turned the subject over to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office narcotics officers.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On December 18th, at approximately 9pm, Ranger Adam Jacobs responded to a night hunting incident off of Fincher Road in Coweta County where he found a freshly dumped deer carcass. After a thorough 2-day investigation conducted by Ranger Adam Jacobs, Corp. Wanda Roberts and Sgt. Russell Ramsey which involved several witness statements and the questioning of several individuals; no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence.
HENRY COUNTY On December 19th, RFC Kevin Godbee, RFC Travis Sweat and Sgt. Russ Ramsey ended a two week long night hunting investigation that was received on 12/04/2008. After an intense investigation, two subjects were identified and charged with hunting deer at night and one for interference with a Rangers duties.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the morning of December 19th, RFC Chad Welch was patrolling the Oconee National Forest when he located a hunter exiting the woods and entering a pickup truck parked near the road. RFC Welch checked the hunter's license and informed the subject that deer season was closed on the area. RFC Welch radioed for assistance and Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Wildlife Tech III Freddy Hayes responded to the scene. After obtaining consent, the officers searched the hunter's vehicle and located a large amount of drugs including marijuana. The subject was arrested and charged with 4 felony drug charges, one misdemeanor drug charge and one felony charge of possession of a firearm in commission of a crime.
On the morning of December 21st, Corporal Bubba Stanford was patrolling the area of Godfrey Road when he observed three men dressed in camouflage and carrying firearms walking towards a house. Cpl. Stanford entered the property and as he approached the house he could only see two men. Cpl. Stanford located 3 shotguns nearby and the third subject in the house. Further investigation by Cpl. Stanford and RFC Welch led to one subject being charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, hunting big game without a license and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. One of the other hunters was charged for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
WORTH COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Al Greer discovered a baited dove-shoot taking place and charged 21 people with hunting over bait. One hunter was also issued a warning for hunting without license. All charges were placed in federal court and 90 doves were confiscated.
BROOKS COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Jon Penuel responded to a citizen complaint of a deer being held in the yard of a residence. Penuel located the house and discovered a young buck being held by the residents. After advising the residents of the dangers of keeping a deer as a pet, Penuel removed and transported it to a local wildlife rehabilitator.
THOMAS COUNTY On December 15th, RFC David Brady was patrolling an isolated dirt road near the Ochlocknee River. An unoccupied Ford Explorer with no tag was discovered parked in an area where Brady had assisted landowners with prior trespass issues. While investigating the suspicious vehicle, three shots were fired in the woods nearby. Brady continued his surveillance of the area and observed three men exit the woods and leave in the truck. Upon stopping the vehicle to investigate the men's activities, Brady determined the driver to be impaired from marijuana usage. The driver was arrested for DUI and possession of marijuana. One of the passengers was also cited for possession of marijuana.
MITCHELL COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Randy Davis was following-up on a landowner's complaint of "hunting w/o permission" when he located two suspects on the property. After a brief investigation both were cited for hunting without permission.
On December 19th, RFC Randy Davis was working a night deer hunting complaint when he observed a handheld light being shined from the road. A short time later, a dirt bike passed his location with no lights on. Davis stopped the motorcycle and found that the subject had outstanding warrants from Gilmer County. The subject was arrested and turned over to the Mitchell County Sheriff's office.
CRISP COUNTY On December 20th, after hearing shotgun blasts along Swift Creek, RFC Harold Hill and Sgt. Wade Law located two duck hunters leaving the woods and conducted a check of licenses and limits. Upon closer inspection of the hunting location, it was determined to be baited, and three additional wood ducks were found hidden in the vegetation. RFC Hill and Sgt. Law issued four citations for hunting ducks over bait and possession of over the daily bag limit. Four additional warnings for hunting ducks with illegal ammunition and concealment of wildlife illegally taken were also issued.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
PIERCE COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Damon Winters was patrolling for deer hunting activity when he noticed two hunters walking along a power line right-of-way. When Cpl. Winters approached the hunters they went into the woods. Cpl. Winters left the area and then came back and waited for the hunters to come out. After a while, Cpl. Winters was able to make contact with the hunters at their vehicle. Both hunters were charged with hunting deer without florescent orange.
