Field operations weekly report, 2008 September 21-27

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report September 21-27, 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 September 23rd, Cpl. Chip Cox was patrolling Bartow County in the Kingston area. In the middle of the afternoon, he noticed a vehicle pulled over in a remote area. From there he walked into a field and found a man pouring corn from a 50 pound bag in front of a blind to be used to hunt deer. The man was given verbal advice about placing bait and hunting big game over bait.
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On September 27th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Ben Cunningham and Ranger Brad Hamby presented the Laser Shot at the annual Outdoor Adventure Day held at Sloppy Floyd State Park. The Outdoor Adventure Day is a cooperative effort between Game Management, Fisheries Management, Law Enforcement, and State Parks. There were approximately 1700 participants in this year's event
COBB COUNTY On September 27th, RFC Brooks Varnell traveled from Cobb County to Unicoi State Park to give an information and education program on the use of K-9 dogs for DNR Law Enforcement. He demonstrated the use of K-9s for tracking, article detection, and officer safety.
FANNIN COUNTY On September 27th, Ranger Cody Jones, Cpl. James Keener and Sgt. Steve Seitz participated in a National Hunting and Fishing Day event at Rock Creek National Fish Hatchery. They utilized the departments Laser Shot Simulator and the Fishing Simulator. This event included fishing, fly-fishing instruction, archery, and other games and booths. Approximately 550 people were in attendance.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On September 23rd, Cpl. Jason Roberson presented a program to the Kiwanis Club about the Youth Squirrel Hunt taking place on Dawson Forest WMA on December 20th of this year.
FORSYTH/GWINNETT COUNTIES On September 21st, the rangers in Sgt. Lee Brown's work unit conducted a concentrated patrol of the Chattahoochee River from Buford Dam at Lower Pool to Jones Bridge Park due to recent complaints of fishing with illegal bait and possession of over the daily creel limit. Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Mark Stephens patrolled from Lower Pool to Settles Bridge by canoe. Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Mitchell Crump and Ranger Pamela Garrison patrolled from GA Hwy 20 to Jones Bridge Park by vehicle. A total of 36 fishermen were checked. A total of 26 violations were documented from fishing w/o a license,

fishing w/o a trout license, possession and use of illegal bait, possession of illegally taken fish and one subject jailed for possession of marijuana. Also, a total of 13 fish were confiscated.
FORSYTH COUNTY On September 21st, at 8 p.m., the State Operations Center (SOC) in Atlanta notified RFC Mark Stephens of a lost boater on Lake Lanier. RFC Stephens contacted the individual(s) lost by cell phone and was advised that they were lost up Six Mile Creek trying to get to Charleston Park boat ramp. Two adult females and four young children occupied the vessel. RFC Stephens made contact with the lost boaters at 9:05 p.m. just outside the mouth of Six Mile Creek and towed them to Charleston Park boat ramp.
On September 26th, at 8:30 p.m. RFC Mitchell Crump received a call from SOC about a boat accident on Lake Lanier at Port Royal Marina in Forsyth County. RFC Crump called the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and told them that he would be there in about 1 hour. Forsyth County informed him that Deputies and EMS were on the scene. When RFC Crump arrived on the scene the Deputies already had statements from everyone in both vessels. The operator of the first vessel was transported to the hospital for head injuries. After talking with all the witnesses, it was determined that vessel "B" was following vessel "A." Vessel "B" ran over the back of vessel "A" hitting the operator. The operator was treated and released from the hospital. No alcohol was involved in the accident.
On September 27th, RFC Mitchell Crump and RFC Anne Alexander conducted a 10 Hour Hunter Education Course at the Coal Mountain Community Building. A total of 24 students were certified during this course.
HALL COUNTY On September 22nd, at 7:40 p.m. Sgt. Mike Burgamy was notified by SOC in Atlanta of a possible boating fatality on Lake Lanier in the no wake zone at Harbor Landing Marina. Sgt. Burgamy was notified again by SOC at 7:42 p.m. by what was later determined to be the victim's spouse concerned about the location and welfare of her husband. Both calls were related. Sgt. Burgamy responded to the call and notified RFC Mark Stephens at 7:48 p.m. RFC Stephens responded as well. Sgt. Burgamy arrived on the scene and secured the victim's vessel to one of the docks at the marina. Sgt. Burgamy and RFC Stephens inspected the vessel and gathered information related to the vessel and incident. It was later determined that the victim got into the water and was removing debris (fishing line) from the prop of the vessel. The victim struggled unsuccessfully to try and board his vessel from the water after removing the debris from his prop. A security guard on a nearby dock at the marina observed this taking place. The victim began to swim over to the security guard and was extremely fatigued by the time he arrived at the dock. The security guard helped him out of the water and called 911. The victim was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center and treated for a mild case of hypothermia.

