Field operations weekly report, 2010 September 26-October 2

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report September 26-October 2, 2010
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 October 2nd, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Chip Cox, RFC Byron Young, and RFC Brooks Varnell responded to an emergency call for assistance on Lake Allatoona near the mouth of McKasky Creek. A church group from Cobb County had come to the Cherokee Retreat area to spend a day at the lake and had rented canoes. Two young men with the group went out in a canoe to set up a maneuver course for the canoes. Their canoe overturned and a 19-year-old man went in the water that could not swim. Efforts were made to assist by the other person in the canoe and witnesses in the area but all failed and the 19-year-old did not survive. The Allatoona Lake DNR Rangers are investigating the incident.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
LUMPKIN COUNTY On September 21st, Sgt. Lee Brown conducted an Online Hunter Education Class the Lumpkin Count Park and Recreation Department. During this class a total of 5 students were certified in Hunter Education.
WHITE COUNTY On September 25th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Jason Roberson assisted with the annual Outdoor Adventure Day at Unicoi State Park. These rangers assisted with the skeetshooting venue.
BARROW COUNTY On September 27th, RFC Eric Isom taught and participated in a Hunter Safety Education Class at Bethlehem Baptist Church. The Class was a 10-hour class and was completed over a two-day period. Volunteers at Bethlehem Baptist provided food and drinks for the class on both days. Forty students were certified as completing and passing the Georgia Hunter Safety Course.
HALL COUNTY On October 2nd, RFC Eric Isom worked a security detail for a kayak rowing event race. The event took place on Lake Lanier at Clarks Bridge. The event was from 8:30 A.M. till 1:00 P.M. RFC Isom stopped four boats and issued warnings for allowing child under the age of 10 to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a personal flotation device and failure to obey regulator markers.
On September 27th, Cpl. Roberson investigated a hunting accident that resulted in a fatality. The investigation revealed that the victim was attempting to hang a lock on type deer stand and fell out during the process. The victim was not wearing a safety harness.

JACKSON COUNTY On October 3rd, RFC Eric Isom was checking a baited stand in the area of B Whitfield Rd. RFC Eric Isom found a subject hunting from a ladder stand with a crossbow. The subject had placed some corn about 15 yards in front of his stand. The corn was on another landowner's property. RFC Isom issued a verbal warning and citation for hunting big game over bait and hunting without permission.
On October 4th, RFC Eric Isom received a call from a Jefferson Police Officer stating that he was being dispatched to a hunting related call. The call came in as a hunter who had shot a black and white house cat with a bow. Once on the scene the cat was already taken to the animal hospital and the arrow had been retrieved. The Jefferson Police Officer and RFC Isom interviewed the subject who was believed to have shot the cat. The subject admitted to shooting the cat and claimed that he thought it was a deer and that is why he shot it. The subject and RFC Isom walked to the area where he had shot the cat. According to the subject he was standing on the ground and shot through some privet and hit the animal at a distance of approximately 15 yards. The woods were dense but the view was not obstructed. The subject received citations and warning for cruelty to animals, hunting without a big game license, and hunting without a license.
DAWSON COUNTY On September 29th, Cpl. Roberson located two subjects hunting deer over bait. This was the fourth time in the past five hunting seasons that subjects on the same hunting club were caught hunting over bait.
GWINNETT COUNTY On September 26th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was conducting a Hull ID inspection. During the inspection it was determined that the vessel is stolen. This case is still under investigation.
FORSYTH COUNTY On September 29th, at approximately 2030 hours, Cpl. Roberson received a call from the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office about a missing fifteen-year-old boy that was lost on a PWC on Lake Lanier. He responded to Bald Ridge Marina with Park Ranger Pamela Shelton from the Corps of Engineers. The two continued searching after Forsyth County had discontinued the search and located the child at approximately 0045 hours.
On October 2nd, Sgt. Lee Brown participated in an I & E event sponsored by the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. This event was held at the Home Depot in Cumming.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On October 6th, RFC Billips assisted another law enforcement agency with a theft investigation. Billips assisted with the training of officers at the National Hunting Incident Investigation Academy held at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. He also issued a citation and a warning to hunters he located hunting over bait.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On October 1st, RFC Jeremy Bolen and Cpl. Robbie Griner participated in the funeral detail of a former DNR Board member. The two officers represented the DNR Honor Guard at the funeral.
HEARD COUNTY On September 29th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield checked a property in north Heard County. A landowner had called about a deer that had been shot on an adjacent property and had run onto his property ending up dead in his lake. The hunter who shot the deer asked the property owner if he could retrieve the deer from the lake and the property owner told him he wanted the Game Warden to look at the deer first. Sgt. Bradfield checked the adjacent property finding several deer stands and several baited areas. Bradfield interviewed the hunter later that day and he showed the Ranger where he was hunting when he shot the deer with his bow. This area was baited as well. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and was not awarded the deer.

