Field operations weekly report, 2010 April 25-May 1

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 25-May 1, 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)
WASHINGTON COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Matherly received a tip that there was a subject shocking catfish on the Oconee River in Washington and Johnson counties. On April 28th, RFC Matherly and RFC Adams, worked the complaint on the Oconee River, putting their boat in off Hwy 57 just inside Wilkerson County. While patrolling the river the two Officers came in contact with James Blizzard of Wrightsville. Upon check his equipment the rangers noticed a large spool of wire in the rear of the boat. After asking Mr. Blizzard what it was for, he stated to the rangers that it was something he was not supposed to have with him on the river. At that point the rangers searched the boat and found a "catfish stunner" located under the front seat of the boat, and five catfish in the live well of the boat. Mr. Blizzard was charged with shocking fish and illegal possession of fish. The Shacking device and fish were confiscated.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday May 1st, Rfc. Phillip Nelson completed an investigation involving a dumping complaint in Oglethorpe County. The subject was charged with littering.
MORGAN COUNTY On April 19th, Cpl. David Allen responded to a fishing without permission complaint off Hwy 83 South in Morgan County. There was a landowner affidavit on file and Cpl. Allen apprehended three suspects who were fishing without permission. Three citations were issued in the incident.
LAKE ALLATOONA On April 23rd, Rfc. Richard Tanner responded to a drowning on Lake Allatoona with the side scan sonar unit. Rfc. Tanner was able to locate the victim for a local dive team. The victim was recovered.
RICHMOND COUNTY On May 2nd, Cpl Ryan Swain and Rfc Robert Timmerman assisted Sgt Max Boswell's section with a detail on the Savannah River working a marine event permit. The event was "Day in the Country" an outdoor country music festival. Rfc. Timmerman and Cpl. Ryan Swain assisted with two arrests of two subjects who were apprehended for boating while under the influence of alcohol.

LINCOLN COUNTY Cpl Ryan Swain conducted a shooting sports program at Camp Daniel Marshall, which involved DNR trap throwing equipment.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY RFC Josh Copelan attended the National Marine Patrol Officers Course located in Charlestown, South Carolina. This course teaches marine officers many aspects of patrol including federal boating laws, marine sanitation devices, accident investigation, water survival and boarding procedures. RFC Copelan will now use this training while patrolling Lake Sinclair.
BUTTS COUNTY On May 1st RFC Wil Smith and Sgt. Tim Kendrick were patrolling the Jackson Lake area. Sgt. Kendrick watched five males and a juvenile female fishing near the dam from a boat and a paddleboat. The sergeant saw them drinking beer and smoking what he believed to be a marijuana cigarette. He and Smith approached the subjects by boat. After performing a boating safety check and finding there were no PFDs on board the paddleboat and one person fishing without a license, Sgt. Kendrick asked if anyone had any illegal drugs. One subject freely gave the Rangers his marijuana - a subsequent search revealed an empty plastic bag with traces of marijuana. One of the subjects was charged with operating a vessel without PFDs, two were charged with Violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Act, and one subject was charged with underage consumption of alcohol and given a warning for fishing without a license. The juvenile female's parents were contacted and the mother came to retrieve her.
On May 1st, while patrolling the Jackson Lake area, RFC Wil Smith and Sgt. Tim Kendrick saw two PWCs traveling on the lake. RFC Smith pursued the PWCs and both operators were issued citations for operating a PWC between sunset and sunrise.
HARRIS COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield attended the annual Georgia Power meeting at Lake Harding in Harris County. There were several Georgia Power employees in attendance as well at seven DNR Rangers from the surrounding areas with Georgia Power lakes. Lake, property, and boating issues are discussed at these meetings.
HOUSTON COUNTY On April 29th Sgt. Tony Fox responded to Houston Lake in regards to a capsized vessel. Upon arrival the officer found that two anglers had inadvertently flipped their small craft, resulting in the loss of their fishing equipment and sinking of the boat. Both subjects, wearing life jackets, were pulled from the water by Houston Lake Country Club personnel and were unharmed.

