Field operations weekly report, 2011 January 2-8

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 2-8, 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)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
RABUN COUNTY In December, Cpl. Derek Dillard received information about a subject from North Carolina that had possibly killed over the limit of bucks in the Satola area and was possibly a convicted felon. Cpl. Dillard investigated the case for over a month and located several of the subject's deer stands in the Glade and Willis Knob Road areas. The subject had checked in and hunted the last two Warwoman WMA hunts. He had killed a 7- point buck on Friday, January 7th 2011. While he was checking the deer in at the WMA Check Station, Wildlife Techs Scott Bardenwerper and Don Wofford notified Cpl. Dillard, USFS Agent Kevin Woodall, and ATF Agent Monty Sharitt whom were already in the process of trying to locate the subject on the WMA at the time. The officers responded to the check station and interviewed the subject. Upon the conclusion of the interview, it was determined that the subject had killed 1 buck in the Glade Rd. area and 6 more bucks in the Willis Knob area putting the subject at over the limit by 5 bucks. Afterwards, Cpl. Dillard, Agents Sharitt and Woodall, USFS Officers Breedlove and Angel, and Wildlife Techs Barderwerper and Walls went to the subject's house to conduct a consent search of it. The subject was charged federally for possession of firearm by a convicted felon, killing over the limit of bucks, and illegally taking of wildlife. A total of 9-buck racks and several firearms were seized during this investigation. One of the bucks seized from the residence had been killed by the subject's son in North Carolina and was not reported or tagged. NC DNR will investigate this violation.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WASHINGTON COUNTY On January 8th, Corporal Michael Crawley worked a complaint on Highway 231 near Davisboro involving a trained raptor that got lose. The trained bird was lost from his owner who was on an adjacent property hunting the bird. Corporal Crawley located the bird's owner and returned the bird. The subject was checked for all proper falconry permits and everything was legal.
ELBERT COUNTY On January 4th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins responded to a hunting without permission complaint involving Raccoon hunters in Elbert County. When Cpl. Wilkins arrived he could hear the dogs treed on an adjoining property, and began looking for the hunters. After several minutes Cpl. Wilkins located the hunters who admitted they did not have permission to be on the property. The hunters stated that they had not been on the complainant's property. The subjects were given a warning for hunting without permission and released.

OCONEE COUNTY On January 2nd, Rfc. Nick Jenkins responded to a hunting out of season complaint off Lane Creek Road. When Rfc. Jenkins arrived he found 3 subjects who had been deer hunting and had killed 3 deer. The subjects were charged with hunting out of season.
ELBERT COUNTY On January 8th, Cpl. Greg Colson and Cpl. Julian Wilkins were checking duck hunters on Beaverdam Creek of Lake Richard B. Russell. They found 2 subjects hunting who did not have any license and were hunting with unplugged guns.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On January 2nd, Cpl. Ryan Swain and Rfc. Robert Timmerman responded to a hunting without permission complaint in Grovetown. Four subjects were located by the Rangers and were found to have permission to be on the property. Three citations were issued for hunting without a license and one citation was issued for hunting with a unplugged shotgun.
On January 3rd, Rfc. Robert Timmerman performed a traffic stop on Hwy 150 on a truck with a unsecured load. The stop resulted in one arrest due to three counts of VGCSA (meth), two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, and window tint violation. Three handguns and a Dodge Ram truck were seized by Columbia County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Agents.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HEARD COUNTY On January 6th Sgt. Jim Bradfield met with a complainant in Franklin, Georgia regarding night deer hunting. The complaint is currently under investigation.
HOUSTON COUNTY On January 2nd, Wildlife Technician Greg Wade and RFC Tim Butler were listening for duck hunting activity when Wade notified Butler that he had heard a volley of shots coming from a hunting club. RFC Butler arrived and together they located a group of 11 duck hunters. The pond being hunted was subsequently determined to be baited with corn. A total of 25 citations and warnings were issued for hunting ducks over bait, hunting without a plug, license violations, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Verbal guidance was given for numerous other infractions. A total of 18 wood ducks were confiscated.

