Field operations weekly report, 2009 January 18-24

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 18-24, 2009
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 January 23rd, at approximately 6:20 pm, Ranger Cody Jones was set up in an area where Sgt. John VanLandingham had complaints of duck hunters shooting after hours. Several minutes after legal shooting hours, Ranger Jones heard a volley of 4 or 5 shots. While the hunters continued to shoot Ranger Jones was able to locate 4 duck hunters. Ranger Jones and Sgt. VanLandingham inspected their hunting equipment and licenses. The four hunters were issued citations for hunting waterfowl after legal hours.
FULTON COUNTY On January 20th, Ranger James Psillis received a call from Sgt. Finley of the John's Creek Police Department about a buck that may have been killed over bait. Upon investigating the scene Ranger Psillis, R.F.C. Bart Hendrix, and Sgt. Finley located a gut pile, two baited areas, and a broad head arrow. Following leads provided by the property manager and a neighbor, Ranger Psillis and R.F.C. Hendrix interviewed two suspects who then admitted to placing corn out and killing a buck over the bait. The two men were issued citations for possession of illegally taken wildlife and hunting big game over bait. The 13-point buck was then confiscated as evidence.
GORDON COUNTY On January 24th, rangers from two work sections worked a concentrated raccoon hunting patrol in Gordon, Murray, and Whitfield Counties. Several groups of hunters were checked. As a result of the concentrated patrol and evidence located throughout the night of illegal raccoon hunting an investigation has been initiated.
WALKER COUNTY On January 21st, Cpl. Tommy Gentry assisted the Walker County Sheriff's Office by conducting the Hunter Safety portion of the CHAMPS program. Cpl. Gentry taught four fifth grade classes at Naomi Elementary School the pleasures of hunting while always keeping safety in mind. CHAMPS is a program created by the Georgia Sheriff's Association. It stands for Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On January 23rd, Cpl. Payne performed an Information and Education class at Warren Rd. Elementary School for students. In the program he informed the students about trapping and fur bearing wildlife in Georgia. The students were introduced to all fur bearing wildlife by skins provided by the Game Management section.

On January 24th, Cpl. Payne and RFC Matherly patrolled Phinizy Swamp WMA checking duck hunters. On a complaint the officers checked 3 hunters approximately 400 yards into the swamp for violations. They observed the hunters shooting at black birds. After announcing their presence to the hunters they checked licenses and necessary equipment. One hunter was over the bag limit of ducks. All had appropriate licenses. One written warning was issued along with verbal guidance for shooting at black birds. The officers then met up with Mike Wilcox of the Game Management Section and checked hunters at the Phinizy Parking area.
CLARKE COUNTY On January 24th, RFC Nick Jenkins responded to a hunting without permission complaint in Clarke County. RFC Jenkins found 2 subjects hunting ducks without permission and issued 2 hunting without permission citations.
NEWTON COUNTY On January 24th, Cpl. David Allen, Cpl. Derrell Worth, and RFC Larry Mills worked a duck hunting detail on Lake Jackson. The rangers had received several complaints from landowners around the lake about hunting in illegal areas. The rangers checked several duck hunters on the detail, but everyone they encountered was legal.
LINCOLN COUNTY On January 24th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended two subjects who were waterfowl hunting off of Little River without proper licenses
On January 24th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended a subject hunting waterfowl off of Grays Creek with an unplugged shotgun.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On January 18th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and Cpl. Brent Railey interviewed a subject in LaGrange about a hunting deer at night complaint. This subject's vehicle had been found parked adjacent to a freshly killed deer two nights prior with the keys locked inside along with a rifle and a cell phone belonging to the subject. During the interview the subject indicated that his truck had been stolen, that he always left his keys in the vehicle, and that he had been at a relative's house down the road when the incident happened. The case is still under investigation.
HEARD COUNTY On January 22nd, Cpl. Jim Bradfield attended Heard County probate court for a scheduled bench trial for a hunting big game over bait case. The defendant pled no-lo to the charges in a pre-trial agreement with the officer and Assistant District Attorney and paid a reduced fine. The hunter had also been issued a warning for hunting without his license on his person and provided proof at court that he was properly licensed on that day.