WHITE COUNTY On September 27th, RFC David Webb, RFC Kevin Dyer, RFC Chad Chambers, Cpl. Derek Dillard, along with Game Management and US Forest Service worked the skeet venue at Outdoor Adventure Day. There were 1408 participants at the event, which was held at Unicoi State Park.
On September 27th, Sgt Steve Seitz assisted Region 1 Law Enforcement with an Outdoor adventure day at Rock Creek where there were approximately 500 participants.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On September 27th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Bobby Timmerman attended the Wildwood Sportsman's Festival at Wildwood Park. They answered questions from visitors and distributed hunting regulations. The officers also responded to a hunting without permission complaint in the Grovetown area. Contact was made with a juvenile and he was advised not to ride his ATV on the complainant's property.
NEWTON/DEKALB COUNTIES On September 26th, Sgt. Matt Garthright responded to a complaint from Newton County Sheriff's Office in reference to three hunters illegally hunting. After responding, the Sheriff's Office encountered three men skinning out a deer behind their residence. The three guys told the deputies that they were on their way to Walmart to buy a hunting license when they observed a deer get hit by a car. They stated that the deer was stumbling and they decided to go ahead and finish it off with a bow and arrow. The three men were dressed in camo and wearing grunt calls around their neck at the time. By the time Sgt. Garthright's arrived, the three men had changed clothes. After a lengthy investigation involving Cpl. Sanders in Rockdale County, it was determined that the deer had not be hit by a car, but killed with a bow and arrow. As a result, the three men were cited for 13 violations including hunting without permission, hunting without licenses, possession of illegally taken wildlife.
JOHNSON COUNTY On September 28th, RFC Matherly and RFC Billips responded to a complaint of hunting without permission off Hwy 15 north of Adrian in Johnson County. A climbing stand, a bow with arrows and a large duffle bag containing hunting equipment was found on the complainant's property. The caretaker advised that he had seen a subject on an ATV leaving the area as he was approaching the area. He advised the officers in which the direction the subject had been last seen traveling. While investigating the area, the two rangers located a truck with Florida plates parked a short distance from the property line. After three hours of tracking the subjects through the two pieces of property one subject was found at a hunting camp located on the piece of property that the complainant had last seen the subject on the ATV. While RFC Billips talked with the subject at the camp, RFC Matherly stood by with the vehicle that had been found in the woods. While waiting at the vehicle RFC Matherly observed a subject sneaking through a group of

planted pines. When the subject noticed that RFC Matherly was approaching him he began to run. The subject had to be told several times to stop before he stopped running from the officer. The two men were placed under arrest and transported to the Johnson County Jail. RFC Matherly and RFC Billips issued citations for obstruction of an officer, hunting big game over bait, hunting with out permission, non-residence hunting with out non-resident big game license, and non-resident hunting with out non-resident archery license.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On September 26th, Cpl. Brent Railey assisted Game Management Tech. Nick Holbrook with capturing an injured hawk in western Troup County.
On September 27th, at about 4:30 a.m. Cpl. Brent Railey received a call from Troup County 911. The dispatcher said a boating incident and drowning had occurred at Horace King Access boat ramp. Cpl. Railey and Sgt. Randy Hackley responded and determined that a 73 year old male had stepped from the boat onto the dock at Horace King access, lost his balance and fell overboard, striking his head on the dock before going into the water. The man went underwater instantly and drowned. His son and a friend tried to find him but were unsuccessful. Chief Investigator Charles Nixon from the Troup County Sheriff's Office dive team recovered the body about an hour later in 15 feet of water.
Later that morning Cpl.Railey and Sgt. Hackley checked a baited deer stand near Hogansville. They wrote a citation to a hunter for hunting big game over bait (apples) and checked several other baited stands.
PUTNAM COUNTY On September 21st, Ranger Josh Copelan and Cpl. Bubba Stanford were patrolling Avant Road when they found a vehicle pulled up to a gate. The Rangers tracked the hunter into the woods and located a stand. Nearby were a backpack and two crossbows. The Rangers discovered corn broadcasted in the area and an arrow covered in blood stuck in the ground. A short time later the hunters returned to the stand and the Rangers made contact with them. One hunter was charged with hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife because of a six-point buck that he killed. The deer was seized and taken to a homeless shelter in Baldwin County.
On September 27th, Cpl. Bubba Stanford received a call from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in reference to fishing without permission on the Gray Highway. Cpl. Stanford responded to the scene and met with the landowner and a Putnam County Deputy. Three black males were charged with fishing without permission and two had warrants on them and were arrested.

