Field operations weekly report, 2010 April 11-17

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 11-17, 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 April 11th, Sgt. Mike Barr received a call from Bartow County 911 that a man on a jet ski had been missing for over 21/2 hours on Lake Allatoona. Sgt. Barr contacted RFC Byron Young and they met at the lake. The Rangers met with a friend of the missing person at McKasky Creek Park. The friend stated that the missing man was unfamiliar with the lake, had left on a jet ski almost 3 hours earlier and had not returned. The Rangers found out that the missing person was unfamiliar with the lake, had a cell phone but was not answering, and they obtained a clothing and jet-ski description. Sgt. Barr and RFC Young began a quick search by boat of the most likely areas, which included the Stamp Creek drainage area. After approximately 45 minutes of searching, Sgt. Barr received a call from the Corp of Engineers that a person was seen on their camera going back and forth in front of the dam area and appeared to be lost. The person's description was the same. The missing person returned and was reunited with his family and friends. He had gotten turned around on the lake was lost for 3 hours.
COBB COUNTY Sgt. Mike Barr was patrolling the delayed harvest section of the Chattahoochee River at Paces Mill on April 11th. He noticed a fisherman across the river that had hooked a big fish. The fisherman's friend helped him land the fish in a net and together they brought the fish to shore. Sgt. Barr helped the fisherman measure the fish and took a picture so the fisherman could have a replica made of the trout, which weighed 5 6 pounds. The fish was returned to the water so other fishermen could also have a chance to land a larger than normal trout.
DADE COUNTY On April 17th, RFC McConkey and Sgt. Galloway presented the laser shot and fishing programs at Cloudland Canyon State Park for the parks first Outdoor Adventure Day. The two rangers had around 100 participants during the event.
On April 18th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Sgt. Jeff Galloway presented the laser shot and fishing programs at Cloudland Canyon State Park for the parks first Outdoor Adventure Weekend. The two rangers had around 100 participants during the event.
FLOYD COUNTY On April 17th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and RFC Ben Cunningham patrolled the Oostanaula River in Floyd County from Heritage Park in Rome and Hwy 140 Boat Ramp due to the CRBI Canoe-A-Thon. There were approximately 100 canoeists and kayakers that took the 14-mile trip down the river.

GORDON COUNTY On April 15th, Cpl Shawn Elmore was leaving his residence to meet with Gordon County EMA Director about the drowning the previous week when he heard a loud explosion. He noticed a large plume of black smoke coming from an area toward Calhoun and overheard radio traffic on the exact location of this explosion. He responded to the scene in Saddlebrook Subdivision on Saddle Mountain Dr. A home had exploded and caused damaged to 18 other homes within the subdivision. Cpl. Elmore assisted the Calhoun Police Department and Calhoun Fire Department with traffic control and scene security. With the power out and homes blown open there were problems with looters within 2 hours of the explosion. Cpl. Elmore also assisted on Friday, April 16th, with scene security and escorted resident to their damaged homes. Preliminary indications were the residence explosion was due to natural gas. The incident remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and State Fire Marshall's Office.
MURRAY COUNTY On April 17th, Cpl. Nathaniel Jones and RFC Eddie Tompkins encountered a subject using a cast net to take trout in Holly Creek at 9:45pm. The subject was charged with fishing by unlawful methods.
PICKENS COUNTY On April 11th, shortly after midnight, Cpl. James Keener responded to a missing boater call from Pickens County dispatch. The subject was last seen around midday on April 10th in a remote area on Talking Rock Creek. Cpl. Keener called Sgt. Brian Keener who responded for assistance. After interviewing a witness, Cpl. Keener directed Pickens County Public Safety units to another area and gained access through a locked gate. Public safety units drove approximately one mile to the end of a dirt road (accessible only by truck) thought to be the closest point to the missing person. While awaiting a canine for tracking and preparing search crews, the missing person (lightly clothed and wet) walked up to the public safety units around 2:30 A.M. At the time of rescue, the subject's core body temperature had already fallen into the lower 90's. He was treated for mild hypothermia and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
WHITFIELD COUNTY RFC Eddie Tompkins cited a subject for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and another subject for driving while unlicensed and possession of marijuana less than one ounce while checking fisherman along the Conasauga River.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 16th, RFC Robert Timmerman assisted Columbia County Sheriff's Office with a manhunt for a robbery suspect near Evans.