On December 15th, Cpl. Damon Winters was asked to assist the Pierce County Sheriff's Office with a missing person case. Cpl. Winters was able to help by using his GPS to locate the missing person's phone, using coordinates supplied by the cell phone company. A further search of the area revealed the body of the missing person. A murder warrant was secured for the suspect involved who was arrested and placed in the Pierce County Jail.
On December 20th, Cpl. Damon Winters was working a night deer hunting complaint on Lynn Road. Around 1:00 a.m., Cpl. Winters observed a light being shined from a passing vehicle and a shot was fired at a deer. After pursuing the violators for a short distance they decided to stop. Cpl. Winters charged the two individuals in the truck with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle.
On December 18th, Cpl Jimmy Williams checked an area for dogging deer in a closed area. At around 5:10 pm a group of hunters were located. Citations were issued for hunting deer with dogs in a closed area, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting with illegal ammunition.
CLINCH COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Jason Shipes worked a night deer hunting complaint in south Clinch County. RFC Shipes observed a vehicle pull into a clear-cut and one of the occupants shined a high-powered light across the cut-over. The vehicle pulled back onto the roadway and the occupant continued to shine the clear cut. RFC Shipes stopped the vehicle and located a .270 rifle along with a 1,000,000 candle-power light. The vehicle was occupied by one adult and one juvenile. The adult was charged with hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting deer at night. The juvenile was released to his mother. After further investigation, the adult was found to be a convicted felon and warrants were issued for his arrest.
ECHOLS COUNTY On December 20th, RFC Jason Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree were checking deerdogging activity in the area of Hwy 94 between Statenville and Fargo GA. While patrolling through a deer-dogging hunting lease, RFC Shipes and Sgt. Dupree noticed a large amount of shelled corn in the roadway with a pickup parked within 20 yards of it. One individual was standing on a dog box in the rear of the pickup with a loaded rifle in her hands. The adult female possessed no Georgia hunting licenses. Citations were

issued for non-resident hunting without a license, non-resident hunting big game without a big game license and hunting deer with dogs without a deer dog license. It was determined that the deer hounds had been put on a deer track at the baited location. Warnings for hunting big game over bait were issued to her and her husband.
LOWNDES COUNTY On December 14th, Ranger Keith McDonald checked a baited dove shoot. Several hunters were issued warnings for hunting over bait.
While checking baited stands on December 20th, Ranger Keith McDonald found two individuals hunting deer over bait. They were cited for hunting big game over bait and issued a written warning for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
COOK COUNTY Cpl. Greg Moody checked a dove shoot in the Chaserville area and found scratch corn on a peanut field. Five hunters were cited for hunting dove over bait. Two warnings were issued for hunting without license on persons.
LANIER COUNTY Cpl. Greg Moody and Cpl. Morty Wood responded to a complaint of hunting without permission. Three subjects were hunting on property with permission but shot a deer across a fence on private property. The hunters were cited for hunting without permission and hunting from a vehicle. They received warnings for possession of illegally taken wildlife and the deer was confiscated.
On December 17th, Cpl. Morty Wood was contacted by the Lanier County Sheriff and advised that his deputies had arrested an individual for hunting on his property. Cpl. Wood investigated the incident and citations for hunting without permission, hunting without a license, and hunting big game over bait were issued.
BERRIEN COUNTY On December 17th Cpl. Morty Wood was contacted by Berrien 911 and told that Wildlife Tech III Scott Duggan and some landowners had detained 2 males and 1 female that were hunting deer at night. Cpl. Wood was asked to assist in the investigation. The subjects had shot a yearling doe in a pasture belonging to some of the landowners. Following an investigation, 16 citations were issued for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and public road, hunting without permission, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and driving without a license. Their vehicle was towed and the violators were transported to the Berrien County Jail. The 2 males had been arrested 7 days prior in Lanier County for the same offense.

LANIER COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Morty Wood was on patrol in Lanier when he observed a truck exit a highway and strike a stop sign. The male subject then proceeded past Cpl. Wood who initiated a traffic stop. After approaching the subject the odor of alcohol was immediately detected. Lanier County Deputies were contacted to assist. The subject was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and open container.
