Field operations weekly report, 2008 March 9-15

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 9-15, 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)
GILMER COUNTY On March 12th-13th, Sgt John VanLandingham attended a training seminar at FBI Headquarters in Atlanta. The training was conducted by the Combating Terrorism Center of West Point. The training focused on current Islamic Terrorist Organizations, their beliefs, and their origins.
GORDON COUNTY On March 14th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore presented a radio program on the upcoming turkey season and trout season at WRGA 1470 AM in Rome. Cpl. Elmore spoke about the safety aspects of turkey hunting, licensing requirements, season limits, identifiable feature differences in gobblers and bearded hens. He also let listeners know about the specific seasonal trout streams in the Coosa River Basin.
On March 15th, RFC Ben Cunningham, Cpl Shawn Elmore, Fisheries Technicians Eric Dykes and Matt McDaris responded to the Wax area of Floyd County to assist Floyd County Emergency Response teams with search of the area devastated by a tornado. Several homes were completely destroyed and many more sustained heavy damage. These officers were able to assist searching the area for survivors and other victims with ATVs. Sadly one of the local residents lost his life during the tornado. Cleanup and recovery of personal items of the victims still continues.
POLK COUNTY On March 15, 2008, Cpl. Ricky Dempsey and RFC Chad Cox responded to Live Oak Road in Aragon to assist local agencies with traffic control at the tornado damage site.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY During the last week of February, RFC Chris Moore received a complaint from the Lavonia Police Department about someone leaving a coyote carcass in the parking lot of Wendy's in Lavonia. He was able to track down the suspect, which is a trapper. It is unclear as to why he left the carcass, which caused several complaints from customers as well as restaurant employees. On March 3rd, RFC Moore located and arrested the suspect and charged him for unlawful dumping.
FORSYTH COUNTY On March 4, Ranger Pamela Garrison attended the National Wild Turkey Federation, Sawnee Mountain Chapter's 10th annual banquet. Ranger Garrison set up the fishing simulator for the 150 guests in attendance.

On March 6, 2008 Sgt. Lee Brown attended the First Redeemer Church's Sportsman Dinner. Sgt. Brown set up the Fishing Simulator for the guest in attendance. The Fishing Simulator was well received by all in attendance.
HABERSHAM COUNTY On March 17, Lt. Judd Smith spoke to the Environmental Science Program at North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville about a career with the Law Enforcement Section of DNR. About 15 students were present and several had expressed prior interest in working for DNR.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On March 13, 2008 Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling Auraria Road. They noticed a subject walking on a woods road across from Antioch Baptist Church and the rangers turned around to investigate. After talking with the subject it was determined that he was on active probation. This subject had been drinking alcohol and was in possession of marijuana. Cpl. Roberson called Lumpkin County SO for assistance while Sgt. Brown went across the street to investigate where the subject had been walking looking for discarded beer cans or bottles. Sgt. Brown found an empty beer can and a subject passed out. The subject passed out was also on active probation with warrants out for him. He was in possession of cocaine, almost one ounce of marijuana, two different scales (one to weigh marijuana and the other to weigh the cocaine), several syringes' and two prescription pills without a prescription. These two subjects were turned over to the Lumpkin County SO and Appalachian Drug Task Force.
ROCKDALE COUNTY While attending church on Sunday March 9th, 2008, Cpl. Eric Sanders assistance was requested by the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office in reference to a Wild (Tom) Turkey with a 10 inch beard that had flown through an elderly woman's bedroom window. Cpl. Sanders drove his personal truck to the location and found the turkey standing on the bed strutting. Cpl. Sanders was able to catch the turkey and return it back into the wild.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
JEFFERSON COUNTY On March 15, at around 6:00 pm tornados touched down in Jefferson County. Rangers from Region III responded to the Wrens area to offer their assistance. Over the next 36 hours, 13 Rangers from surrounding counties came to aid the City of Wrens and Jefferson County. Rangers assisted the local law enforcement with debris removal, search and rescue, and public safety. The storm in North Jefferson County was responsible for 333 damaged structures, 35 destroyed structures, and severe crop damage.