On April 18th, Sgt Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman responded to a fishing without permission complaint near Martinez. Subjects were found to have permission to fish in the private pond and no action was taken.
GREENE COUNTY On Sunday April 11th, Cpl. Derrell Worth was checking turkey bait that he had worked numerous hours over the last couple of weeks. While sitting on the bait, wheat and birdseed, Cpl. Worth had four individuals come in on him and set up near the baited area. They started turkey calling and Cpl. Worth watched them for about an hour. Cpl. Worth then made contact with the individuals. Three of the four were visitors, so Cpl. Worth charged the man responsible for putting the bait out with unlawful enticement of game. The three visitors were warned for hunting big game over bait.
ELBERT COUNTY On April 16th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins responded to a boating accident on Lake Russell at Richard B. Russell State Park. When he arrived only the bow of the vessel was sticking out of the water. The subjects stated that the boat was not running right and they brought it back to the dock to work on it. They decided to load the vessel on the trailer to work on it. When the subject backed to vessel away from the dock it began to take on water and immediately sank with nothing but the bow sticking out of the water. The vessel was towed from the lake, and there were no visible signs of areas where water could have entered the vessel. The accident is still under investigation.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Keith Page, from a hidden location, was watching several people fish on the Towaliga River. Page noticed a small aluminum boat with three men fishing not far from the bank. He watched as the three men fished, drank beer, and sank their beer bottles into the river. After several minutes, RFC Page decided to confront the men. After getting them to the bank, Page explained to the men that he had watched them sink their bottles. While checking their fishing license, Page noticed the men were extremely nervous. He then decided to pat them down for his own safety to make sure they did not have any weapons on their persons. While patting two of the men RFC Page located two small bags of marijuana in the pockets of their clothes. Because the men did not give the

officer any trouble he decided to issue appearance tickets for all of the violations rather than arresting the men. RFC Page cited two of the men with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, one of the men for fishing without a license, and all three for littering.
HEARD COUNTY Cpl. Jim Bradfield checked fishing and boating activity in Franklin in the river on Saturday, April 17th. One person, who stated that he was not fishing but only assisting his friends in the activity, was given verbal guidance for not having a fishing license.
TROUP COUNTY On April 16th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield checked a residence in south Troup County where the Troup County fire department had extinguished an illegal fire on Wednesday evening. Bradfield inspected the burn area and saw construction waste, numerous tires, furniture, and household garbage. The fire department report indicated that the homeowner stated he had accidentally started the fire when he threw a lit cigarette in the debris pile. The homeowner was not at the location at the time of Cpl Bradfield's visit.
On April 17th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield patrolled north West Point Lake from Ringer access to Brush Creek access. Several violations were detected ranging from boating violations to fishing license violations. Verbal guidance, written warnings and one citation was issued for these violations.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Tony Cox responded to a landowner complaint of subjects hunting turkeys without permission. Tony tracked the subjects through the woods and found 2 males fishing in a pond on the property. The subjects were issued written warnings for fishing without permission at the request of the landowner.
CRISP COUNTY While patrolling Crisp County on Saturday afternoon, RFC Harold Hill and RFC Clint Martin observed three males fishing in a local private pond. The three males did not have permission to fish in the pond. All three subjects were cited for fishing w/o permission.
CLAY COUNTY At approximately 3:00 A.M. on April 13th, RFC Jim Atchley cited a fisherman for possession of over the daily limit of crappie on Lake George.