BALDWIN COUNTY On September 22nd, Ranger Josh Copelan and Cpl. Bubba Stanford were patrolling on a dirt road near the Sparta Highway when they observed a car parked in the roadway. The officers noticed a white female digging in the dirt beside the road and a white female driving. As the officers approached the vehicle, the passenger entered the car and they began to drive off but the officers motioned for them to stop. The woman said they were looking for arrowheads but had not found any. The Rangers searched the car and discovered marijuana and methamphetamine. A Baldwin County deputy responded to the scene and the case was turned over to him. The women were arrested and charged possession of methamphetamine; possession of marijuana, false statements and driving on a suspended license and the car was also seized.
BUTTS COUNTY On September 28th, at approximately 6:00 pm, RFC Smith received a call from Butts County 911 in reference to a person claiming to have caught an alligator on the side of the road. RFC Smith and Sgt. Kendrick responded and found a 2-foot alligator. The complainant said that she saw the gator on the side of the road and was able to catch it in a box. RFC Smith took possession of the alligator and contacted Dauset Trails to possibly take alligator
HOUSTON COUNTY On September 24th, RFC Tim Butler was contacted by the Houston County Sheriff's Department regarding illegal fishing activity at the Flat Creek Public Fishing Area. Deputies had discovered four subjects fishing in the lake. The area is currently closed to fishing. Four citations were issued for fishing in a closed PFA and two citations were issued for fishing without a license.
PULASKI COUNTY On September 21st, RFC Tim Butler encountered two subjects hunting doves in a field that had been planted with wheat before the normal agricultural planting dates for small grain. Additionally, it appeared little effort had been made to cover the seed. The individuals were warned for hunting doves over bait and were instructed how to properly prepare a dove field for the future.
TWIGGS COUNTY On the afternoon of September 21st, Cpl. Robert Stillwell checked two deer stands, which he had previously located and determined to be baited in violation of law. Two subjects were subsequently apprehended and given citations for the offense of hunting big game over bait.
MONROE COUNTY On the nights of September 22nd 24th, Corporal Tony Wynne taught a Hunter Education Class to seventeen students from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. each night. During the day Corporal Wynne patrolled for deer bait finding several baited areas that could be hunted during archery season.

On September 25th, Corporal Tony Wynne and Ranger First Class Keith Page assisted Georgia Power employees and local volunteers with clean up of the Ocmulgee River.
On September 27th, Corporal Tony Wynne and Sergeant Tim Kendrick checked an area baited for deer in Monroe County finding three hunters hunting over corn and one hunter hunting without license.
HENRY COUNTY On September the 21st, at 6 p.m., RFC Sweat received a call in reference to someone hunting over bait in Henry County off Turner Church Rd. RFC Sweat contacted SGT Russ Ramsey and advised him of the call. Sgt. Ramsey, who was closer to the location, responded and arrived on the scene within minutes of the call. He was able to locate the violator and hold him until RFC Travis Sweat and Ranger Adam Jacobs arrive shortly after. The Ranger charged the subject for hunting big game over bait, hunting w/o permission and collected evidence samples of the bait.
On September 22nd, Sgt. Russ Ramsey assisted the Henry County Police Department with the arrest of two subjects for driving with out license, driving with expired tag, criminal trespassing and theft by taking after checking a baited deer stand on Bellah's Landing Property off Hemphill and Mosley Roads in Henry County. The two subjects were trespassing on the property where the baited stand was located.
On September 27th, Sgt. Russ Ramsey, Cpl. Wanda Roberts, RFC Kevin Godbee and Ranger Adam Jacobs presented an I&E program in Henry County for the GON and NWTF. The Rangers interacted with approximately 70 adults and children utilizing the Laser Shot and Electric Boats
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On September 27th, RFC Randy Davis responded to a drowning that occurred on the Flint River in the area of Riverbend landing. Witnesses stated the victim was attempting to cross the river when the current swept the victim under. Fishermen in the area were able to pull the victim from the water prior to arrival of first responders and EMS.
BROOKS COUNTY On September 21st, RFC Jon Penuel received an in progress complaint about a baited dove shoot. Based on the information provided, RFC Penuel was able to locate the shoot. After conducting a thorough investigation, one subject was charged with hunting under the influence, hunting over bait and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
COLQUITT COUNTY On September 21st, while conducting a check of a dove field, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey found it baited with cracked corn, grain sorghum and sesame seeds. The four subjects present on the field were cited for hunting doves over bait.

