Field operations weekly report, 2009 March 15-21

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On March 20th, RFC Byron Young responded to an in progress complaint on Powell Road of raccoon hunters hunting w/o permission. Upon arrival, he located the hunters who had gone off the property they were supposed to be hunting and onto lands of another. The hunters were warned for hunting w/o permission.
CARROLL COUNTY On March 21st, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling the newly opened Lake Seaton. While on patrol, four subjects were cited for fishing without permission, one subject was cited for fishing without a license and two subjects were cited for boating safety violations.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On March 15th, RFC Byron Young and RFC Bart Hendrix patrolled Lake Allatoona for early season fishermen. Most were catching fish. The Rangers issued 2 citations for boating violations and issued a few warnings for license violations
GILMER COUNTY On March 21st, Sgt. John VanLandingham and Cpl. James Keener issued a citation to a hunter for hunting turkeys over bait.
HARALSON COUNTY On March 21st, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling the Buchanan area for turkey hunting. One subject was cited for hunting turkey over bait.
WALKER COUNTY On March 21st, RFC Roger McConkey and Cpl. Tommy Gentry charged a hunter with hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. They also confiscated two gobblers that were harvested over bait.
Later that afternoon, RFC Roger McConkey and Cpl. Tommy Gentry issued a hunter a citation for hunting turkeys over bait and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On March 21st, DNR Rangers, along with Whitfield County Sheriff's Deputies, GBI, and Murray County and Whitfield County Fire and Rescue personnel, recovered a body from the Conasauga River in the Tilton area. The body is believed to be that of the teenager that disappeared while boating on the Conasauga River on February 19, 2009. The body was sent to the GBI crime lab for identification and an autopsy.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
MADISON COUNTY On March 21st, RFC Shane Sartor and Sgt. Stan Elrod apprehended two subjects hunting turkeys over bait. Sartor found the bait earlier in the week. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait.
HART COUNTY On March 21st, Cpl Craig Fulghum and RFC Chris Moore apprehended one subject hunting turkeys over bait. Fulghum had found the bait earlier. The hunter received a citation for hunting big game over bait.
WHITE COUNTY On March 18th, RFC Anne Alexander and Wildlife Technician Frank Manning cited one man from Texas for non-resident fishing without a license and warned him for not having a trout license. He was fishing on the Chattahoochee River in the city limits of Helen.
On March 19th, RFC Anne Alexander, RFC Mitchell Crump, Wildlife Technicians Scott Bardenwerper and Frank Manning were checking fishermen on Spoilcane Creek and found one man fishing in a closed stream. He was cited for fishing in a closed stream and warned for not having a trout license.
On March 21st, RFC Anne Alexander and Wildlife Technician David Shattuck assisted the US Forest Service with a road check on Trey Mountain. One minor was charged for possession of alcohol.
GWINNETT COUNTY On March 18th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted and information and education program at Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula. Fisheries biologist Nick Jamison assisted with this program. The topic was about what DNR does regarding the striped bass in Lake Lanier. Approximately 25 persons were in attendance.
On March 19th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was patrolling Jones Bridge Park on the Chattahoochee River. During this patrol Cpl. Sanders apprehended subjects that were over the limit of trout, fishing after obtaining the creel limit and fishing without a license. Citations and warnings were issued and a total of 48 trout were confiscated.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On March 17th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Course at Johnson Park. During this course a total of 17 students were certified.

