Field operations weekly report, December 26, 2010-January 1, 2011

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 26, 2010-January 1, 2011
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 December 20th, Sgt. Mike Barr and Cpl. Chip Cox responded to a search and rescue request at Coopers Furnace on Corp of Engineers property at Lake Allatoona. A hiker had left for a walk in the late afternoon and had become lost. He called 911 with his cell phone. Sgt. Barr and Cpl. Cox worked with Corp Rangers Chris Purvis and Jake Albers to locate the lost person in a huge area of woods between I-75 and Spur 20. The lost person finally found a power-line and saw a light at a business off Main Street near I-75, which helped in finding his location. He was found after dark and was tired from walking for four hours, but otherwise was OK.
On December 24th, Cpl. Chip Cox was working a duck hunting complaint when he found a vehicle parked at a gate off Bill Nelson Road. He waited with the vehicle until after dark when two deer hunters returned to the truck. He found the two were deer hunting without the required fluorescent orange vest and one of the hunters did not have a hunting license or big game license. Cpl. Cox explained the dangers of hunting without fluorescent orange. Cpl. Cox issued citations for hunting deer without fluorescent orange and additional citations to one hunter for his licenses violations.
CARROLL COUNTY On December 30th, RFC Chad Cox was checking a tree stand that had been baited with corn. RFC Cox located a male subject hunting near the corn. He was cited for hunting big game over bait and for hunting without fluorescent orange. He was also warned for failure to record deer that he had killed earlier in the season.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 22nd, RFC Bart Hendrix located a vehicle in an abandoned subdivision, which had hunting gear in plain view in the seat. The owner of the property had previously notified RFC Hendrix that no one had permission to hunt the property. RFC Hendrix started to foot patrol and heard a shot in an adjacent field. As he entered the field, he saw a young man running with a gun. RFC Hendrix identified himself and yelled for the person to stop. He did not. RFC Hendrix waited at the vehicle but the hunter did not return. He obtained the tag number. Over the next few days, RFC Hendrix checked the address of the tag number but could never find anyone at home. He spoke with a neighbor who advised the Ranger that he thought the young man that lived there worked at Publix. RFC Hendrix did find the young man working at Publix and he admitted that he had shot a deer, saw Ranger Hendrix, and then ran. He and his partner were charged with hunting without permission, hunting without licenses, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

MURRAY COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested a Cobb County man following an investigation pertaining to the theft of deer antlers from a local deer processor. After obtaining information on and searching for the suspect's vehicle and hunting area, Cpl. Jones located a baited deer stand, a spent 30-30 cartridge and ten fresh sets of deer antlers attached to a hunting cabin that was still under construction. Cpl. Jones found the suspect hunting the baited deer stand without wearing the required fluorescent orange. The suspect was found to be a convicted felon after the ranger interviewed him. The suspect admitted taking the deer antlers from the local processor and killing two deer over the bait he was hunting. The suspect was charged with theft by taking, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, hunting over bait, possession of illegally taken wildlife and hunting without fluorescent orange.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On December 29th Wildlife Technician David Shattuck arrested a subject for unlawful dumping of a hazardous material. The subject had dumped thirty-eight 55 gallon drums of toxic materials on the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area in Dawson County. The subject had also dumped the same and similar materials in two other locations outside the WMA in an adjoining county. The subject was charged with felony dumping charges.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Ben Payne patrolled Richmond County checking duck hunters on private land around Phinizy Swamp WMA. Several species of ducks were observed among ducks harvested by hunters. None of the hunters received citations, however minor verbal guidance was given. Later in the morning Cpl. Payne aided the Richmond County Recreation Department with locking a 65-ton yacht through the Lock and Dam. The boat made the journey from Delaware.

