Field operations weekly report, 2009 March 29-April 4

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 29-April 4, 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)
CHEROKEE COUNTY On April 3rd, RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC Byron Young were patrolling Lake Allatoona. They received a report that a jet ski was abandoned near Little River. While checking the registration, they discovered that the vessel had been reported as stolen last September. The rangers notified the owner who confirmed that it had been taken and the Jet Ski was turned over to a Cherokee County investigator to be returned to its rightful owner.
On April 4th, DNR received information that a fisherman in a canoe was missing at Knox Bridge in Cherokee County. A friend reported that the fisherman had gone out the evening before alone and had not returned. RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC James Psillis worked with Cherokee County and set up a central command center for the search and rescue operation. They also obtained a jet drive riverboat to search the area of the Etowah River above Knox Bridge. RFC Byron Young took DNR's patrol boat and searched from the Bartow County line up towards Knox Bridge. RFC Brooks Varnell met the DNR helicopter and flew over the lake searching for the missing person and canoe. Later in the day, a Cherokee County investigator spoke with a neighbor of the missing person who had seen the man earlier in the morning. The man was located and confirmed to be "OK". Search and rescue operations were suspended.
FANNIN COUNTY On April 1st, Ranger Cody Jones was working on Blue Ridge Lake where he encountered several safety equipment violations as well as vessels operating without lights during hours of darkness. Several warnings and citations were issued.
On April 4th, Sgt. John VanLandingham patrolled the delayed harvest section of the Toccoa River. He encountered two subjects fishing with unlawful bait, and both were in illegal possession of trout.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
WHITE COUNTY On March 29th, RFC Anne Alexander was patrolling for turkey hunters on Trey Mountain road and arrested one man for violation of the Georgia controlled substance act (less than an ounce of marijuana).
On March 30th, RFC Anne Alexander assisted the White County Fire Department with a water rescue off the Chattahoochee River. Four subjects had floated downstream on inner tubes, without life jackets, or shoes, shortly capsizing, and becoming cold. One subject decided to stay on the rocks in the middle of the river and call for help. All subjects were found. No one requested medical attention. Two adult subjects were charged for operating a vessel without coast guard approved lifejackets.

On April 3rd, RFC Anne Alexander and Wildlife Technician Frank Manning were patrolling the Chattahoochee River when they located one person fishing on private property where the landowner had a DNR Affidavit on file. The fisherman was cited for fishing without permission.
On April 4th, RFC Anne Alexander investigated an unlawful burn complaint off Hogan Rd. Household garbage along with other miscellaneous items, including a mattress, box springs, metal, and wire were being burned. One man was cited for unlawful burning of egregious litter.
RABUN COUNTY On April 4th, Corporal Derek Dillard and RFC Chad Chambers were patrolling the Tallulah River area for trout fishing activity when Corporal Dillard noticed what appeared to be a bag of marijuana in a subjects fishing vest while checking his fishing license. Upon further investigation it was determined to be marijuana and the subject was charged for simple possession of marijuana.
UNION COUNTY On April 4th, Sgt. Steve Seitz was patrolling the Loving Road area when he observed a person burning copper wire behind their residence. Sgt. Seitz issued the male subject a citation for unlawfully burning the wire. Sgt. Seitz checked two fishermen fishing on Lake Nottely near the Pat Colwell Bridge when he observed one man attempt to hide something as Sgt. Seitz approached them. Sgt. Seitz located a marijuana cigarette in one subject's shirt pocket and he was charged with possession of marijuana (less than one ounce); later on this same morning, Sgt. Seitz was checking boats at the USFS boat ramp on Lake Nottely at Jacks Creek, he observed a person riding an ATV on the lakebed. ATVs are prohibited in this area and the person had driven it around a closed gate. Sgt Seitz stopped the ATV as it was leaving the area and found the operator had a suspended driver's license. Sgt. Seitz called a Union County deputy and a USFS officer and turned the traffic violations over to them. The ATV operator was charged with driving on a suspended license and operating the ATV in an unauthorized area.
