Department of Natural Resources 
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report March 16-22, 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) 
FANNIN COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener patrolled the Delayed Harvest section of the Toccoa River. The rangers issued three citations for possession of unlawful bait on an artificial only stream. 
GORDON COUNTY On March 18, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Sgt. Brian Keener were patrolling areas along Talking Rock Creek on foot when they encountered a man approximately one-half mile from the nearest road. The Ellijay man was issued a citation for fishing without license. 
Later on March 18, Cpl. Elmore checked a known fishing area along Pine Log Creek on Old Boone Ford Rd. Cpl. Elmore encountered two suspicious males at the creek. One male was on his knees beside a blue Chevrolet and the other male was approximately 25 yards off the roadway digging with a stick. A check of the two Canton men revealed that both men had outstanding warrants through Cherokee Co. for dangerous drugs. The men admitted to having used methamphetamines approximately two hours before Cpl. Elmore's encounter. The two men were transported to the Gordon County Jail. 
On March 22, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Sgt. Brian Keener were patrolling property on Langford Rd. where turkey bait had been located earlier in the week. Three Murray County men were charged for hunting turkeys over bait. One of the men was also charged with hunting with an unplugged shotgun. 
While dealing with the three Murray County men, Cpl. Elmore received a call from a hunting club member on Red Bone Ridge Rd. who advised him that he had located an area on his club where a turkey had been killed in an area baited with corn. Cpl. Elmore and Sgt. Keener met with the complainant and went to the scene to collect evidence. It was determined that two turkeys had been killed at the baited site. After collecting evidence, the officers went to the residence of a Calhoun man who was a suspect. He admitted killing the turkeys illegally. This was the third time in a year and a half and second time within three months that this man was caught poaching. The suspect was arrested for hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife and transported to the Gordon County Jail. 
HARALSON COUNTY On March 22, Sgt. Danny Crook and Cpl. Eric Brown cited four suspects for hunting big game over bait, illegal possession of wildlife, hunting with an unplugged gun, and confiscated 3 turkeys off Baxter Road. 
 
 PICKENS COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. James Keener and Sgt. John VanLandingham patrolled a hunting club where turkey bait had been previously located. Two suspects were apprehended. One suspect was charged with hunting big game over bait, and the other was charged for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Two warnings were also issued. 
WHITFIELD COUNTY On March 20, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins attended a National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet that was hosted by the Cohutta Chapter in Dalton Georgia. The rangers utilized and made available the laser shot simulator for approximately 200 people attending the banquet. 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
MADISON COUNTY On March 22, RFC Shane Sartor caught a subject hunting turkeys over bait. Three people were in the blind but after a brief investigation, only one person was charged. The subject was charged with hunting big game over bait. 
FRANKLIN COUNTY On March 22, RFC Chris Moore was checking a baited area and heard a shot on another piece of property. Following the direction that the shot had came from, RFC Moore was able to find a subject hunting turkeys over bait. The hunter had missed the turkey, however, turkeys were still in the area when RFC Moore got to the area. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait. 
HABERSHAM COUNTY On March 22, RFC Chad Chambers and Cpl. Buddy Lovell were working a baited turkey blind in Habersham County. The area baited consisted of corn, bird and sunflower seeds. The baited area covered about fifty acres. As day light broke the rangers heard a turkey call and started towards the sound. The Rangers were able to find two men very close to their location. The Rangers stated their reason for being there and both of the men replied, "We know". The two men were cited for hunting big game over bait. 
ROCKDALE COUNTY On March 18, Cpl. Eric Sanders hosted a TV show for Rockdale County channel 23. The show was about turkey hunting in Georgia. Wildlife Biologist Don McGowan of the Game Management Section assisted Cpl. Sanders. With Don's help they talked about turkey management and how to hunt turkeys. The show was ended by demonstrating the importance of proper patterning by using different choke tubes and talking about gun safety. 
FORSYTH AND GWINNETT COUNTIES On March 22, RFC Mark Stephens and Ranger Pamela Garrison patrolled Forsyth and Gwinnett Counties on the Chattahoochee River from Lower Pool Park downstream to Settle's Bridge by canoe. RFC Stephens and RGR Garrison checked 50 fishermen and 20 
 
