Field operations weekly report, 2008 March 2-8

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 2-8, 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)
GORDON COUNTY On March 2nd, around 9:00 PM, Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Gordon County EMA in reference to a missing/overdue boater on the Oostanaula River. The boater had launched at the Hwy 136 boat ramp and it was unknown whether he had gone upriver or downriver. Upon Cpl. Elmore's arrival at the boat ramp, he was informed that the Calhoun Fire Department boat had located the missing boater approximately 2.5 miles downriver from the boat ramp. The boater was in a canoe and had all the required equipment.
On March 3rd, Cpl. Shawn Elmore met with the Director of Career Technical and Agricultural Education for the Gordon County school system and other business professionals in the county to discuss and implement course curriculums for high school students that want to enter a certain career field. Cpl. Elmore emphasized the importance of Natural Resource Management and Criminal Justice courses that would benefit a high school student who wished to pursue a career with the Department of Natural Resources.
On March 4th and March 6th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore conducted a Hunter Education course at Coosa Valley Tech in Calhoun with the assistance of volunteer instructor Jim Mullins. Four students were certified in hunter education during this course.
MURRAY COUNTY On March 8th Cpl. Casey Jones, Cpl. James Keener, W/L Tech Larry Etheridge and W/L Tech Mike Cline were working a detail on Cohutta WMA when they received a complaint in reference to two white males in a dark colored Ford Taurus that had shot and killed a turkey from a public road. The four officers proceeded to the location of the incident. A few minutes later the complainant called back and stated that he had seen the two individuals again and was able to copy the tag number on the vehicle. The rangers contacted the Murray County Sheriffs Office and placed a lookout for the vehicle and the two suspects. Murray County deputies stopped the vehicle in question. The rangers arrived at that location and questioned the two suspects. The driver was found to be in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. A 12 gauge pumpaction shotgun, one spent 00 buckshot shotshell, and numerous turkey feathers were discovered in the vehicle. The driver was arrested for VGCSA and transported to the Murray County Jail. The suspects had taken the turkey to the passenger's home and hung it in his tool shed. The passenger agreed to accompany the rangers to his residence where a turkey was found hanging in the shed. The rangers confiscated the turkey and noticed that the beard had been removed. When the rangers asked the suspect about the turkey beard he stated that he did not know what happened to it. He gave the rangers consent to search the shed. While trying to locate the turkey beard the rangers found three suspected marijuana cigarettes on top of a bench below the area where the turkey was hanging. The suspect was placed under arrest and transported to the Murray County Jail. The rangers took warrants on both suspects for hunting out of season, hunting without permission,

hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, possession of illegally taken wildlife and Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
PAULDING COUNTY On March 8th, RFC Chad Cox attended a Wild Game Supper at New Georgia Baptist Church. RFC Cox operated the laser shot and answered questions regarding his job duties and laws pertaining to fish and game.
WALKER COUNTY On March 6th, Ranger Roger McConkey and Ranger First Class Eddie Tompkins were patrolling US Forest Service property near Maddox Gap in Walker County. The rangers encountered a vehicle stopped on the road and a large amount of trash scattered in the area. The rangers stopped to investigate. While conducting the investigation the rangers located crack cocaine in the possession of the driver. The suspect was arrested and transported to the Walker County Detention Center. The rangers took a warrant for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKS HILL LAKE On March 8, RFC Bobby Timmerman, Cpl. Brian Hobbins and Sgt. Doyte Chaffin responded to a 911 call for assistance on Clarks Hill Lake. The caller stated that his vessel had been overtaken by water and that he and his fishing partner had made it to an island. While the officers were en route another fisherman spotted the pair and attempted to assist, however, 40 mph winds and 4-6 foot swells made the attempt very difficult and only one of the two was able to make it into the assisting vessel. The Rangers were able to launch their vessel and retrieve the stranded boater. EMS personnel who responded to the boat landing evaluated both subjects.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
PUTNAM COUNTY On March 2, 2008 at approximately 1 P.M., Corporal Bubba Stanford received a call from Putnam County Sheriff's Office in reference to a stranded boater near the mouth of Little River on Lake Sinclair. Cpl. Stanford responded to the area by boat and located the subject who had ran onto a submerged sandbar. Cpl. Stanford assisted the subject with dislodging his vessel, which took approximately 45 minutes.