DECATUR COUNTY On September 21st, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips were on patrol in Decatur County when they observed a plume of smoke rising from what the officers soon discovered to be illegal burning of waste. The officers found two individuals burning mobile homes to recover scrap metal. Both were charged with unlawful burning of waste.
On September 27th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Terri Jones, and RFC Jeff Phillips patrolled the Flint River in Decatur County to assist with the "South Georgia Showdown" drag boat race. This event consisted of approximately 40 drag boats and 200 spectators.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
JENKINS COUNTY On September 27th, Cpl. Don Dasher checked baited deer stands and found one hunter. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait.
BEN HILL COUNTY On Sept 28th, Cpl. John A. Stokes, while on patrol issued 8 citations on private property off Iris road. Two violators were found hunting without permission, hunting without license, and hunting with illegal weapons during archery season.
COFFEE COUNTY During the week, RFC Joe Hilton worked a night hunting complaint and checked baited stands.
BULLOCH COUNTY On September 26th, Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a hunting deer with dogs out of season complaint. The complainant had caught a dog running deer on his still hunting club and contacted the Metter L.E. office. The dog owner stated that the dog had escaped from its pen and ran onto the adjacent hunting club property. The dog was returned to the owner and verbal guidance issued.
On September 26th , Cpl. Dave Sims made contact with a subject fishing without permission. The fisherman was issued a written warning for fishing without permission.
On September 27th, Cpl. Dave Sims checked a deer stand known to be baited with rye seed and cited an archery hunter for hunting big game over bait.
SCREVEN COUNTY On September 27th, while checking baited deer stands, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely encountered an archery hunter in a ground blind. The area in front of the ground blind had been previously baited with corn. The hunter was issued a written warning and advised of Georgia's baiting laws.

WARE COUNTY On September 21st, RFC Brad Cox checked an archery deer hunter on Old Nichols Hwy and issued a warning for hunting without archery license.
On September 26th, RFC Brad Cox assisted an agent with the GBI in locating a crop of marijuana in a wooded area.
On September 27th, RFC Cox patrolled southern Ware County along the Swamp Perimeter checking for bear hunting activity.
PIERCE COUNTY On the night of September 27th and the morning of September 28th, Cpl. Damon Winters and RFC Brad Cox worked a night hunting complaint in the Cross Swamp area of Pierce County. Two local men were subsequently arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road and issued warnings for hunting from a motor vehicle.
CHARLTON COUNTY On September 26th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Cpl. Damon Winters checked baited bear stands on Boones Creek and Boggy Branch hunting clubs in Charlton County. Two hunters were charged with hunting bear over bait and one subject was charged with hunting bear without florescent orange.
ECHOLS COUNTY On September 25th, RFC Tim Hutto and Ranger Keith McDonald patrolled for bear and deer hunting activity. The officers checked several hunters in Echols and Clinch counties resulting in one citation and three warnings being issued for hunting without a license, hunting without a license on person, and hunting without fluorescent orange clothing.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LIBERTY COUNTY On September 21st, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were patrolling in Dickerson Creek. A few boats were checked and one was cited for insufficient PFD's and no registration.
On September 22nd, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller were patrolling the South Newport River checking commercial crabbers. One commercial crabber was cited for undersized crabs.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On September 21st, Cpl. Billy Reed responded to a report of a missing person on the Satilla River. After an exhaustive search involving the Brantley County Sheriff's Office, the Brantley County Rescue Squad, and several other departments the person was located asleep on a sandbar.

WAYNE COUNTY On September 21st, Cpl. Bobby White and RFC Randy Aspinwall attended Outdoors Day at the House of Worship Church in Jesup where they operated the Laser Shot Shooting Simulator and the Fishing Simulator.
GLYNN COUNTY September 27th, RFC Mark Carson assisted the Game Management section at Sansavilla WMA with a Parent Child hunt and presented a new program designed for youths. RFC Carson ran the Laser Shot simulator and set up Shoot / No Shoot wildlife scenes. The new program is a competitive event that challenges kids in their knowledge of hunter education, wildlife identification, archery, pellet rifle marksmanship, and general wildlife information.
On Sept. 26th, Ranger Rebekah Fuller and Sgt. John Harwell checked several boats and fishermen along the St. Simon's Island Causeway. One citation was issued for fishing w/o a license.
On Sept. 27, Ranger Rebekah Fuller and Sgt. John Harwell checked several boats on the Altamaha River. One operator was cited for insufficient lifejackets. The vessel had six people on board with only one life jacket. The vessel was also cited for the 100' ft law as it came under the bridge at full speed.
CAMDEN COUNTY On the night of September 21st, Cpl. Chris Hodge responded to a stranded boater with the Camden County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol. The operator of the vessel had phoned the 911 Center and advised the dispatcher that they had been caught in a storm because they were out of gas. After arriving on scene, Cpl. Hodge and the Marine Patrol officer noticed that a 27-year-old female was suffering from hypothermia. 911 dispatchers were notified to have EMS personnel standing by at the White Oak boat ramp. While in route to the boat ramp, the female became unconscious. Upon arrival at the dock, the female was turned over EMS and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
On the night of September 27th, Cpl. Chris Hodge was working a night deer hunting complaint in Camden County. He observed a vehicle pull over and shoot at a deer. Cpl. Hodge stopped the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.