Department of Natural Resources 
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report October 3-9, 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) 
GILMER COUNTY On October 4thand 8th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Cody Jones participated in the CHAMPS program at Ellijay Elementary and Oakland Elementary, teaching more than 200 fifth grade students boating safety. 
MURRAY COUNTY On October 9th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Eddie Tompkins located a subject hunting over cracked corn, wheat, sardines, chicken carcasses, deer cocaine, and syrup in the Crandall Area. The subject was cited for hunting big game over bait. 
On October 9th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Eddie Tompkins cited a subject for hunting deer without the required fluorescent orange. 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
STEPHENS COUNTY On October 3rd, Sgt. Stan Elrod checked a baited deer blind that was found the day before. One subject was charged with hunting over bait. 
MADISON COUNTY On October 9th, RFC Shane Sartor checked an area where deer bait had been found. He charged two hunters for hunting deer over bait. 
On October 9th, RFC Sartor interviewed a subject about killing a bobcat in September while bow hunting. Sartor had been collecting evidence and felt he had enough to interview the subject. After being confronted with the evidence, the subject admitted to killing the bobcat out of season. He was charged with hunting small game out of season. 
DAWSON COUNTY On October 5th, Cpl. Jason Roberson was traveling home from a Hunter Education Class when he stopped a vehicle for driving under the influence. Cpl. Roberson called the Dawson County Sheriff's Office for assistance. The driver of the vehicle was arrested for driving under the influence by the Dawson County Sheriff's Office. 
BARROW COUNTY On October 9th, RFC Eric Isom heard shots fired around Rockwell Church Rd. He found one hunter hunting doves on a burnt pasture. The hunter was hunting over crack corn. He was issued a citation and a warning for hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The four doves in his possession were confiscated. 
 
 On October 9th, RFC Eric Isom assisted in a two hour Hunter Education Class at Fort Yargo State Park. Twenty students were certified. RFC Isom gave four confiscated doves to a father and son who had never eaten doves. He also showed the class how to clean a dove. 
JACKSON COUNTY On October 9th, RFC Eric Isom was checking a baited stand in the Arcade area. RFC Eric Isom found a father and his adult son on the property that had already loaded a 9pt. buck in the bed of the truck. The father was charged for hunting big game over bait. The son's stand was approximately 75 yards from the bait. He was issued warnings for hunting over bait, and failure to record. He was allowed to keep the deer being his first buck he had ever killed. 
On October 10th, RFC Eric Isom received a call from an anonymous tip stating that he knew someone who had killed two deer over bait and without permission. The caller said the hunter was hunting in the area of Hwy 98. RFC Isom checked the stand and found the subject and his young son trying to take a lock-on stand out of the woods. While the son waited in the truck, RFC Isom and the father walked to the stand location. Evidence of old corn as well as fresher corn was spread around the hunting site. RFC Isom could tell the area had been baited for some time due to the ground being trampled. The subject's hunting license had been marked of a doe being killed on September 19th. He admitted to killing the other one on September 22nd. He admitted to killing both deer on that property over bait. The subject stated that he gave the deer to someone else for the meat. RFC Isom stated that he would check out the story and let the third party keep the meat if they needed it. The subject received citations and warnings for hunting big game over bait, and hunting without permission for count one. He received verbal warnings for the second count. 
On October 10th, RFC Eric Isom found an illegal burn occurring on South Apple Valley Rd. The homeowner's children were throwing household trash, shirts, paper, and plastic material into a fire that was burning outside of the residence. After assurances from the homeowner and her children that they were not going to burn any more trash. RFC Isom issued a warning for illegal burn. 
On October 10th, RFC Eric Isom heard shots being fired in the area of South Apple Valley Rd. RFC Isom found five hunters hunting doves. The field had been drilled with wheat and rye grass. RFC Isom issued warnings to one hunter for hunting without a license and hunting without a HIP. He had no doves in his possession. 
 
 Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
WILKES COUNTY On October 10th, Sgt. Brian Carter was working in Wilkes County when he found 4 subjects shooting doves who were not allowed to be on the property. Each subject was issued a written warning for hunting without permission and released. While checking the subjects Sgt. Carter noticed scratch feed had been spread across the field. The subjects admitted to knowing that the feed was there. Each subject was charged with hunting over bait and 15 doves were confiscated. 
WALTON COUNTY On October 6th, Rfc. Nikki Spencer was checking a fishing without permission complaint when she caught 3 subjects fishing. Each subject was charged with fishing without permission. 
ELBERT COUNTY On October 9th, Cpl. Greg Colson was checking hunting without permission complaints in Elbert County. Cpl. Colson was checking a complaint when he saw 2 young males walking into the woods at an area he knew they did not have permission. Cpl. Colson talked to the subjects and they stated that they did not see any posted signs and thought they could hunt there. Cpl. Colson explained the hunting without permission law. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
LAMAR COUNTY On October 9th RFC Keith Page located a man near Milner who was hunting over corn and apples. He was also found to not be wearing an orange vest. Page charged the hunter with hunting big game over bait and hunting without fluorescent orange. 
PEACH COUNTY On the morning of October 9th RFC Kevin Joyce and Sgt. Tony Fox checked a baited deer stand that had been located by another officer on the previous day. One individual, hunting with a muzzleloader, was found to be hunting from the stand. He was cited for hunting big game over bait and warned for failure to wear fluorescent orange. While dealing with the violation officers heard a dove shoot near their location and, after issuing the citation, drove to the area of the shoot in order to conduct a compliance check. Five individuals, two of whom did not possess a hunting license, were found to be hunting doves in an area where birdseed had been scattered. Because the bait was plainly visible all of the hunters were cited. 
 