WILKES COUNTY On Thursday March 13th at 6:05 PM, RFC Bob Holley was patrolling south Wilkes County when he noticed a plume of black smoke in the Hwy 47 / Hallford Rd area. The source of the fire was located and contact was made with a subject who was burning approx 20 tires. The fire was extinguished and the subject was cited for Unlawful Dumping (Unlawful Burning of Tires).
On Friday, March 14th at 2323 hrs RFC Bob Holley was patrolling Wilkes County in the Holiday Park area of Clarks Hill Lake for night fishing activity. While leaving the boat ramp he made contact with a subject driving a white Chevrolet pick-up. The individual appeared to be under the influence and after performing a series of field sobriety tests the individual was arrested for D.U.I. of Alcohol and Open Container Violation. He was later turned over to the Georgia State Patrol.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On March 14, 2008 Cpl. Brent Railey was investigating an ongoing complaint about a certain person that was known to hunt turkeys out of season. He found the person's truck parked on a road in east Troup County on property he was known to hunt. Cpl. Railey called Sgt Randy Hackley and RFC Jeremy Bolen, along with his K-9 unit "Griz" to the scene at about 0900 hours.
While Cpl. Railey and Sgt Hackley were waiting on RFC Bolen and "Griz" to arrive, the man walked out of the woods wearing a hunting backpack and a cocked crossbow on his back. He told the officers he was coyote hunting not turkey hunting. He said he did have some turkey calls with him but had not been turkey hunting. Later investigation showed he had two box calls, an electronic turkey call and a turkey wing, among other items in the pack. He said he called coyotes with his mouth and hand and showed the Rangers how he did this. He also told the Rangers he would take them to where he was hunting, but it was decided to let "Griz" show them where he was hunting.
A few minutes later, with "Griz" in the lead, officers found the blind where the man said he was in fact hunting coyotes about 200 yards from the truck. There was a large amount of cracked corn on the ground, an active feeder about 20 yards in front of a blind and two five gallon buckets of corn and other seeds in the blind. There were fresh footprints in the blind.
The officers and the man went back to the truck where he was cited for hunting turkeys out of season, hunting over bait and warned for an electronic device. The case is pending in Troup County State Court.

JASPER COUNTY On March 16, 2008, RFC Billy Bryant responded to an in progress landowner complaint in Jasper County in regards to fishing without permission. Just before RFC Bryant arrived on scene he contacted the landowner to find out the exact whereabouts of the violators. The landowner told RFC Bryant that someone must have called them because they had spooked and took off running. The landowner was able to give a direction of travel on the violators and a physical description of two black males. One was wearing a white shirt, and the other was wearing a blue shirt. RFC Bryant was coming from the direction in which the violators fled.

Just before reaching the property, he noticed a black male standing in the yard of a house a short distance from the complainant's property. He pulled into the yard and located a black male sweating profusely, out of breath wearing a white shirt, talking on a cell phone. RFC Bryant asked the man to hang up the phone and asked him a few questions. As the man talked to Bryant he began walking toward the back of the residence. Once at the back of the house, RFC Bryant noticed movement behind a piece of plywood that was propped up against a hole in the foundation of the house. When RFC Bryant moved the piece of plywood he discovered three more black males hiding underneath the house, along with several fishing poles, a tackle box, and a five-gallon bucket of fish. All four admitted to fishing without permission and fleeing the scene when they noticed the landowner watching them. RFC Bryant issued the four men citations for fishing without permission.

UPSON COUNTY On March 14, RFC Keith Page received a call from the Upson County Sheriff's Department requesting assistance of a Ranger. The investigator for the sheriff's department explained to RFC Page that earlier that week they had apprehended two subjects for burglary, theft by taking, and several other charges. The investigator explained that the two subjects had stolen the wiring from several houses and buildings. The two men were caught in the act of burning the insulation off of the wire on March 7th, however, they fled from the police and escaped until they were later picked up on a routine traffic stop the following week. Investigators asked RFC Page to come to the sheriff's office and talk to the subjects. Both subjects were charged with illegal burning.

LAMAR

COUNTY

On March 15th, RFC Keith Page and CPL Travis Sweat participated in the annual Quail

Forever program held in Lamar County. The Quail Forever program is only in its 2nd

year of operation and seems to be gaining strength and support. The program offers

children an opportunity to learn about gun safety and the conservation of the Bob White

Quail as well as its habitat. In addition, the children were able to shoot skeet and actually

hunt quail on the site. The program purchased several quail and released them so that the

children could hunt the quail using the bird dogs provided by the program. This program

offers children who may never have the opportunity to experience the thrills of hunting

with bird dogs a chance to do so.