STEWART COUNTY While patrolling the Rood Creek area of Lake George on April 17th, RFC Jack Stripling and Cpl. Steve Robinson cited two subjects for possession of illegal size fish. The two fishermen had nine undersized largemouth bass in their possession.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled 280 Landing in Tattnall County. After checking four boats, citations were written for fishing w/o a license, operating vessel w/o registration, and operating vessel w/o CGA PFDs.
On April 18th, Sgt. Don Dasher and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled Hwy 147 boat ramp in Tattnall County. Four boats were checked and citations written for operating vessel w/o CGA PFDs, operating vessel with unserviceable PFD, fishing w/o license on person, allowing child to ride in moving vessel w/o wearing PFD. One subject was screened for boating under the influence, no charge made for this incident.
WARE COUNTY On April 7th, RFC Jason Shipes was patrolling the area of Kettle Creek for fishing activity. RFC Shipes found two subjects fishing without a license; one subject was a resident of Maryland while the other lived in Georgia. Both failed to purchase the required licenses. Citations were issued for the violations.
On April 16th & 17th, Captain Scott Klingel, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl's. Damon Winters and Jimmy Williams and RFC Jason Shipes utilized the hunter development laser shot system to entertain nearly 1000 people at the annual Georgia Hunting & Fishing Federation's Outdoor Show in Waycross. A fishing simulator was also operated & enjoyed by the visitors. The officers handed out brochures & regulations and answered many hunting & boating-related questions.
BULLOCH COUNTY On April 11th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the Ogeechee River upstream of Steel Bridge. Three boats and two fishing licenses were checked with no violations being documented.
On April 12th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River between Steel Bridge and Shearhouse Landing. Three boats and four licenses were checked with no violations being documented.
On the morning of April 17th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River between Steel Bridge and Shearhouse Landing. Eight boats and four fishing licenses were checked with two violations for fishing without a license and two violations for operating an illegal horsepower boat on Ogeechee River being documented.
LOWNDES COUNTY On April 11th, RFC Keith McDonald checked Grand Bay WMA for turkey hunters. While on the management area, RFC McDonald encountered an individual stuck in the mud off the road. RFC McDonald called a wrecker to pull out the individual. A citation was issued for driving on an unauthorized area of a WMA.

On April 17th, RFC McDonald patrolled the Withlacoochee River for fishing activity. Minor violations were addressed with verbal guidance and written warnings.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On the afternoon of Saturday April 17th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled on the Ogeechee River upstream of Dashers landing. A total of ten boats and ten fishing license were checked. Verbal guidance was given about no registration on new boat and no type four PFD on boat. One violation for fishing without a license was documented.
On April 10th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers. A total of eight fishing licenses and ten boats were inspected. As a result of the inspection a total of two violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's (life jackets) and operating a vessel without registration number displayed properly.
On April 16th, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted three special license inspections on a taxidermist, a wildlife rehabilitator, and a regulated fish hatchery. No violations were documented. Later that night RFC Pierce along with Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled river landings on both Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers for night and littering activity. No violations were documented.
On April 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted two special license inspections on a fox pen and a taxidermist. No violations were documented.
On April 18th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county for turkey hunting activity. One hunter was checked with no bird and no violations. Later that morning RFC Pierce along with Cpl. Eddie Akins conducted a boating safety patrol on the Savannah River. A total of seven boats and four fishing licenses were inspected. Verbal guidance was given on how to display a boat registration. Later that evening the officers checked creeks along the Savannah River. A total of two boats and three fishing license were checked. No violations were documented but guidance was given on the type of PFD a child could wear and the laws pertaining to it.
