Field operations weekly report, 2009 February 15-21

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report February 15-21, 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)
WHITFIELD COUNTY Conservation rangers continue their search for a missing boater on the Conasauga River. The boater has been missing since February 19th. Region I personnel involved in the search effort include: Capt. Carroll Chastain, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Sgt. Jeff Galloway, Cpl. James Keener, Cpl. Casey Jones, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, Cpl. Tommy Gentry, RFC Eddie Tompkins, RFC Ben Cunningham, RFC Roger McConkey, Ranger Cody Joes, Wildlife Technician Larry Ethridge, and Wildlife Technician Joe Hill.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
MADISON COUNTY On February 18th, RFC Shane Sartor received a complaint from Madison County 911 about a deer being shot. RFC Sartor was scheduled off this day but responded to the complaint in his personal vehicle. When he arrived at the location, he noticed a deer hanging in a tree. He approached a man in the yard and identified himself as the Game Warden and asked about the deer. The subject told Sartor that he shot the deer because he had not worked in two months and needed some meat. Sartor left and returned in uniform. He issued the man a citation for hunting out of season. He also took the man two deer hams and two deer shoulders from his personal freezer to give him since he needed meat for his family.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On February 20th, RFC Nick Jenkins and Corporal Greg Colson were checking a hunting without permission complaint in Elbert County and caught three subjects hunting rabbits. All three subjects were charged with hunting without permission.
HANCOCK COUNTY Cpl. Derrell Worth was called upon for his assistance from hunting club members on Warren Chapel Road. The members had been having problems with items being stolen from their hunting camp. Cpl. Worth advised them to put out a trail camera to watch over their campers and hopefully get a picture of the thief. The members were able to get a picture of the subject and his truck. They turned the evidence over to Cpl. Worth. On February 7th, while patrolling Hancock County Cpl. Worth and RFC Richard Tanner were able to locate the suspected vehicle about 2 miles from the hunting camp. They interviewed the suspect and he confessed to taking small items such as light bulbs, etc. Nothing of any value had been taken and hunt club members decided not to pursue charges.

On February 18th, a tornado struck the area of Shoals Road and Hickory Grove Church Road in Hancock County. The storm caused one fatality and half dozen injuries. It also destroyed everything in its path. Sgt. Matt Garthright, RFC Richard Tanner, and RFC Brian Adams responded to the scene just after midnight to assist Hancock County Sheriff's Office. They stayed until everyone was accounted for and the major roads were cleared. On February 19th, Cpl. David Allen, RFC Larry Mills, and RFC Phillip Nelson traveled to the area and provided security by requested of Hancock County S.O.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On February 22nd, RFC Brian Adams assisted Glascock County with an arrest warrant for a subject charged with convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The individual was in possession of 14 rifles, 3 pistols and 4500 rounds of ammo. Included in the seized rifles was a fully auto M-16, night vision and infrared scopes.
WARREN COUNTY On February 22nd, RFC Brian Adams assisted the Sheriff's office with a search warrant that resulted in the recovery of 5 stolen rifles.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
WILKINSON COUNTY On February 7th, Rangers from WRD Law Enforcement assisted local hunters and sponsors with the annual Wilkinson county Quail hunt for kids. Young hunters got to hunt quail and compete in a skeet competition. Rangers assisting with the hunt were: Capt. Barry Fincher, Sgt. Bo Kelly, Cpl. Stan Semmler, Cpl. Bill Goodson, Cpl. Robert Stillwell, RFC. Josh Swain and RGR. Josh Copelan.
BALDWIN COUNTY On February 8th, Cpl. Bill Goodson and Cpl. Bubba Stanford patrolled Lake Sinclair for fishing/boating activity. Several warnings and citations were issued for boating infractions and fishing without license.
PUTNAM COUNTY On February 8th, Sgt. Bo Kelly and RGR Josh Copelan patrolled Murder Creek on Lake Sinclair for fishing/boating activity. Two warnings were issued for fishing without license.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On the evening of February 12th, RFC Mitch Oliver checked fishing activity along the Chattahoochee River and various lakes in Columbus. RFC Oliver checked three individuals fishing at Lake Oliver that didn't have a current Georgia fishing license. The three subjects were issued citations for the violation.