BALDWIN COUNTY On March 6, 2008, Corporal Bubba Stanford went to the Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Baldwin County and instructed 120 kids on the habits and characteristics of the wild turkey. Cpl. Stanford also took the time to encourage hunting, fishing and conservation to the students.

MONROE COUNTY On March 2, 2008, at approximately 12:30 p.m., while patrolling for fishing activity at the Holly Grove access of Lake Juliette, Corporal Tony Wynne encountered two people fishing from the bank. When asked, they both admitted to not having a fishing license. The man was charged with "fishing without license" and his fianc was given a written warning for the same offense.
JASPER COUNTY On March 8, 2008, Providence Baptist Church in Shady Dale, held their first ever Turkey Hunting Seminar. This event was intended to encourage children to get outside and to teach them about safety while engaging in outdoor activities. Despite the weather the event saw about 50 visitors. Rangers Billy Bryant, Wil Smith, Keith Page, Ricky Boles, Chad Welch, David Allen and Sgt. Tim Kendrick, along with Tech III Coley Paschal, and Tech III Fred Hayes assisted in putting on some of the events the visitors utilized during the event. Visitors had an opportunity to use the fishing simulator, have several turns at shooting skeet, as well as enter into a Turkey Shoot Competition.
HENRY COUNTY On March 2-5, 2008 RFC Travis Sweat and RFC Kevin Godbee, Corporal Wanda Roberts and Sergeant Russ Ramsey participated in a four-day Search and Rescue mission in Henry County off Red Maple Drive. Rangers utilized body drags and riverboats to assist the Spalding County Dive Team in the recovery of a missing person from a lake located at Oakwood Lakes Subdivision.
SPALDING COUNTY On March 4, 2008 Corporal Wanda Roberts, RFC Travis Sweat and RFC Kevin Godbee attended the Spalding County Turkey Banquet. The rangers responded to questions from over three hundred sportsmen in attendance regarding general hunting issues and the upcoming turkey season.
On March 7, 2008 RFC Travis Sweat and Corporal Wanda Roberts attended the Second Annual Career Fair at the Spalding County High School. Students were able to obtain handouts and interact with rangers concerning a career as a Conservation Ranger.
PIKE COUNTY On March 6, 2008 RFC Travis Sweat and Corporal Wanda Roberts presented four Wildlife Identification Programs to two hundred and fifty third grade students at the Pike County Elementary School. Assisted by the Wildlife Trailer, students were able to view, touch and ask questions about many animals found in the State of Georgia.
On March 3-6, 2008 Sergeant Russ Ramsey assisted Defensive Tactic Instructors with the training of new recruits at the 27th Conservation Ranger Academy at the Georgia Public Safety Training Facility.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
SUMTER COUNTY On March 4, 2008 Cpl. Tommy Lawrence received a call from Sumter County Sheriff's Office requesting assistance in apprehending a fleeing burglary suspect who had crashed his vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area following a high-speed chase. RFC Clint Martin also provided assistance in the search, which involved both ATV and foot pursuit from Rangers, Deputies, Drug Agents, and a K-9 Unit from Lee State Prison. The search lasted approximately 5 hours with the suspect being apprehended on the edge of Lee and Sumter Counties.
