Field operations weekly report, 2009 January 25-31

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 25-31, 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)
CARROLL COUNTY On January 18th, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling Buffalo Swamp for after-hours waterfowl hunting. Three subjects were located hunting Canada Geese after sunset and were cited for hunting after hours and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
CATOOSA COUNTY On January 29th, Chattooga Co. Sheriff's Office contacted RFC McConkey about a missing boater on the Chattooga River. This subject had started his trip around 11:30 AM and had not made it to his normal pick up location. The subject's wife had tried to reach him on his cell phone for about one hour with no success. RFC McConkey and Chattooga County deputies started checking locations along the river for any sign of the subject. The subject was found later at his pick up location unharmed.
On January 30th, RFC McConkey was patrolling a complaint area for raccoon hunters in Catoosa County. The Ranger could hear dogs on the backside of this property. The ranger went to this location and located two hunters. The hunters were not on the complainant's property and no violations were found.
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On February 1st, Cpl. Tommy Gentry and RFC Roger McConkey assisted the Chattooga SO with a search for a wanted subject. Chattooga SO was conducting a roadblock on Lookout Mountain when the subject jumped from the passenger side of a vehicle and fled into the woods. The subject has outstanding felony warrants and is currently on probation.
GORDON COUNTY On January 26th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore presented firearms safety to 30 high school students at Gordon Central High School. It is part of the Hunter Education course that is taught at the school.
POLK COUNTY On January 29th, RFC Chad Cox conducted a wildlife identification program as part of Cool Science Night held at Eastside Elementary School in Rockmart. Furs, skulls, and various mounts of wildlife indigenous to Georgia were used to assist the students in the identification. RFC Cox gave participants wildlife identification booklets and provided them with educational facts about the various animals. Over three hundred students and parents attend this event.
WALKER COUNTY On January 23rd, Ranger Brad Hamby and Cpl. Tommy Gentry taught a boating safety course for the C.H.A.M.P.S. program at Gilbert Elementary School in Walker County. The sixty, fifth graders were taught the importance of boating safety.

On January 31st, RFC McConkey presented a gun safety presentation to a group of young hunters at Oakwood Baptist Church. The young hunters were participating in a youth squirrel hunt given by the church. After the gun safety presentation, Rangers McConkey, Gentry, and Hamby assisted with the squirrel hunt on a church member's property on Lookout Mountain.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On January 25th, RFC Eddie Tompkins heard duck hunters shooting after legal hours. RFC Tompkins traveled to the area of the shots and waited on the hunters to stop shooting and return to their vehicles. Three hunters exited the swamp with six wood ducks. All three subjects were issued citations for hunting migratory birds after legal hours and for possession of illegally taken wildlife. RFC Tompkins issued warnings to two of the hunters for license issues. A total of 6 citations and three warnings were issued.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BANKS COUNTY On January 29th, RFC Eric Isom attended a wild game super at Webb's Creek Baptist Church. RFC Isom was invited to speak to the audience of around one hundred attendees. RFC Isom explained the new boat registration, and hunting and fishing license systems. RFC Isom also answered general question from the audience.
DAWSON COUNTY On January 25th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA at the Lindsey Ford Launch on the Amicalola River. The rangers were talking with a male and female couple in the campground area. During the conversation with these two it was determined that the female had an outstanding warrant for her arrest from the city of Lawrenceville. The rangers called the Dawson County Sheriff's Office for assistance. A deputy responded and the female was taken into custody by the Sheriff's Office. She was transported to the Dawson County Jail waiting for pick up by the Lawrenceville P.D.
On January 25th, after leaving the Lindsey Ford Launch on the Amicalola River Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Jason Roberson patrolled the Delay Harvest Section of the Amicalola River at Steele Bridge. The rangers checked two fishermen that appeared to be fishing with "Night Crawlers" (artificial lures with single hook only is allowed on the Delayed Harvest section.) The fisherman was asked what kind of bait was being used and they produced Power Bait worms with scent. After a brief discussion one of the fishermen handed Cpl. Roberson the cup of night crawlers. Another fisherman was checked and couldn't produce a fishing or trout license. Citations and warnings were issued for fishing with illegal bait, fishing without a fishing license and fishing without a trout license.