MUSCOGEE COUNTY On January 6th, RFC Jeremy Bolen was patrolling property belonging to the city of

Columbus when he noticed two people on the property. When RFC Bolen stepped out of

the truck the two people took off running. RFC Bolen got K-9 Ruger out of the truck and

tracked the subjects. Ruger located a pump action .22 rifle and a backpack full of corn at

the area where the subjects were standing. Ruger started tracking the subjects again and

located a set of car keys. RFC Bolen and Ruger tracked up to the backyard of a residence

where two people were sitting on the back porch. RFC Bolen talked to the subjects and

they admitted to running away. They claimed that they were on the property to put out

corn for another individual. RFC Bolen took the information from the subjects and went

back to get his truck. RFC Bolen ran the gun through GCIC and discovered that it was

stolen.

The

case

is

still

under

investigation.

PUTNAM COUNTY On January 2nd, RFC Josh Copelan was patrolling for after hours duck hunting activity. After hearing shots near a pond, he witnessed two duck hunters shooting after legal hours. The two hunters had killed 4 ducks but were unable to locate them on the pond. The two hunters spent the next hour looking for the downed waterfowl but were unable to locate them. Both hunters were charged with hunting ducks after hours. On January 8th Cpl. Lynn Stanford received a complaint from a landowner who had witnessed two duck hunters shoot at a duck in front of his dock. The complainant was able to get a boat registration number and give it to Cpl. Stanford. Stanford tracked the two hunters down and interviewed them in reference to the complaint. Both men were found to be hunting without required licenses and in possession of lead shot while hunting waterfowl. Citations were issued appropriately.

TALBOT COUNTY On January 2nd, RFC Jeremy Bolen located a duck shoot with 3 hunters. After checking the license of the hunters RFC Bolen discovered that one of the hunters did not possess a Federal waterfowl stamp nor did he possess a Georgia waterfowl license. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting without a federal waterfowl stamp and issued a written warning for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.
TROUP COUNTY On January 7th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield met with a complainant who had located illegal traps on his property and he showed these to the Ranger. Sgt. Bradfield placed a surveillance camera on some of the traps in an attempt to identify the poacher. The following day Bradfield checked the camera and found 7 pictures of the illegal trapper. This case is still under investigation.
TWIGGS COUNTY On January 2nd, Cpl. Robert Stillwell and a US Fish and Wildlife Service Officer were working a detail to detect illegal roost shooting of waterfowl when they heard several shots. Upon determining the area where the late shooting was taking place, officers located five duck hunters. They were subsequently cited for hunting waterfowl after hours and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
WILKINSON COUNTY On January 8th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly were on routine patrol near Toombsboro when they checked and cited one hunter for hunting deer without wearing an orange vest.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TERRELL COUNTY On January 2nd, RFC Ben Roberts and Sgt. Danny Bishop checked a group of dove hunters and found the field to be baited. Seven people were issued citations for hunting dove over bait.
DECATUR COUNTY On January 5th, Sgt. Rick Sellars responded to a complaint from Florida Fish and Wildlife agents about 3 people who shot a deer on property without permission in Florida, and transported it into Decatur County. While en-route to the state line, Sgt. Sellars encountered three people matching the description of those sought by the Florida agents loading a deer into a truck on a road in South Decatur County. The three claimed a vehicle had hit the deer, although the deer was found to have several bullet wounds and no other injuries related to being struck by a vehicle.

These three subjects were determined to be the same ones that the Florida officers had the complaint on, but had swapped trucks since the earlier complaint. The deer was seized, along with another deer that was on ice at the residence of one of the suspects. This incident is still under investigation with charges pending.
On January 6th, RFC Tony Cox and RFC Jeff Phillips responded to a complaint of a late waterfowl shoot in Decatur County. Two subjects were apprehended and citations were issued for hunting waterfowl after legal hours, hunting waterfowl over bait, hunting with illegal ammunition, taking over the limit, unplugged gun, and several license / duck stamp violations.
GRADY COUNTY On January 6th, Cpl. Mike Binion was working a night deer hunting complaint, when he observed the occupants of a vehicle hunting the complaint area. Cpl. Binion stopped the vehicle, and cited the two occupants for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
EARLY COUNTY On January 8th, RFC Jeff Phillips was on patrol in Early County, when he observed a truck traveling down a dirt road at a slow rate of speed. As he observed the vehicle, the occupants began hunting several fields along the road. He stopped the vehicle and arrested 3 adult occupants. Cpl. Mike Binion assisted Phillips with interviewing the suspects, who were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. The driver was also charged with hunting under the influence, driving under the influence, and 3 counts of child endangerment.
RANDOLPH COUNTY On January 8th, at approx 1:18 am RFC Bob Holley observed a truck pull in to a field and down a woods road where he observed it shine several openings with its headlights. RFC Holley radioed RFC Jim Atchley for assistance and a traffic stop was made as the truck exited the field onto a county road. Several open containers of alcohol, a quantity of marijuana, a marijuana smoking device and a loaded 9mm pistol were found in possession of the four occupants. The four were placed under arrest and were taken to the Randolph County Jail where they were booked for various charges to include blinding wildlife with lights, possession of marijuana, open container violation and underage possession of alcohol.
On January 9th, RFC Holley responded to a complaint of an individual hunting on property without permission and hunting over bait. RFC Holley met with the complainant who stated that an individual was hunting in a deer stand overlooking the property line and that the subject had placed bait on both sides of the line. RFC Holley was able to locate the hunter in a mobile home on the adjacent property. During the investigation it was determined that the non-resident hunter was hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange and hunting without a license. The subject was cited for the violations and was advised to stay off of the adjacent landowner's property.