EVANS COUNTY On April 14th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked landings along the Canoochee River for activity. While at a landing, RFC Brannen was advised of a boat that had sunk in the river the previous day. Efforts to retrieve the boat proved unsuccessful at present time.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On August 21st, 2009 Technician Andy Meadows and Cpl. Cindy Miller went to an antique shop in downtown Savannah to follow up on a complaint from Lt. Judd Smith in reference to illegal birds (animals) being sold in the antique store. Andy and Cpl. Miller went to the antique store and located the animals and called the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Agent Rebecca Roca. Agent Roca met us at the store and it was determined the species were in fact illegal to possess.
On August 27th, 2009 Agent Roca and Cpl Miller, along with an evidence custodian with the USFWS, went to the antique store and collected and documented all the illegal species. This is a list of what was collected: 215 birds (migratory), 12 primates, 1 sloth, 2 badgers, 1 otter, 8 other creatures, 2 moose antlers, 9 small stag mounts.
On April 15th, 2010 Cpl. Miller received a call from Agent Roca with the disposition of the case. The owner of the antique store was charged with selling migratory birds and fined $500. The collection has been donated to the College of Charleston.
The antique wholesale dealer out of Atlanta who sold the antique storeowner the collection was charged with:
1. Engaging in business as an importer/export of wildlife without obtaining an import/export license and fined $500.
2. Importing, transporting, and selling migratory birds without being permitted to do so and fined $1200.
3. Fail to file a USFWS import declaration upon import and fined $300. The taxidermy collection was imported in November 2006.
On April 9th, Cpl. Cindy Miller was on saltwater patrol and checked two recreational fishermen taking clams from a closed area. Cpl. Miller cited both individuals for fishing without a nonresident license and taking clams from a closed area.
On April 10th, Cpl. Cindy Miller was checking recreational fishermen at Lazaretto Creek boat ramp. Cpl. Miller cited one individual for possession of undersized fish (39 undersized whiting, 4 undersized sharks).
Cpl. Miller along with RFC Chris Moore, RFC Buster Cooper, RFC Brandon Pierce, State Probation, and Effingham Sheriff's Department served a search warrant on the defendant's residence. The defendant was charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and 17 counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon or probationer and taken to the Effingham County Jail.
On April 1st, Cpl. Cindy Miller checked recreational fishermen coming into the Skidaway boat ramp. Cpl. Miller cited two individuals for possession of undersized fish.

On April 3rd, Cpl. Cindy Miller checked recreational inshore and offshore fishermen at Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp. Cpl. Miller cited four individuals for possession of undersized fish. One individual was in Federal Violation of over the limit of fish and undersized fish. One individual was cited for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
On March 28th, Cpl. Bill Bryson met with 2 subjects in Pembroke reference to 3 kitchen bags of trash that were found in the woods off New Hampstead Rd. in Chatham County. Citations were issued to the subjects.
BRYAN COUNTY On April 5th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a saltwater patrol from St. Catherine's Sound to Ossabaw Sound. Several fishermen and one commercial crabber were checked with no violations found. Later that afternoon, they received a complaint about teenagers operating ATVs on the state Wildlife Management Area marsh island behind Buckhead Subdivision. Two juveniles were found with a campfire, an ATV Mule, and a dirt bike. The juveniles were verbally warned about the damage that the ATVs were doing and the danger of a fire on a dry WMA. Their parents were contacted.
On the evening of April 6th, RFC Randy Tinley received a call regarding a campfire being seen on a Richmond Hill WMA marsh island. A teenager was found on the Tivoli Creek Tract and advised that camping and fires were illegal on the WMA.
On April 7th, RFC Randy Tinley and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a saltwater patrol in the areas of St. Catherine's Sound, Cane Patch Creek, and Kilkenny Creek. No violations were found.
On April 10th, RFC Randy Tinley cited three persons for fishing without permission at a private pond in Richmond Hill.
GLYNN COUNTY On April 6th, Sgt Doug Lewis, Cpl Chris Hodge, and RFC Mark Carson patrolled Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary for federal fisheries violations. No violations were detected.
On April 7th, RFC Mark Carson met with a reporter from the Georgia Times Union and gave an interview about the new pilot project of the Mobile Terminals that are mounted in the vehicles of Region VII Officers.
