Field operations weekly report, 2010 February 14-20

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report February 14-20, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On February 14th, Sgt. Mike Barr received a call from a person who leases a hunting club off Hobgood Road that a vehicle with a coon-dog box had been parked at their hunting club entrance gate the night before. The person checked with members of the hunting club and no one had been coon hunting. On February 17th, Sgt. Mike Barr again received a call from the same person that the same truck was parked at their gate and had a coondog box in the bed of the truck with the doors to the box open. Sgt. Barr contacted Cpl. Chip Cox who was the on duty Ranger. Cpl. Cox responded, as did a Bartow County Sheriff's deputy. Cpl. Cox found a father and son (adult) on the club with a .22 caliber rifle, raccoon hunting. They stated the guy in the trailer up the road told them it was OK to hunt there. Cpl. Cox advised that the area was leased land and was "POSTED". The father and son (adult) were each charged with hunting without permission.
On February 20th, Cpl. Chip Cox and hunter safety instructor Brad Camp taught a hunter safety class in Cartersville to 7 students for the upcoming turkey season. Many planned on hunting spring gobblers with the start of the season on March 20 through May 15, 2010.
FULTON COUNTY On February 14th, RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC Byron Young responded to a complaint in north Fulton County of deer hunting out of season on Hopewell Road at Bethany Road. They interviewed a Hispanic male who worked on a large estate. He claimed he did not shoot a deer. The Rangers foot patrolled and located a small amount of deer hair and blood in the woods on the estate. The owner of the estate spoke with the worker and when showed the evidence, he admitted he had shot a deer and had given it to a Hispanic friend who lived in Smyrna. He had seen the deer while working and shot the deer with a .22 caliber rifle. The deer was confiscated the following day and RFC Hendrix issued citations for hunting deer out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
On February 20th, RFC Byron Young completed a hunter safety review and test at the Roswell Recreation Center on Fouts Road in Fulton County. Students who had taken the on-line course came in for a review and to take the required test to meet the legal requirement before purchasing a hunting license. Many of the students planned on hunting during the upcoming spring turkey season, which opens March 20th through May 15th, 2010.

MURRAY COUNTY On February 20th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins issued two Murray County residents citations for violation of GA open container law and child safety restraint violation. The rangers were following an older model pick-up that had blown a front tire. After realizing that the driver was not going to stop Cpl. Jones turned his blue lights on and stopped the vehicle. The fore mentioned violations were discovered during the stop.
On February 21st, Cpl. Casey Jones issued a citation to a Murray County man for littering. Cpl. Jones was following a black in color Volvo when he observed the front seat passenger throw paper out the window of the car. Cpl. Jones stopped the vehicle and issued a citation.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On February 19th, Wildlife Technicians David Shattuck, Frank Manning and Brandon Walls along with Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump conducted a road check on Dawson Forest WMA. Assisting with the road check were State Troopers and Deputies from Dawson County Sheriff's Office. During the road check violations of expired tag, open container, driving without a license and damaging department property were detected.
FORSYTH COUNTY On February 20th, Sgt. Lee Brown was leaving the State Patrol Post in Cumming when he observed a vehicle that was stuck across from the Department of Driver's Services office. Sgt. Brown went to assist the motorist. While Sgt. Brown and another subject were assisting this motorist a vehicle approached Sgt. Brown. The driver of this vehicle told Sgt. Brown that she was taking her son the Scottish Rite in Atlanta for heart problems. While enroute his condition was getting worse and she needed and ambulance. Sgt. Brown notified the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office of the situation and an ambulance was dispatched to his location. The nine year old was transported to Scottish Rite and the motorist that was stuck was pulled out.
On February 20th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mitchell Crump met at Bald Ridge Marina on Lake Lanier to inspect Marine Sanitation Devices (marine toilets). Several docks were walked with a total of 15 boats being inspected. Several violations were detected and verbal guidance was given to the boat owners.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On February 15th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at Johnson Park. During this class a total of 9 students were certified in Hunter Education.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On February 20th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins received a complaint about trucks being broken into and suspicious activities at numerous boat ramps on Lake Russell. Cpl. Wilkins and Cpl. Colson are working to increase visibility and patrols at ramps on Lake Russell. Cpl. Wilkins contacted South Carolina DNR to advise them of the complaint.
GREENE COUNTY On, February 20th, Cpl. Derrell Worth hosted a youth squirrel hunt in Greene County. The hunt was held at three locations around Lake Oconee to include, Old Salem Park, Lawrence Shoals Park, and Oconee WMA. Twenty children took place in the hunt and several volunteers provided squirrel dogs. Many of the children had never harvested a squirrel before and were able to shoot their first squirrel. Rangers that participated in the hunt were Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. Derrell Worth, Cpl. David Allen, and RFC Richard Tanner. Georgia Power provided places to hunt, drinks, and refreshments for the kids.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On February 15th, RFC Robert Timmerman conducted a Hunters Safety Class in Evans. 11 people were certified in Hunters Education.
On February 17th, RFC Robert Timmerman assisted Columbia County Sheriff's Office with a burglary in progress in Evans.
On February 20th, RFC Robert Timmerman and Sgt Doyte Chaffin cited a subject on the Savannah River for fishing without a license.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On the afternoon of February 14th RFC Travis Sweat received a call from the State Operations Center in reference to person having drowned in a private pond. RFC Sweat gathered his equipment and headed to the scene. Corporal Keith Waddell met Sweat at the location and, in conjunction with Coweta EMS, began searching for the missing person. Within an hour of having launched their vessel, the Rangers were able to locate the victim, thus ending the search.