TALIAFERRO COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl Hobbins checked a hunting club that was previously found to be baited. Cpl Hobbins found 1 subject hunting big game over the baited site without wearing fluorescent orange. The subject was cited for the violations.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On December 31st, RFC Adams checked a hunting club that was previously found to be baited. RFC Adams found 1 subject hunting big game over the baited site. The subject was cited for the violation.
On December 31st, RFC Adams checked a group of duck hunters engaged in hunting activity. RFC Adams found that 1 subject was hunting ducks without a Georgia Waterfowl license. The subject was cited for the violation.
WARREN COUNTY On January 1st, RFC Adams checked a group of duck hunters engaged in hunting activity. RFC Adams found that 2 subjects were hunting ducks without a Georgia Waterfowl license. The 2 subjects were cited for the violation.
LINCOLN COUNTY On December 29th, Cpl Swain received a call in reference to hunting without permission. Cpl Swain responded to the scene. Cpl Swain found that 2 subjects were hunting big game on the property without permission. 1 subject was hunting big game without a hunting license and a big game license. The 2 subjects were cited for the violations.
ELBERT COUNTY On December 26th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Greg Colson responded to a hunting without permission complaint. The complainant stated that his son was hunting on their property when a hunter came out of the woods walking towards the stand. When his son yelled at the hunter he turned and ran from the property. They then saw the subject leaving the adjoining property and followed him until the rangers arrived and stopped the vehicle. The subject stated that he had gotten lost. The subject was charged with hunting without permission.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On December 29th, Rfc. Phillip Nelson, Rfc. Niki Spencer, and Cpl. Julian Wilkins were working a road hunting complaint when a truck stopped at their location and shot a decoy deer they had placed in a clear cut on the complainant's property. They stopped the truck, which was occupied by a father and his two sons from North Carolina. All three subjects were charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle.

OCONEE COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Greg Colson and Sgt. Brian Carter responded to a complaint about a hunters dogs being poisoned. When they arrived they found three beagles that were dead, the hunters stated that the dogs did not make it home before they died. The hunters went back to the property and found a piece of meat in the area which had an unusual substance on it. The rangers searched the area for more evidence of poisoning and any other animals that may have been poisoned but found nothing. The case was turned over to the Oconee County Animal Control Officer because no game animals were found dead in the area.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On January 1st, RFC Wil Smith received a call from Baldwin County Rangers requesting he respond to Baldwin County to assist in the investigation of a hunting incident. RFC Smith responded and found that a 16 year old male had been shot, non-fatally, by another person in his hunting party while duck hunting. RFC Smith investigated the incident with RFC Copeland and Cpl. Goodson.
HARRIS COUNTY On the evening of December 29th, RFC Mitch Oliver received a call about hunting without permission on Lower Blue Springs Road. RFC Oliver was told that there was a truck parked at the property and that it had also been seen there the day before. The landowner stated that he didn't know the truck and didn't allow anyone other than family to hunt the property. Ranger Oliver responded to the scene and waited for the subjects to exit the woods - just after dark two adult males and two children exited the woods. Both adults were carrying firearms and admitting to deer hunting. The men stated that they thought it was okay to park and walk through to their leased property about 80 yards in. The landowner decided not to charge the subjects with hunting without permission but wanted the incident documented. One of the men was issued a citation for hunting without a license.
HOUSTON COUNTY On December 28th, RFC Tim Butler and Cpl. John Harkins were riding through a hunting club when they noticed a man hunting deer; the man was not wearing fluorescent orange. After talking with the hunter it was determined he was from another state and did not have a hunting license or a big game license. Two citations were issued for non-resident hunting without a license and non-resident hunting without a big game license. A warning was issued for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
On the afternoon of December 31st, Sgt. Tony Fox received a complaint regarding persons hunting squirrels on Oaky Woods WMA, closed to hunting due to a managed deer hunt the next day. Upon entering the area the Sergeant contacted several hunters who admitted they had been hunting small game and claimed they were not aware the area was closed to hunting. The hunters were given courtesy warnings for the infraction and one hunter was cited for hunting without a Wildlife Management Area license.

