Field operations weekly report, 2010 December 12-18

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 12-18, 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)
CARROLL COUNTY On Friday, December 17th, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling Carroll County and cited one adult for hunting waterfowl over bait and for illegal possession. The adult was also warned for contributing to the delinquency of a minor by allowing the minor to participate in the illegal hunt.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On Friday, December 17th, Cpl. Eric Brown and Lt. Michael Barnhill with the Douglas County Sheriff's Department cited one adult for hunting without permission, hunting without fluorescent orange and illegal possession of wildlife on an investigation stemming from the previous week.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On December 16th, RFC Timmerman received a call from S.C. DNR in reference to duck hunters on the Georgia side of the Savannah River. Officers found that 3 of the hunters were South Carolina residents. The hunters were hunting without license or Georgia waterfowl license. The 3 subjects were cited for the violations.
On December 16th, RFC Timmerman received a call in reference to whitetail deer in a pin. RFC Timmerman responded to the complaint location. Three whitetail deer were found in a pin behind a residence. Officer Patterson with Game Management and Sgt Chaffin were contacted and responded to the scene. Officers found that the subject was holding the wildlife without a permit. The deer were taken by Officer Patterson and removed from the property. The subject was cited for possession of wildlife without a permit.
On December 18th, Cpl. Hobbins was on patrol when he found a vehicle parked on complaint property. The landowner has previously filed an affidavit with the region office. Cpl Hobbins found 2 subjects hunting big game on the property without wearing fluorescent orange. The 2 subjects did not have permission to be on the property. The subjects were cited for the violations.

MCDUFFIE COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Timmerman was contacted by the McDuffie Sheriff's Office in reference to hunting squirrels without permission. RFC Timmerman responded to the complaint location. RFC Timmerman found three subjects engaged in hunting activity. The subjects stated that they do have permission, but not in writing. RFC Timmerman was unable to locate the landowner for verification. Two of the subjects were found to be hunting without a license.
On December 17th, RFC Billips received an anonymous complaint of hunting without permission and hunting waterfowl after hours. RFC Billips located three violators, a 16 years old juvenile and two adults, exiting the neighboring property. Citations and warnings were issued accordingly.
On December 17th, RFC Brian Adams and Capt. Thomas Barnard assisted Homeland Security, FBI and GBI. Homeland Security intercepted 435 pounds of marijuana in Texas being delivered to McDuffie County. The FBI drug task force asked RFC Adams to do surveillance on the residence while an undercover drug agent delivered the pallet of marijuana. When the delivery truck arrived, the homeowners changed the drop off point to a different location. Once the take down teams got re-positioned on the new residence, Capt. Barnard called Cpl. Crawley and K-9 Storm to assist. Two subjects were arrested at the residence when they opened the pallet of marijuana. Officers then started searching the area for a vehicle that got away. Capt. Barnard, Cpl. Crawley and RFC Adams found the vehicle and took two more subjects into custody.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Grant Matherly responded to an armed robbery in progress in Jefferson Co. The subjects stole jewelry and a flat screen TV along with other items. The first subject was apprehended immediately. RFC Matherly along with RFC Jeff Billips and the Jefferson County Investigator tracked the second subject thru the woods for three hours. After locating the subject in the woods, the Jefferson County Investigator made the arrest.
RICHMOND COUNTY On December 18th, Cpl. Ben Payne met with Game Management Technicians Wilcox and Beardon on Phinizy WMA in south Richmond County. Several duck hunters were checked. One warning was issued for not having a Federal duck stamp. Blood samples were taken from the ducks harvested for research purposes. Among species of ducks killed were widgeon, wood ducks, blue winged teal and gadwall. The subjects were given verbal guidance.
GREENE COUNTY RFC Richard Tanner patrolled Redlands Wildlife Management Area over the past weekend checking small game hunters and several groups of duck hunters. No violations were found.

MORGAN COUNTY Upon observing a vehicle shine a field with its headlights on two occasions, RFC Ricky Boles stopped the suspected vehicle. There were two occupants in the car, both were teenage boys. The passenger had an alcoholic beverage in the car and had been consuming alcohol. RFC Boles issued both occupants a written warning for Blinding Wildlife. The passenger was turned over to local authorities and was arrested for Underage Possession/Consumption of Alcohol.
WALTON COUNTY On December 18th, RFC Niki Spencer checked a hunting without permission complaint on the City of Monroe property. The complainants advised RFC Spencer the hunters were duck hunting. After arriving on scene, RFC Spencer could not locate any duck hunters. However, while searching the property a deer hunter was located on property adjacent to the city property. After talking with the hunter and searching the area, RFC Spencer concluded the deer hunter had been hunting on the City of Monroe property. The suspect was charged with hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife. RFC Spencer warned the suspect for failure to record deer harvest. The deer was confiscated and donated to a family in the local area.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On December 12th, Cpl. Mike Binion and RFC Jeff Phillips conducted a patrol that resulted in 1 citation issued for hunting big game over bait and 3 citations issued for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
On December 18th, while working a night deer hunting complaint, RFC Randy Davis and Sgt. Ellis Wynn observed a subject hunting from a vehicle. The individual was charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
EARLY COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Jeff Phillips issued 1 citation for hunting big game over bait and 2 citations for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
On December 18th, Sgt. Rick Sellars issued citations to 2 subjects for hunting big game over bait, hunting without licenses, and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
GRADY COUNTY On December 14th, Sgt. Rick Sellars checked a complaint from a hunting club member about someone hunting without permission on an adjoining property. A gate used by both clubs had been taken off the hinges instead of being unlocked. After a short investigation, one hunter was charged for non-resident hunting without a license and hunting feral hogs without wearing fluorescent orange. The subject had permission to hunt hogs on the property but had misplaced his key, so he removed the gate to gain access to the property.