On January 31st, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling the lake parks in Dawson County for boating and fishing activity. A fisherman was checked at Toto Creek. The fisherman had caught an under size spotted bass and didn't have a fishing license. The fisherman was issued warnings for fishing without a license and possession of a under size fish (the fish was released unharmed.)
LUMPKIN COUNTY On January 25th, RFC Mitchell Crump was on patrol in Lumpkin County. The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office gave a call to a deputy about a man with a gun in a field threatening to shoot some walkers. A second call came into the Sheriff's Office about the walkers were threatening the man with the gun. RFC Crump was in the area and responded to assist the deputies. With RFC Crump and three Lumpkin County deputies responding the case was resolved without incident.
HABERSHAM COUNTY On January 25th, RFC Chad Chambers was working duck hunters in Habersham County and issued one citation for hunting ducks without a license.
On January 25th, RFC David Webb assisted Towns County Deputies with a complaint of illegal chicken fighting on Scataway Road. The officers walked into an area behind a trailer park to find a pit and approximately 20 to 25 Hispanic males with fighting chickens. Eight males were taken into custody for cruelty to animals, gambling and two of the suspects were charged with felony obstruction. Towns County Investigators are looking into evidence gathered at the scene to identify the remaining suspects that fled on foot.
On January 31st, Cpl. Buddy Lovell was checking trout fishermen on the Smith Creek delayed harvest stream in White County and issued two citations for fishing without a license and fishing without a trout license.
On January 31st, RFC Kevin Dyer received complaints that subjects were training bear dogs and taking bears illegally in the Grassy Gap area on the edge of Union and Lumpkin County. RFC Kevin Dyer, RFC David Webb, RFC Mitchell Crump, and USFS Law Enforcement Agent Jason Arrowood worked an under cover detail in this area and cited one hunter for using illegal equipment while training dogs.
HART COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum heard a possible duck roost shoot. He located the area and the hunters. The shooting continued until dark. Fulghum apprehended four hunters in the swamp. Charges included hunting after legal hours, hunting with lead shot, taking over the limit of wood ducks, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On January 26th, Corporal Greg Colson responded to a complaint of hunting without permission in Bowman. Corporal Colson arrived on the scene and talked with the complainant who stated that a group of rabbit hunters had come onto his property and shot a rabbit. Corporal Colson located a group of approximately 9 hunters hunting rabbits on an adjoining property. After talking with the landowner and hunters the landowner agreed that if the hunters would apologize he would not press any further charges. The hunters agreed and apologized and the situation was resolved. The hunters were in compliance of all other requirements.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On January 26th, RFC Brian Adams assisted Glascock County Sheriff's Office with a drug and weapon sweep for Glascock County Schools.
WARREN COUNTY On January 27th, RFC Brian Adams assisted Warren County Sheriff's Office with the service of a search warrant that led to the apprehension of a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
On January 28th, RFC Brian Adams investigated a dumping site off of Shurley Rd. The investigation led to the apprehension of one subject for unlawful dumping. A second subject was arrested for an outstanding warrant, possession of schedule II drugs, and unlawful dumping.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Cpl. Brian Hobbins apprehended two subjects on Wednesday January 28th for fishing without permission off of Tubman Road on Pollard Land Company Property.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
COOK COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Morty Wood and Sgt. David Nugent were listening for duck roost shoots in south Berrien County. An illegal shoot was heard and subsequently located near the Withlacoochee River in Cook County. As a result, five individuals were cited for hunting waterfowl after hours.

BERRIEN COUNTY On January 26th, Cpl. Morty Wood obtained arrest warrants for an individual who was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm while hunting. He had arrested the hunter previously on January 24.
BULLOCH COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Dave Sims and Cpl. Eddie Akins conducted commercial and special license holder inspections. Two violations were documented.
On January 26th, Cpl. Dave Sims and Cpl. Eddie Akins checked four commercial license holders. Verbal guidance was given for minor violations on three of the license holders.
On January 31st, Cpl. Dave Sims located and checked an unlicensed quail breeder. The commercial facility was in its first year of operation and the owner/operator was unaware of any requirements. Verbal guidance was issued and laws and regulations were explained. Necessary steps for proper licensing were begun.
On January 29th, Cpl. Eddie Akins met with the Bulloch County Dog Hunters Association and discussed the problems that were encountered by officers of the Department of Natural Resources during this years hunting season. The meeting was concluded after Cpl. Akins conducted a question and answer session that covered a variety of topics of concern to the participants at the meeting.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On January 30th, Ranger Brandon Pierce checked several boat landings on the Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers. It resulted in one boat being checked and one violation of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's (life jacket) being documented.
On January 31st, Ranger Brandon Pierce responded to a complaint of possible hunting dogs in a landowner's yard. No dogs were found and no violations were documented. Guidance was given to the landowner on what to do if it happened again.
EVANS COUNTY On January 31st, RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. Dave Sims checked commercial license holders resulting in verbal guidance given for failure to maintain records.
On January 31st, RFC Debbie Brannen checked the Evans Public Fishing Area for activity. One citation was written for fishing without license and several warnings for fishing without a W.M.A. license. One warning for operating a vessel without registration was issued. A copy of the current fishing regulations was provided and the laws were explained regarding the laws pertaining to the public fishing area.