 TALBOT COUNTY On October 9th RFC Mitch Oliver, assisted by Cpl. Keith Waddell, checked a large hunting club where RFC Oliver had located several baited deer stands the week prior. The weather was warm and not all of the hunters were in but RFC Oliver and Cpl. Waddell apprehended four hunters during the morning and subsequently issued them citations for hunting big game over bait. 
TROUP COUNTY On October 3rd, RFC Jeremy Bolen was notified by Sgt. Jim Bradfield about a hunter hunting deer in a baited area. Bolen arrived at the location and found Sgt. Bradfield talking to a hunter who had killed a deer. The officers went to the location where the deer was killed and discovered corn within twenty yards of where the hunter had a ground blind set up. The hunter denied any knowledge of putting the bait out. The officers gained consent to search the vehicle of the hunter for signs of bait. While searching the vehicle Sgt. Bradfield located a wooden box containing marijuana. The hunter was arrested for hunting big game over bait, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and violation of the Georgia controlled substance act. The hunter was transported to the Troup County jail. 
TWIGGS COUNTY On October 3rd Cpl. John Harkins and Sgt. Tony Fox investigated a hunting incident that occurred on Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - a bow hunter experienced a fall from a climbing stand when the stand's support chain broke. The hunter sustained fractures to several vertebrae. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
SUMTER COUNTY On October 9th, Sgt. Wade Law and RFC Clint Martin responded to a suspicious vehicle call from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. Three subjects had pulled a deer from their hunting property to the highway and were loading it on the truck. After checking the stands, two of the subjects were issued citations for hunting deer over bait and a warning was given for possession of illegally taken wildlife. The deer was confiscated and given to the hunters for the hungry program. 
 
 DOUGHERTY COUNTY On October 7th, five DNR Rangers assisted in a search for the remains of a victim who jumped from a bridge into the Kinchafoonee Creek in Dougherty County on Christmas of 2009. Rangers assisted by using a towed sonar device, an underwater camera, and searching by boat and on foot. DNR, Dougherty County Police, Dougherty County Sheriffs Office, Dougherty County Search and Rescue, Lee County Sheriffs Office, Lee County Code Enforcement, and volunteers from the community conducted the search. 
CALHOUN COUNTY On Saturday October 9th, RFC Ben Roberts and RFC Randy James conducted a hunter education class in Calhoun County where 11 students were certified. RFC Roberts and James also issued two citations for hunting deer without fluorescent orange while patrolling Calhoun County on opening day of primitive weapons season. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On October 8th, Cpl Jon Barnard conducted 14 career day presentations at Montgomery County Elementary School for grades pre-K through 5 for 524 students and 20 teachers. TOOMBS COUNTY On October 9th, Cpl Jon Barnard check baited stands in lower Toombs County locating two adults and two juveniles hunting big game over bait. Cpl Barnard issued 2 cases and 2 warnings to the adults. CLINCH COUNTY On October 9th, RFC Jason Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree were patrolling along Headlight Road south of Homerville for deer & bear hunting activity. The officers observed a vehicle parked on a logging road. Several bags of shelled corn were in the back of the truck along with an empty bow case. The hunter was located in a stand a few hundred yards away from his vehicle hunting over bait. The subject was not wearing any fluorescent orange as required for primitive weapons season. Citations for both violations were issued to the subject. 
 
 ECHOLS COUNTY On October 7th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree & RFC Jason Shipes were working night deer hunting complaints in two separate areas of the county. At 11:00 PM, Sgt. Dupree received an in-progress call from a citizen in Statenville that heard a rifle shot & observed a spotlight being shined in a harvested cornfield. This field is located inside the Statenville city limits on GA Hwy 94. Upon arrival, Sgt. Dupree located two individuals dressing a doe deer at a residence on the property. The deer was still warm & steaming in the cool night air. Both individuals stated the deer was a gut-shot bow-kill from earlier that afternoon, but the deer had been shot only with a high-powered rife. No arrow wound could be found anywhere on the deer. A 7mm-.08 caliber rifle & Q-beam spotlight were observed in the vehicle the deer had been transported in. The lens on the light was still warm to the touch. RFC Shipes arrived to assist with securing the scene. Ultimately, one individual was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting with illegal weapon & possession of illegally-taken wildlife. The deer was seized & donated to Georgia's Hunters for the Hungry program. 
 