HALL COUNTY On March 23rd, Corporal Tim Vickery and Sergeant Mike Burgamy were checking for turkey hunting activity on property in north Hall that had been baited with sunflower seeds. They had found the bait the previous evening after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen. After entering the property, the Rangers followed a fresh set of ATV tracks to a food plot. As they walked to the food plot, they noticed four decoys in the plot and a hunter sitting in a deer stand situated over the plot. They identified themselves and asked the individual to climb down. When asked about sunflower seeds, the individual told the Rangers that he had hand broadcast the seeds two weeks earlier for dove hunting. The individual was cited for turkey hunting over bait.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On March 21st, RFC Phillip Nelson and Sgt. Mark Padgett patrolled Oglethorpe County and checked turkey bait for the opening day of turkey season. They caught four subjects hunting turkeys over bait. Each subject was charged with hunting big game over bait.
WASHINGTON COUNTY On March 21st, Captain Thomas Barnard, Sgt. Max Boswell, Cpl. Ben Payne, and RFC Grant Matherly checked a club in Washington County, which had several baited turkey blinds on it. Three subjects where located on the property and found to be hunting over bait, and were issued citations. Three other subjects were also checked on the property and were found to be hunting legally. One subject admitted to killing a hog on one of the baited areas the day before, and was give a verbal warning and advised that he could not hunt pigs around a baited area during turkey or deer season.
MORGAN COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Ricky Boles was checking turkey bait. He encountered three people hunting turkeys over wheat and cracked corn. He had checked the property the day before and the people were in hunting but not on the baited areas. One of the subjects was sitting in a deer stand while the other two were hunting from the ground. All three were charged with hunting turkeys over bait.
TALIAFERRO COUNTY On March 21st, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended two subjects hunting turkeys over bait and being in possession of illegal ammunition.
On March 22nd, Cpl. Brian Hobbins apprehended one subject hunting turkeys over bait.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On March 21st/22nd, Sgt Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, and RFC Robert Timmerman responded to a stranded boater complaint on the Savannah River. After a search for the missing subjects, three subjects were located by the officers on a woods road in South Carolina.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
UPSON COUNTY On Monday, March 16th, RFC Keith Page and Sgt. Tim Kendrick assisted Upson County rescue personnel with a river rescue. RFC Page received a call late Sunday evening stating that 4 men were trapped on a rock in the middle of Yellow Jacket Shoals on the Flint River. Because of the dangerous conditions of the river, Page and Kendrick were unable to put their boat in the river to retrieve the stranded boaters. At approximately 3:30am Monday morning the 4 men were rescued from their rock by Upson County's rescue personnel took a raft down stream and were able to get close enough to the men to rescue them.
PUTNAM COUNTY On March 21st, Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly were patrolling baited areas for turkey hunting activity. Six adult hunters and two juveniles were caught hunting turkey over bait. The adults were charged with hunting turkey over bait and the juveniles were verbally warned for the offenses.
JONES COUNTY On March 21st, RFC Chad Welch and Cpl Bill Goodson patrolled baited areas for turkey hunting activity. Four hunters were apprehended for hunting turkey over bait. These hunters were charged in probate court of Jones County.
PUTNAM COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Bubba Stanford apprehended two hunters for hunting turkey over bait. Both hunters were charged with hunting turkey over bait and given court dates in State Court of Putnam County.
JONES COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Chad Welch, Cpl Bill Goodson and Sgt Bo Kelly apprehended two hunters hunting turkey over bait. Both hunters were charged with hunting turkey over bait and given appearance dates for probate court in Jones County.
COWETA COUNTY On March 21st, which was opening day of turkey season, Ranger Adam Jacobs patrolled the Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Coweta County and checked approximately 20 hunters for proper licenses and plugged shotguns. Ranger Adam Jacobs issued one written warning for hunting without a WMA stamp.

TROUP COUNTY On March 17th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield checked a property in Troup County for out of season turkey hunters. There were two vehicles parked on this property near the Georgia Alabama state line. Both vehicles had camo clothing and turkey calls located in plain sight on the front seats. After a brief search for the hunters on the Georgia portion of the property none were located. Several areas were found on the property where cracked corn had been scattered near some food plots.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
LEE COUNTY On March 21st, Sgt. Danny Bishop, Cpl. Robbie Griner and RFC Ben Roberts responded to a 911 call in reference to a kayaker in distress on the Flint River. The officers located the boater, who had been in the water for nearly an hour, and transported him to a nearby ramp. The officers then recovered the kayak and returned it to the owner.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CLINCH COUNTY On March 20th, RFC Jason Shipes was patrolling for hunting activity along Cason Road. While patrolling, RFC Shipes observed two subjects actively hunting feral hogs. Upon checking the subjects, RFC Shipes learned that neither had obtained a resident hunting license. They were issued warnings for hunting without a license and instructed on how and where to obtain a license.
CHARLTON COUNTY On March 18th and 19th, Corporal Gary Simmons checked commercial licenses. Cpl. Simmons inspected fox hunting preserves, quail breeders, taxidermists, and shooting preserves. Inspection of one taxidermist resulted in locating an illegally taken bear. Charges are pending on the hunter who killed the bear. Warnings were issued to the taxidermist for improper records.
WARE COUNTY On March 15th, RFC Brad Cox conducted a boating safety patrol on the Satilla River from Highway 84 up river to Jamestown Landing and back down to the Brantley County Line. Four boats and ten sportsmen were checked resulting in warnings written for operating a vessel without CGA approved PFD's, operating a vessel without fire extinguisher and two citations for fishing without licenses.