APPLING COUNTY On January 29th, Ranger Chase Altman assisted the Appling Sheriff's Office and Altamaha Drug Task Force with executing a search warrant for drug activity.
Ranger Chase Altman patrolled the boat landings in Appling County for fishing activity over the weekend. This resulted in one warning being written for insufficient PFD's and 10 boats being checked overall.
Over the weekend, Ranger Chase Altman patrolled areas of Bullard Creek WMA and Big Hammock WMA for hunting and fishing activity. Several people were checked with no violations being observed.
TOOMBS COUNTY On January 26th, Cpl. Jon Barnard conducted commercial license inspections of two taxidermists in Vidalia giving one of the taxidermist verbal guidance for failure to tag a shop display.
On January 30th, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel conducted commercial license inspections of Vidalia bait dealers with verbal guidance given for failure to have a license.
On January 31st, Cpl. Jon Barnard concluded an investigation of illegal trapping in Vidalia behind the Vidalia High School. The individual trapping was issued two citations for trapping without a license and failure to tag traps and issued warnings for trapping without written permission and failure to check traps within a 24hour period.
EMANUEL COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to and began investigating a possible illegal trapping complaint. The area is currently being monitored for activity and no arrests have been made at this time.
LAURENS COUNTY On January 26th, 27th, and 28th, RFC Rodney Horne taught 10 different I&E classes consisting of 335 5th grade students on firearms and hunter safety for the CHAMPS program at South West and North East Elementary Schools in Laurens County.
DODGE COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe was checking the Hardy Road area for waterfowl activity and heard shots coming from a flooded area on the Hardy farms. After checking the area and three hunters, it was found that the area was baited with shelled corn and they were issued citations for the violations.

On the January 31st, Cpl. Johnny Ashe, RFC Barry Britt, RFC James McLaughlin and Fisheries Tech Dan Stiles conducted events at the annual Gresston Baptist Church "Wild Game Day". Over 300 youth and adults came to participate and watch the live falconry demonstration.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LONG COUNTY On January 18th, Cpl. Bobby White set up and run the laser shot system for Gum Branch Baptist Church. The event was the annual men's supper with over 350 persons attending.
On January 18th, Cpl. White was on boating safety patrol on the Altamaha River. While checking Morgan Lake located off the main run of the river. He caught two subjects fishing without permission. Both were cited for the violation.
On January 25th, Cpl. Bobby White was patrolling on Griffin Ridge WMA in Long County. He came upon four hunters that were hunting squirrel and hogs. Upon checking the hunters none of them had a WMA license and one of the hunters was a nonresident that had no license at all. The hunters were cited for violations.
GLYNN COUNTY On January 23rd, Sgt. Bob Lynn, Cpl. Chris Hodge, and RFC Mark Carson patrolled Gray's Reef National Sanctuary. Gray's Reef is a live bottom reef approximately 18 miles offshore of the Sapelo Island coast. No violations were detected.
CAMDEN COUNTY On January 25th, Cpl. Chris Hodge and RFC Craig Smith caught seven people shooting ducks after legal hours. Rangers cited the offenders for shooting ducks after legal hours, shooting waterfowl with lead shot, hunting w/o state waterfowl license, hunting waterfowl w/o federal duck stamp. Two ducks were confiscated.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On January 31st, Cpl. Bobby White went to Brantley County and set up the laser shot system. It was the annual men's supper at Oak Hill Baptist Church. There were 300 people attending the event. The event ran from 12:00 noon until 10:pm that night.
BRYAN COUNTY On January 30th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the Richmond Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) checking hog hunters. Cpl. Miller checked three hog hunters. One individual was cited for using an illegal weapon for small game on the WMA.