Field operations weekly report, 2011 October 9-15

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report October 9-15, 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 October 15th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Byron Young, RFC Brooks Varnell and his K-9 "Rock" were working multiple complaints of night hunting in several areas of Bartow County. RFC Varnell was working an abandoned subdivision off Center Road when he witnessed a white Dodge Dakota truck parked in a cul-de-sac. In the back of the truck was an 8-point buck. The driver claimed he had killed the deer with a bow, however, RFC Varnell noticed a .22 magnum rifle in the truck along with a muzzleloader and bow. RFC Varnell inspected the deer and could tell from the wound that the deer had been rifle shot in the neck. After pointing out that the bullet did not exit and the bullet was still in the deer, the poacher admitted he had just shot the deer at Red Top Mountain State Park. The Rangers had been working a complaint of deer being shot at Red Top Mountain State Park for over a year. Another 9-point rack of a buck was also in the truck and the poacher admitted killing that buck illegally from the road the previous year. After an arrest and lengthy interview, it was revealed that the poacher had illegally killed 21 deer last year from his truck at night with a bow and .22-magnum rifle and had already killed 4 deer this year using the same method. The poacher, who stated he was a preacher, was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and possession if illegally taken wildlife. The poacher/preacher stated that this arrest woke him up and would stop his illegal game and fish actions.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On October 15th, RFC Bart Hendrix was patrolling an area off Franklin Goldmine Road near the Cherokee County/Forsyth County line. The Ranger had previously found a doe that had been shot with a rifle in this area during archery season. Ranger Hendrix found two hunters age 21 and 23 hunting the area. One person had a license but no big game license and the other had a big game license but no hunting license. One person was hunting over whole kernel corn for deer. The other person was hunting without fluorescent orange. One of the hunters had a concealed handgun and did not have a concealed weapons permit. Through discussion, Ranger Hendrix discovered one of the young hunters had also not completed the hunter safety requirements to hunt. Ranger Hendrix discussed the necessity of complying with all the laws and regulations with each hunter and issued a citation for one hunting big game over bait and the other not wearing the required fluorescent orange. The hunter who had not completed the hunter safety class agreed to come to the next class in November.
GILMER COUNTY On October 14th, Cpl. Casey Jones charged two Walker County men for hunting out of season. The ranger observed the men hunting on USFS property with firearms during the archery season.

MURRAY COUNTY On October 15th, Cpl. Casey Jones, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Cody Jones worked a detail on Cohutta WMA that resulted in six citations and one warning being issued. The rangers issued two citations to a Gilmer County man for hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle. The remaining citations and warning were issued to four other hunters from the area. They were found to be hunting with firearms during primitive weapons season and were charged for hunting out of season.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On October 11th, Cpl. Freddie Hays conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at Rock Creek Park. During this class a total 30 students were certified in hunter education.
On October 14th, Cpl. Freddie Hays and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA on an Adult/Child Hunt. The rangers encountered a subject that hadn't checked-in and didn't have a child with him. The subject was issued written warnings for violation of adult child rules on a WMA and failure to check-in.
On October 15th, Cpl. Freddie Hays was patrolling Dawson Forest WMA on the Adult/Child Hunt. Cpl. Hays encountered a subject that didn't have a child with him. Written warnings were issued to the subject for violation adult/child rules on a WMA and failure to check-in.
FORSYTH COUNTY On October 12th, Cpl. Freddie Hays was contacted by the Forsyth County Sheriff Office referenced to hunting without permission on property that the county owns. Cpl. Hays responded to the area and found a vehicle parked on the property. After a brief search Cpl. Hays located the subject. The subject was issued a citation for hunting without permission.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On October 11th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education class at Johnson Park. During this class a total of 25 students were certified in hunter education.
WHITE COUNTY On Saturday, October 15th RFC Anne Alexander contacted 3 male minors on the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area in possession of 56 beers. The minors poured the beer out and were charged for possession of alcohol by a minor and open container violation.
UNION COUNTY On Saturday, October 15th RFC Anne Alexander responded to hunting without permission complaint off Gaddistown road. in Suches. With the assistance from the Union County Sheriff's Office, Deputy Rick Landress contacted the trespasser and waited for RFC Alexander to arrive to the scene. The trespasser confessed to trespassing