COFFEE COUNTY On December 19th, RFC Tim Hutto worked a night hunting complaint near the Wilsonville area. Around midnight he observed a truck shine two fields. He stopped the vehicle occupied by two males and one female who were in possession of a .270 caliber rifle and a .22 hornet rifle. Both males were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. The female warned for hunting from a vehicle and hunting deer at night.
ATKINSON COUNTY On December 20th, RFC Tim Hutto visited the Atkinson County Sheriff's office around 1:30 a.m. to check for any complaints that might have come in. While at the Sheriff's Office, a subject that was being booked by GSP assaulted the jailer and fled. Hutto chased the subject for two blocks and into a drainage canal, subdued him and returned him to the jail at the Sheriff's Office.
BULLOCH COUNTY On December 19th, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to a call from a concerned citizen who thought they had witnessed some night hunting activity. After talking with the complainant, Cpl. Akins patrolled the area and looked for any indication of illegal activity. After about an hour of being in the area, Cpl. Akins was unable to locate any activity to warrant further investigation.
On December 20th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled several areas of Bulloch checking for hunting activity. The efforts of the morning resulted in several hunters being located and no violations detected.
SCREVEN COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely located the scene of a hunting accident that had been under investigation. Photographs were taken and a statement was taken from a witness. The accident, a fall from a tree stand, had been under investigation for several days. No charges were filed.
On December 20th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely checked boats and fisherman on the Savannah River in Screven County. Citations were issued for fishing without a license and operating a vessel above idle speed within 100' of a bridge.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY On December 14th, Ranger Brandon Pierce checked river landings on the Savannah River. Several duck hunters and fishermen were checked. Two violations were documented.
On December 20th, Ranger Brandon Pierce responded to a call in reference to two deer dogs caught on non-permitted property. Upon arrived, the owner of the dogs was contacted and met with Ranger Pierce. One violation was documented.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Barry Britt checked several raccoon hunters and foxhunters on Bullard Creek WMA. No violations were detected. Later that same night, RFC Britt responded to a complaint in progress in reference to raccoon hunters hunting without permission behind a private residence. The hunters were checked and given verbal guidance by RFC Britt per the property owner's request.
On December 19th, RFC Britt responded to a complaint in progress in reference to possible deer hunters hunting on private property from ATV's. The hunters were gone upon arrival and the complainant was updated.
DODGE COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl Johnny Ashe completed an investigation of false reporting of a crime with the Dodge Sheriff's Office. One subject was charged for the false report and subsequently the report was for night hunting. After the investigation was completed, the same female subject and two other adults were charged for night deer hunting, hunting from a vehicle and hunting from a public road. They had called in the fake report in an attempt to keep from being caught.
APPLING COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Jimmy Williams checked baited deer stands off Highway 121 south of Surrency. One citation was issued for hunting big game over bait.
BACON COUNTY On December 21st, Cpl Jimmy Williams worked a complaint of hunting deer at night on Copper Lake Road. At around 8:40 p.m. a vehicle approached the field and a spotlight was shined from the vehicle into the field. The two male occupants were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. A loaded 30-30 rifle and plugged in spotlight were in the passenger seat along with the passenger.
IRWIN COUNTY On December 20th, Sgt David Reckley and Cpl. John Stokes patrolled for evening duck shoots. Shots were heard off McCranie road and three subjects came out of a field at dark and were stopped. One subject had two squirrels and did not have any license. He also claimed he was shooting at bats when it got dark.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On December 5th through 15th, Cpl. Jesse Cook, Cpl. Ron Harris, RFC Mark Carson and RFC Craig Smith, along with agents from Customs and Border Protection, Camden County Georgia Sheriff's Office Marine Interdiction Unit, Nassau County Florida Marine Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence and U.S. Coast Guard Station Mayport participated in Operation Fresh Catch. During that time, participating units conducted both day and night operations specifically targeting commercial shrimping violations. Agents also targeted human, weapons and narcotics smuggling. Several foreign flagged vessels were boarded and occupants were checked for immigration documentation.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Ron Harris received a call in reference to hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property in the Crescent Farms Subdivision. Cpl. Harris, Cpl. Finn and Sgt. Harwell all responded to the area. Cpl. Finn and Sgt. Harwell came into the subdivision from two different entrances off of Smith Rd., while Cpl. Harris entered off of Hwy 99. The suspects then saw Sgt. Harwell and tried to flee the area. As the suspects were trying to get away they came around a corner where they were met by Cpl. Harris who stopped both of the vehicles. Sgt. Harwell and Cpl. Finn then responded to Cpl. Harris's location. The suspects were then cited for 11 different violations including; hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, hunting deer with dogs without a deer dog license, hunting without a license, and hunting big game without a license. So far this year, Cpl. Harris and Cpl. Finn have issued 20 citations for illegal hunting in the Crescent Farms Subdivision.
