Department of Natural Resources 
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report November14-20, 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) 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
COLUMBIA COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Timmerman and Cpl Swain investigated a complaint of hunting over bait and violation of Georgia controlled substance act. Officers patrolled the property but were unable to find any violations. 
On November 20th, Cpl Swain and Sgt Chaffin patrolled the Savannah River for waterfowl activity. Officers cited seven subjects for license violations and 1 for hunting with unplugged shotgun. 
LINCOLN COUNTY On November 12th, Cpl Swain assisted Lincoln County S.O. with a fight in progress involving weapons. Officers arrested 1 subject on warrants obtained by Lincoln County S.O. 1 subject was taken to Medical College of Georgia for lacerations to the head and face. 
On November 13th, RFC Timmerman and Cpl Swain were patrolling Soap Creek WMA. Officers heard the sound of screeching tires and a vehicle striking a tree. Officers found that a vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed left the roadway striking an embankment and trees on the WMA. The incident was turned over to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. The driver was charged with DUI, driving on a suspended drivers license and open container. 
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Phillip Nelson, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and Cpl. Greg Colson responded to call in reference to a missing child. The child had wandered away from his home and was only wearing a t-shirt and a diaper. The Rangers led groups of searchers looking for the missing child. At approximately 4:30 p.m. the group being led by RFC Nelson found the child wandering in the woods wearing only a t-shirt. The child was unharmed. 
On November 15th, RFC Phillip Nelson responded to a hunting incident in Oglethorpe County. A 69-year-old grandmother and her grandson had gone hunting when the stand they were hunting from fell. The grandson was only bruised but the grandmother sustained broken bones, cuts, and bruising. 
 
 GLASCOCK COUNTY On November the 18th, RFC Adams responded to a call for assistance from Sheriff's Deputies involved in a car chase. The chase went from Jefferson County through Glascock County and into Hancock County before they lost site of the 1991 Chevy Camaro. RFC Adams found the Camaro in the woods near a logging operation. The owner of the logging operation stated that the driver of the Camaro had just stolen his skidder \ cutter and was now fleeing in it. RFC Adams and a Jefferson County Investigator followed the trail that the skidder was cutting for approximately two miles. When they finally caught up with the skidder the driver turned to chase the officers. The Investigator tried to hide behind several trees but the skidder cut them down and continued after him. At this time the Investigator opened fire on the skidder. The driver of the skidder then fled the area on a logging road. RFC Adams and the Investigator could not keep up with the skidder on the open road. When the skidder made it to a county road numerous Hancock, Warren, Glascock and Jefferson County Deputy's surrounded the skidder and he gave up. The subject stated that he had just got out of prison and did not want to go back for driving on suspended license. 
On November 13th, RFC Adams and RFC Matherly assisted Glascock Sheriff's Office with service of a search warrant. Officers found a working meth. lab. Officers arrested 2 subjects on warrants obtained by Glascock S.O. Other arrest warrants and charges pending. 
NEWTON COUNTY RFC Larry Mills has been investigating a case of two raccoons attacking a nine-monthold baby while he was asleep in his crib. The two coons came in through an open window and bite the baby numerous times. It was determined that the family has had these two coons for pets since they were young. RFC Mills took out warrants on the father for Possessing Game Animal Without Permit and Possession of Illegally Taken Wildlife. The father has posted bond on the two charges. Charges from the county will also follow. 
GREENE COUNTY On Saturday, Rangers attended the funeral of fallen Greene County Chief Deputy Kevin Roberts. Numerous agencies were represented at the funeral. Rangers that attended the funeral were Captain Thomas Barnard, Sergeant Matt Garthright, Cpl. Derrell Worth, Cpl. David Allen, and RFC Josh Copeland. 
MORGAN COUNTY On November 7th, Cpl. David Allen received a complaint of someone hunting from the roadway. A deer hunter was sitting in his deer stand when he heard a vehicle traveling down the dirt road and discharge a firearm. The hunter came out of his stand and got in his truck and attempted to catch up to the vehicle which shot. He came upon a stopped vehicle and confronted driver who denied shooting or hearing any shot. The hunter wrote down the tag number and passed along the information to Cpl. Allen. After investigating the incident Cpl. Allen was able to determine that the stopped vehicle was in fact the shooter. The occupant was charged with Hunting from a Public Road and warned for Hunting from a Motor Vehicle. 
 
