Field operations weekly report, 2010 August 8-14

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 8-14, 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)
MURRAY COUNTY On August 1st, Wildlife Technician Larry Ethridge and Cpl. James Keener were patrolling on Cohutta WMA in the early morning hours when they encountered a vehicle parked in a day use only area. The officers approached the vehicle to investigate further and found the driver of the vehicle to be in possession of marijuana and a glass-smoking pipe. The driver was cited for Violation of Georgia's Controlled Substance Act, possession of marijuana less than one once.
On August 7th officers from DNR Law Enforcement, Game Management and USFS worked a detail on Cohutta WMA and issued twenty three citations/arrests for various violations including littering, illegal consumption of alcohol of a Wildlife Management Area, and three arrests for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession of cocaine.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On August 14th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Eddie Tompkins were patrolling along the Conasauga River when the officers came upon a 19-year-old subject camping along the river. There were several beer cans thrown in the woods and on the ground around the camp and the officer's smelled alcohol on the breath of the underage subject. A breath test confirmed that he had consumed alcohol. The teen was cited for littering and possession of alcohol by an underage person.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DEKALB COUNTY On August 12th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at the Dekalb County Parks and Recreation Department in Tucker. A total of six students were certified in this class.
GWINNETT COUNTY On August 12th, Cpl. Eric Sanders answered a complaint reference to goose being held without a permit. Cpl. Sanders talked with the home owner who had the goose and he stated to Cpl. Sanders that the goose was "cute" and that was why he had it. Cpl. Sanders explained the law to him and issued him a warning for possession the animal without a permit. The goose was taken and released at Stone Mountain Park.
HALL COUNTY On August 9th, RFC Mitchell Crump and RFC Mark Stephens conducted an Information and Education program to the Gainesville Office of the United States Forest Service. The program presented was on boating safety.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OCONEE COUNTY On Sunday August 8th, RFC Nick Jenkins and Cpl. Greg Colson were contacted by the Oconee County Sheriff's Office in reference to a 2-year-old child that had walked away from their home and was lost. RFC Jenkins and Cpl. Colson responded to the incident. The child was quickly found in the area.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HOUSTON COUNTY On the night of August 11th, Cpl. John Harkins and RFC Tim Butler responded to the Ocmulgee River in reference to a group of six people who had become stranded when the homemade raft in which they were floating had become lodged in a fallen tree. Operating from Knowles Landing, Rangers made two trips in order to bring the individuals to safety.
HARRIS COUNTY On August 8th, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and RFC Jeremy Bolen patrolled the Chattahoochee River for boating violations; rangers issued two citations for failure to wear life jackets in a hazardous area. Afterwards, Bradfield and Bolen went to the area below Riverview Mill on the Chattahoochee River, commonly known as Crow Hop, in reference to ongoing problems regarding trespassing. There, officers advised approximately 100 people to depart the privately owned islands.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CRISP COUNTY RFC Clint Martin and RFC Harold Hill were patrolling Lake Blackshear in the area of Smoak Bridge on Friday night when they almost collided with a pontoon boat without lights. RFC Hill asked the operator of the pontoon boat why he was sitting in the middle of the lake with no lights. The operator said that he and his passengers, 6 were young children, were looking at the stars. RFC Hill issued the operator a citation for "Failure to Display Anchor Lights" and a warning for "Operating a Vessel without Registration Numbers Displayed".
DECATUR COUNTY On August 9th, RFC Jeff Phillips took felony warrants on a couple for theft by taking. This was the result of an investigation that began in June, when a husband and wife were caught taking "deadhead" logs out of Spring Creek. A cypress log valued at $745 was seized in the incident.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LOWNDES COUNTY On August 9th, RFC Keith McDonald and Sgt. Patrick Dupree responded to a citizen complaint concerning the unlawful killing of a large alligator. The gator was reportedly killed at a small pond on the premises and butchered at a building at the same business. The Rangers were unable to make contact with the employees, who had already left at close of business that day. They were able to document evidence and photographs of the kill site and the equipment used to transport, butcher, move and/or bury the carcass. RFC McDonald returned the following morning to continue the investigation and subsequently discovered that three employees had participated in killing the ten-foot alligator and had divided the meat among them-selves. The meat was confiscated and citations were issued for hunting out of season and possession of an alligator or parts thereof.
BERRIEN COUNTY A brief investigation initiated by Captain Mike England and turned over to Sgt. David Nugent, concluded after Cpl. Morty Wood obtained felony warrants against a Florida resident who had unlawfully purchased Georgia resident licenses for the past several years by using a false Georgia ID and address. The individual's activity caught Captain England's attention after the individual attempted to purchase a Senior Resident Lifetime license. He returned to Nashville and voluntarily turned himself in to the Berrien County Sheriff after learning that warrants had been taken by Cpl. Wood.
ECHOLS COUNTY On August 14th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree observed two individuals fishing in a borrow pit along GA 187 near Haylow. Both fishermen stated they had valid fishing licenses, but neither could produce a license. Warnings were issued and both were advised to ensure they possessed their licenses on their next fishing trip.
BULLOCH COUNTY On August 14th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked and area where he had been receiving complaints of fishing without a license. Violations for fishing without a license and fishing without permission were documented as a result of his actions.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On August 14th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled Abercorn Creek and Savannah River in the area of Abercorn Creek. Two boats were checked and a violation for operating a vessel without registration was documented.
EVANS COUNTY On Aug. 15th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity along the Canoochee River. One violation was addressed for possession of undersize fish and a copy of the current fishing regulations were given to the fisherman.

APPLING COUNTY On August 16th, RFC Chase Altman patrolled an area of the Altamaha River from Deens Landing to Plant Hatch, as an effort to slow down traffic passing through a construction zone being used by Georgia Power employees. This detail resulted in one warning being issued for operating a vessel above idle speed within 100 feet of a shore/object in the water. Several other boats were checked and informed of the construction zone.
TATTNALL COUNTY On August 7th, Sgt. Don Dasher, RFC Clint Jarriel and Intern Jamal Hendrix patrolled Tattnall County for hunting and fishing activity. Two fishermen were cited for fishing without a license and two hunters were cited for hunting without a license. The violations occurred on I & S Smith Rd, near prison property.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)