On December 14th, Cpl. Ron Harris received a call of overdue hunters. The hunters who were hog hunting on Altamaha WMA along the Darien River were supposed to return before dark and were not answering their cell phone. Cpl. Finn was notified and then responded to the boat ramp where the hunters had left from to meet with one of the hunter's wife and begin gathering information, while Cpl. Harris went to get a patrol boat. As Cpl. Harris was arriving on scene Cpl. Finn notified him that the overdue hunters were pulling up to the dock. Their boat had broken down and they had been paddling until another boater came by and offered to tow them in. No one was injured and everyone returned safely.
On December 15th, Capt. Stephen Adams and Cpl. Ron Harris responded by vessel to a call of a possible overturned boat with persons in the water in the St. Simons Sound area. Once on scene it was determined to be a large section of dock.
GLYNN COUNTY On December 19th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Ranger Rebekah Fuller responded to the North Glynn Sports Complex in reference to a call of someone hunting without permission. Once on scene the officers located the suspect's vehicle and set up surveillance on it. Near dark the suspect returned to his vehicle where the officers met him. The suspect was then cited for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange.

On December 20th, Cpl. Ron Harris, Cpl. Jesse Cook, and Ranger Rebekah Fuller conducted an offshore patrol approximately 9 to 10 miles off of St. Simons and Jekyll Islands. The officers checked two boats that had been fishing and found no violations. While offshore, the officers patrolled the area looking for the endangered right whale due to a large container ship coming into port. No whales were located and the ship passed through the shipping channel with no delays.
LIBERTY COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan were patrolling Liberty County for duck hunters. Cpl. Morgan heard shooting near his location and contacted RFC Strickland and had him come from a different area. Five individuals were cited for hunting after hours. The boat operators were cited for no life jackets and no lights on the boats. One individual was cited for unplugged shotgun.
On December 18th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan were patrolling offshore near St. Catherine's Island where they saw two northern right whales between the CAT Reef and the J Bouy.
On December 20th, Cpl. Cindy Miller checked two deer hunters in south Liberty. Both hunters were hunting deer over bait and were cited for such.
BRYAN COUNTY On December 12th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Ranger Randy Tinley taught three Boating Safety programs to 6 classes at Carver Elementary School. The Rangers spoke to 90 kids about life jackets, drugs and alcohol, and other boating safety issues.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On December 15th, Cpl. Billy Reed responded to an in progress dogging deer complaint on the Buffalo Creek Road. Several hunters were hunting deer with dogs on nonpermitted property. Cpl. Reed issued 3 citations for hunting deer with dogs on nonpermitted property and 1 citation for hunting without a dog deer license.
On December 20th, Cpl. Billy Reed was working a night deer hunting complaint on Trudi Road. At 10:30 pm, two trucks entered the soybean field. The driver of the lead truck started shinning a spotlight with the second truck following close behind. Cpl. Reed stopped the trucks as they were exiting the field. The occupants said they were hog hunting. Cpl. Reed checked the field and observed rooting sign. Each violator was cited for hunting from a vehicle and hunting hogs with a light that exceeds 6 volts.

WAYNE COUNTY On December 20th, Sergeant Doug Lewis was at Oglethorpe River Landing on the Altamaha River when he found two subject loading rocks that had been placed there to help stop erosion. Sgt. Lewis was in his personal vehicle when he spotted the two men loading rocks. When they saw Sgt. Lewis they left the landing. Sgt. Lewis followed the subjects past his residence, stopped and got his state vehicle and caught back up with the vehicle. Sgt. Lewis stopped the two men with a pickup truck load of rocks and turned them over to the Wayne County Sheriff's Department. The men said they were going to build a fire pit with the stolen rocks.