JONES COUNTY On April 30th Cpl. Bill Goodson cited two people for fishing without permission on Martin Marietta property. Both people stated that they did not see any posted signs and assumed that is was legal for them to fish in the pond.
PULASKI COUNTY On April 30th, at 2:30 a.m., RFC Tim Butler received a call from the Pulaski 911 Center regarding three individuals lost in the river swamp. Approximately one hour after arriving on the scene, Butler located the individuals. The three were verbally warned for trespassing and one was arrested for underage consumption of alcohol.
PUTNAM COUNTY On April 28th, Cpl. Stan Semmler and Cpl. Lynn Stanford responded to Lake Sinclair after a large power line broke in two. The power line was in the water and obstructed a portion of the lake. The two Rangers remained in the area all night to make sure that no boats contacted the downed line.
On April 29th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford conducted boating safety patrol on Lake Sinclair. One boater was checked and found to be in possession of marijuana. The boater was arrested for possession of marijuana (less than one ounce) and transported to the Putnam County jail.
TROUP COUNTY On April 27th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield was a guest on the "Coffee with Lee" television show on LaGrange Government TV. The topic of discussion was boating safety issues and the upcoming music event on West Point Lake over the Memorial Day Holiday. Cpl. Bradfield is a regular guest on this local events TV show in LaGrange.
On April 29th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield responded to two illegal burning complaints. One of the complaints came from the Georgia Forestry Commission and the second came from the Troup 911 center. Both incidents were resolved with verbal warnings.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
EARLY COUNTY On April 28th, RFC Jeff Phillips investigated a fishing without permission complaint that occurred in Early County on April 26th. Phillips met with the deputy that had initially responded to the call and obtained information on the two suspects. Warrants were then taken against the two for fishing on lands of another without permission.

CLAY COUNTY On May 1st, Rangers Jack Stripling and Jim Atchley were conducting a boating safety patrol on the Chattahoochee River above the Columbia Dam. The Rangers were flagged down by a passing boater and told of a cow that had been swept into the river and was unable to get out. The Rangers located the cow standing in chest deep water below a steep bluff. They contacted the owner and waited for him to arrive while monitoring the rising water and the animal's welfare. It was determined that the only chance to rescue the stranded animal was to place a halter on it and guide it upstream to a sandbar, where it could climb out to safety. The halter was secured but the animal began floundering in the swift current, requiring a second rope to be secured under the front legs to help support the animal. The owner and one of the officers held the cow, keeping her head above water during the tow upstream. Once they reached the sandbar the cow was coaxed from the river, where she was able to rest until she regained her strength and returned to the pasture.
SUMTER COUNTY On April 27th and 29th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence presented an in-service refresher course to officers of the Americus Police Department and Sumter County Sheriff's Office. The purpose of the course was to examine the litter and waste control laws of the state and improve enforcement techniques and investigative measures.
CRISP COUNTY While conducting a patrol to address a property owner's complaint of people fishing without permission, RFC Harold Hill apprehended and cited seven subjects.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Horne and the section intern patrolled Laurens County for turkey hunting violations, fishing violations and boating safety violations at Hugh Gillis PFA and on the Oconee River. Several fishing violations were citied and one arrest for a bench warrant violation was made at the Clarks Bluff Landing on the Oconee River.
DODGE COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Horne and the section intern patrolled along highway 46 for turkey hunting violations, checked for fishing and boating safety violations at Dodge PFA and on the Ocmulgee River at Dodge County Landing with Cpl. Johnny Ashe. Several boating and fishing violations were detected as well as one possession of marijuana arrest.