LAMAR COUNTY On the morning of December 31st, Cpl. Tony Wynne was patrolling in Lamar County near the Monroe County line in an area where Ranger Keith Page had previously reported seeing signs of deer bait. Noticing a vehicle parked nearby, Wynne entered the area and found one hunter hunting big game over bait: The hunter had a piece of mineral block approximately forty yards from his box stand.
MONROE COUNTY On the morning of December 30th, Cpl. Tony Wynne was informed by Sgt. Tim Kendrick that he was hearing shots off Highway 87 near Plant Scherer. After a search of the area by Cpl. Wynne, RFC Wil Smith, and Wildlife Technician III Ronnie Beard, a small dove field, hidden in some woods, was located just across the Georgia Power property line. Once Wynne arrived, he and Beard moved out onto the field to check hunting licenses and shotguns. While checking the hunters on one end of the field, Wynne saw that the field had cracked corn and sunflower seeds strewn across a small area of the field and the hunters were determined to be hunting doves over bait. No other violations were noted.
During midday on December 31st, Cpl. Tony Wynne was in an area along a creek bottom near a property line. On one property he saw a cleared shooting lane that led across the creek onto the adjacent property and up to a box stand. The shooting lane had corn thinly scattered along it for approximately thirty yards. Wynne crossed the creek and found another shooting lane, which was perpendicular to the first shooting lane, leading from the box stand that also had corn thinly spread along it. In the opposite direction from the second shooting lane was another shooting lane that led to a feeder filled with corn. The next morning, January 1, Wynne returned to the area and apprehended an individual hunting from the baited stand.
TROUP COUNTY On December 29th Sgt. Jim Bradfield received a complaint from the Hogansville Police Department. Hogansville Police had placed a surveillance camera on a location where some vandalism had been occurring and these cameras captured three pictures of hunters entering and exiting the property illegally. The Hogansville officers advised Sgt Bradfield who they thought the people were. Sgt Bradfield checked the property and the surrounding areas for other possible leads and also interviewed one possible suspect. This case is still under investigation.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BROOKS COUNTY On December 27th, RFC Jon Penuel and Sgt. David Ruddell responded to a citizen's complaint of subjects shooting doves to close to the roadway. The Rangers responded to the area and found several subjects hunting dove in a large grass field. While checking some of the hunters, it was discovered that the field had been baited. Each hunter was charged with hunting over bait.

DECATUR COUNTY On December 26th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox cited a hunter for hunting big game over bait, hunting without a license, and without a big game license.
On January 1st, Sgt. Rick Sellars patrolled Decatur County and cited 1 hunter for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange, and another hunter for non-resident hunting without a license and without fluorescent orange.
EARLY COUNTY On December 26th, RFC Jeff Phillips cited 1 hunter for hunting big game over bait and 2 hunters for hunting without a non-resident license.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On January 1st, RFC Jeff Phillips checked duck hunters on Spring Creek, and cited 2 for hunting waterfowl over bait. Three ducks were confiscated.
CALHOUN COUNTY On January 1st, RFC Ben Roberts and Sgt. Danny Bishop checked two duck hunters. One of the hunters had shot over the limit of wood ducks, and was using lead shot ammunition. Citations were issued for over the limit of ducks and illegal ammunition. Both hunters were also warned for failure to sign their duck stamps.
SCHLEY COUNTY On December 27th, RFC Clint Martin and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence were working a night deer hunting complaint when two people entered the complaint area in a truck and began hunting. The truck was stopped and both occupants were arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
SUMTER COUNTY On December 29th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence conducted a waterfowl patrol on the Flint River where he issued several waterfowl and boating citations.
On January 1st, Sgt. Wade Law and Cpl. Tommy Lawrence were working night deer hunting complaints when they stopped two different vehicles for blinding wildlife with lights.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WARE COUNTY On December 30th, RFC Jason Shipes observed several subjects hunting deer with dogs in the area of Indian Mound Church Road. When RFC Shipes approached he observed two young girls carrying shotguns running towards a vehicle. As RFC Shipes stopped his patrol unit, he observed the two girls attempting to unload their shotguns. Shipes then observed an adult male with a shotgun standing in the woods without wearing the required amount of fluorescent orange. RFC Shipes explained the importance of proper gun handling and gun safety to the two juveniles and issued one citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange to the adult.
On January 1st, Cpl. Gary Simmons was patrolling for after-hours duck hunting activity in the central part of the county. Two hunters were located exiting a roost shooting location and the hunting after-hours violation was addressed.
ECHOLS COUNTY On December 31st, RFC Jason Shipes was patrolling the Haylow-Fruitland area when he observed an individual parked on the shoulder of GA 187 participating in a dog-deer hunt. The hunter was sitting on top of a dog box in the bed of his truck. As RFC Shipes approached he noticed a single-shot shotgun next to the hunter. Upon inspection of the weapon, RFC Shipes found the weapon was loaded with buckshot. RFC Shipes also discovered that the man failed to purchase the required license for hunting deer with dogs. Citations for each violation were issued to the subject.
CHARLTON COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Gary Simmons was working a complaint of hunting big game over bait in the Race Pond area. He checked the immediate area where hunting over bait was reported to be occurring. No one was in that baited location, so Cpl. Simmons checked the remainder of the club for other baited stands. An individual was located hunting over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, hunting without license on person and failure to record deer harvest. All violations were addressed.
On December 31st, Cpl. Gary Simmons was exiting a wooded area near Race Pond when a Ford Taurus sped by at a high rate of speed and turned onto a hunting club road. Simmons learned that GSP Trooper First Class Gary Thrift was pursuing the Taurus that was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour. The driver ultimately fled by foot from the vehicle into the woods. Utilizing K-9 Jake, Cpl. Simmons located the driver hiding in the woods and took the subject into custody. TFC Thrift charged the driver with speeding, felony fleeing, reckless driving and obstruction.
EMANUEL COUNTY
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On January 1 , RFC Jamey O'Brien and Sgt Don Dasher were on patrol for deer dogging activity when a vehicle was noticed parked in edge of woods. When officers approached the vehicle to investigate, a subject was spotted in the woods hunting from a tree-