MACON COUNTY On January 8th, RFC Clint Martin was contacted by the Marshallville Police Department after one of their officers stopped a vehicle for night deer hunting. RFC Martin interviewed a witness to the event and shortly thereafter charged the suspect with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
SCHLEY COUNTY On January 6th, Cpl Tommy Lawrence was working a night deer hunting complaint when he observed the driver of a vehicle shine a light into the complaint area. The suspect then fled as another vehicle approached the location. Cpl. Lawrence stopped the suspect and after a brief investigation charged him with blinding wildlife with lights.
COLQUITT COUNTY On January 3rd, RFC Jon Penuel responded to a complaint of birdshot from a nearby dove shoot striking a house. RFC Penuel located the dove shoot and while conducting a license check found the field to be baited. Each subject on the field was charged with hunting over bait.
BAKER COUNTY On January 3rd, RFC Randy Davis checked a dove shoot in central Baker County. Two subjects were cited with hunting without license.
On January 4th, RFC Randy Davis and RFC David Brady checked a duck shoot involving five adults and three juvenile hunters. One subject was cited for hunting without hunting license, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license and issued a warning for hunting without a federal duck stamp.
After the hunters left, the Rangers conducted a check of the pond and found it to be baited. The adult hunters were contacted and advised to return, were each was issued a citation for hunting ducks over bait and warnings for possession of illegally taken wildlife. Thirteen wood ducks and six green wing teal were confiscated.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LANIER/CLINCH/ECHOLS On January 9th, Sgt. David Nugent and Cpl. Greg Moody concentrated patrols on deer dogging complaint areas near Register Road in Lanier, Camp Four Hunting Club in Clinch and Reedy Creek Hunting Club in Lanier. Several violations were documented including hunting big game from a public road, hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting deer with dogs without a deer dogging license, hunting without licenses on person and failure to display deer dog permit number on vehicle.

ATKINSON COUNTY On January 4th, RFC Tim Hutto patrolled a tract of land on the Satilla River due to complaints of hunting without permission. At around 3:00 p.m. RFC Hutto located a truck parked in the property with a Coffee County tag. K9 Gauge located the subject approximately three hundred yards from the vehicle cutting firewood. The owner of the property was contacted and it was determined that the subject did not have permission to be on the property gathering wood. The subject was escorted off the property and given a warning for criminal trespassing.
TATTNALL COUNTY On January 9th, RFC Clint Jarriel and Cpl Jon Barnard patrolled Mack Phillips Rd that borders Big Hammock WMA in Tattnall County. The effort was to address the constant complaint of deer dogs off permitted property. Hunters were found in the area and two were cited for hunting deer with dogs off permitted property. WARE COUNTY On January 7th, Cpl. Gary Simmons was working a night hunting complaint in the Telmore area. Cpl. Simmons set up in the area near a harvested peanut field where the illegal hunting was reportedly occurring. At approximately 11:05 pm, Cpl. Simmons observed a truck travel by his location. When the vehicle neared the peanut field a spotlight was shined from the passenger side of the truck. Cpl. Simmons pulled from his location and conducted a stop of the truck. There was a 12-gauge shotgun in the back seat and five 00-buck shot shells in the front floor-board on the passenger side. The driver and passenger were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting big game from a public road.
EVANS COUNTY On December 28th, RFC Debbie Brannen answered a deer dogging complaint. One violation was documented for failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property.
On January 8th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked dove hunters resulting in one violation for hunting without migratory bird (HIP) license.
SCREVEN COUNTY On December 31st, while working duck hunting activity on the Ogeechee river corridor Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Sgt. William Vickers encountered a group of hunters exiting a flooded area. The officers documented a number of violations including: hunting with an unplugged shotgun, hunting w/o GA and Federal waterfowl license, and taking over the limit. Five wood ducks were confiscated.