GWINNETT COUNTY On April 1st, RFC Mark Stephens was answering a complaint of fishing without permission on Freeman's Lake off of Beaver Ruin Road. RFC Stephens had checked several subjects fishing on the lake when he observed a subject fishing in the creek flowing from the lake. This subject was on the right-of-way and RFC Stephens was attempting to check his fishing license when the subject ran from RFC Stephens. RFC Stephens gave chase and the subject stopped twice and turned on RFC Stephens with a machete. After a lengthy foot chase the subject hid. When the subject was found and not obeying RFC Stephens's verbal commands the subject was sprayed with issued pepper spray. The subject was taken into custody and with the assistance of Gwinnett County P.D. and RFC Pamela Shelton the subject was transported to the Gwinnett County Jail. Warrants were secured on this subject for fishing without a license and felony obstruction of an officer.

LUMPKIN COUNTY On March 29th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Jason Roberson, RFC Mitchell Crump, RFC Pamela Shelton, Wildlife Technician's Frank Manning and David Shattuck conducted a Wildlife Check Point on Chestatee WMA at Boggs Creek. During this check numerous vehicles were checked. One arrest was made for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and one citation issued for possession of over the limit of trout with eleven trout being seized.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On March 30th, RFC Jeffrey Billips received a complaint of possible turkey hunting without permission. The landowner stated the vehicle was parked at the same location on the previous date. Burke County Sheriff's Deputy Gregg Stroud assisted RFC Billips in attempting to locate the suspects on the property. Unable to locate anyone, RFC Billips began surveillance on the suspect vehicle. After several hours, the landowner had the vehicle towed and RFC Billips left the area. The landowner contacted RFC Billips and stated two men had come off the property seeking assistance in locating their vehicle. The men were advised by the landowner that the vehicle had been towed and that they were to wait for the arrival of law enforcement. The men stated that they were not poaching merely looking for meteorites. When RFC Billips arrived on the seen he was able to verify the two subjects statements. Subsequently, the landowner obtained warrants on the subjects for criminal trespass.
On April 4th, RFC Billips received a complaint for turkey hunting without permission. RFC Billips met with the landowner and took statements and collected evidence related to the incident. The landowner had located two jakes that the poachers had not retrieved. The incident remains under investigation.
ELBERT COUNTY On March 30th, Corporal Julian Wilkins and Corporal Greg Colson responded to a complaint of hunting without permission on River Road in Elbert County. They found 2 subjects hunting the property and both were charged with hunting without permission and one was charged with hunting with an unplugged gun.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On April 4th, RFC Phillip Nelson, RFC Nick Jenkins and Ranger Nikki Spencer patrolled Oglethorpe County and checked turkey bait. Two hunters were cited for hunting turkeys over bait.
On April 4th, Corporal Julian Wilkins and Ranger Nikki Spencer stopped a vessel on Lake Russell that was being operated by a 12-year-old boy without supervision. The operator had not taken the boating and safety course. The boy and vessel were returned to his parents. The child's parent was charged with allowing an underage person to operate a vessel without supervision.

LINCOLN COUNTY On April 4th, Cpl Ryan Swain apprehended a subject who nearly caused the Ranger to be involved in an automobile accident due to the passing of a vehicle in a curve. The subject was arrested for driving with a suspended license and passing in a no passing zone.
WARREN COUNTY On April 4th, RFC Brian Adams apprehended a subject for hunting turkeys over bait.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 5th, Cpl Ryan Swain and Sgt. Doyte Chaffin apprehended a subject for fishing without a license on the Savannah River.
GREENE COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Derrell Worth was checking turkey bait he had previously found. He encountered three males hunting turkeys over cracked corn and wheat. While checking the three males, Cpl. Worth discovered that one of them did not have a current hunting license and was also in possession of a small amount of marijuana. All three were charged with hunting big game over bait. The one was also charged with hunting without a license and violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HARRIS COUNTY On March 29th, RFC Mitch Oliver checked a baited area in Hamilton. The area had been baited with corn and it was on the property line between two clubs. The turkeys had eaten most of the bait, but there was still a small amount of corn left in the leaves. On the morning of the 29th, RFC Oliver walked into the baited area and located two hunters some 50 yards from the bait and also some 50 yards over their property line. RFC Oliver explained to the hunters that they were across the property line from where they had permission to hunt and that they were hunting over bait. It was very clear that they had unintentionally come across the property line, but they also stated that they knew nothing of the bait. RFC Oliver took them over to the baited area and showed them where he had located the corn the previous Monday. After getting some of the other club members to the scene, it was determined that neither of the hunters knew that the bait was there and the guilty party acknowledged putting the corn out some weeks earlier. Due to the circumstances, both hunters were given written warnings for hunting big game over bait. Also, the other club left the discretion up to the officer for the offense of hunting w/o permission and they were given warnings for that violation as well.