 After receiving a baiting complaint Sgt. Matt Garthright went into an occupied hunting club late Friday night to locate one baited stand. Saturday afternoon Sgt. Garthright and Cpl. Allen went into the club and checked for hunters hunting deer over bait. They located juveniles hunting over the bait. There was one eleven-year-old hunting by himself. The rangers charged the father of the juveniles with Unlawful Enticement for putting the corn out and warned him for allowing the juvenile to hunt unsupervised. 
While checking a deer hunter on Friday afternoon Sgt. Matt Garthright heard a hunter coming out of the woods towards his parked truck. The hunter came out and Sgt. Garthright made contact with him. The hunter was not carrying any weapon only a deer stand. The hunter told Sgt. Garthright that he was only observing the deer. The hunter was acting very nervous and kept wanting to put his hands in his pocket. Sgt. Garthright patted down the hunter locating a large buck knife disclosed under his shirt and found a rifle cartridge in his front jean pocket. After talking with the hunter Sgt. Garthright determined that the hunter left his deer rifle leaned against a tree in the woods and retrieved it. The hunter did so because he did not have any hunting license. Sgt. Garthright charged him with Hunting without a License and warned him for Hunting without Big Game License. 
WALTON COUNTY On November 8th, Rfc. Niki Spencer responded to a night hunting complaint. A Walton County Deputy saw a subject spotlighting in an area where there had been night hunting complaints before. When Rfc. Spencer arrived they found a thirteen year old driving a golf cart with a spotlight and a .243 rifle. Officer Spencer talked with the subject and his grandfather about the incident. Officer Spencer completed a juvenile complaint form on the subject and released him to his grandfather. 
On November 7th, Cpl. Greg Colson responded to two hunting without permission complaints, a hunting after legal hours complaint, and a night hunting complaint. The two hunting without permission complaints were resolved through verbal guidance and the hunting after legal hours complaint and night hunting complaints are still under investigation. 
ELBERT COUNTY On November 9th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins was returning home after working a night hunting complaint in Wilkes County. Cpl. Wilkins topped a hill and saw a truck sideways in the road spotlighting a field. Officer Wilkins stopped the vehicle and questioned the subject about what he was doing. The subject stated that he was not hunting been, but he was hunting coyotes. The subject was issued citations for hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle. The subject had a loaded 30-06 rifle lying next to him in the seat. There had been several complaints about this vehicle spotlighting in the area. 
TALIAFERO COUNTY On November 13th, RFC Ficklin checked a hunting club that was previously found to be baited. RFC Ficklin found 2 adults and 1juvenile hunting over bait. 1 adult was found 
 
 to be without a hunting license or big game license. The 2 adults were cited for the violations. The juvenile was given a warning. WARREN COUNTY On November 13th, RFC Timmerman and Cpl Swain checked a hunting club that was previously found to be baited. Officers found 1 subject hunting over bait without wearing fluorescent orange. The subject was cited for both violations. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
DECATUR COUNTY On November 17th, RFC Tony Cox and Sgt. Rick Sellars responded to a complaint about shots being fired at night near their residence. Four male subjects were riding dirt roads on a golf cart, shooting armadillos, stop signs, and other objects. Citations were written for hunting from a road and hunting from a vehicle. SEMINOLE COUNTY On November 20th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, RFC Tony Cox, and RFC Jeff Phillips conducted an airboat patrol on Lake Seminole to search for subjects that was reported to be hunting waterfowl over bait. Three subjects were found and cited for hunting over bait with one also being charged for unlawful enticement, [placing the bait]. Eleven ducks were confiscated from the trio. Four other hunters were cited for hunting without a license, hunting without federal duck stamps, and hunting with lead shot. 
CALHOUN COUNTY On November 19th, Cpl. Robbie Griner, Sgt. Danny Bishop responded to a hunting accident on Chickasawhatchee WMA. A hunter fell from a tree stand breaking a leg and 
 
 sustaining other injuries. The hunter was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Albany. 
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On November 19th, Sgt. Danny Bishop provided a mobile intoxilizer machine for the Governors Office of Highway Safety road check. Several drug and traffic cases were made. One subject drove around the road check and attempted to elude officers. The driver then turned around and drove through the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. In addition to drug and traffic charges the driver was charged with one count of aggravated assault on an officer for each officer that was present on the scene. 
LEE COUNTY On November 18th, RFC Randy James received a complaint of someone hunting without permission. The officer investigated and found two people hunting. Both subjects were charged for hunting without permission 
On November 20th, RFC Al Greer and Cpl. Scott Carroll responded to a call about someone hunting from the road. Two subjects were found in the woods, along with a driver of a vehicle that had dropped the hunters out. The people were charged for hunting from the road, hunting without license, and warned for hunting without permission 
RANDOLPH COUNTY On November 20th, RFC Bob Holley cited three hunters for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. During the same patrol two non-resident hunters were cited for hunting without a license and for hunting big game without a big game license. 
On November 21st, at approx 7:00 am RFC Bob Holley was on patrol when he observed a hunter squatted down in a fallow field. RFC Holley made contact with the hunter and after a brief conversation determined that the individual had shot a deer just prior to his arrival. RFC Holley found the deer approx 200 yards from the hunter's location. An inspection of the area revealed that the 8-point buck had been taken over bait. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait and the deer was confiscated. 
STEWART COUNTY On November 19th, Cpl. Steve Robinson was investigating a complaint of dumping deer carcasses when he encountered an individual hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without florescent orange. 
On November 20th, Cpl. Steve Robinson encountered two non-residents hunting without licenses. One of these individuals was cited for non-resident hunting without a license, non-resident hunting big game without big game license, hunting deer without florescent orange and hunting big game over bait. 
 