climbing deer stand. The subject was not wearing any visible fluorescent orange. The subject was approached and was found to also not have any required hunting licenses. The subject was charged with hunting without wearing fluorescent orange, hunting without big game license and hunting without a hunting license.
TOOMBS COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl. Jon Barnard and Sgt Don Dasher checked baited deer stands in NE Toombs Co. locating three adults and two juveniles hunting deer over bait and hunting without fluorescent orange. The hunters were issued three cases and five warnings for the violations.
TREUTLEN COUNTY On December 24th, RFC Danielle Partin patrolled a roost shoot off Holton Chapel Road. Three hunters were checked and citations were issued for hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without a license, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without a federal waterfowl stamp, and hunting with an uplugged shotgun.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On December 31st, RFC Danielle Partin checked a baited dove field off of Hwy 29. Five hunters were checked and citations were issued for hunting over bait and possession of over the daily bag limit. Sixteen dove were confiscated.
On January 1st, RFC Danielle Partin checked to two deer hunters off Hwy 135. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait.
APPLING COUNTY On the evening of the 28th, RFC Altman responded to a complaint of hunting from a public road. Soon after arriving it was discovered that a 15 year old shot at a deer from a road into a field. The parent of the juvenile was checked for a hunting license after they exited their deer stands, and was written citations for non-resident hunting big game w/o non-resident big game license and non-resident hunting w/o non-resident hunting license. The juvenile was given verbal guidance about hunting from a public road.
BEN HILL COUNTY On December 27th, Cpl. John A Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley checked baited deer stands. Two subjects were found hunting deer over bait and not wearing fluorescent orange. One subject did not have a hunting license.
COFFEE COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl. John A Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley worked duck hunting. Four subjects were found hunting after hours, hunting with illegal ammo, hunting without a federal duck stamp and hunting without a Ga. Waterfowl license.

On December 31st, RFC Tim Hutto checked a dove shoot off highway 135 that was baited with cracked corn and wheat seed. All five hunters in the field admitted to prior knowledge that the field was baited. Citations were issued for hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Forty-two doves were confiscated.
LANIER COUNTY On December 31st, while checking previously located baited deer stands, Sgt. David Nugent encountered one hunter hunting deer over bait in the Mud Creek area. The subject was cited for hunting big game over bait.
LOWNDES COUNTY On December 31st, RFC Keith McDonald patrolled areas baited for deer. One hunter was checked and issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
On January 1st, RFC McDonald heard several gunshots around 5:45 pm. He located tracks going onto a power line where ducks were roosting. The gunshots continued until 6:20 pm. Anticipating another exit from the roost pond, he went to the other side of the power line where he located several individuals participating in a turkey shoot. No violations were detected.
BERRIEN COUNTY On December 27th, Cpl. Morty Wood was listening for evening duck roost shoots in the Enigma area. He heard a shoot that started at 6:00 P.M., 25 minutes past legal shooting hours. Four hunters were located and 16 violations were found. Charges included hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without a Federal waterfowl Stamp, hunting without a license, failure to participate in H.I.P., and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Four wood ducks were confiscated.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)