JASPER COUNTY On February 20th, RFC Billy Bryant taught a Hunter Education Class in Monticello at the 8 Count Building. Later that same afternoon, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and RFC Bryant met and began patrolling boat landings along the Ocmulgee River for fishing activity and boating safety concerns. They encountered a large group of people behind Lloyd Shoals Dam. After talking with the group briefly, consented was given to search of them. One subject was found to be in possession of marijuana. The subject was issued a citation for violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and released at the scene. Later that evening the Rangers were still patrolling river landings when they encountered another large group at Wise Creek. A voluntary consent search of this group produced two individuals who were in possession of marijuana. Both were cited for violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act and released.
HOUSTON COUNTY On February 14th, at the Great Outdoors Show in Perry, RFC Tim Butler and Corporal Susan Morris manned the sport fishing simulator. The simulator, which uses interactive video technology, presents realistic game-fishing experiences to participants and is always a popular attraction wherever it is used.
LAMAR COUNTY On February 16th, RFC Keith Page was on routine patrol when he located a man who was stuck in the mud. The man had attempted to drive his vehicle, a sedan, through a very large mud hole. The man was subsequently found to have a suspended driver's license. Page arrested the man and turned him over to the custody of the Lamar County Sheriff's Office.
SPALDING COUNTY On the evening of February 15th, Cpl. Wanda Roberts and RFC Travis Sweat attended a wild game dinner sponsored by the Second Baptist Church in Griffin. The two Rangers set up a booth with the Laser Shot system and had numerous handouts for all who attended. With over 2500 people in attendance, the two Rangers were able to answer many questions and handout educational material. The Laser Shot was a "big hit" with both children and adults.
TROUP COUNTY On the morning of February 14th, while leaving the Ramp Road access on West Point Lake, Cpl. Jim Bradfield met a vehicle pulling a john boat. As the two vehicles met a cardboard box flew out of the back of the boat and onto the road. Cpl. Bradfield initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and advised the driver of the trash blowing out of the boat. The operator of the vehicle was issued a courtesy warning for littering and allowed to return and pick up the trash.

On February 19th and 20th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield made several attempts to serve a witness subpoena on a Troup County resident. This person is a witness in an upcoming DNR case where a house was shot by several subjects while attempting to shoot a deer. One of the shooters charged with shooting the house was additionally charged with hunting while privileges suspended.
WILKINSON COUNTY On February 20th Cpl. Stan Semmler conducted the annual Quail Hunt for Kids in Wilkinson County. There were 28 students in attendance. They were involved in shooting skeet and, with the help of area hunters, were able to go out into the field and shoot pen raised quail. Area sponsors and land owners were involved and provided a good meal and various prizes and awards for the shooters. Rangers involved were Chad Welch, Bubba Stanford, Josh Copeland, Kevin Joyce, Keith Page, Will Smith, and Freddie Hayes.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY On February 20th, Cpl Tommy Lawrence and RFC Clint Martin conducted a boating patrol on Lake Blackshear. Cpl. Lawrence and RFC Martin checked 20 boats and over 35 fishing licenses. Warnings were issued for fishing without licenses and operating a vessel with insufficient lifejackets.
TIFT COUNTY On February 18th, the Southwest Georgia Sportsman's Club at their annual "Ranger of the Year" awards banquet honored Corporal Tommy Daughtrey. The club presented Corporal Daughtrey a plaque in recognition of his selection as the Region 5 Law Enforcement Section's "Ranger of the Year". For over 20 years the members of the SWGSC have hosted an annual banquet to honor the selected "Ranger of the Year". Captain Jeff Swift had the honor of introducing Cpl. Daughtrey, and described to the attendees the corporal's accomplishments that led to his selection.

