Field operations weekly report, 2010 May 9-15

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 9-15, 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 May 15th, Sgt Doyte Chaffin, Cpl Brian Hobbins, and RFC Robert Timmerman attended the fish for life kids fishing event at Wildwood Park in Appling.
On May 15th, RFC Brian Adams and RFC Leroy Ficklin conducted a concentrated patrol on the Little River for fishing and boating enforcement.
On May 14th, RFC Robert Timmerman completed two HIN applications in Evans.
BURKE COUNTY On May 15th, RFC Jeff Billips checked a hunting without permission and a illegal artifact digging complaint. RFC Billips checked boaters and fishermen on Brier Creek and the Ogeechee River on May 16th.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY While patrolling Jackson Lake on May 9th, Cpl. Tony Wynne and RFC Billy Bryant observed a PWC operating above idle speed in a no wake zone. The Rangers stopped the PWC and after a brief inspection they found the operator was not an experienced boater. The operator was issued a written warning for failure to obey regulatory markers.
JASPER COUNTY While patrolling Jackson Lake on May 9th, Cpl. Tony Wynne and RFC Billy Bryant observed a ski boat operating above idle speed through the no wake zone under Water's Bridge. The Rangers stopped the vessel and found the subject to be in compliance with the required safety equipment. The operator was given verbal guidance.
On May 15th RFC Billy Bryant and K-9 Drake along with Cpl. Michael Crawley and K-9 Storm performed K-9 Demonstrations for the attendees of Jakes Day at Charlie Elliott. People were able to see the K-9s perform article searches, wildlife detection, and apprehension drills.

On May 15th, at approximately 9:30 pm, Sgt. Tim Kendrick called RFC Wil Smith and advised him that he was behind a truck with a dog box on the back. He thought the occupants might be raccoon hunters headed for the Oconee National Forest. RFC Smith set up and waited for the vehicle to pass him and Sgt. Kendrick set up on the other end of the road and waited. After a few minutes the vehicle had not passed RFC Smith. Sgt. Kendrick continued down the road and found the hunters had stopped and turned out the dogs. RFC Smith responded to meet Sgt. Kendrick. The four hunters did not possess a gun but were required to have hunting license. One subject did not have a license and was issued a citation for hunting without a license.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On May 15th, Sgt. Randy Hackley and RFC Jeremy Bolen checked fishing activity along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. The officers issued 2 citations and 1 written warning for fishing without a license.
PULASKI COUNTY On May 13th, RFC Tim Butler received a landowner complaint regarding someone fishing in a creek upon his property. Upon arriving at the scene Butler confronted the angler who could not produce a fishing license, identification, or social security number. The subject was placed into custody and turned over to the custody of the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office. There, the subject posted a cash bond for fishing without a license and released.
PUTNAM COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly conducted boating safety patrol on Lake Sinclair. Several boaters were stopped and given verbal and written warnings for boating infractions. Two boaters were arrested for operating a vessel under the influence. Both boaters were charged and transported to the Putnam County jail.
TROUP COUNTY On May 15th, after checking for turkey hunting activity, Cpl. Jim Bradfield met with RFC Jeremy Bolen in West Point on KIA property to work RFC Bolen's K9 "Ruger". While Ruger and Bolen were working a trail Cpl. Bradfield heard a vehicle coming down the internal road on the property. Cpl. Bradfield stopped this vehicle on foot, finding the driver and passenger both possessed open containers of alcohol. The driver of the vehicle also had a suspended driver's license and was DUI. During the course of talking with the driver, Cpl. Bradfield remembered an encounter with the subject from years past where he had been a suspect in an illegal turkey hunting incident that occurred on the same property just 100 yards from where they were stopped. Cpl. Bradfield asked the driver if he remembered that incident and being told not to be on the property anymore. The driver said that he did remember being told. The driver was turned over to the West Point Police Department and was charged with DUI, open container, suspended license, and criminal trespass.