 On November 21st, Cpl. Steve Robinson cited two individuals for hunting without permission, hunting without a license, hunting deer without florescent orange and hunting big game over bait. Later on this same day Cpl. Robinson cited two non-residents for hunting without a license and hunting big game over bait. 
SUMTER COUNTY On November 20th Cpl. Tommy Lawrence investigated two tree stand related hunting incidents. The first involved a 71 year old man who fell about 12 feet from a ladder type deer stand and fractured 4-5 ribs. The other involved a 33 year old man who fell about and broke bones in his lower right leg, charges are pending on this incident. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
PIERCE COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Damon Winters received a call from the State Operations Center about missing boaters on the St. Mary's River in Charlton County. At 10:00 PM, Cpl. Winters met a friend of the boaters at Traders Hill Landing. The friend was able to have a broken cell phone conversation with the stranded boaters and learned they were out of gas. Cpl. Winters and the friend went upstream to locate the vessel. At 11:00 PM the boaters were found above Devil's Elbow. Fuel was given to them and they were escorted back to the landing in good condition. 
CLINCH COUNTY On November 7th, RFC Jason Shipes checked an area for hunting activity. One subject was located hunting deer on the property. The subject was approximately thirty yards from a pile of shelled corn. The subject was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait. 
On November 7th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree & RFC Jason Shipes assisted the Clinch Sheriff's Department and the Georgia Forestry Commission with traffic control on Antioch highway due to a wildfire that burned up to the highway right-of-way. 
TOOMBS COUNTY On November 7th, Cpl Jon Barnard and Sgt Don Dasher checked hunting clubs with baited deer stands locating one hunter who was issued warnings for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. 
On November 13th, Cpl Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel worked a night hunting complaint where shots were heard between 3 a.m. and 5a.m. At approx: 3:30 a.m. Cpl Barnard observed a vehicle traveling slowly through the area shining a spotlight. Cpl. Barnard and RFC Jarriel stopped the vehicle, a white GMC occupied by two white males who had a loaded 30-06 rifle along with a spotlight. The individuals were transported to the Toombs County Sheriff's Dept and charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a public road and hunting without permission. 
 
 EMANUEL COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled areas where illegal deer dogging activity has been reported. A parked, unattended vehicle was found sitting in the middle of the roadway; the driver was located and was cited for parking in roadway/hindering flow of traffic. 
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 1st, RFC Tim Hutto responded to a 911 call involving a subject in possession of an alligator. RFC Hutto, along with the help of Atkinson County deputies were able to locate the subject at Carlisle Apartments in Pearson. After questioning, the subject was charged with possession of an alligator or parts thereof and littering. 
On November 6th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge checked an area that was baited for deer. As the officers approached the stands it became clear that the subject had fled on foot. K9 Gauge tracked the suspect to an area of thick cover approximately three hundred yards from the baited stand. The subject was found hiding in palmetto bushes with a loaded deer rifle. After questioning, violations were addressed for hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, interference with performance of a ranger's duties, and hunting without a license on person. 
LANIER COUNTY On November 6th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge checked an area that was baited for deer. Two subjects were located in the area and violations for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and hunting big game over bait were addressed. 
CLINCH COUNTY On November 11th, RFC Jason Shipes observed several subjects hunting deer with dogs along Highway 441 north of Homerville. RFC Shipes checked several licenses and issued one citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange. 
On November 11th, RFC Jason Shipes checked a complaint area along Highway168 for deer-dogging activity. RFC Shipes checked several hunters in the area and gave one verbal warning for failure to record deer harvest. 
On November 11th, RFC Jason Shipes assisted the Georgia Forestry Commission, Clinch EMA and the Clinch County Sheriff's Department with security issues along the perimeter of the Arabia Bay wildfire due to unauthorized persons attempting to enter the fire line to observe the fire-fighting activities and to look for Native American artifacts. 
On November 12th, RFC Jason Shipes met with landowners around Arabia Bay. The purpose of the meeting was to provide the owners with information on what steps to take if someone is found on their property digging/looking for artifacts without permission. A copy of the law was provided to the group. 
On November 12th, RFC Jason Shipes located a vehicle parked in the middle of a public road. Upon checking the vehicle, RFC Shipes noticed fresh boot prints leading from the 
 