TALBOT COUNTY On January 24th, RFC Jeremy Bolen heard several shots coming from an area near a duck pond. RFC Bolen located the duck shoot and found ten hunters coming out of the area. After inspecting the license of the hunters, RFC Bolen issued 4 citations and 3 written warnings for various license violations.
BLECKLEY COUNTY On January 19, Cpl. Robert Stillwell responded to a complaint of persons hunting without permission. Upon his arrival and after meeting with the landowner and a sheriff's deputy, Stillwell entered the property and located seven individuals, all of whom were carrying shotguns. The subjects stated they were hunting rabbits. After advising them that they were trespassing, the officer escorted the hunters to their vehicles. There, they were issued warnings for the offense of hunting without permission. Because the subjects stated they were missing two hounds, Stillwell began searching the area for dogs. While doing so he observed three individuals on the edge of a field and, as he slowed the patrol vehicle, they fled into a pine thicket. Cpl. Stillwell called the sheriff's deputy for assistance and upon checking the area officers located three sets of clothing, three shotguns, and several dead rabbits. After several hours of investigation Stillwell located all three suspects, none of whom possessed a valid hunting license. All three were charged with hunting without permission and hunting without licenses.
PULASKI COUNTY On January 23rd, Wildlife Technician Ronnie Beard heard a volley of gunshots after legal sunset. Believing the shooting was an after-hours duck shoot, he contacted RFC Tim Butler. Butler, knowing the location of a duck roost in the general area, provided Beard with directions on how to get to the pond. Officer Beard arrived first and as he was waiting for Butler, heard several more shots. Butler arrived shortly thereafter. Three duck hunters were subsequently apprehended at they were walking out of the pond. All were issued citations for hunting waterfowl after hours.
On the morning of January 24th, RFC Butler checked a duck shoot and found the pond to be baited with corn. The three subjects hunting the pond were cited for hunting ducks over bait. One of the subjects, whose shotgun was found to be unplugged, was also cited for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
TWIGGS COUNTY On the evening of January 19th, Cpl. Robert Stillwell responded to Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in reference a complaint of a lost hunter and his eleven-year-old son. Stillwell, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Officer Tom Payne, searched the swamp with all terrain vehicles and, after approximately two hours, located the lost hunters. The officers escorted them out to their awaiting family.

HENRY COUNTY On the Afternoon of January 24th , RFC Godbee responded to and injured blue heron call in Williamsburg Subdivision off Hwy 81 in Henry County. Upon arriving at the scene, RFC Godbee observed a large crowd of people with a heron stuck in to top of a tree about 40' off the ground. RFC Godbee called RFC Sweat to assist due to large size of the bird and the amount of spectators at the scene. The two rangers had no way to get the bird down so the Fire Department was called and they were able to cut the limb and release the bird. RFC Godbee and Sweat then attempted for over and hour to capture the wounded heron. After the bird was captured, the crowd cheered and thanked the two Rangers. The Ranger transported the heron to Noah's Ark to have its broken leg mended.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
WORTH COUNTY On January 23rd, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Ben Roberts located a baited duck shoot where six hunters were cited with a federal charge of hunting over bait.
During an after hours waterfowl patrol on January 23rd, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Ben Roberts located and cited four hunters for hunting after hours and hunting without Georgia waterfowl license.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On the afternoon of January 24th, Sgt. Danny Bishop, Cpl. Robbie Griner, and RFC Ben Roberts located an after hours duck shoot where ten hunters were cited for violations of hunting after hours, taking over the limit, and other violations.
LEE COUNTY On January 23rd, Ranger Randy James, Sgt. Ellis Wynn, and Sgt. Danny Bishop were conducting a morning waterfowl patrol when a baited pond was discovered. Three hunters were cited for hunting ducks over bait.
On January 24th, Sgt. Ellis Wynn apprehended and cited a subject for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
TERRELL COUNTY On January 24th, Sgt. Danny Bishop, Sgt. Ellis Wynn, RFC Jim Atchley, and RFC Bob Holley were conducting waterfowl patrols in the southern Terrell County area when three different groups of hunters were found hunting in close proximity to one another. Two hunters were charged with over the limit of ducks, and two others for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.