HENRY COUNTY On 03/12/2008 RFC Travis Sweat and Sgt. Russ Ramsey supported the Department of Agriculture and Game Management Section on a facility inspection on Rowan Road in Henry County concerning a Deer Farming Permit. The rangers documented several violations. Advice and recommendations were provided to the Department of Agriculture Agent under the Wild Animal Act (Holding Facilities) for a follow-up investigation on the status of the permit.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On March 15, 2008, RFC Ben Roberts and Ranger Randy James were patrolling along the Kinchafoonee Creek in Dougherty County when a vehicle occupied by two males pulled alongside them. Ranger James observed an open container of alcohol inside the vehicle. When the vehicle parked in front of them, RFC Roberts and Ranger James approached the vehicle to speak with the occupants about the open container. While checking for identification the officers learned that one of the individuals had an outstanding warrant for their arrest. For safety of the officers, the subjects were patted down and a small bag of marijuana was found in one of the subject's pockets. Another small bag was also found in the sock of the subject. RFC Roberts called for assistance from the Albany-Dougherty County Drug Squad. A search of the vehicle revealed drug paraphernalia used to smoke marijuana. Both subjects were arrested and taken into custody.
On March 15, 2008, RFC Ben Roberts and Ranger Randy James were checking fishermen along the Flint River in Dougherty County. They encountered an individual who was fishing without a license and a citation was issued to the subject. After leaving the river area Ranger James and RFC Roberts continued their patrol and were checking along the Muckalee Creek in Dougherty County when they encountered the same individual they had just issued the citation to fishing again. When they approached the subject they learned that he had failed to purchase a license before fishing even though he had passed a license dealer on the way to the Muckalee Creek. This time the subject was taken into custody.
On March 10, 2008, Cpl. Robbie Griner had just finished attending court when he heard an officer with the GSP calling for assistance during a vehicle pursuit. Cpl. Griner proceeded to the area and arrived as the chase had ended and the suspect fled on foot. The suspect was apprehended and over a pound of marijuana was seized form his vehicle. The case was turned over to the Albany- Dougherty County Drug Squad for prosecution.

SEMINOLE COUNTY On March 12, 2008, RFC Jeff Phillips was patrolling landings around Lake Seminole, when he spotted a vehicle belonging to a subject that he had received a complaint about for catching over the limit of crappie. RFC Phillips went to Seminole State Park & launched a patrol boat to try to find the fisherman. He located the subject fishing in a spring near Sealy's landing. Upon inspection, it was determined that the subject was over the daily limit of crappie & was still trying to catch more. He was cited for taking over the daily creel limit. Thirty-four fish were confiscated.
GRADY COUNTY On March 15, 2008, Cpl. Mike Binion and Sgt. Rick Sellars received a call at their residences by Grady Co. Deputies to assist with the apprehension of a suicidal subject who had fled into the woods with a gun. The subject had threatened to kill law enforcement officers and himself if anyone came in the woods after him. The initial call stemmed from a domestic disturbance between the male subject and his girlfriend. Shortly after arriving on the scene with the DNR K-9 "Sarge", the subject decided to come out of the woods and surrender peacefully. He was taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a mental evaluation.
CLAY COUNTY On Thursday March 13, 2008, RFC Jim Atchley, Cpl. B.J. Foster and Sgt. Butch Potter attended the annual Lake Walter F. George Joint law Enforcement Coordinating Committee Meeting in Ft. Gaines. The Rangers met with representatives from Alabama DNR Law Enforcement, Alabama Marine Police, and other local, state and federal agencies to discuss law enforcement and boating safety concerns on and around Lake Walter F. George.
STEWART COUNTY During the week of March 9-15, 2008, B.J. Foster conducted several foot patrols and surveillance details on the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge. During these patrols he issued two citations and three warnings for fishing without a license.
TIFT COUNTY On March 12, 2008, while patrolling North Tift County, Corporal Tommy Daughtrey located a stolen ATV that had been dumped into a local creek.
THOMAS COUNTY On March 10, 2008, Sgt. David Ruddell and DNR Board Member Phillip Watt presented a program to Cub Scout Pack 316 on natural resources conservation issues. The program was presented to assist the scouts in meeting the requirements of earning their Wildlife Conservation Merit Badges. The "Hands On" program was a big hit with the scouts and their parents as they participated in presentations on endangered species, pollution, displays of local wildlife, and building bird feeders.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
ECHOLS COUNTY On the morning of March 12th, Corporal Gary Simmons discovered an illegal liquor still while on patrol for turkey bait along Suwannoochee Creek. Later that afternoon, Cpl. Simmons, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Echols Sheriff Randy Courson returned to check the status of the moonshine still and discovered that it had been in operation just hours before they arrived. The boiler was hot to the touch and emitting steam. The entire operation was dismantled the next day by GBI explosives technicians.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY RFC Barry Brit was on his day off on March 12, 2008, when he received a complaint about someone hunting turkeys out of season. He responded and arrived at approximately 8:50 am to find the complainant parked behind a white truck on a private hunting club in Jeff Davis County. The complainant initially suspected that the hunter did not have permission to be there and was going to wait for him to come back to his truck. The complainant stated while he was waiting he heard a turkey gobble and then heard a shotgun blast in the same area. RFC Britt began tracking the suspect and while on the track, began discovering evidence. RFC Britt found not only the dead bird, but also found the suspect's shotgun and hunting vest hidden in the brush. On March 13, 2008 the suspect was arrested and charged with hunting turkeys out of season, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and concealment of wildlife taken illegally. He was released on a cash bond of $1562.50 and it was later determined the suspect did have permission to hunt the property.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On March 12, 2008 Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen participated in the Rincon Elementary School Career Day Program. The Rangers presented water/boating safety and firearm safety programs to ten different elementary grade classes totaling 125 students and 15 adults. The Rangers brought along a patrol boat, an ATV and passed out Department of Natural Resourced literature on Firearm Safety and Wildlife Identification.
EVANS COUNTY On March 8th and 9th 2008 RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. Dave Sims operated a Department of Natural Resources "LaserShot" hunting simulator for the attendees of the 2008 "Claxton Rattlesnake Roundup". During the event the Rangers operated the simulator non-stop from gates open to close both days for an estimated 500 participating children and adults.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On 03-09-08, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol in Ossabaw Sound when they stopped a vessel to check its catch. After a brief investigation the captain of the vessel was arrested for "boating under the influence" in addition to not having enough life jackets.
BRYAN COUNTY On 03-08-08, Cpl. Jay Morgan presented a Hunter Education class and certified nine students.
On 03-15-08, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Sgt. James Shelton responded to a call for assistance from Bryan County deputies at Black Creek School. Three deer had been euthanized due to severe injuries obtained while crossing a fence next to a busy highway. Cpl. Morgan and Sgt. Shelton retrieved and disposed of the carcass.
LIBERTY COUNTY On 03-10-08, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol in the St. Catherine's Sound area. They checked a vessel offshore of the sound for compliance with Federal Regulations. The vessel was in violation of Federal Regulations for undersized black sea bass. On 03-11-08, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on Right Whale Patrol while they were checking the offshore reefs for fishermen. The two rangers saw a total of four northern right whales in two different locations. This time of the year, the adult female right whales are traveling north with their calves. A few offshore fishermen were checked. One of the vessels checked was in Federal violation of undersized black sea bass and undersized sheepshead.
On 03-12-08, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol in the St. Catherine's Sound area. During the day, they checked several vessels coming from offshore. One of the vessels checked was issued citations for undersized black sea bass.
CAMDEN COUNTY On 03-12-08 Camden County Sheriffs dispatch issued a lookout for a vehicle in which the occupants had been going to different convenience stores in Kingsland cashing bad checks. Cpl. Jesse Cook observed a vehicle that fit the description of the suspect vehicle. Cpl. Cook made contact with the vehicle and observed that the tag number matched the lookout that had been given out. Cpl. Cook initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and the occupants were identified as the violators that had been cashing the bad checks. Camden County deputies arrived to assist and Investigators from the Kingsland Police Department arrived to take over the investigation.