 vehicle into the woods. Since the vehicle was partially obstructing a public roadway RFC Shipes attempted to locate the driver. An individual was located sitting on a bucket hunting deer. Closer inspection revealed shelled corn on the ground approximately 75 yards away from the hunter's location. One citation for hunting big game over bait was written. 
WARE COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. Gary Simmons was conducting surveillance of two fields due to night hunting complaints in the area. At approximately 10:40 pm, Cpl. Simmons observed a pick-up truck traveling on the highway towards the fields. The vehicle slowed as it approached the fields and a spot-light was shined from the passenger side of the truck. Cpl. Simmons exited his location and conducted a traffic stop of the truck. There were three adults and two juveniles in the vehicle. Also in the truck were two loaded high-powered rifles. Citations for hunting deer at night, hunting from vehicle, and hunting from a public road were addressed. 
COFFEE COUNTY On the 20th, RFC Hilton was on patrol in Coffee County. This patrol effort resulted in several citations for hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without required fluorescent orange, hunting without big game license and hunting without a hunting license. 
On November 20th, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge patrolled around the Atkinson and Coffee County line due to night deer hunting complaints. At around 1:15 a.m. he observed a SUV pull into a two-path road leading to a hay field. While following at a distance, he heard a high power rifle shot coming from the vehicle. RFC Hutto approached the vehicle and observed the driver shooting an eight-point buck with a .22 pistol. Two subjects in the incident were arrested for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, possession of illegally taken wildlife, interference with the duties of a conservation ranger and possession of marijuana. An eight-point buck, one rifle, and a spotlight were seized as evidence. 
APPLING COUNTY On the morning of the 11th RFC Altman responded to a complaint of hunting w/o permission. The person was seen leaving the property with an orange vest and rifle by the property owner. A game camera also showed the trespasser there a couple of weeks ago hunting in the same area. The person was charged with two counts of hunting w/o permission. 
On the morning of the 13th RFC Altman was checking deer stands known to be baited. This resulted in one violation of hunting big game over bait and one warning of hunting deer w/o fluorescent orange. RFC Altman and Corporal Barnard conducted a laser shot program that evening for the Fourth District Elementary School Fall Festival. Later the night a call came in about a hunter lost in Moody Forest Swamp. RFC Altman and Corporal Barnard responded to the call. The man was found walking a power line and was escorted out. 
 
 RFC Altman was working a complaint of baiting deer on the morning of the 20th which resulted in charges for non-resident hunting w/o licenses, non-resident hunting w/o nonresident big game license, hunting deer w/o fluorescent orange, and hunting over bait. That same night RFC Altman was working a complaint for hunting deer at night. Around 10:30 pm a truck turned its headlights onto the decoy deer in the middle of the field, firing two shots from the road. A traffic stop incurred and the subject was charged for hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. 
TOOMBS COUNTY On November 21st, Cpl Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel were checking baited deer stands and located two hunters. One hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait. The other hunter, a non-resident from Connecticut, was cited for non-resident hunting without license's, non-resident hunting without a big game license and warned for hunting big game over bait and hunting without fluorescent orange then transported to the Toombs County Jail for bonding purposes. 
BERRIEN COUNTY On November 18th, Cpl. Morty Wood patrolled Berrien County for hunting activity. Two hunters were checked and found to be hunting over shelled corn. Both hunters were issued citations for hunting big game over bait. 
IRWIN COUNTY On November 19th, RFC Tim Hutto finished an investigation on a subject who had killed over the limit of bucks. Two violations were documented for possession of illegally taken wildlife and taking over the season limit of antlered deer. Two bucks deer were also seized as evidence. 
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 20th, RFC Tim Hutto patrolled an area off highway 135 due to a complaint of hunting over bait and hunting without permission. The patrol resulted in eleven violations of hunting big game over bait, non-resident hunting without a license, nonresident hunting without a big game license, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and failure to record deer harvest. The complaint is still under investigation and charges are pending on subjects in Florida for possession of illegally taken wildlife, non-resident hunting without permission, and federal charges for violating the Lacy Act. 
On November 21st, RFC Tim Hutto responded to a call from an Atkinson County deputy for assistance with a burglary off of highway 64 East. Hutto, K9 Gauge, and Atkinson County deputy 3E located the suspect at a residence hiding under a vehicle. The suspect was arrested for numerous felony and misdemeanor offenses. 
LANIER COUNTY On November 21st, RFC Tim Hutto and K9 Gauge checked an area that was baited for deer. Two subjects were located hunting approximately ten yards from shelled corn. Both subjects were charged with hunting big game over bait. 
 
 Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)