Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report February 24-March 1, 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 February 26th, Cpl. Eric Brown met with a subject at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office and issued citations for failure to record deer harvest and illegal possession of wildlife resulting from an investigation this past December. On March 1st, Sgt. Danny Crook, Cpl. Rick Dempsey, Cpl. Eric Brown, and RFC Chad Cox attended the annual JAKES Day at John Tanner State Park in Carrollton. Over 540 youths attended and participated in events ranging from an archery shoot, Laser Shot Simulator, Fishing Simulator, Wildlife Display, Plant Display, Birds of Prey exhibit, Waterfowl Exhibit, and a Turkey Exhibit which were ran by the Rangers. FANNIN COUNTY On March 1st, Sgt. John VanLandingham conducted a foot-patrol on the Noontootla Creek on the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. He encountered a fisherman who was in possession of live bait. The fisherman was cited for possession of illegal bait on an artificial only stream. Sgt. VanLandingham also encountered three subjects operating ATVs in the Noontootla Creek. The three were cited for illegal use of an ATV on a Wildlife Management Area. GILMER COUNTY On March 1st and 2nd, Corporals James Keener and Casey Jones patrolled Carter's Lake. During the two-day period they performed 36 boat inspections and issued 5 citations and 9 warnings. They also assisted a stranded boat occupied by two people. GORDON COUNTY On February 27th and 28th,Wildlife Resources Division personnel from Region I attended the first session of Governor Sonny Perdue's mandated Customer Service Training. HARALSON COUNTY On Thursday, February 28, Sgt. Danny Crook and Cpl. Eric Brown responded to a complaint near Tallapoosa involving numerous dead animals. Upon arrival it was found that a red fox had apparently been poisoned and other scavengers, which fed on the fox, were also found dead. The investigation is ongoing. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) GWINNETT COUNTY On February 28, 2008 RFC Mark Stephens and Ranger Pamela Garrison attended the annual wild game supper at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, Ga. RFC Stephens operated the shooting simulator and Ranger Garrison operated the fishing simulator for all participants. STEPHENS COUNTY On February 29, Cpl. Bill Bunch and Sgt Stan Elrod checked a boat on the Tugaloo River in Stephens County. When the vessel occupants saw the Rangers, they dropped something into the river. Cpl Bunch retrieved a bag with white powder suspected to be cocaine and Sgt Elrod found a pipe with suspected marijuana packed into it. After searching the boat, a large quantity of artifacts was found. It included arrowheads and pottery. Both subjects were charged with illegally collecting artifacts in a protected area. One was charged with possession of cocaine and one with possession of marijuana. Each subject was taken to Stephens County jail to post bond. Region III- Thomson (East Central) RICHMOND COUNTY On March 1st, Sgt. Max Boswell, Cpl. Ben Payne, and RFC Grant Matherly attended a clean up project at Phinizy Swamp WMA. Forty local volunteers and two Game Management Technicians, Michael Wilcox and Howard Pope also assisted in the clean up. The group filled a large dump truck with trash and debris, and removed a large number of tires from the property. The volunteers also constructed several new wood duck boxes, and cleaned existing boxes to enhance the nesting habitat for the ducks. Region IV- Macon (West Central) TROUP COUNTY On Sunday February 24th 2008 at about 7:30 pm Cpl. Brent Railey and Cpl. Jim Bradfield were leaving Highland Marina after a boat patrol on West Point Lake. Troup county 911 gave out a BOLO on a truck pulling a boat trailer that did not have trailer lights and was in the same area as the rangers. Cpl. Railey was able to locate the truck and conducted a traffic stop after observing the truck and boat swerving off the road. The driver was aware his trailer lights were out and during the conversation Cpl. Railey observed signs that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. Deputy Daniel with the Troup County Sheriff's office was nearby and was also responding to the initial call. He came to the scene of the traffic stop and arrested the driver for DUI. Cpl. Railey remained with the truck and boat until a friend of the driver came and retrieved them. MONROE COUNTY On March 1, 2008, at approximately 6:35 p.m., were checking boating and fishing activity at Dames Ferry access on Lake Juliette. Corporals Bill Goodson and Tony Wynne checked several boats one of which had insufficient wearable PFDs. The operator was issued a written warning. Also on March 1, 2008, at approximately 7:25 p.m., at Dames Ferry access on Lake Juliette, Corporals Goodson and Wynne checked a boat that had two large striped bass lying in the bottom of the boat. While Corporal Wynne was checking the rear area of the boat by flashlight, the subject said he had two smaller striped bass beneath the platform he was standing on in the rear of the boat. The subject slid the platform forward revealing two more striped bass. The smallest of the four striped bass measured 22 inches in length. The subject was charged with possession of over the daily creel limit. HOUSTON COUNTY On the afternoon of February 27, Ranger Kevin Joyce and Wildlife Technician Greg Wade contacted two subjects at Knowles Landing public boat ramp on the Ocmulgee River. While speaking to them Ranger Joyce noticed a strong odor of marijuana around one of the subjects. After giving officers consent to search his person, the subject was found to be in possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. The subject was placed into custody and transported to the