On March 16th, RFC Brad Cox patrolled Laura Walker State Park Lake for fishing activity. The patrol resulted in the documentation of two non-residents fishing without licenses at the spillway and two residents fishing without licenses at the boat ramp.
On March 20th, RFC Brad Cox checked for anglers at the Highway 84 Satilla River Landing. Two fishermen were checked and a license violation was documented against one of the individuals.
On March 21st, RFC Brad Cox was patrolling for fishing activity along area creeks. RFC Cox checked four people fishing at Glenmore Road on Alligator Creek and documented two violations of fishing without license.
APPLING COUNTY On the 19th, while on patrol at Deen's Landing, Ranger Altman noticed a boat going adrift after the motor died. Ranger Altman was able to wade into the water and catch a rope thrown at him to pull the boat's occupants back in.
During the opening weekend of turkey season, Ranger Altman and Corporal Williams worked baited areas that were found earlier that week. This resulted in three citations made for hunting over bait and one citation made for hunting turkey with an unplugged shotgun.
BULLOCH COUNTY On March 16th, Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a complaint of fishing without permission on a private pond in east Bulloch County. Cpl. Sims made contact with five persons at the pond and ten violations were issued, including fishing without permission.
On March 21st, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to a call from GEMA to go to an accident site and evaluate an oil spill. The oil spill was a result of a vehicle accident in which the vehicle ran off the road and overturned into a pond. Pictures were taken and forwarded to GEMA personnel for evaluation for necessary clean up efforts.
On March 21st, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked several clubs and areas for turkey hunting activity. Cpl. Akins efforts resulted in two hunters being checked. No violations were detected. One of the hunters had killed a gobbler earlier that morning.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On March 21st, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Sgt. William Vickers patrolled for turkey hunters. This patrol resulted in two hunters being checked. No violations were documented. Later that evening Ranger Pierce and Sgt. Vickers patrolled a creek off of the Savannah River. This patrol resulted in six boats and four fishermen being checked. One violation for expired registration was documented.

On March 22nd, Ranger Brandon Pierce and Sgt. William Vickers checked eight turkey hunters. No violations were documented. Later that evening Ranger Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River. Four boats and eight fishing license were checked. This resulted in one violation for having no life jackets.
On March 23rd, Ranger Brandon Pierce patrolled local creeks and river landings. The patrol resulted in one boat and one hunting license being checked. One violation of allowing an underage child to ride without wearing a PFD (life jacket) was documented.
EVANS COUNTY On March 20th, Cpl. Dave Sims completed an investigation of an illegal alligator kill at a private pond. A warrant was secured and served on the shooter for hunting from a public road. Violations for hunting out of season and hunting without permission were also documented. The shooter was turned over to the Evans County Sheriffs Office for processing.
On March 20th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. Dave Sims checked the Canoochee River and the Evans Public Fishing Area for activity. Violations were documented for consuming alcohol on a P.F.A., fishing without licenses, fishing without W.M.A. licenses and driving around a closed gate.
On March 21st, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Canoochee River and documented several violations for fishing without license.
PIERCE COUNTY On March 16th, Cpl. Damon Winters assisted Pierce County Sheriff's Office with a highrisk arrest and search warrant in the Youmans Chapel area of Pierce County. Information suggested that a fugitive that escaped from the Clinch County Jail was at a residence with another wanted suspect. Both suspects were known to be armed with a semi-automatic rifle and a shotgun. They were also known to be in possession of methanphethamine. After entry into the residence, two suspects were arrested and a firearm was seized, along with evidence of methanphethamine manufacturing.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On March 15th, Ranger Randy Tinley and Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the Ogeechee River near Kings Ferry. The two rangers checked several recreational fishermen and boaters. One individual was cited for operating a vessel without life jackets and no registration.
On March 21st, Sgt. James Shelton and Ranger Randy Tinley patrolled northern Bryan County, checking turkey hunters. Two hunters were cited for hunting turkeys over bait. Later that morning, they conducted a boating safety patrol on the Ogeechee River in the Morgan's Bridge area. They checked several boaters and hunters, and issued 2 citations for unplugged guns, 2 citations for no life jackets, and 1 citation for littering.

LIBERTY COUNTY On March 19th, Cpl. Cindy Miller checked four recreational fishermen at the South New Port River Boat Ramp. All of the individuals were non-residents and were cited for fishing without a license.
WAYNE COUNTY On March 15th, RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling in the area of highway 301 North when the Wayne County Sheriff's Office got into a chase with two stolen 4-wheelers. Aspinwall responded to the area and was able to track one of the 4-wheelers into a wooded area near the Jesup Drive-in. It was then returned to the owner.