On the afternoon May 15th Cpl. Jim Bradfield worked on West Point Lake. One citation was issued and several boaters were given verbal guidance.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On March 11th, RFC Ben Roberts responded to the GA Power Dam in Dougherty County in reference to a complaint of subjects in possession of striped bass during the closed season. During the investigation RFC Roberts encountered three subjects without fishing licenses and one with an outstanding warrant. The three subjects without licenses were issued citations for fishing without a license and the subject with the warrant was arrested and turned over to the Sheriffs Office.
LEE COUNTY On March 14th, RFC Randy James participated in the Progressive Ag Safety Day at Lee County Elementary School. RFC James provided information on boating safety for approximately 200 students.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
ATKINSON COUNTY On May 11th, Sgt. David Nugent and Cpl. Morty Wood assisted the Atkinson County S.O. and the Governors Task Force for marijuana flights.
BERRIEN COUNTY On May 12th, Sgt. David Nugent and Cpl. Morty Wood assisted the Berrien County S.O. and the Governors Task Force for marijuana flights.
On May 15th, RFC Keith McDonald and RFC Tim Hutto patrolled Paradise PFA for boating and fishing activity. One warning was issued for operating a vessel without Coast Guard approved PFD's. Other minor violations were handled with verbal warnings.
DODGE COUNTY On the 9th and 15th of May, Cpl Johnny Ashe conducted boating safety patrols of the Dodge County PFA and the local river landings for fishing activity and any boating activity. Several license violations and vessel registration issues were addressed as well as PFD requirements.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 16th, RFC Barry Britt and Cpl. Johnny Ashe conducted a boating safety patrol along the Oconee River checking for reckless operators or any fishing activity. Several issues were addressed pertaining to PFD requirements and licenses. 2 PFD's were loaned to boaters on the Oconee River so that they could continue fishing.

TELFAIR COUNTY On May 13th, Cpl Johnny Ashe and Intern Chelsea Mann assisted the GTF agents with flights and seizure of 204 marijuana plants long the Telfair and Coffee County line.
TATTNALL COUNTY On May 15th, RFC Clint Jarriel, SGT Don Dasher and Intern Zachary Green started a patrol in Tattnall County on the Altamaha River from Lanes Bridge to Hwy #1 Bridge. This was a patrol effort that stretched over 50 miles of river. Numerous boats were checked two of which were escorted off the river for life jacket violations. Other violations were detected on this patrol and citations written for operating vessel w/o CGA PFDs and operating vessel within 100' of object in water above idle speed. Verbal guidance was given to correct other issues.
JENKINS COUNTY On May 13th, RFC Danielle Partin attended career day at Jenkins County Middle School.
On May 16th, Sgt. Don Dasher and RFC Danielle Partin patrolled the Ogeechee River in Jenkins County for fishing and boating activity. Eight boats and twelve fishing license were checked. Citations were written for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without C.G.A. PFD's, operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, and operating over the load limit.
PIERCE COUNTY On May 15th, Cpl. Damon Winters operated the fishing simulator at Blackshear's annual "Summer in the City" festival. More than one hundred people enjoyed the simulator. Also, fishing regulations and other public information brochures were made available to the public.
ECHOLS COUNTY On May 15th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree completed a brief investigation of an unlawful dumping complaint on Donahue Road. Several articles of mail showing the violators name & address were discovered in the discarded trash that led to issuance of a citation for the violation.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 15th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River from Dashers Landing to above Steel Bridge Landing. A total of 12 boats and 8 licenses were checked. Two violations for operating a vessel with expired registration and one violation of operating a vessel without personal flotation devices were documented.
On May 15th, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted a boating safety patrol on Ebenezer Creek to the Savannah River. A total of six boats and six fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection one violation of operating a vessel with insufficient PFD was documented.