local Sheriff's office. Region V- Albany (Southwest) DECATUR COUNTY On February 29th and March 1st 2008, Sgt. Rick Sellars, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips attended a wild game feast at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Decatur County. The church was hosting the event and featured many different types of wild game to the attendees. The DNR personnel were in attendance to promote hunting and conservation in Georgia. They provided the Lasershot shooting simulator for the event, which drew over 1,000 participants during the two nights. BROOKS CO. On Sunday, February 24, 2008, RFC Jon Penuel and RFC David Brady were contacted by Brooks County 911 operators requesting assistance for people stranded in their home off the Withlacoochee River. Due to recent rainfall the waters had risen to a point where they were unable to evacuate and needed to be rescued. Rangers Penual and Brady set out on the treacherous waters and quickly made their way to the residence where they soon discovered that six people were in the dwelling. It took three trips and approximately three hours to remove these people from the home and transport them to safety. CLAY COUNTY On February 26, 2008 RFC Jim Atchley inspected vessels moored at the George Bagby State Park Marina for compliance with registration and marine sanitation laws. Nineteen vessels were found to be in violation. RFC Atchley is currently working with Marina personnel contacting boat owners to advise them of their status and providing assistance to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. STEWART COUNTY On the night of Friday, February 29th 2008, Sgt. Butch Potter patrolled the Lake George area for fishing and boating activity. One citation was issued for operating a vessel during hours of darkness without lights, and one warning for operating a vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices on board. WEBSTER COUNTY On the night of February 29, 2008 at approximately 11:00 p.m., the Webster County Sheriff's Department called Sgt. Butch Potter for assistance in searching for a subject that had fled into the woods during a traffic stop. At 2:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, Sgt. Potter spotted the suspect approximately three miles from where the search began. The man again fled into the woods where he was quickly apprehended. CLAY COUNTY RFC Jim Atchley and Sgt. Butch Potter conducted a late afternoon/night boat patrol on Lake George. One citation was written for operating a vessel with insufficient pfd's on board and one warning issued for operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher. MACON COUNTY Following a month-long investigation, charges were filed on February 25, 2008 in the Macon County Probate Court for possession of illegally taken wildlife. The Investigation began following allegations that a man had killed an 8-point buck out of season. Cpl. John Harkins received the initial information and launched an investigation. The investigation indicated the deer was taken in Florida, but was possessed in Georgia illegally because the suspect had no Florida hunting license. Cpl. Harkins contacted Florida officers to advise them of his findings and subsequently the suspect is also facing charges in Florida stemming from this investigation. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) BULLOCH COUNTY On Feb. 28, Cpl. Eddie Akins and a member from the special permits office inspected the facility and permits of the Otter Conservancy in lower Bulloch County. No major problems were noted. On Feb. 29, 2008 Cpl. Eddie Akins inspected several special license holders throughout Bulloch County. No violations were found. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On March 28, Cpl. Eddie Akins and a member from the special permits office inspected a fox pen in Effingham County. All records and facilities for the pen were in order and no violations were noted. SCREVEN COUNTY On Feb. 17, 2008 at approx. 6:30 pm Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Don Dasher responded to a call from Screven County 911 regarding a boat sinking in the Savannah River. The officers began a search of the river downstream from Poor Robin landing, the distressed vessels point of entry. At approximate 7:45 pm the officers spotted two men huddled by a fire. Their mostly sunk boat was tied nearby. Neither of the men were injured and both declined medical attention. Both men were transported back up river. Their boat was recovered the next day. On Feb. 22, 2008 Cpl. Shaymus McNeely investigated a report of a freshly killed deer hanging in a tree in front of a Screven County residence. A Sheriff's Deputy serving papers at the residence had discovered the deer. Upon arrival Cpl. McNeely observed the front door of the house was standing wide open however no one was around. Cpl. McNeely began watching the area from across the road. No persons returned to the residence that night or the next. The investigation continues. PIERCE COUNTY Corporal Gary Simmons and his K-9 partner Jake performed K-9 demonstrations for the Ducks Unlimited Retriever Trial at Mossy Oak Plantation. Jake performed evidence and wildlife detection exercises for the crowd. During the retriever trial event a woman fell and broke her arm. Cpl. Simmons assisted with stabilizing her until emergency medical technicians arrived. TOOMBS COUNTY On Feb. 25, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel assisted the Toombs County Sheriffs Dept. by searching a wooded area for a missing juvenile girl. COOK COUNTY On February 23, 2008 Cpl. Greg Moody responded to a lost boaters call on the Little River. Three men launched a 10 ft. boat, with one paddle, two sticks, and no life jackets on board, at a bridge and attempted to float down to the next bridge. Due to heavy rains, the narrow river was