On December 18th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Mike Binion heard gunshots coming from a pond where Sgt. Sellars had found evidence of a previous duck shoot. Two subjects were cited for hunting waterfowl after legal hours, hunting without a license, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without a Federal Duck Stamp, and hunting waterfowl with illegal ammunition.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WILCOX COUNTY On the morning of December 19th, RFC Mike Kicklighter located a duck shoot at a farm pond south of Abbeville. While checking the four hunters for the required licenses and correct ammunition it was then discovered that each hunter had multiple violations. RFC Kicklighter issued citations for hunting ducks over bait, hunting ducks without Georgia waterfowl license, hunting ducks without federal waterfowl stamp, hunting without a license, hunting ducks with illegal ammunition, and issued warnings for possession of illegally taken wildlife. A total of nine wood ducks were confiscated and duck hunting laws and regulations were explained to the hunters. Later that morning the ducks were turned over to a needy family.
APPLING COUNTY On December 18th, RFC Chase Altman was patrolling areas of the Altamaha River for duck hunting. A total of 4 boats were checked and 10 licenses. Two violations of operating a vessel without CGA PFD's were documented.
BEN HILL COUNTY On December 17th, Cpl. John A Stokes while checking a complaint for deer bait found a baited dove shoot on a peanut field and seven contacts were issued for hunting over bait.
On December 18th, Cpl. John A Stokes checked a hunting club for hunting without permission. Three contacts were issued for hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting hogs over bait and one hunting big game over bait.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe and RFC Rodney Horne received information from a Laurens County Deputy that a deer had been possibly shot from the roadway in a subdivision outside of Dublin. After talking with the Sheriff of Laurens and investigating the scene, one of the two suspects was located in Bleckley County. After interviewing both suspects it was found that the driver of the vehicle had shot the deer while it was standing in the yard of a local homeowner. The suspect was charged with hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a public road, hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife after completing the three-day investigation.

TATTNALL COUNTY On December 19th, RFC Clint Jarriel and Cpl. Jon Barnard worked a dogging area in Glennville on John Luther Scott Rd. One hunter was checked and cited for hunting big game w/o a license, hunting w/o a license, hunting w/o deer dogging license, hunting w/o fluorescent orange, and hunting w/ dogs on property w/o permit.
LOWNDES COUNTY On December 19th, RFC Keith McDonald heard several gunshots around 5:45 pm. He located a truck at the edge of a cypress pond where the gunshots were coming from. After a short wait two individuals emerged from the pond with shotguns. Citations were issued for hunting waterfowl after hours. Warnings were written for possession of illegally taken wildlife and four wood ducks were confiscated.
LANIER COUNTY On December 19th, at approximately 2:00 a.m. RFC Tim Hutto responded to a night deer hunting call on Burkhalter Road. He arrived on scene and met with the complainants and Lanier County deputies, who had also been called to assist with the investigation. The officers went to a field where a deer was reported shot. K9 Gauge found fresh foot tracks and was able to track the suspects to a residence down the road from the field. Hutto questioned the suspects at the residence about the night hunting activity and was able to gain confessions from two individuals. The two suspects were arrested for hunting without permission, hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting big game from a public road. The officers also learned that a third suspect was involved and had fled the scene. Warrants were taken on the suspect who fled for hunting without permission, hunting from a vehicle, hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road and felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The investigation is ongoing, with warrants to be taken for interference with the performance of a ranger's duties, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
ATKINSON COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Jason Shipes and Sgt. Patrick Dupree were traveling on GA Hwy 64 north of Pearson and observed a pair of hooded mergansers on a borrow pit beside the highway. The officers then observed a vehicle slow and turn around in front of them. After the vehicle passed by the officer's vehicle it pulled into the highway ditch alongside the borrow pit and stopped. The officers immediately pulled over to observe the vehicle from approximately 200 yards down the highway. A small caliber rifle shot was heard in the direction of the vehicle. The officers proceeded back to the location of the vehicle. A cage trap containing a live raccoon was observed in the back of the truck as the officers approached the vehicle. After conducting a brief interview with the occupants, it was determined that the driver observed the ducks in the borrow pit as he passed by. After turning around and stopping on the highway right-of-way he shot once at the ducks with a .22 caliber rifle from the vehicle. Neither occupant realized they had just passed by a DNR Ranger's vehicle. Citations for hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting with illegal weapon, holding game animal without a permit

and trapping without a license were issued. The ducks were unharmed and flew away as the officers were issuing the citations. The raccoon was released on site.
CLINCH COUNTY On December 18th, RFC Jason Shipes was contacted by GSP TFC Josh Taylor in reference to a possible night hunting incident on GA Hwy 122. RFC Shipes arrived at the scene and conducted a field interview with the three occupants of the stopped vehicle. It was determined that there was a doe and yearling observed along the highway right-ofway. The occupants passed by the deer and turned around. The passenger of the truck shot two times at the adult doe using buckshot. The shooter was sitting in the open window shooting across the hood of the truck at the deer. All occupants were taken to the Clinch County Sheriff's Department and issued citations for hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle. The deer was not located. On December 18th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree observed two individuals standing in GA Hwy 187 near Thelma with loaded weapons while their dog-deer hunting party was in pursuit of a deer. Both were issued citations for hunting big game from a public road. One of the hunters was also issued a written warning for hunting deer with dogs without a dog-deer license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)