On 3-14-08, Cpl. Chris Hodge, Sgt. Bob Lynn, and RFC Craig Smith conducted a detail with the Kingsland Police Department and the Camden County Sheriff's Department. This detail targeted littering at the I-95 interchanges in Kingsland and Camden County. WRD Law Enforcement Officers were placed in locations where they could observe vehicle traffic along the entrance ramps to I-95 in an attempt to observe people throwing litter from vehicles. Camden County Deputies and Kingsland Police Officers were positioned along I-95 to stop and issue citations once the WRD Officers observed a violation.
On 3-15-08, Cpl Chris Hodge, Sgt Bob Lynn, and RFC Craig Smith participated in the 5th Annual St. Mary's River Clean Up Day. WRD Officers have participated in this event every year. The event targets litter in and around the St. Mary's River from Cumberland Sound to the St. George area and covers approximately 80 miles of waterway. Each year, several tons of garbage and debris are removed from the water and boat landings along the St. Mary's River. WRD Officers used two Patrol Boats and assisted with the removal of nearly 400 pounds of debris from the water.
GLYNN COUNTY On 03-09-08 Cpl. Ron Harris was conducting a shellfish patrol when he located four subjects picking oysters in an unapproved area. All four subjects said they did not know that they had to pick oysters in approved area only. All four subjects were given written warnings for picking oysters in an unapproved area and a copy of the 2008 fishing regulations.
On 03-15-08 Cpl. Ron Harris was on patrol in the Jekyll Island area when he came upon a vehicle accident that had just occurred at the intersection of Jeykll Island Causeway and Hwy 17 South. Cpl. Harris immediately began to render first aid to the occupants of both vehicles and continued to do so until EMS personnel arrived. Cpl. Harris then assisted the Glynn County Police Department with traffic control until the accident scene was cleared up.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On 03-14-08 at approximately 3:30 a.m., Cpl. Ron Harris received a call of an overdue boater from the US Coast Guard. After a search of the Sapelo Sound Cpl. Harris located the missing boat. Sea Tow towed the boat, which had run out of gas, back to the dock.