extremely treacherous and flooded into the woods on both sides of the river. Due to rapidly approaching darkness, Sgt. David Nugent was contacted and asked to standby to arrange air support SAR if needed. When Cpl. Moody arrived at the take out bridge he encountered the subjects who had luckily navigated their way down stream without incident. Verbal guidance was given to all and the operator was issued a citation for operating a vessel without coastguard approved personal flotation devices. BERRIEN COUNTY On February 29, 2008 RFC Tim Hutto and Sgt. David Nugent patrolled Paradise PFA for boating and fishing violations. While checking a boat in one of the lakes, RFC Hutto noted that there were no life jackets on board and that the operator of the boat had an open container of beer beside his seat. While interviewing the subjects, RFC Hutto learned that both had been drinking. The operator of the boat was cited for operating a vessel without lifejackets. Both were cited for illegal consumption of alcohol on a PFA. On March 1, 2008 Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Greg Moody and RFC Tim Hutto assisted Fisheries Technician Noel Jackson with a creel check detail at Paradise PFA. During the check, the officers also performed routine boating safety and license check patrols. One of these patrols resulted in an encounter with two individuals, one who upon recognizing the DNR vehicle, rapidly put an item into a truck. Sgt. Nugent and Cpl. Moody obtained consent and checked the truck while RFC Hutto interviewed the male subject who had been fishing. Cpl. Moody found beer and empty bottles on the driver side of the truck and Sgt. Nugent located three undersized bass in a cooler on the passenger side of the truck. The male subject admitted to drinking beer and was cited for consumption of alcohol on a PFA and taking/possession of undersize fish. On another patrol that day, the three officers located 10 Hispanics on a pond dam. Four of them were observed fishing with "can" lines. None of the subjects spoke English. After an exhausting effort, RFC Hutto was able to communicate enough through writing on a note pad and Cpl. Moody was able to communicate with an English speaking Hispanic by using one of the subjects cell phone. The information was gathered and the four individuals were cited for fishing without a license and fishing on a PFA without a WMA license. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) LIBERTY COUNTY On 02-24-08 RFC Isaac Strickland, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Cpl. Cindy Miller were checking recreational offshore fishermen in St. Catherine's Sound for the Joint Enforcement Agreement. One of the vessel checks resulted in two citations for undersized fish and one arrest for boating under the influence. Twelve black sea bass and 1 red snapper were also confiscated. On 03-01-08 RFC Isaac Strickland, Sgt. James Shelton, and Cpl. Cindy Miller participated in a Women in the Outdoors Event sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation held at Ft. Stewart. These women were taught basic gun safety rules and given an opportunity to shoot several calibers of handguns. WAYNE COUNTY On 02/24/08, while on routine patrol, RFC Randy Aspinwall found approximately 2 truckloads of trash in the area of Buggy Whip Road. After locating names in the trash he was able to locate the individual responsible for dumping the trash. The suspect was charged with illegal dumping and was also found to have an active warrant out of Wayne County. The violator was arrested on that warrant. GLYNN COUNTY On 2-24-08, while on routine saltwater patrol, Cpl Jesse Cook was approached by a vessel coming from offshore. Cpl. Cook initiated a stop of the vessel to check safety equipment, fishing license, and size/possession limits. The vessels occupants were found to be in possession of 8 undersized Black Sea Bass. A citation was issued and the 8 undersized fish were confiscated. On 2-29-08, while on routine patrol, Cpl Jesse Cook was requested by GSP Troopers to assist with a traffic accident that had numerous lanes of traffic blocked on Highway 17 near the Sidney Lanier Bridge. Cpl Cook, along with Trooper C. Davis provided traffic control while the investigation was conducted into the cause of the accident. On 3-01-08, Sgt. Bob Lynn, Cpl. Jesse Cook and RFC Craig Smith participated in the National Wild Turkey Federation Jakes Day event held at Camp Tolechee on Blythe Island. Rangers allowed participants to use the Laser Shot Shooting Simulator and provided hunter development guidance to the young participants. Printed educational materials such as fishing regulations, hunting regulations, and boating safety books were handed out. CAMDEN COUNTY On 2-28-08, Cpl Chris Hodge responded to a compliant in reference to a subject who was believed to be shrimping out of season. Cpl Hodge waited at the Crooked River State Park boat ramp to attempt to make contact with the subject. A short time later, Cpl Hodge observed a truck known to him as the suspected violator's vehicle leaving the boat ramp. After following the subject a short distance to his residence, Cpl Hodge made contact with the subject. The subject was in possession of approximately 30 quarts of dead shrimp. The subject advised Cpl Hodge that he had went to catch bait to put in the freezer. Cpl Hodge seized the shrimp and the subject was issued a citation for possession of over the limit of recreational bait shrimp (28 quarts over the limit). JEA OFFSHORE PATROL On 02/24/08, Cpl Chris Ridley, while on Right Whale Patrol offshore, checked four boats at "F" reef. One of these boats had 10 undersize sea bass that were 11 inches; the current length limit is 12 inches. The captain was issued a federal warning for possession of undersize sea bass and also given a copy of the current federal regulations.