LAKE BLACKSHEAR (SUMTER & CRISP COUNTIES) On March 1, 2008 Cpl. John Harkins and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence assisted with security at a marine event involving rowing teams from Atlanta, and Tallahassee, Fl. It was a competitive event among high school teams vying for college scholarships. The event lasted approximately 6 hours with no unusual activity reported.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On March 2, 2008 RFC Jeff Phillips conducted a patrol on Lake Seminole to check fishermen for compliance with licenses, creel limits, & boating safety equipment. He encountered one fisherman who stated that he had only caught a couple of bream. Upon closer inspection, RFC Phillips found that the subject had caught over the limit of 50 bream. A citation was issued for possession of over the daily creel limit & 63 bream were confiscated.
On Saturday March 8, 2008 RFC Jeff Phillips conducted a Hunter Education course in Seminole County. A total of 17 students were certified during the course.
DECATUR COUNTY On Thursday March 6, 2008 RFC Tony Cox assisted the Decatur Co. Sheriff's Office with the execution of a search warrant at a residence that was believed to be a Methamphetamine Production Lab. While conducting the search, a quantity of Methamphetamine and other evidence was seized at the residence. Decatur Co. Investigators are still working on this case.
GRADY COUNTY On Saturday March 8, 2008 Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Mike Binion, and RFC Tony Cox attended the annual J.A.K.E.S. Day in Grady County. They presented 3 educational programs utilizing the Lasershot shooting simulator, shotgun safety during a Turkey Shoot, and hunting scenarios encountered while turkey hunting. Approximately 40 kids were in attendance during the event.

STEWART / CHATTAHOOTCHEE COUNTIES On March 2, 2008, Cpl. Steve Robinson and Sgt. Butch Potter conducted a boat patrol on the northern section of Lake George. During the patrol nine different vessels were stopped for failure to display registration. Two of the boats had small children on board without the proper size life jackets. It was discovered that all the vessels were rentals from Ft. Benning. On Monday, March 3, 2008, Cpl. Robinson contacted the appropriate personnel at Fort Benning to inform them of the situation, and provided the necessary guidance to ensure these rental vessels are in compliance with safety and registration requirements. He also ensured that marina personnel were aware of the proper safety equipment to be issued with the vessels. No enforcement action was taken on the boat's operators.
During the same patrol Rangers issued two written warnings for life jacket violations and three for fishing without a license. Verbal warnings were given to several teenagers for fishing without a license.
STEWART COUNTY Cpl. B.J. Foster, Cpl. Steve Robinson and Sgt. Butch Potter attended the annual National Wild Turkey Federation banquet in Richland on March 8, 2008. They met with sportsmen and provided printed material and answered questions on a variety of subjects.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On March 6, 2008, Cpl. Scott Carroll was checking fishing activity along the Flint River in Albany. He approached a vehicle parked in a secluded area along the riverbank. As he approached the vehicle he determined there were two occupants inside. In an effort to ensure their safety he inquired about their status. After providing Cpl. Carroll with his identification information, the male occupant began running through the wooded area. Cpl. Carroll gave chase and captured the man after a short foot pursuit. A check into his identification indicated an active warrant. He was arrested and charged with Obstruction of an Officer and turned over to the Dougherty County Sheriff's Office and placed in jail.
On March 6, 2008, Ranger Randy James was patrolling along the Kinchafoonee Creek in Dougherty County. He noticed a strong odor of something burning nearby and a column of black smoke. Upon further investigation he found a pit with plastics and furniture being burnt. He talked with several residents and potential witnesses in the area and determined the names of the property owners as well as the party who was responsible for the burning. After a thorough investigation, Ranger James issued one citation for unlawful burning or egregious waste/litter.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
BERRIEN COUNTY Cpl. Morty Wood completed a lengthy investigation concerning hunting without permission that involved two individuals whose picture had been taken by a trail camera set on a hunting club. On December 8, 2007 the individuals shot a deer on the property and trailed it past the camera. A club member hunting nearby heard the shots and later checked the camera where he found the photos. It took several weeks to determine the identities of the poachers. Cpl. Wood obtained warrants this week on each individual for hunting without permission, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.