BERRIEN COUNTY On April 25th, Cpl. Morty Wood conducted boating safety and license checks along the Alapaha River in Berrien, Atkinson, and Lanier Counties. No violations were detected.
On May 1st, Sgt. David Nugent, Cpl. Greg Moody and Cpl. Morty Wood presented a Kids Fishing Event in Nashville at the 10th annual Dogwood Classic held at Tygert Park. 104 children and 90 adults attended. The children caught catfish and everyone was treated to hamburgers and hotdogs.
COOK COUNTY On May 1st, Sgt. David Nugent and Cpl. Greg Moody represented DNR at the Cook County Community Day in Adel. Sponsored by several churches, this event included free food, clothing, and many other items to the public and was attended by thousands from Cook and surrounding counties. Local law enforcement as well as Moody Air Force Base law enforcement officers presented programs, lectures and K-9 demonstrations. Later in the day the officers patrolled Reed Bingham State Park and found all fishermen and boats to be in compliance with state laws.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Ogeechee River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of eight fishing licenses and four boats were inspected. The inspection resulted in two violations consisted of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD and operating a vessel with unserviceable fire extinguisher.
On May 3rd, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted a boating safety and fishing patrol on both the Savannah and Ogeechee River landings. A total of four fishing licenses and two boats were checked. As a result of the check a total of three violations were documented. The violations consisted of fishing without a license and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD.
BULLOCH COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. Dave Sims patrolled the Ogeechee River by boat from above the Rocky Ford Landing down to just above the Hwy 301 landing and back to Rocky Ford. During the patrol Ranger Sims checked eighteen fishermen and seven boats for the required licenses, safety equipment, registrations, and creel limits. Six violations for fishing without a license were addressed.
On May 1st, Cpl. Dave Sims and Sgt. William Vickers patrolled the Ogeechee River by boat, launching from Williams Landing traveling upstream to Rocky Ford Landing and returning back to Williams Landing. During the patrol the Rangers checked thirty vessels and 65 fishing licenses. A total of ten violations were documented for day to include operating a vessel in excess of 9.9 horsepower on the Ogeechee River, operating a vessel without registration, and fishing without a license. Verbal guidance was also given for several other minor infractions.

On May 2nd, Cpl. Dave Sims, Sgt. William Vickers, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely, Cpl. Eddie Akins, RFC Debbie Brannen and RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a report of drowning in the Ogeechee River at the Oliver bridge landing. The victim was a 24-year-old male that was reportedly attempting to swim across the river from the Screven County side to the Bulloch County side when he went under. Rangers utilizing patrol boats and deploying recovery equipment were able to recover the body from the river approximately 100 feet downstream of the bridge. The body was turned over to the Bulloch County Coroner.
On April 25th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. William Vickers checked several private ponds for fishing activity. Two violations for fishing without permission were documented.
EVANS COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Canoochee River. Two violations were documented for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD (life jacket) and operating a vessel without PFD (life jacket). One violation for operating a vessel without registration was also addressed. RFC Brannen patrolled the Evans County Public Fishing Area and identified violations for fishing on a P.F.A without a W.M.A. license and consuming alcoholic beverages on a P.F.A.
CHARLTON COUNTY On May 1st, Cpl. Gary Simmons received a complaint through the State Operations Center about boaters operating their vessels above idle speed within 100 feet of moored boats and swimmers on the St. Mary's River near Folkston. Cpl. Simmons responded and checked numerous vessels and encountered violations ranging from 100 ft. rule violations to operating vessel with insufficient PFD's and fishing without licenses.
CLINCH COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Jason Shipes was checking fishing activity in the Argyle area along Cane Creek. RFC Shipes observed several subjects fishing and upon checking for the required licenses found that two had failed to purchase valid fishing licenses. Warnings were issued to the two subjects for fishing without a license.
TREUTLEN COUNTY On Saturday May 1st, RFC Danielle Partin, RFC Clint Jarriel, and intern Zack Green patrolled the Oconee River from Hwy 46 bridge to Pete Davis landing. Citations were written for operating a vessel without registration, fishing without a license, and fishing without license on person.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Danielle Partin, RFC Clint Jarriel, and intern Zack Green patrolled the Altamaha River and the Oconee River from Uvalda landing to Moses Dead River. Citations were issued for fishing without a license, operating a vessel within 100ft of an object above idle speed, and operating a vessel without registration.

BEN HILL COUNTY On May 1st, Cpl. John A. Stokes while patrolling landings for boating safety made contact with one subject boating under the influence. The subject was taken to the county jail.
APPLING COUNTY For the weekend of May 1st and 2nd, RFC Chase Altman conducted boating safety patrols at Lake Mayers, Carters Bight, Deens Landing, and Morris Landing. These patrols resulted in numerous minor violations being dealt with by verbal guidance along with citations being issued for fishing with expired license and operating vessel above idle speed within 100ft of shore/object in water.
COFFEE COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Joe Hilton patrolled the creeks and rivers in Irwin and Coffee County for fishing activity. This patrol resulted in one individual being given verbal guidance for fishing without license on person.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)