MERIWETHER COUNTY On September 26th, RFC Jeremy Bolen was following up on a complaint in regard to hunting over bait and hunting without permission. While in the area RFC Bolen noticed a Trophy Rock (salt block) covered with mineral powder lying on the ground. Bolen walked to the block and noticed a hunter in a climbing stand hunting over the bait the hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait.
MONROE COUNTY Cpl. Lynn Stanford attended the National Hunting Incident Academy in Forsyth, Georgia. This investigative school focused on re-creating and investigating the scene of a hunting incident (accident). Several other Rangers from across the state were in attendance.
PULASKI COUNTY On September 28th, RFC Tim Butler located a man bow hunting for deer approximately 20 yards from a corn feeder. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
PUTNAM COUNTY On October 2nd, Sgt. Bo Kelly and RFC Josh Copelan assisted the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in locating and apprehending 4 individuals who were involved in a string of burglaries. Investigators had received information that the suspects were possibly staying at a hunting camp off Oconee Springs road and Rangers were able to pinpoint the hunting clubs in the area to determine which ones had people camping in them. After the apprehension of the suspects Rangers assisted in locating stolen property that was hidden in the woods around the hunting camp.
TWIGGS COUNTY On September 29th, RFC Tim Butler assisted the Houston County Sheriff's Office Warrant Division with apprehending a man at a remote hunting camp. The subject was wanted for child exploitation and possession of marijuana.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
WORTH COUNTY On October 2nd, Corporal Robbie Griner represented DNR Honor Guard at the funeral service for former DNR Board member Mr. Ben Porter. Service was held at Vineville Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia.
DOOLY COUNTY On October 2nd, RFC Clint Martin located a subject deer hunting on a property without permission and hunting without licenses. The subject was cited for hunting without permission, non-resident hunting without a license and without a big game license. This was the subject's second offense for hunting w/o licenses.

