Field operations weekly report, 2010 August 15-21

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 15-21, 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 August 17th, RFC Byron Young responded to a request from Bartow County 911 to assist with a crash on the I-75 bridge over Lake Allatoona. Two tractor-trailers collided and came to rest on the bridge over the lake. One was leaking diesel fuel into the lake. RFC Young assisted Bartow EMS, Fire, and the Environmental Protection Division with cleaning up the site and skimming the fuel from the water and shoreline around the lake.
FULTON COUNTY On August 20th, RFC James Psillis and Bart Hendrix and numerous other agencies assisted the Roswell Police Department with the search and recovery of a suicide victim, which occurred at Leita Thompson Memorial Park.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
GWINNETT COUNTY On August 19th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. A total of 28 students were certified during this course.
On August 20th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Information and Education program at the First Baptist Church of Snellville. Cpl. Sanders used the Laser Shot at this program. This was the annual Wild Game Supper for the Sportsman Ministry at First Baptist Snellville.
On August 20th, Cpl. Eric Sanders responded to Buford in reference to a buzzard that had been shot. The homeowner was just trying to scare the buzzard away and killed it. Cpl. Sanders explained the law and gave verbal guidance in the situation.
HALL COUNTY On August 19th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Mark Stephens assisted the dedication of Don Carter State Park on Lake Lanier. The rangers assisted by providing support from the lakeside.
On August 21st, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Jason Roberson responded to a boat accident on Lake Lanier in Sunset Cove. A female subject had her broken after she was pinned between two boats.
Later in the day the same rangers investigated another boat accident. This one involved a subject who was riding the bow of a pontoon boat and fell overboard. He was struck by the propeller and sustained several lacerations to his body. The worst of which was to his arm.

On August 21st, Cpl Jason Roberson and Cpl. Eric Sanders were patrolling Lake Lanier in Shoal Creek when they came in contact with a subject who was operating a vessel under the influence. The subject failed field sobriety and was placed under arrest for BUI.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On August 17th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at Johnson Park in Conyers. During this class a total of 6 students were certified.
STEPHENS COUNTY On August 18th, Sgt Stan Elrod, RFC Josh Chambers and RFC Kevin Dyer patrolled the Toccoa area for fishermen. While checking an area on the South Carolina- Georgia state line, four men were checked. Two of the subjects were charged for fishing without a license. A third subject was arrested and transported to Stephens County Jail for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
HART COUNTY On August 20th, RFC Josh Chambers patrolled an area on Lake Hartwell where several complaints were received about violation of the 100-foot rule and failure to obey regulatory markers. Chambers sat in an area and observed boaters. Two were cited for failure to obey regulatory markers.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On Wednesday August 19th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins received a complaint about a subject night hunting on Bells Ferry Road. Cpl. Wilkins responded and found a subject with a spotlight and a rifle in his truck. The driver stated that he was shooting on a crop damage permit. When asked if he had a copy of the permit the subject stated that he did not, and that a friend had told him he could shoot on the permit. Cpl. Wilkins determined that the subject was not listed on the legal permit nor was he on the permitted field. The subject was charged with several violations and released.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HARRIS COUNTY On August 21st, Cpl. Jim Bradfield and RFC Mitch Oliver checked an ongoing trespassing complaint area along the Chattahoochee River behind Riverview Mill. There were six people on this private property and all were advised to leave. One of these six did not have a fishing license and was issued a citation.

HOUSTON COUNTY On the afternoon of August 21st, Sgt. Tony Fox responded to Knowles Landing on the Ocmulgee River in reference to two hog hunters who had become lost in the river swamp. Houston County Fire-Rescue successfully extracted the two hunters and transported them to the landing shortly after the Ranger's arrival. One subject was transported to the local hospital due to severe heat exhaustion and dehydration.
PULASKI COUNTY On August 16th, RFC Tim Butler met with a subject in Dodge County in reference to an illegal dumping investigation in Pulaski County. One citation was issued for littering and the subject agreed to clean up the trash.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the evening of August 21st, Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly stopped a boat at approximately for not having navigation lights displayed. The operator was issued a citation for the violation.
On August 21st, near midnight, Cpl. Bill Goodson and Tech. III Freddy Hayes were patrolling the area of Crooked Creek on Lake Sinclair when they stopped a pontoon boat. Further investigation led to the operator being arrested for boating under the influence. Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly assisted with safely returning the other occupants of the boat to their dock.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
LEE COUNTY On Friday August 20th, RFC Randy James, RFC Ben Roberts, and Sgt. Danny Bishop assisted the Governors Office of Highway Safety in conducting a road check in Lee County. The detail was part of a multi-agency effort to combat DUI's and other offenses on the roadways of Georgia.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EVANS COUNTY On Aug. 16th, RFC Debbie Brannen responded to a complaint from the Claxton Fire Chief in reference to an individual burning the insulation off copper wire. Upon further investigation and assistance from Cpl. Dave Sims, one citation was written for violation of the waste control law.
On Aug. 21st, RFC Brannen worked late afternoon patrol of the Canoochee River and the Evans Public Fishing Area. Several licenses and one boat were checked resulting in violations of fishing on a P.F.A. without a W.M.A. license, fishing after hours and verbal guidance for possession of illegal size fish.
Later the same night, RFC Brannen worked a complaint of night deer hunting. Verbal guidance was given to an individual for harassing wildlife.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)