BULLOCH COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Dave Sims and RFC Debbie Brannen responded to hunting from the public road complaint in south Bulloch County. Upon arrival at the location the Rangers observed three hunters involved in a deer dog drive standing in the public road with loaded firearms. All three hunters were issued citations and released at the scene.
On January 1st Cpl. Dave Sims checked several hunting clubs involved in hunting deer with dogs. Violations were documented for Hunting without a license, Hunting deer without wearing florescent orange clothing, Hunting without a deer dog license and Operating a vehicle without a permit number displayed.
On January 8th, DNR-LE officers, DNR CIRT members, and the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office responded to a hunting accident near Brooklet that resulted in the death of a 56-year-old male. At this time the incident is still under investigation by DNR-LE.
On Saturday morning, January 8th Sgt. William Vickers checked a dove shoot near Statesboro that resulted in 3 violations for failure to participate in the HIP program and 1 violation for hunting without license.
EMANUEL COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien was patrolling an area for hunting activity when a subject was observed walking through a wooded area carrying a weapon. Upon stopping and checking the subject, It was determined he had been deer hunting and was walking back to his vehicle. The hunter did not have his fluorescent orange vest on. He was cited for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange.

JENKINS COUNTY RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to a call of a deer dog being captured on private property. Upon arrival, officer O'Brien met with complainant, gathered details, and took the beagle hunting dog into his possession. The owner of the hunting dog was later met by Officer O'Brien and was cited for allowing a deer dog onto private, un-permitted property. DODGE COUNTY On December 26th, Cpl. Johnny Ashe and RFC Rodney Horne were tracking down an after hours roost shoot when the subjects attempted to flee. One subject was located and arrested on scene after finding the hidden vehicle with evidence of other hunters within it. The vehicle also contained an amount of suspected marijuana hidden in a sunglasses case, inside of a hunting bag. The K-9 officer RFC Tim Hutto and "Guage", were also called to assist in recovering evidence and tracking the suspects but were later called off due to weather. After completing the investigation and interviewing suspects, the case was found to have three individuals charged for various waterfowl citations including hunting after hours, taking over the limit, possession of illegally taken wildlife and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Cpl Ashe went back the following day and recovered 15 more ducks from the pond and turned them over to a needy family, for a total of 31 wood ducks taken.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On January 8th, Sgt Chris Hodge and Cpl Jesse Cook responded to an in-progress call of hunters hunting with deer dogs on unpermitted property off Dover Bluff Road. Upon the officers arrival they met with approximately 17 hunters. After speaking with the hunters it was determined that the hunters had turned some deer dogs out on unpermitted

property. Fourteen citations and warnings were issued for activities involved in the hunting complaint.
On January 5th, RFC Craig Smith responded to a hunting incident at a dove field in Camden County. Upon arrival, RFC Smith learned that a dove hunter had been hit by a stray pellet while shooting doves on a family dove shoot. The victim went to a local doctors office to have the pellet removed. No charges were filed in the incident.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On January 8th, Cpl Jesse Cook responded to a in-progress complaint of hunters hunting with deer dogs on unpermitted property off Mineral Springs Road. Several hunters were located and after conversations with each hunter they admitted that they had turned the dogs out to hunt deer. Citations and warnings were issued for violations involved in the hunting complaint.
LIBERTY COUNTY On January 2, RFC Isaac Strickland was patrolling railroad property for hunting without permission. One individual was cited for hunting without permission and for hunting without a big game license.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On January 6, Sgt Bob Lynn investigated a complaint of picking oysters on an unapproved lease in Eagle Creek, McIntosh County. No violations were detected, but the investigation continues.
LONG COUNTY On January 5 and 6, Sgt Bob Lynn, Cpl Jimmy Finn, RFC Randy Aspinwall and associates from the Game Management section patrolled the Townsend WMA during the two day deer dog hunt. No violations were detected.
On January 8, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Bobby White worked complaints of hunting from the road by deer dog clubs along the Tibet Hwy. Hunters were checked; no violations were detected.
On the night of January 8, Sgt Bob Lynn and Cpl Bobby White responded to a call about hog hunters releasing dogs on Townsend WMA. Several raccoon hunters were checked, but no hog hunters were located.