EARLY COUNTY On September 30th, RFC Bob Holley received a complaint from a citizen who had witnessed a person shooting a feral hog from a public road. Although the incident had taken place three weeks earlier, Ranger Holley was able to obtain a tag number and a description of the vehicle along with a description of the violator. RFC Holley and Sgt. Butch Potter then initiated an investigation interviewing first the owner of the company the individual worked for, and eventually the violator himself. As a result of the investigation the violator was charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle.
RANDOLPH COUNTY After experiencing several fights at high school football games, the Randolph County Sheriff's department requested assistance from DNR Law Enforcement for the RandolphClay High School homecoming game with Stewart-Quitman High School. Cpl. Steve Robinson, Cpl. B.J. Foster and Sgt. Butch Potter joined GSP Troopers and sheriff's deputies to monitor the event.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LOWNDES COUNTY On October 2nd, RFC Keith McDonald observed two individuals skinning a ten-point buck at a residence in Lowndes County. After questioning the hunter, RFC McDonald learned the deer had been killed with a rifle. A citation was issued for hunting with an illegal weapon; written warnings were issued for failure to record deer harvest and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The buck was also confiscated and donated to the Hunters for the Hungry program.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On October 2nd, at approximately 1:00 a.m, RFC Danielle Partin and RFC Clint Jarriel observed a vehicle with a light shining a field. A spot light, rifle, and ammunition were found in the vehicle. Four adult passengers were issued citations for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting without permission. Later, at approximately 4:00 a.m., RFC Partin and RFC Jarriel observed another suspicious vehicle with a light shining. A spotlight, firearm, and ammunition were found in the vehicle. The suspect was issued citations for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and DUI.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On September 18th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county and river landings for boating safety, hunting, and fishing activity. A total of five hunting licenses and five fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection, three violations were documented consisting of fishing without a license. The subjects were arrested and transported to the Effingham County Jail for booking.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On October 2nd, RFC Carson and Sgt. Harwell responded to a boat taking on water on Little Cumberland Island. When the officers arrived the vessel was swamped with water. Seas were at 5-6 foot. RFC Carson instructed the two subjects to put on life jackets and secure their vessel to the trees using all lines available. RFC Carson maneuvered the vessel where the subjects could come alongside the SAFE boat and use the lines that Sgt. Harwell made to put their feet in to help them get in the patrol vessel. The two subjects were safely taken back to the Jekyll Island boat ramp. CHATHAM COUNTY On September 15th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the Wassaw Sound area checking recreational fishermen. Cpl. Miller cited two individuals for possession of undersized fish and confiscated six spottail bass. On September 17th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the Ossabaw Sound area checking recreational fishermen. Cpl. Miller cited two individuals for possession of undersized fish and confiscated eight spottail bass and one spotted seatrout.
On September 18th, R.F.C. Randy Tinley, Cpl. Bill Bryson along with Sgt. Tim Vincent patrolled the Wassaw Sound area checking for recreational fishermen. A recreational boater was hailed to stop and upon being stopped the passenger dropped over a bag. After checking the recreational boat 8 undersized fish were found 3 whiting, 3 bluefish, 2 weakfish, one of which was in the wake trail before the recreational boater stopped. The driver was cited for possession of undersized fish and the passenger was cited for failure to allow inspection.

GLYNN COUNTY On September 19th, Sgt John Harwell was checking fisherman along Terry Creek when he located a wanted person. Sgt. Harwell turned the wanted person over to Glynn County Police.
Search efforts have continued for a missing teen since September 25 off of East Beach on St. Simons Island. Georgia DNR Law Enforcement, Glynn County EMA, Glynn County PD, City of Brunswick PD, Civil Air Patrol, DNR Aviation, American Red Cross, and countless volunteers have searched around the clock. The missing teen has not been recovered. A Memorial was held Friday October 1st, 2010 at the scene of the incident for the family.
On October 1st, RFC Huson and Cpl. Ridley went to the scene of a possible stranding/incident on East Beach at St. Simons. The 911 caller stated she heard a cry for Help out to sea on East Beach. RFC Huson and Cpl. Ridley searched the area for several hours with no contact.
On October 2nd, Region 7 LE participated in Coast Fest at Coastal Resources Headquarters, parking cars and providing security for approximately 8,300 visitors.
LONG COUNTY On September 4th, RFC Randy Aspinwall located a dove shoot in Long County. While checking the hunters, he noticed a freshly harrowed strip in the field. After walking the area, RFC Aspinwall discovered the field was baited. The harrowed strip did not cover up all the bait in the field. All hunters on the field were cited for hunting over bait.
On September 6th, Cpl Bobby White located a dove shoot in Long County. While checking the hunters, he noticed corn scattered in the mowed strips. It was determined the field was baited and all hunters were cited for hunting over bait.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On September 18th, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. Ron Harris assisted the GBI searching a hunting club off of Hwy 99 looking for the body of a person that went missing almost 3 years ago.
WAYNE COUNTY On September 5th, RFC Randy Aspinwall discovered a baited dove field in Wayne County. The field was posted as "BAITED AREA" as required by law.
On September 25th, Sgt Bob Lynn and RFC Randy Aspinwall participated in an all day hunter safety class sponsored by the local chapter of the NWTF in Wayne County. The class had excellent attendance and was a great success certifying 38 students.
On September 27th-October 1st, Cpl Bobby White attended 40 hour Hunting Incident Investigation Class in Forsyth at Georgia Public Safety Training Center.