BAKER COUNTY On January 19th, RFC Randy Davis received a complaint of an illegal dumpsite in the town of Newton. Upon locating the site and the owner of the property, officer Davis issued a written warning for unlawful dumping with the understanding that the site would be properly cleaned up.
BROOKS COUNTY On January 19th, while patrolling for evening waterfowl activity, RFC Jon Penuel and Sgt. David Ruddell located a hunter shooting ducks in a roost pond. The subject was cited for hunting ducks after hours and several license violations.
TIFT COUNTY On January 21st, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey located four hunters shooting an evening duck roost. The four were cited for hunting ducks after hours and several license violations.
THOMAS COUNTY On January 19th, while patrolling for after hours waterfowl activity, RFC David Brady located three subjects shooting a duck roost. During the encounter, Brady discovered that the three hunters were juveniles, and one of the young men had been caught for the same violation three weeks earlier. Officer Brady discussed the violations with the boys' parents and then released them into their custody.
RANDOLPH COUNTY On January 24th, RFC Bob Holley located two subjects hunting ducks illegally. One of the subjects was cited for hunting waterfowl without a federal duck stamp. The second subject was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a federal duck stamp, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license and in possession of more than the daily limit of Hooded Mergansers.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY Search and rescue efforts for the drowning victim on the Oconee River continue with the assistance of many Region VI officers.
TOOMBS COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Barnard heard some early morning shooting in the area of Mt. Moriah Church. Cpl. Barnard located four hunters hunting ducks and issued one hunter a warning for hunting waterfowl without a federal duck stamp.

PIERCE COUNTY On January 19th, Cpl. Damon Winters responded to a complaint of hunting without permission in the Youmans Chapel area. Cpl. Winters located six hunters running rabbits. It was determined that the hunters had permission to hunt the land they were on. After a compliance check, two warnings were issued for license and unplugged gun violations.
On January 19th, Cpl. Damon Winters responded to a complaint of possible hunting deer out of season in the Patterson area. Cpl. Winters located five hunters running rabbits. After a compliance check three warnings were issued for license and unplugged gun violations.
On January 22nd, Cpl. Damon Winters checked a possible duck roost shoot in the Patterson area. Three hunters were located around the pond. After a compliance check, one citation was issued for hunting with illegal ammunition and one warning was issued for hunting after hours. Verbal guidance was issued to two juveniles on the pond.
BULLOCH COUNTY On January 23rd and 24th Cpl. Sims patrolled the Ogeechee River for illegal commercial shad and sport fishing activity. Two boats and four kayaks were checked. Violations were documented for no life jackets and no fishing license.
On January 18th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Ranger Brandon Pierce checked a steel trapper working his traps. The inspection resulted in three violations being detected and documented along with 10 traps being confiscated.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On January 20th, Ranger Brandon Pierce assisted the DNR Game Management section in the removal of a raccoon from a residence. The subject was given verbal guidance on what to do with a captured game animal and issued a violation of holding a game animal.
SCREVEN COUNTY On January 17th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely encountered two male subjects near the town of Rocky Ford walking in a wooded area along Horse Creek. As Cpl. McNeely approached, one of the subjects fired a shotgun. The two men were found standing beside a steel trap with a freshly killed raccoon in it. Both men indicated that they had no trapping license. Citations were issued for trapping without a license, failure to tag traps, and trapping without written permission. Two steel traps were confiscated.
TIFT/BERRIEN COUNTIES On the morning of January 19th, Cpl. Morty Wood and Cpl. Tommy Daughtry were listening for duck shoots and conducting surveillance on a baited duck pond on the Tift and Berrien County line. The rangers checked 4 adults and 2 juveniles shooting the baited pond. The 4 adults were cited for hunting waterfowl over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. 10 wood ducks were confiscated and given to a local church for a wild game supper.

LOWNDES COUNTY On the morning of January 24th, Cpl. Morty Wood, Sgt. David Nugent, RFC Tim Hutto, and Ranger Keith McDonald patrolled and listened for duck shoots in Lowndes County. Cpl. Wood and Sgt. Nugent checked 3 hunters and issued 1 citation for hunting waterfowl with illegal ammunition (lead shot).
On January 24th, Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Morty Wood, RFC Tim Hutto, and Ranger Keith McDonald worked an area for duck hunting activity. Several hunters were checked and lead shot was discovered in some boats. Three citations were issued for hunting with illegal ammunition.
BERRIEN COUNTY On January 24th, Cpl. Morty Wood responded to a report of hunting hogs without permission. After locating the hunters, Cpl. Wood discovered that one was a convicted felon and in possession of a 9mm pistol and a 30/30 rifle. The convicted felon was arrested and transported to jail. The charges of hunting hogs without permission were dropped due to the lack of willingness of the landowner to prosecute.
On January 22nd, Cpl. Greg Moody observed debris burning in a pit off Hwy 64. No one was on the property at this time. He returned a few days later and met the landowner who was on a backhoe digging another pit. The owner was cited for unlawful burning of waste and was given instructions to carry the remaining debris to the landfill.
COOK COUNTY On January 23rd, Cpl. Greg Moody received a call concerning a dead bald eagle. He responded and picked up the eagle and notified a biologist who sent it off for testing to determine cause of death.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)