 Later the same night, at approximately 2:00 AM, Sgt. Dupree & RFC Shipes received another in-progress night deer hunting complaint on GA Hwy 135. RFC Shipes located evidence that indicated the deer had already been retrieved by the violator(s), but the officers remained at the scene two hours with the complainant. The complainant was worried about his home or property being hit by errant bullets from the night deer poachers. At 4:00 AM, Sgt. Dupree received a call from Lake Park Police that two individuals were observed skinning a deer at a residence. When the officers arrived they found a 5-point buck on a truck's tailgate at the residence. The two individuals admitted to killing the deer in Echols County on GA135 about 2:00 AM. Both were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle & possession of illegally-taken wildlife. A fresh set of 4-point antlers were observed while the officers were at the residence and one of the subjects admitted to killing the deer in east Echols last week with a shotgun. License & illegal weapons violations were documented. The 5-pointer & the 4-point rack were seized, in addition to two rifles & one shotgun with associated ammunition. The deer was donated to Georgia's Hunters for the Hungry program. (See photo of evidence seized below.) 
On October 9th, RFC Jason Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree were patrolling in the area of Register Road near Pineland. A subject on an ATV approached the officers on the county road. The subject was dressed in full camouflage and had a muzzle-loading firearm on the ATV's gun rack. Upon speaking with the subject, RFC Shipes noticed that both his hands were covered in dried blood. The hunter stated that he had killed a deer that morning. When asked about his license and required orange, he stated that they were at the camp. When asked about the hunt he stated that he was in the stand but started coughing and got down before daylight. He stated that he was riding the ATV when a 4-pointer stepped out of a firebreak and he shot it, but could not load the animal onto the ATV. RFC Shipes and Sgt. Dupree went with him to retrieve the animal. The officers located drag marks & blood leading to an area where a ladder stand & corn feeder were located. RFC Shipes found where the animal was shot and located a large 
 
 amount of blood with whole kernel corn in the blood. RFC Shipes found fresh dirt on the rungs of the ladder stand. After discussing the incident further, the hunter admitted to shooting the animal from that stand. He was issued citations for hunting big game over bait, hunting without license on person, hunting without fluorescent orange and possession of illegally-taken wildlife. As RFC Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree arrived at the hunting camp to complete the above incident, they observed another hunter skinning an 8-point buck. Upon speaking with the subject and checking his license it was found that the subject had failed to purchase a non-resident hunting and fishing combination license. It was also determined that the hunter had failed to record the buck on his harvest record. While speaking with the hunter about this, Sgt. Dupree observed whole kernel corn dropping out of the mouth of the deer. Upon speaking with the hunter about this he admitted to hunting over bait. He stated that the animal was actually in the process of eating the corn when he shot it. The hunter accompanied the officers to the location where the deer was harvested. A large pool of blood was observed in the corn pile. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait, non-resident hunting without a license, failure to record deer harvest and possession of illegally-taken wildlife. Both of these illegally taken deer were seized & donated to Georgia's Hunters for the Hungry program (See photos of seized bucks below.) 
IRWIN COUNTY On the 9th, RFC Hilton was called to what was thought to be an injured bald eagle. RFC Hilton responded and discovered it was a bald eagle and had an apparent wing injury. RFC Hilton captured the eagle and notified the appropriate personnel and measures are being taken to rehabilitate the eagle. 
 
 Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
BRANTLEY COUNTY On October 6th, Cpl. Billy Reed located a baited dove field off Perry Johns Road. He contacted the landowners to let them know the field was baited and posted it with no hunting signs. 
On October 6th, Cpl. Billy Reed responded to an in progress burning complaint off Rio Lobo Road. A subject had a large collection of mounted tires. He was burning the tires in order to sell the wheels as scrap metal. One citation was issued for illegal open burning. 
On October 7th, Sgt. Chris Hodge and Cpl. Billy Reed worked a baiting bear complaint on Briar Island. Three subjects were charged with hunting bear over bait. 
BRYAN COUNTY On October 9th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and RFC Isaac Strickland patrolled the Ogeechee River upriver from King's Ferry Ramp. One boater was cited for not having enough life jackets on board. 
CAMDEN COUNTY On October 8th, Sgt Chris Hodge responded to the St Mary's River in reference to a possible stranded boater. The complainant advised that they could hear someone shouting from the river for help. Sgt Hodge responded by boat along with support from Captain Ed Watkins and Cpl Chris Ridley with a helicopter. Officers were unable to locate anyone on the river and called off the search after 3 hours. 
On October 9th, Sgt Chris Hodge checked baited stands in a local hunting club and located one subject hunting over bait. The subject was cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without a fluorescent orange vest. 
LIBERTY COUNTY On October 9th, RFC Isaac Strickland responded to a call regarding a stranded boat in St. Catherine's Sound. RFC Strickland found and towed the boat back to the boat ramp.