On May 16th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of eight boats and five fishing licenses were checked. As a result of the check three violations were documented. The violations consisted of a non-resident fishing without a license, operating a vessel without registration, and towing a skier without a mirror/observer. Verbal guidance was also given on the boating and fishing laws of Georgia.
On May 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Ogeechee River, as well as, local creeks for boating safety and fishing activity. A total of five fishing licenses were checked. The check resulted in two violations being documented. The violations consisted of fishing without a license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On May 10th, RFC Randy Tinley and Sgt. James Shelton assisted Savannah/Chatham Metro PD with searching for a missing person at King's Ferryboat ramp. The victim was found in the woods behind the park.
On May 13th, Cpl. Jay Morgan rode along with a commercial crabber to check areas where his crab traps were being moved and fished without his permission.
On May 15th, RFC Randy Tinley and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River from Morgan's Bridge (Hwy. 204) to Dasher's Landing (Hwy. 80). One boater was cited for operating a vessel without registration and operating without enough life jackets. Another was cited for operating without a registration.
CAMDEN COUNTY On May 12th, Cpl Chris Hodge responded to an alligator complaint on I-95 near mile marker 18 in Camden County. Cpl Hodge was able to locate the alligator and notified the local trapper to come and remove it from the roadside. The alligator was in danger of being run over as well as causing an accident on the interstate.
On May 14th, Cpl Chris Hodge, Cpl Jesse Cook, Cpl Bobby White, and RFC Randy Aspinwall patrolled the offshore waters of Jekyll Island and Little Cumberland Island for commercial trawling activity. Officers checked a total of eight vessels inspecting nets and gear for compliance. One minor net violation was discovered. On May 14th, Cpl Chris Hodge assisted local trappers with removal of an eight-foot alligator from the roadway near Sugarmill Elementary School in St Marys.
On May 15th, Cpl Chris Hodge and Cpl Jesse Cook patrolled the salt waters of Camden County. Several vessels were checked near Cumberland Island and the Kings Bay area. While on patrol, officers came upon a disabled boater in North River and assisted the vessel by towing it to the Meeting Street Landing.

CHATHAM COUNTY On May 15th, RFC Chris Moore, Sgt. Tim Vincent, and Cpl. Cindy Miller were checking recreational fishermen and recreational boaters at Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp. Three individuals were cited for possession of illegal size fish. Two individuals had undersized fish and one individual had a spot tail bass over 23".
GLYNN COUNTY On May 12th, RFC Mark Carson responded to Hampton River Marina to assist Chatham Co Marine Patrol in a boat investigation. RFC Carson had to locate a boat and interview the boat's captain on the incident in Savannah. RFC Carson completed his part of the investigation on May 13th after interviewing the captain of the sailboat.
On May 13th, RFC Mark Carson and Cpl Chris Ridley worked a commercial crabbing complaint in Jekyll Creek. The officers confiscated 5 crab traps and the complaint is still under investigation.
On May 14th, Cpl. Ron Harris and RFC Rebekah Huson conducted an offshore patrol to Gray's Reef. While at Gray's Reef the officers came across a boat that was taking on water. The officers stayed with boat and assisted them in getting their bilge pump operating. The bilge pump worked for approximately 10- 15 minutes and pumped some of the water out of the boat before it stopped working. It was at this point that it was decided that the vessel needed to start heading back to the boat ramp. Cpl. Harris instructed the vessel occupants to keep their lifejackets out and ready to put on. The vessel and its occupants made it safely back to shore.
LIBERTY COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Phillip Scott patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and North Newport River areas. Several boaters were checked and one boater was cited for operating above idle speed within 100 feet of a dock.
On May 14th, RFC Randy Tinley traveled to Glynn County to present an Information and Education program to Needwood Middle School.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On May 12th, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Bobby White participated in career day at McIntosh Middle School. Students learned about the hiring process and job duties of a Conservation Ranger. On May 13th, Sgt Bob Lynn patrolled the salt waters of McIntosh County looking for violations in shellfish areas. No violations were noted. On May 13th, 2010, Sgt Bob Lynn patrolled Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge for boating/fishing activity. One person was cited for fishing without a license. On May 14, 2010, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Jimmy Finn patrolled the salt waters of McIntosh County for violations in shellfish areas. No violations were noted. One commercial crabber was check for crabbing violations; none were noted.