LANIER COUNTY On March 8, 2008 RFC Tim Hutto observed a large white bag blow out of the bed of a truck traveling in front of him. The vehicle "bumped" the brake lights briefly but continued on. RFC Hutto stopped the vehicle and questioned the subject about the bag. The driver stated that he did not know that Hutto was a Game Warden because he was driving a black truck instead of a green one. The driver was informed of the Litter Abatement Law and was cited for littering.
DODGE COUNTY On Thursday, March 6, 2008 Cpl. Larry Dean responded to a call from Dodge 911 in reference to 2 subjects killing Robins within the city limits of Eastman. Upon arrival he identified the species and noticed that the two men had killed approximately 75 of the songbirds and had thrown them over the fence onto another person's property. The two were issued citations and cleaned up the remains for the adjoining landowner.
COFFEE COUNTY RFC Joe Hilton is a trained aerial observer for Georgia State Patrol helicopter pilot Sgt. Jeff Rhodes. On Sunday March 10, Sgt Rhodes and RFC Hilton were called to assist in the search for a suspected robber. The suspect had lead Decatur County police on a 30minute car chase before fleeing on foot into a wooded area. Rhodes and Hilton searched the wooded area with Forward Looking Inferred (FLIR) for about 15 minutes before Hilton spotted the suspect. The suspect began running but could not escape the helicopter. Hilton directed the deputies to where the suspect was hiding and he was arrested.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On 2-8-08, Cpl. Chris Hodge received information on a night deer hunting violation. Cpl. Hodge is currently investigating the incident and charges are pending on to two male suspects.

GLYNN COUNTY On 3-8-08, while on routine patrol, Cpl Ron Harris got behind a vehicle that was weaving while traveling North on Hwy 341. After following the vehicle for a short distance the vehicle came to almost a complete stop in the inside travel lane of Hwy 341. Believing the driver to possibly be intoxicated, Cpl Harris stopped the vehicle and notified the Georgia State Patrol, which had a Glynn County Police unit meet with him. After speaking with the driver it was determined that she was not intoxicated, but she was wanted on three warrants issued in Wayne County. The female subject was allowed to contact her husband to come and get the vehicle, but it was determined that he also had warrants issued in Wayne County. Both subjects were arrested and taken to the Wayne County Detention Center.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On March 5, 2008 Cpl. Bobby White and Wildlife Technicians Wayne Hubbard and Ed Van Otteren inspected three fox pens inspected in Brantley County. Other than record keeping issues, all three pens inspected were found to be in compliance with applicable laws.
CHATHAM COUNTY On 3-5-08 Ranger Justin Heyward along with The Coastal Resources Division and the Chatham County Marine Patrol posted 10 sailboats and 2 shrimp boats in Turners Creek. The postings were an "Order To Remove" in accordance with the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and Tidewater Protection Act, from the illegal anchorage.
On 3-5-08, Chatham County Recorders Court heard three commercial crabbing cases made by Ranger Justin Heyward and Cpl Curtis Wright. The three commercial crab fishermen were issued fines. Two crabbers were fined $220.00 each for placing their commercial crab traps within a marked waterway Wassaw /Wilmington Channel and the third were fined $320.00 for not having marked their commercial crab traps. The violators had been previously warned by Rangers for these violations and the cases were made in a heavily traveled area were boaters and fishermen travel to prevent damage to their boats.
JOINT ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT / OFFSHORE PATROL On 3-2-08 Cpl Ron Harris, Cpl Jimmy Finn, & Sgt. John Harwell were conducting a Right Whale Patrol in accordance with the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan (ALWTRP), offshore of Sapelo and St. Catherine's Island. While on the patrol Rangers located 4 right whales. While observing the whales from a distance, the officers had to divert a recreational fishing vessel, as the course of the vessel would have brought them to close to the whales.