On April 4th, RFC Jeremy Bolen and Sgt. Randy Hackley located a truck parked on the side of the road. The two officers observed a turkey hunter coming out of the woods, walking toward the truck. The hunter could not produce a valid hunting license and stated that he left it at the house. RFC Bolen issued the hunter citations for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.

HEARD COUNTY On March 31st, Cpl. Brent Railey checked a taxidermist in Heard County and found he did not have a current license. He gave the taxidermist a license application and a written warning for the violation. He also gave him verbal guidance for having an untagged turkey in the freezer.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the morning of March 30th, Corporal Bubba Stanford was checking a baited area off of Alexander Road in Putnam County. Cpl. Stanford located two hunters hunting near the baited area and citations for hunting over bait were issued to both hunters.
On the morning of April 4th, Sergeant Bo Kelly checked an area off of Harmony Road that Corporal Bubba Stanford had determined to be baited with millet earlier in the week. Sgt. Kelly located one hunter and a citation was issued for hunting big game over bait. Later that morning, Sgt. Kelly assisted Cpl. Stanford with locating a hunter on property off of Beaver Dam Road that was baited with wheat and oats. The officers located the hunter and a citation was issued for hunting over bait. Later that afternoon Cpl. Stanford received a call from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in reference to a traffic stop a deputy had made. Cpl. Stanford met with the deputy who had stopped 4 Hispanics who were in possession of a cast net and 5 largemouth bass. The officers also found a stolen handgun in the vehicle. The subjects were arrested and charged with possession of illegally taken fish and possession of stolen property and are awaiting bond in the Putnam County Jail.
BALDWIN COUNTY On the afternoon of April 4th, Corporal Bill Goodson and Ranger Josh Copelan patrolled the Rocky and Island Creek areas of Lake Sinclair. The officers issued several boating safety warnings.
TROUP COUNTY On March 29th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield checked a baited hunting club in north Troup County. The property had been baited with wild birdseed that had been scattered around some of the food plots on the property. Two hunters, a father and his juvenile son, were located hunting near one of the baited areas. Cpl. Bradfield had discovered the bait eight days before this date and the recent rains had also made the bait unavailable to any wildlife for sometime. Given these circumstances Cpl. Bradfield issued the father a warning for hunting big game over bait. The juvenile was given a verbal warning.
On Sunday afternoon, Cpl. Bradfield checked boating and fishing activity on West Point Lake from several boat ramps. The fishing activity was slow because of the stained water and the amount of water coming into the lake from the recent rains. One boater was issued a citation for operating a boat without registration.

On Friday morning, Cpl. Bradfield checked four turkey hunters on the Corps of Engineers property on Potts Rd in West Point. Three of three hunters were from Alabama and did not have the any big game hunting license but did have a non-resident trip small game-hunting license. The hunters told Cpl. Bradfield that they had arrived from the Alabama coast the previous evening to hunt and fish for several days and thought that they purchased the correct license. All three were issued warnings for nonresident hunting without a big game license under the condition that they purchase the non-resident big game license before continuing to turkey hunt.
TALBOT COUNTY On April 3rd,RFC Jeremy Bolen was checking baited areas on a hunting club. RFC Bolen located one hunter in a ground blind. The area was baited for turkeys. The hunter was issued citations for hunting turkey over bait and hunting turkey with illegal ammo.
SPALDING COUNTY On April 2nd, at the Spalding County High School, RFC Travis Sweat and Ranger Adam Jacobs participated in a career day event. The two Rangers were on site to answer questions and give handouts to more than 200 Juniors and Seniors. The day was a great success and provided a good career option to the students that attended.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On April 4th, Sgt. Russ Ramsey and Cpl. Keith Waddell were patrolling a baited area in West Meriwether County when they noticed where a turkey had recently been killed approximately 63 yards from an active corn feeder. Upon further investigation of the property, two hunters were found in possession of a turkey. Further evidence placed the turkey and hunters near the feeder. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The illegally killed turkey was confiscated and donated to a local church.