and hunting without permission. Deputy Landress advised RFC Alexander that the trespasser was not wearing his orange vest and also found him sitting down within 10-15 yards from the public road. The trespasser was charged for hunting without orange, hunting from a public road, and warned for hunting without permission
HABERSHAM COUNTY On Oct 12th Wildlife Technician Brandon Walls contacted a subject walking on Georgia Mtn. Orchard Road on Lake Russell WMA. The man had been inhaling spray paint and was intoxicated. He was arrested and charged with being intoxicated on a wildlife management area. On Oct 16th Wildlife Technicians Brandon Walls and Eric Wood contacted a subject sleeping in a vehicle on Georgia Mtn. Orchard Road on Lake Russell WMA. The man was a suspect in another case. While talking to the man he admitted to the officers that he was in possession of marijuana. He was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. The man also gave information on others that may be involved in the other case.
JACKSON COUNTY On October 15th, RFC Eric Isom witnessed a 4-seat utility vehicle with two subjects travel out of the woods and on to the paved road. RFC Isom followed the vehicle for approximately four miles and into the driveway of a residence. RFC Isom illuminated the subjects with his flashlight and announced himself as Law Enforcement. The driver of the vehicle raised his hands as to give up. RFC Isom found a buck in the vehicle with a large gunshot wound. A Winchester 7mm WSM rifle was also located in the vehicle. The two subjects admitted to shooting the deer. Citations and warnings were issued for hunting out of season, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and hunting without fluorescent orange.
On October 17th, RFC Eric Isom received a call from a complainant stating that a juvenile had killed a deer over bait at a used car dealership and this would make the third deer that had been killed at that location. The juvenile was picked up by an adult in a dark blue minivan and the deer was left at the scene. Once RFC Isom arrived at the used car lot, he found a dead deer lying by the office. The business was closed and RFC Isom followed the blood trail back to a pile of corn behind the place of business. RFC Isom seized the deer and donated it to a family in need. The next day RFC Isom traveled back to the scene and spoke with the owner of the lot. He admitted to placing the corn there and allowing his sons to hunt over bait. Citations and verbal warnings were issued for unlawful enticement of game, allowing juvenile to hunt without hunter safety certificate, and possession off illegally taken wildlife. Also, a small eight point buck rack was confiscated.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
MORGAN COUNTY On Wednesday October 12th, CPL David Allen responded to Indian Creek Road in Morgan County in reference to a night hunting complaint. A Morgan County Deputy was the first to arrive and detained two individuals driving a white four door sedan. CPL

Allen met with the complainant who stated he heard two shots and called 911. The deputy found a 12 gauge shotgun in the vehicle. After further investigation it was determined that one of the suspects stopped and shot two slugs into a high dirt bank. The shooter was issued a citation for discharging a firearm from a public roadway.
NEWTON COUNTY On Sunday October 17th, RFC Larry Mills and RFC Nikki Spencer checked a bait complaint in Newton County. RFC Mills found a vehicle in the back of a neighborhood and called RFC Spencer for assistance. The hunter was located approximately 80 yards from the bait. RFC Spencer charged the hunter for hunting big game over bait.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday October 15, Cpl. Greg Colson checked several ongoing hunting without permission complaints in Elbert County, as well as numerous hunters. No Violations were addressed.
LINCOLN COUNTY On October 15th, Cpl Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended and cited one subject for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange clothing.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
SEMINOLE COUNTY On October 13th, Cpl. Mike Binion responded to a complaint of someone burning an abandoned mobile home. Following an investigation at the location, a male subject was cited for unlawful burning of waste.
COLQUITT COUNTY On October 15th, while patrolling a rural county road, Cpl. Greg Wade observed a vehicle lose control and come to rest in a ditch. Cpl. Wade stopped to assist the driver and while doing so, ran the driver's license and vehicle registration. The vehicle was found to have no insurance or current registration, and the driver was wanted for probation violations in Colquitt County. The subject was arrested and transported to the Sheriff's Office.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
APPLING COUNTY On the October 3rd, RFC Altman visited the Lions Club of Baxley to present a program covering the topic of "Rangers in the Community". This detailed the role of the Ranger in the community and all that is offered by the Ranger to support and protect the county.

BACON COUNTY On the 4th, RFC Altman presented an I/E program for the Ag students at the Bacon County Middle School. Over 100 students attended the program, which covered general hunting safety tips and career opportunities.
TOOMBS COUNTY On October 15th, Cpl. Jon Barnard investigated a without permission complaint locating one hunter who had permission to hunt the property. The hunter was hunting without fluorescent orange and issued a warning for hunting deer without a fluorescent orange vest.
CHARLTON COUNTY On October 13th, Cpl. Gary Simmons was working a complaint near St. George concerning subjects hunting without licenses. While checking the property, Cpl. Simmons found that two hunters were signed in at the hunting club. Cpl. Simmons came across the two hunters. One of the hunters was a non-resident who did not have a hunting license. He was issued a citation for non-resident hunting without a license.
EVANS COUNTY
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On October 13 , RFC Debbie Brannen and Fisheries Tech III Steve Mincey patrolled the Evans County Fishing area. Numerous licenses were checked resulting in violations found for fishing without a license, fishing on a PFA without a WMA license and verbal guidance was given on fishing by illegal methods.
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On October 15 , RFC Debbie Brannen checked activity on the public fishing area. Boats and licenses were checked. Violations for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license were documented.
LAURENS COUNTY On October 15th Cpl. Dan Stiles represented the department at the Dublin Mall during the Laurens County Emergency Preparedness Fair conducted by the Laurens County EMA. Cpl. Stiles displayed his patrol vehicle, equipment, and gave out hunting / fishing regulation books and other materials from the department. He also educated the public on the mission of the Law Enforcement section and answered questions from the public.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
GLYNN COUNTY On October 14th, 15th, and 16th, Cpl. Chris Ridley and RFC Craig Smith provided security in DNR patrol boats for the PGA Golf Tournament on St Simon's Island.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On October 12th, Sgt. Chris Hodge and RFC Craig Smith responded to a complaint of someone dumping a bear carcass in the woods on a private hunting club. Officers secured photos of the carcass and the bear skull. Officers continue to investigate the incident.