 vessels on this detail. From the detail, six citations and nine warnings were issued. Rangers Stephens and Garrison presence on this portion of the river received a great response from the homeowners. Prior to their river patrol they attended the North Georgia Trout Online spring meeting at the Buford Trout Hatchery. 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
BURKE COUNTY On March 19, while on patrol for turkey bait in Burke County, Sgt. Max Boswell discovered a 2006 Corvette in the woods. He contacted the Burke County Sheriff's office where it was confirmed stolen out of Waynesboro the previous day. Sgt. Boswell secured the scene until investigators arrived. 
On March 22, opening day of turkey season, RFC Jeff Billips was contacted by a landowner regarding three turkey hunters hunting without permission. RFC Billips located a truck on the adjoining property and waited for the hunters to return. Upon their arrival, two men from Martinez and one from Aiken, SC were cited for hunting without permission. 
HANCOCK COUNTY On February 23, Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Richard Tanner received a call from Sgt. Brian Keener stating that they were rabbit hunting on their club in Hancock County, when one of the dogs became ill and died. Further investigation revealed numerous dead wildlife carcasses and two chicken eggs. Sgt. Garthright and RFC Tanner collected the beagle, two eggs, one coyote, and one red tail hawk. The carcasses where sent to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study for testing and tested positive for Aldicard, which is the active ingredient in pesticide Temik. On March 18, 2008 Sgt. Garthright and RFC Tanner went back onto the property and found three more wildlife carcasses and one egg. On the property was also an area baited for turkeys. On March 21, 2008 Sgt. Garthright and RFC Tanner obtained a search warrant for the premises in question including a house, two out buildings, and 175 acre tract of land. On March 22, 2008 Sgt. Garthright, RFC Tanner, and Ranger Ricky Boles executed the search warrant and recovered one thirty pound bag of Temik from one of the out buildings. The suspect in question admitted to putting out the Temik in eggs to kill coyotes. Charges are pending on the poison case. As a result of the investigation, the suspect was also charged for hunting turkeys over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife in reference to a turkey he killed over bait on March 22, 2008. The rangers confiscated the turkey. 
 
 PUTNAM COUNTY/LAKE OCONEE On March 22, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. David Allen, RFC Richard Tanner, and Ranger Ricky Boles responded to the Sugar Creek Public Boat Ramp in reference to a drowning. Two men fishing in a bass tournament had seen a man sitting near the water. They thought nothing of it, and continued fishing. A few moments later the two men looked back over that way to see the man walking into the water then submerge and not return to the surface. The fishermen operated their vessel near the location they last saw the man, threw out a marker buoy, and called 911. The body was recovered from the water and SOC was notified. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
JASPER COUNTY On March 22, while patrolling in the Hillsboro area, Cpl. Bill Goodson and RFC Billy Bryant caught two individuals hunting turkey over bait. Both men were issued citations for hunting big game over bait. 
TROUP COUNTY On March 16, Cpl. Brent Railey and Cpl. Keith Waddell checked the boat ramps on West Point Lake around the Hwy. 219 area. They checked about 8 boats and 25 fishing licenses and found no violations. 
Cpl. Railey spent several days at the training center in Forsyth instructing the new recruits in the areas of report writing, GCIC procedures, courtroom demeanor and testimony and arrest/booking procedure. 
On the morning of March 22, Cpl. Railey spent the morning in Troup County checking turkey bait that he had found during the 10-day period before the season opened. One citation for hunting turkeys over bait was issued. Two written warnings for hunting turkeys over bait and one warning for hunting without a license on person were also issued. 
That afternoon, Cpl. Railey checked four hunters in the area of West Point WMA. A verbal warning was given to a hunter who was hunting within 50 yards of a public roadway. A suspicious vehicle at campsite #1 was investigated, which turned out to be two local residents that had a campfire on the WMA outside of the camping area. Verbal guidance was given to the subjects. 
BIBB COUNTY On the morning of March 22, Ranger Josh Swain and Cpl. Susan Morris assisted the Macon Police Department and the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department with searching the Ocmulgee River in regards to a subject who had threatened to commit suicide by jumping from a river bridge. The subject apparently did make the attempt but was discovered, still alive, on the riverbank and taken into protective custody. 
 