Coweta County On April 4th, Sgt. Russell Ramsey, Cpl. Keith Waddell, RFC Travis Sweat, and Ranger Adam Jacobs provided a boating and fishing I&E program during a Crappie Fishing Rodeo held at the Summer Grove Lake in Coweta County. 39 teams consisting of around 100 people participated in the event with the goal of reducing the number of crappie in the lake.
MONROE COUNTY On a rainy Thursday, April 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. Corporal Tony Wynne was called by the Monroe County Sheriff's Office to assist with the rescue of two subjects who had capsized a canoe in a rain-swollen creek. The subjects had climbed trees to get out of the water when their canoe washed away. Corporal Wynne picked up his boat and proceeded to the site where he stood by in case the Monroe County Fire Department needed assistance as they launched their boat to recover the two subjects. The two were rescued by the Monroe County Fire Department without incident.

On April 4th, Sergeant Tim Kendrick and Corporal Tony Wynne patrolled Lake Juliette by boat checking numerous boats and fishermen. Several warnings were issued for infractions found.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On April 1st, RFC Randy Davis and Game Management Tech Adam Dills Worked a nine hour flood detail patrolling a flooded area of Baker County with boats searching for stranded and trapped flood victims.
THOMAS COUNTY On March 29th, RFC David Brady was contacted about six people being stranded in a home with rising flood waters from the Ochlocknee River surrounding the home. Upon arrival RFC Brady began bringing the individuals out of the flooded area by boat. After the six were rescued, it was brought to RFC Brady's attention that there were people trapped in a home across the street. RFC David Brady, Sgt. David Ruddell and Cpl. Mike Binion used two DNR boats to rescue the other trapped flood victims
TIFT COUNTY On April 1st, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey, Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Harold Hill assisted the Tift County Sheriff's Dept. in helping people who were stranded and trapped in their homes by rising floodwater.
SUMTER COUNTY On April 4th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence, Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Harold Hill responded to a missing child call on Lake Blackshear. The child was located within a few hours in the water. He had apparently drowned.
CLAY COUNTY On April 4th, RFC Jim Atchley investigated a boating incident on Lake George where a vessel caught fire and burned to the waterline. At approximately 3:30 am Sunday morning, RFC Atchley went to the emergency room after suffering a severe reaction to his exposure to smoke and fumes during the investigation. Atchley was treated and released and returned to work the next day.
LEE COUNTY On April 3rd, Ranger Randy James and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence participated in a career day event at the Lee County High School. The two Rangers answered questions concerning a career as a Conservation Ranger as well as various legal questions concerning wildlife laws.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On March 4th, RFC Danielle Partin and Cpl. Don Dasher patrolled Morris Road for hunting turkey's over bait. RFC Clint Jarriel and Cpl. Jon Barnard, with his K-9 Coal, were called for assistance. Two suspects were apprehended and citations were written.
BULLOCH COUNTY On the morning of April 4th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked a baited area for turkey hunting. No hunters were found to be in the baited area. Cpl. Akins did check three turkey hunters at another location off Old River Road. No violations were detected.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On the night of Saturday April 4th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. William Vickers checked the Savannah River landings in Effingham County for boating and fishing activity. No activity was found.
EVANS COUNTY On April 3rd,, RFC Debbie Brannen and area manager Steve Mincey checked fishermen on the public fishing area. Violations were documented for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license and possession of over the limit. The fish were confiscated. Later that day RFC Brannen noted violations for fishing without licenses and fishing on a PFA without a WMA licenses. The individuals were given copies of the current fishing regulations and the law explained in detail.
SCREVEN COUNTY On the night of Saturday, April 4th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. William Vickers checked the Savannah River landings in Screven County for boating and fishing activity. No activity was found.
BRYAN COUNTY On, April 3rd, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. William Vickers checked Dasher's Landing for fishing and boating activity. Their efforts resulted in one fisherman being checked who was found to be fishing without a license. While documenting this violation, both officers heard rapid gunfire from an automatic weapon on a near-by hunting club. Upon investigation, two individuals were encountered and questioned. It was learned that one of the individuals did legally possess an automatic weapon along with all the necessary licenses and permits for that weapon. No violations were noted with these two individuals and both were released without incident.
DODGE COUNTY On April 2nd, Cpl. Ashe received a complaint that a subject had shot a turkey from his vehicle off Parkerson Church Road. After locating the subject and a brief investigation, the man did admit to the offense and he had the bird in possession. He was charged with hunting from a vehicle.