On the evening of February 12th, RFC Mitch Oliver was again in the Columbus area checking fishing activity along the Chattahoochee River. RFC Oliver observed two Hispanic males fishing from some rocks in the river and went to check their license. The two men didn't have a valid license and were not cooperative with giving their name, date of birth and address. The two men were placed under arrest for fishing w/o a license and transported to the Muscogee County Jail for booking.
TROUP COUNTY On February 8th, Cpl Jim Bradfield checked the shooting range on West Point WMA and found two subjects shooting before 12 noon on Sunday. Both were issued citations for violating WMA shooting range rules. On Sunday evening Cpl. Bradfield checked several persons fishing in the river below West Point dam. One fisherman was issued a warning for fishing without license on person.
FAYETTE COUNTY On February 8th, Ranger Adam Jacobs patrolled Lake Horton in Fayette County for fishing activity where only on violation was noted a written warning for fishing without license on person. On the same day, Ranger Jacobs checked the Flint River off McDonough Road, but no violations were noted.
On February 10th, 11th, and 12th, Sgt. Russ Ramsey in Henry County attended a three-day training session at Sweetwater Creek State Park for the DNR CAT Team Leaders. The Training consisted of hands on Wilderness Search and Rescue and Logistics.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
THOMAS COUNTY On February 19th, RFC David Brady and Sgt. David Ruddell assisted Thomas County Emergency personnel in locating damaged residences and victims of the Tornado that swept through the Thomasville area in the early morning hours.
On February 21st, RFC David Brady, RFC Jon Penuel and RFC Randy Davis assisted a local Boy Scout Troop with the installation of Wood duck boxes on River Creek Wildlife Management Area near Thomasville.
WEBSTER COUNTY On February 20th, Ranger Jack Stripling and RFC Bob Holley investigated a citizen's complaint of illegal dumping. The Rangers discovered the site, consisting of construction debris, paint cans, tires and farm waste. The owner of the property was charged with illegal dumping and the Environmental Protection Division is continuing to investigate the incident.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EMANUEL COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled and checked boat ramps along Ogeechee River from Cadillac Club landing down to McKinney's Creek areas for fishing/boating activity. No violations were detected. CANDLER COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien checked local taxidermist for current licenses, records and compliance with laws and regulations. No violations were detected. Areas of county, private clubs/properties were also patrolled by ATV and walking for possible out of season hunting activity as well as illegal dumping/littering activity. No violations found.
TOOMBS COUNTY On February 21st, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Chase Altman patrolled the Altamaha River from Bullard Creek to Gator Lake for boating safety and creel limit compliance, inspecting 14 boats and 26 fishing license. Three warnings for boating safety violations were issued.
EVANS COUNTY On February 21st, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing activity on the Evans County Public Fishing Area. Several licenses were checked resulting in three citations for fishing on a P.F.A. without a WMA license, one citation for operating a vessel without P.F.D.'s and one warning for fishing without a license. Each individual was given a copy of the fishing regulations.
SCREVEN COUNTY On February 21st, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely, Cpl. Don Dasher, and Sgt. William Vickers worked small game and feral hog hunting activity along the Savannah River corridor and Tuckahoe WMA. Officers also worked landings on the Savannah River for boating and fishing activity.
DODGE COUNTY On February the 21st, Cpl Johnny Ashe investigated a call of possible night hunting on the Mill Pond property near Rhine. The complainant stated several shots were heard and a light was seen. Upon further investigation, Cpl. Ashe found 5 subjects from a local bachelor party out hunting feral hogs on the Timberland A1 property. The subjects had hidden their firearms in the woods near their bogged down vehicle and were subsequently charged with hunting hogs at night with a light exceeding 6 volts.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On February 22nd, RFC Barry Britt, RFC Rodney Horne, and Cpl. Johnny Ashe worked a surveillance detail at a local landing along the Ocmulgee River and charged two adult males with violating Georgia's open containing law and warned them for reckless conduct.

On February 21st, RFC Britt worked a surveillance detail at a local landing along the Ocmulgee River and stopped one adult male driving under the influence and violating Georgia's open container law. The drunk driver was turned over to the Jeff Davis Sheriff's Office.
APPLING COUNTY On February 19th, Ranger Altman was patrolling Lake Mayers for fishing activity, which resulted in one warning for operating a vessel without registration. The subject was informed on how to register the boat.
On February 22nd, Ranger Altman was working a night hunting complaint in the county when he came across two raccoon hunters in Bullard Creek Wildlife Management Area. A verbal warning was given for one subject who had no WMA license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On February 15th, Cpl. Billy Reed checked fishing areas in the Schlatterville Community along Big creek. He issued one citation to a suspect for fishing without a license.
WAYNE COUNTY On February 19th, RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling by boat on the Altamaha River in the area of Lake Bluff. He checked two subjects fishing without permission. One had an expired fishing license and the other did not have his boat registered. A total of four citations were issued.
On February 21st, Cpl. Bobby White, along with Game Management Hal Wiggins, set up the Laser shot system. Hal brought a skull and hides display to show. The program was for the Ludowici Baptist Church in Long County. The church was having a Wildlife Supper and over 450 people were in attendance.