 CRAWFORD COUNTY On the morning of March 22, Ranger Kevin Joyce and Sergeant Tony Fox checked a hunting club upon which Joyce had previously located turkey bait. Two subjects were subsequently apprehended and charged for the offense of hunting over bait. One of these subjects was also warned for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. 
TAYLOR COUNTY On the morning of March 21, Ranger Kevin Joyce and Sergeant Ezra Wyche responded to a call from a Crawford County Deputy in regards to a traffic stop. During the stop the deputy had discovered the occupants were in possession of a dead hen turkey. After interviewing the subjects, officers determined the three occupants of the vehicle had hunted turkeys earlier that morning in Taylor County. All three subjects were charged with hunting out of season and one subject, having admitted to shooting the hen, was also charged with possession of illegally taken wildlife. 
HENRY COUNTY On March 19, Sergeant Russ Ramsey and RFC Kevin Godbee presented and participated in Wildlife Identification/Conservation Law Enforcement Programs for the 9th and 10th grade students of Woodland High School.. Rangers were assisted by the Wildlife Trailer, mounts and handouts allowing the students to have the opportunity to interact with department personnel as well as wildlife indigenous to Georgia. 
MONROE COUNTY On March 22, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and Cpl. Tony Wynne were checking a baited area that Sgt. Kendrick had previously found. Upon entering the area, Sgt. Kendrick and Cpl. Wynne found one hunter in camouflage and in possession of a shotgun. Corn was on the ground approximately 15 yards in front of the turkey hunter. He was charged with hunting big game over bait. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
STEWART COUNTY On March 21, Sgt. Butch Potter was patrolling Rood Creek Park on Lake Walter F. George. At around 9:20 PM he observed a white sport utility vehicle enter the park. Three white males exited the vehicle and approached the launch fee pay box. The subjects went to the pay box and began tampering with it. Sgt. Potter approached the subjects in his patrol vehicle and turned on his blue lights. One subject fled on foot while the other two sped off in the vehicle. Sgt. Potter gave chase for approximately one mile before the driver lost control in a curve and became stuck in the muddy ditch. The two occupants fled into the woods. Cpl. B.J. Foster arrived on the scene to assist Sgt. Potter and one of the suspects was apprehended. The 17 year-old male confessed to breaking into the pay box and was charged with theft by taking and turned over to the Stewart County Sheriff's Department. A joint investigation, including the Georgia State Patrol and the Stewart County Sheriff's Department into the theft continues with additional charges pending. 
 
 DOUGHERTY COUNTY While checking the area around the Flint River for fishing activity, Cpl. Scott Carroll and RFC Al Greer discovered a dumpsite containing a large amount of used oil filters and other debris consistent with a commercial operation. A possible source of the litter was located in a search of the discarded materials leading the Rangers to a business in the Albany area. Cpl. Carroll and RFC Al Greer interviewed the owner of the business and obtained the names of the persons he hired to remove the materials from his property. Cpl. Carroll and RFC Greer were able to gather enough evidence through their investigation that on March 21, they obtained felony warrants on the suspects for dumping egregious litter for commercial purposes. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
LOWNDES COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. Greg Moody and Cpl. Morty Wood checked hunting areas that had previously been documented for unlawful turkey baiting activities. Five hunters were located and cited for hunting big game (turkeys) over bait. Two hunters were issued warnings for not having licenses on person. Later that day the Rangers were the first officers on the scene of a traffic accident involving a vehicle towing a camper on I-75. The vehicle had rolled over and the Rangers had to break the windows and assist the occupants in getting out of the car. The driver and passenger were wearing seatbelts and suffered only minor injuries. 
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On March 21, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Sgt. William Vickers located a pop-up blind baited with shelled corn at the edge of a small field in Effingham County. On March 22, 2008, the officers returned to the location and watched the area for approximately two hours before apprehending a man who was hunting turkeys from the blind. The subject was in possession of a variety of turkey calls, a .50-caliber muzzleloader, and a twelvegauge shotgun. He was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait. 
BACON COUNTY On the morning of March 21, Cpl. Jimmy Williams was investigating a complaint of hunting turkeys out of season and hunting without permission. At approximately 9 a.m. a hunter was located. The hunter had killed a gobbler with 1" spurs and a 10 1/2 " beard. He was charged with hunting out of season, hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife; the gobbler was confiscated. 
BEN HILL COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. John Allen Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley were checking baited areas when they saw two decoys set up in the edge of a previously baited field. The hunter was 82 years old and a first-time turkey hunter. He was given a verbal warning and told that he couldn't hunt the area until 10 days after the bait was removed. 
 