On April 4th, Cpl Ashe found one subject hunting turkeys over an electronic feeder on the McRanie property. He was charged for the offense and was advised of legal hunting tactics.
ATKINSON COUNTY On April 4th, Sgt. David Nugent checked six turkey hunters and issued five citations for hunting without a license, hunting without a license on person and hunting with unplugged shotguns.
On April 4th and 5th, Sgt. David Nugent assisted the Sheriff's Office, Pearson Police Department and Road Department. He helped patrol flooded areas, set up barricades and record any washed out roads and bridges due to flooding. While on patrol he initiated two DUI arrests.
On April 5th RFC Tim Hutto patrolled for turkey hunting violations. He checked three hunters and issued one warning for hunting without a license on person and one citation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
COOK COUNTY On April 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th, Cpl. Greg Moody assisted the Sheriff's Office, EMA and Road Department by patrolling flooded areas and recording where any washed out areas may be so that barricades could be set up.
COFFEE COUNTY On Friday April 3rd, Coffee County Emergency Management requested DNR Law Enforcement assistance and Georgia Emergency Management Agency to evacuate families by boat from flooded residential areas. Cpl. Jimmy Williams, RFC Joe Hilton, RFC Mike Kicklighter and Ranger Chase Altman responded and all evacuations were completed safely. Approximately 50 residences were flooded in various areas around Douglas.
WILCOX COUNTY On March 31st, RFC Mike Kicklighter received a call from the Wilcox County Sheriff's office about someone hunting without permission. Upon arrival, the subject was located and a jake turkey that had been killed on the property was confiscated. The violator was charged for the violations.
ECHOLS COUNTY On April 4th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree issued a littering citation to an individual as a result of a citizen complaint earlier in the week. The complainant was returning to his vehicle from turkey hunting and observed a person drive into an open gate on his hunting lease and discard several small bags of trash. An accurate description of the person, the vehicle and the vehicle's tag number was relayed to Sgt. Dupree. When confronted with several WalMart purchase receipts found by Sgt. Dupree in the trash, the individual admitted to the violation.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On March 29th, Ranger Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a boating safety patrol on the Ogeechee River from King's Ferry Landing checking 12 boats and 15 fishing licenses. One person was cited for fishing without a license.
On March 29th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the Richmond Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Cpl. Miller cited an individual for violation of range rules at the Richmond Hill WMA Shooting Range. Cpl. Miller also cited two hog hunters on the Richmond Hill WMA for not having a WMA license.
On March 31st and April 2nd, Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted inspections of three local marinas, checking their live-shrimp bait facilities and records, in order for the marinas to get their yearly bait-shrimp licenses. All three marinas passed their inspections.
LIBERTY COUNTY On March 30th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the salt waters of Liberty County checking commercial crabbers. Cpl. Miller checked approximately six individuals who were commercially crabbing. One individual was cited for commercially crabbing without a license, commercially fishing (crabbing) without a boat license, and commercially crabbing with illegal gear. This individual's helper was also cited for commercially fishing without a license. All crabs were dumped back into the water and the individual was told to pull his crab traps up.
On March 31st, Cpl. Cindy Miller met the above individual to make sure he had removed all his crab traps. The individual had removed all of his crab traps but he continued to take crabs. Therefore, Cpl. Miller confiscated his crabs and cited him for commercially crabbing without a crabbing license again. The crabs were dumped back in the water.
WAYNE COUNTY On March 29th, Sgt. D.V. Grantham and Cpl. Bobby White were on patrol. While checking CSX property in Wayne county Cpl. White cited two for fishing without permission and one for fishing without a license.
GLYNN COUNTY On April 4th, Sgt. Harwell, Cpl. Jimmy Finn and Cpl. Ron Harris conducted a concentrated patrol in the Hampton River, Village Creek and Mosquito Creek area. The officers checked a total of 15 boats, which resulted in 4 people being cited for various violations including, operating a vessel without enough lifejackets, fishing without a license and possession of undersize fish.
On April 4th, Sgt. Bob Lynn, Cpl. Jesse Cook, RFC Mark Carson, and RFC Craig Smith conducted a JEA dockside detail at Jekyll Island public boat ramp. Rangers checked 10 boats, one of which came from offshore. No violations were noted.