On April 9th, 2010, RFC Mark Carson and RFC Rebekah Huson assisted the US Coast Guard with a maritime search and rescue of a capsized boat off St Simons Island. The two men were rescued unharmed.

On April 3rd, Sgt Bob Lynn, Cpl Jesse Cook, and members of Coast Guard Station Brunswick conducted a free boating safety inspection at McKay River public boat ramp. Numerous boats were check at owners request with most boats having violations. Boat operators were told what they needed to be in compliance with the law. No warnings or citations were issued during the free boating safety check.
LIBERTY COUNTY On April 4th, RFC Isaac Strickland and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled offshore waters out to Grays Reef. No fishermen were observed in the area. As they returned, they checked several boaters and fishermen between Sapelo Sound and St. Catherine's Sound.
On April 10th, RFC Isaac Strickland and RFC Randy Tinley assisted the Georgia State Patrol and Liberty Co. Sheriff's Dept., by providing traffic control at a serious traffic accident at the intersection of Hwy 196 and Hwy 17.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On April 4th, Cpl. Ron Harris received a call of a person in cardiac arrest onboard a 35 ft cabin cruiser Fortuna II in the ICW near marker 173. Cpl. Harris then notified Cpl. Finn and DNR dispatch. Cpl. Harris and Cpl. Finn responded to the Meridian dock. While en route to the dock Cpl. Harris called and requested EMS personnel and a US Coast Guard rescue helicopter. Once at Meridian, Cpl. Harris and Cpl. Finn transported EMS personnel to vessel. Once alongside the vessel Cpl. Harris offloaded the EMS personnel and began coordinating rescue efforts with the Coast Guard helicopter. Once onboard EMS personnel determined the subject needed to be air lifted to a hospital. Once onboard the helicopter the subject was transported by air to Memorial Hospital in Savannah. On April 10th, Cpl. Jimmy Finn and RFC Rebekah Huson received a call of a possible capsized vessel in Cathead Creek. The officers immediately responded to the area and began a search. The area where the boat was seen is an area that frequently has a lot of hunting activity on the Altamaha WMA. After searching the area for several hours and speaking to several witnesses, it appears that the vessel was not capsized, just pulled up on shore and the vessel occupants were hunting.
TELFAIR COUNTY On April 8th, Cpl. Ron Harris and Cpl. Jesse Cook were traveling back to Brunswick from training at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center when they came up on an accident on Hwy 441 near the McCrae city limits. The officers immediately checked for injuries and notified Georgia State Patrol Helena who dispatched a trooper to work the accident. While waiting on the trooper the officers had the drivers move their vehicles out of the roadway so traffic could go by. The officers then stood by until Trooper 711 arrived on scene.

CAMDEN COUNTY On March 28th, while on saltwater patrol, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Chris Hodge located a family kayaking from Crooked River State Park to Cumberland Island. The kayakers underestimated the tide and strong wind. They were pushed up in the marsh unable to go anywhere. Sgt Lynn and Cpl Hodge got the four people out of their kayaks and placed them in their patrol vessel. Sgt Lynn and Cpl Hodge then tied the kayaks together, which enabled them to transport the family and the kayaks back to Crooked River State Park.
On April 1st, RFC Mark Carson patrolled the salt waters of Camden and Glynn Counties. Several recreational and commercial boats were checked. All boats and fishermen were in compliance with the law.
LONG COUNTY On March 30th, Sgt Bob Lynn, RFC Randy Aspinwall, and Wildlife Technician Hal Wiggins presented a wildlife identification education program to the fourth grade at Walker Middle School. 240 students were present for the program.
WAYNE COUNTY On March 29th, Cpl Bobby White operated the fishing simulator and gave a presentation on turkey hunting safety tips for the Men's Wildlife Supper at Unity Church of God in Jesup. Approximately 50 people were in attendance.