 IRWIN COUNTY On March 22, RFC Joe Hilton found a subject hunting turkeys over a food plot baited with corn. He was charged with hunting big game over bait. 
On March 23, Sgt. David Reckley and RFC Joe Hilton checked a baited area on the Alapaha River. They found a hunter calling turkeys and charged him with hunting over bait and wrote a warning for hunting with an unplugged gun. 
APPLING COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. Jimmy Williams was contacted by Appling 911 dispatch that a subject was hunting without permission. Williams went to the area and made contact with the hunter who was charged with hunting without permission. 
CANDLER COUNTY On March 22, RFC Jamey O'Brien checked an area known to be baited for turkeys and located one hunter hunting at the baited site. The hunter was given a citation for hunting big game over baited and a warning for hunting without a license on person. 
EMMANUEL COUNTY On March 16, RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled Harmon Park, an area open to the public for fishing, and found three fishermen fishing without a license. Each person was given a written warning for fishing without a license. 
JENKINS COUNTY On March 22, Cpl Don Dasher checked a known baited location for turkeys and located a hunter hunting at the baited area. The hunter was given a citation for hunting big game over bait. 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On March 16, at approximately 8:30 p.m., RFC Danielle Partin responded to a call from the Montgomery County Sheriffs Department about a family stranded on the Oconee River. The Sheriff's Office advised RFC Partin that the boat was out of gas and was stranded in a slough approximately 3 miles downstream of the Hwy 280 Bridge. Two adults and two small children occupied the boat. When RFC Partin arrived at the Hwy 280 Bridge, a Montgomery County first responder had located the boat and its approximate location. RFC Partin contacted a landowner who had a private landing near the stranded boat and asked for permission to use the landing, saving a 30-minute boat ride in the dark and expediting the rescue. The boat and all the occupants were returned to their family at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department. 
 
 On March 22, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel were checking an area baited for turkeys and located a truck across the road from the baited area. Lying in the bed of the truck was some loose scratch feed. Cpl. Barnard took his canine partner Coal and tracked the hunters while RFC Jarriel stayed by the truck. Cpl. Barnard observed the hunters heading towards their truck approx 100 yards into the track but did not check them. Instead, he continued to track with Coal and went to where the two hunters had been hunting. No bait was found where the hunters had been. RFC Jarriel checked the two hunters and issued one a citation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. 
TOOMBS COUNTY On March 16, at approximately 2 p.m., Cpl. Jon Barnard responded to a 911 call to Cobb Creek Dead River about a fisherman having a heart attack. Cpl Barnard transported EMS personnel by boat to the heart attack victim, who was deceased upon their arrival. The victim's father, who had been fishing with him that day, began having chest pains and was transported to the landing by Cpl Barnard and EMS. Cpl Barnard returned to the scene with Toombs County Sheriff's personnel and coroner. Cpl. Barnard brought the victim and his boat back to the landing. 
LAURENS COUNTY On March 24, Cpl. Larry Dean and RFC James McLaughlin responded to a call on the Oconee River around 1:00 a.m. concerning three teenagers that were missing. The three had decided to put a boat on the water to drift downstream but had not yet returned home. The teenage boys did not have a paddle or an engine on the boat. Due to the cold temperatures and late hour they abandoned their drift trip and had stopped to build a fire on a sandbar. The Rangers located the teenagers and returned them to the boat landing. 
TELFAIR COUNTY On March 19, around 8:00 am, Rangers James McLaughlin and Barry Britt were conducting a drift patrol for illegal turkey hunting activity on the Ocmulgee River between Telfair and Jeff Davis Counties. They saw three individuals dressed in camouflage in a small boat and went to check the boat after observing suspicious activity. By the time the Rangers caught up to the vessel, the subjects had taken off their camouflage coats but still had on their camouflage pants. Each individual in the boat had a loaded shotgun, turkey vest, turkey calls, and turkey decoys. When the rangers asked what they were doing, the operator stated "you caught us; there is no need to lie." The hunters stated they were drifting along the river listening for gobblers on Telfair County property that belonged to one of the hunter's uncle. Each hunter was checked and charged with hunting turkeys out of season. 
 
 Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
BRYAN COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. Cindy Miller checked two subjects hunting turkeys over a baited area. The subjects were written six citations for offenses including hunting turkeys over bait, hunting with unplugged gun and hunting without license. 
On March 22, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Cpl. Cindy Miller were on saltwater patrol around the Ogeechee River. A vessel was stopped to check catch and safety equipment. There were five subjects on board with two coolers full of beer cans and bottles. None of the subjects were over 21. There were a total of six citations written, ranging from operating a vessel under the influence to possession of alcohol by under aged person. 
CAMDEN COUNTY On the night of March 16, Cpl. Chris Hodge received a call from the Camden 911 center in reference to 6 kayakers lost on Crooked River. Cpl. Hodge along with Deputy Chris Sears of the Camden County Sheriff's Office launched a patrol boat at the Crooked River boat ramp. After an extensive search of the area, they were able to locate the lost boaters. They were then taken to their original destination on Cumberland Island. 
WAYNE COUNTY On March 20, Sgt. D.V. Grantham presented 4 hours of POST training to 20 Wayne County deputies and detectives. The instruction was on Surveillance. 
On March 21, RFC Randy Aspinwall investigated a boating incident that he came upon on the Altamaha River. It involved only one Jon boat with 4 occupants, (3 males and 1 female). Three of the occupants were thrown from the boat. The boat struck the female occupant causing a deep cut on her right arm. She was given first aid at Jaycee Landing and then transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup. 
On March 22, RFC Randy Aspinwall and Sgt. D.V. Grantham conducted surveillance on an area baited with corn and birdseed off Bennett Road. Approximately one hour after daylight they observed two subjects walked to the area blowing crow and turkey calls trying to get a gobbler to answer them. When the subjects reached the area with the bait, RFC Aspinwall came out of hiding and stopped the subjects. Both subjects were charged with hunting turkey's over bait. One subject was cited for hunting without a big game license and hunting license in addition to a written warning for having an unplugged shotgun. 
LONG COUNTY On March 18, Cpl. Bobby White assisted Game Management's Ed VanOtteren with inspecting three fox pens in Long County. 
On March 22, Cpl. Bobby White responded to and worked a hunting without permission complaint off highway 57 in Long County, there were no arrests made. 
 
 WAYNE COUNTY On March 18, Cpl Ron Harris received a call from Glynn County Police Department requesting assistance in trying to locate an escaped prisoner, which had fled into a wooded area. Cpl. Harris, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. Chris Ridley responded to the call for assistance and subsequently requested the assistance of DNR Pilot Ed Watkins to provide air support. Cpl. Harris joined Capt. Watkins and served as an aerial observer while Sgt. Harwell and Cpl. Ridley began a perimeter search on ATV's. After a four-hour search the escapee was located hiding in a nearby house where he was arrested without incident. 
MCINTOSH COUNTY On March 21-22, Cpl. Bill Bryson, Ranger Buster Cooper and Cpl. Jimmy Finn gave Chief Inspector for the Israel National Police, Adar Yahalom an overview of DNR Law Enforcement Operations in the Coastal Region.