BROOKS COUNTY On the afternoon of February 20th, Sgt. David Ruddell was patrolling areas along the Withlacoochee River when he observed several men setting out illegal gill nets. Since darkness was rapidly approaching, Sgt. Ruddell decided in the interest of safety to allow the subjects to leave, then set up constant surveillance of the area and apprehend the violators the following day when they returned to check their nets. During the violator's absence, Sgt. Ruddell was able to locate a boat and a vehicle they left behind. He then contacted RFC Jon Penuel to assist with the surveillance and eventual arrest. The following morning the three subjects returned to the area and began preparations to work the nets. As the rangers watched, one of the subjects retrieved a shotgun and turkey call from a vehicle, and headed into the woods. At this point the rangers identified themselves, secured the scene, and cited two of the group for illegal netting of fish. The out of season turkey hunter was a juvenile; he and his father were given verbal guidance for the illegal hunting activity. The illegal nets were seized as evidence.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On February 20th, RFC Barry Britt worked a surveillance detail at a local landing along the Ocmulgee River and stopped one vehicle for littering and DUI. One adult male was charged for littering, driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended license. The traffic violations were turned over to a Jeff Davis Deputy.
DODGE COUNTY On February 20th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe and RFC James McLaughlin completed a night hunting investigation which involved three subjects being charged for the incident that took place at the beginning of January. One of the subjects was transported to Dodge County Sheriff's Office to post bond for the offenses, which was his second time arrested within one year.
LAURENS COUNTY On February the 20th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe patrolled the Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area in Laurens County and checked numerous boats for vessel equipment and fishing licenses. Several violations were detected and corrected on scene.

ATKINSON COUNTY On the night of February 18th, Cpl. Morty Wood responded to a request from the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office for assistance with the search for a missing 2-year-old child. The search lasted throughout the 30-degree temperature night and involved GSP FLIR helicopter flight, Department of Corrections K9 teams, DNR, EMA and Atkinson and Coffee county SAR teams. Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Greg Moody, Cpl. Morty Wood and RFC Jason Shipes. They returned to the search site on the morning of February 19th and received the good news that the child had been located shortly after 8:00 a.m. by his grandfather who was participating as one of the search teams. He suffered from hypothermia and was transported by ambulance to the Coffee County hospital and then airlifted to a hospital in Atlanta. Authorities stated that the prognosis was very good for a full recovery.
CHARLTON COUNTY On February 16th, Cpl. Gary Simmons received a complaint about night hunting. The complainant advised Cpl. Simmons that he had called Charlton County Sheriff's Office about a suspicious vehicle on their hunting club around 1:00 AM. Responding to the scene, a Sheriff's deputy stopped a vehicle and found a doe deer in the back of the truck. The deputy seized the deer and relayed the occupants' names and information to Cpl. Simmons. After visiting the scene and locating evidence of the deer being shot, Cpl. Simmons contacted each subject involved and charged them with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from public road, hunting from vehicle, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On February 20th, Rangers from the Region VII Law Enforcement Section assisted the Brantley County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia State Patrol, and other local law enforcement agencies providing security while members of the Ku Klux Klan and members of the NAACP exercised their First Amendment right of freedom of speech. There were no incidents during the security detail.
BRYAN COUNTY On February 21st, while patrolling the salt waters of Bryan County near St. Catherine's Sound, Sgt Shelton and Cpl Scott issued citations for operating a vessel without personal flotation devices, (PFD's), and for fishing without license.
CAMDEN COUNTY On February 20th, a joint effort between Florida Wildlife Commission and the Georgia DNR Law Enforcement resulted in the confiscation of 56 Red Drum that were taken by an illegal method. Information received from FWC was passed on to Cpl. Chris Hodge and Cpl. Jesse Cook, who then acted on the information resulting in the confiscation of the fish and apprehension of a suspect. The investigation is continuing to unfold and could possibly lead to federal charges for Lacey Act Violations.

CHATHAM COUNTY On February 14th, Cpl. Cindy Miller patrolled the salt-waters of Chatham County checking commercial and recreational fishermen. An individual working for a crabber did not have a commercial license. The individual was cited for commercial fishing without a license.
On February 20th, Cpl. Cindy Miller helped with the efforts of searching for a missing individual from Chatham County.
GLYNN COUNTY On February 20th, Cpl. Jesse Cook and Cpl. Ron Harris assisted the S.E. Georgia Regional Health Care System with the Sidney Lanier Bridge Run. The two officers provided the department's mobile command post and assisted with the coordination of the volunteers. There were over 1600 people that participated at the event with no major problems.