Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report November 13-19, 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 November 13th, while working an ongoing complaint of hunting without permission, Cpl. Chip Cox was on an early morning patrol near Euharlee Road. A landowner had advised that he had captured pictures of persons suspected of poaching on a trail camera on his property. Cpl. Cox drove up to a gate and saw a person running away from him carrying a shotgun. Cpl. Cox ordered him to "halt" and was able to apprehend the person. While checking him for weapons, Cpl. Cox discovered several sedative pills in his possession. Cpl. Cox checked his age and found he was 16 years old. Captain Mark Mayton with the Bartow County Sheriff's office arrived to assist and together, Cpl. Cox and Captain Mayton investigated the poaching and drugs with the juvenile's guardian present. It was discovered that several young men had been hunting on the property without permission during the day and at night. Several guns were checked and the incident is still under investigation. On November 13th, Cpl. Byron Young responded to a call on Old River Road of a person hunting without permission. Cpl. Young located a truck with hunting gear inside. He foot patrolled and found a man hunting deer without fluorescent orange and a pile of whole kernel corn and sweet feed at the base of the very tree he was hunting with a tree stand. Cpl. Young charged the man with hunting without permission, hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without a license and warned him for hunting over bait and without a big game license. Cpl. Young talked to the man and encouraged him to change his illegal methods of hunting. CHEROKEE COUNTY On November 19th, RFC Bart Hendrix was working a complaint of a person hunting without permission behind Ruby Tuesdays on Highway 92. Ranger Hendrix had foot patrolled and located an area baited for deer with approximately 200 pounds of whole kernel corn. Ranger Hendrix waited at the baited site and heard a tree stand going up a tree. A man dressed in camouflage had come into the area to hunt. RFC Hendrix noticed he wasn't wearing fluorescent orange as required while deer hunting. The man admitted to deer hunting the area a long time and had walked from a nearby residence. RFC Hendrix charged the man with hunting without permission, hunting big game over bait, hunting without fluorescent orange, and hunting without a license. FANNIN COUNTY On November 19th, Sgt. John VanLandingham, Cpl. Casey Jones, and Wildlife Technician Larry Etheridge assisted North Carolina Wildlife Officers with apprehending suspects that had killed a deer and fled on foot from the North Carolina Officers. FULTON COUNTY On November 19th, 2011 RFC James Psillis checked a previously located baited deer stand and found an individual hunting over bait. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait. On November 19th, 2011 RFC James Psillis conducted a hunter education course during which 41 people became hunter education certified. MURRAY COUNTY On November 13th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Wildlife Technician Joe Hill responded to a complaint regarding hunting out of season and illegal use of a vehicle on Coosawattee WMA. When Cpl. Jones arrived at the scene he observed an unoccupied jeep that had gone around a closed gate and parked well inside the WMA. Cpl. Jones also observed three gun cases and other hunting gear in and around the parked vehicle. It appeared to Cpl. Jones that the subjects were deer hunting the area illegally as the deer season had closed the day before. Cpl Jones then contacted Technician Hill and local law enforcement to assist watching possible exit location as he left the jeep and tried to locate the hunters. Cpl. Jones later located the three hunters as they were dragging an illegally taken deer toward the location of their vehicle. The three were charged with multiple violations including hunting on a closed WMA, hunting without a license, driving around a closed WMA gate, illegal use of buckshot on WMA and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The deer was confiscated and donated to the hunters for the hungry program. PAULDING COUNTY On November 19th, RFC Chad Cox was patrolling Hwy 120 in Paulding County and located a subject hunting deer in a large clear cut. The subject was charged with hunting deer without fluorescent orange and was warned for hunting without a license. The subject did have a big game license. PICKENS COUNTY On November 18th, Sgt. John VanLandingham responded to a complaint of a deer shot at night. Sgt. VanLandingham interviewed witnesses and collected evidence at the scene including an 8-point buck. Charges are pending against one suspect. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) Region III- Thomson (East Central) BURKE COUNTY On November 16, RFC Jeffrey Billips located an illegal dump near Sardis. Thick black smoke was observed coming from a pit behind a residence. RFC Billips noted numerous materials being illegally burned. A citation was issued to the owner. On November 19, Captain Thomas Barnard, Sergeant Matt Garthright, and RFC Billips conducted night hunting surveillance at multiple locations in Burke County. No violator contact was made. RFC Billips checked duck hunters on Phinizy Swamp WMA. JEFFERSON COUNTY On November 12th, RFC Grant Matherly received a complaint in reference to spot lighting deer in Jefferson County at approximately 7:00 PM. After talking with the complainant RFC Matherly learned that there had been a large buck shot the night before in a soybean field. He went to the area of the complaint and set up a surveillance detail to work the complaint. At approximately 9:45 PM RFC Matherly observed a vehicle driving down the road. As the vehicle approached him he noticed that one of the rear passengers was shining a large spot light from the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle he found that it was occupied by four individuals. Three of the individuals were armed with high power rifles and the rear passenger had a large spot light. After securing the weapons, RFC Matherly learned that one of the rear passengers had felony warrants out of Blue Ridge, GA. He was placed in custody and citations were written to all four subjects. Each of the four subjects was charged with hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting deer at night. The subject with warrants was taken into custody and held for Fanning County. The other three subjects were released with appearance citations to return for court. OCONEE COUNTY On Saturday November 19th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins wrapped up a three week long baiting complaint. After working the complaint for three weeks Cpl. Wilkins found a subject hunting the area on Saturday morning. The subject was charged with hunting big game over bait and hunting without fluorescent orange. CLARKE COUNTY On Friday November 18th, Cpl. Greg Colson, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, Wildlife Tech. Kevin Von Seggerren, Rfc. Phillip Nelson, and retired Cpl. Mickey Elrod along with many others provided a Thanksgiving meal for the Sparrows Nest Homeless Shelter in Athens. The group has been providing the meal for 8 years. Retired Cpl. Mickey Elrod started the tradition and is the leader in making it a success every year. GREENE COUNTY November 19th, around 4:30 P.M., Cpl. David Allen received a complaint in Greene County in reference to hunting without permission. Cpl. Allen responded to private property located on Cold Springs Road. Cpl. Allen investigated the complaint and charged two Hispanic males for hunting without permission and one non-resident for hunting without a license. WT3 Carl DellaTorre assisted in the investigation. GREENE COUNTY/OCONEE RIVER On November 19, 2011 around 8:30 A.M., RFC Richard Tanner responded to Dyar's Pasture in reference to hunters taking non-game species. RFC Tanner spoke with the complainants and gave a description of the vessel and the occupants. When the suspect vessel docked, RFC Tanner, Cpl. David Allen and WT3 Carl DellaTorre inspected the vessel and found no evidence of illegal taken game. WT3 DellaTorre went back to the location where the incident occurred with one of the witnesses and located a wading bird that had been shot and thrown behind the blind. RFC Tanner called the suspects and interviewed them at the Greene County Sheriff's Office. This case is still pending investigation. MCDUFFIE COUNTY On Saturday November 19th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins was checking deer bait when he encountered one subject hunting deer over bait. The individual was given a citation for hunting big game over bait and was warned for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange clothing. Region IV- Macon (West Central) BALDWIN COUNTY On the afternoon of November 13th RFC Josh Copelan patrolled eastern Baldwin County for activity. One subject was located hunting over bait and a citation was issued. Later that evening, RFC Copelan checked a hunter dragging a deer out of the woods. The hunter had not completed his deer harvest record and a warning was issued for the violation. COWETA COUNTY On the evening of November 8th Cpl. Keith Waddell responded to hunting without permission call from an off-duty deputy. The deputy had already made contact with the suspect hunter. Through an investigation, it was determined the individual had killed a button buck upon private property without obtaining prior permission from the lessees or the landowner. Upon completing a background check, the suspect was found to be a convicted felon. The suspect was transported to the Coweta County Detention Center to post bond for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and hunting without permission. On November 19th Sgt. Brent Railey checked a complaint in reference to hunting violations. Sgt. Railey found one man deer hunting without his orange vest on. Sgt. Railey called Cpl. Keith Waddell to the area to assist in searching for a second hunter. Cpl. Waddell found the second hunter who was also hunting without his orange vest and was over bait. During this time Sgt. Railey found bait in front of the first hunter's stand also. Both were cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. FAYETTE COUNTY On the morning of November 19th Cpl Wada Roberts and RFC Travis Sweat were checking duck hunters on the Flint River in Fayette County. The two Rangers were waiting for the last two hunters to come back to their vehicles which were parked at a bridge crossing. RFC Sweat noticed a third truck loaded with canoes and kayaks pass their location on the highway without stopping. Due to traffic RFC Sweat could not immediately pull out behind the vehicle. Once RFC Sweat was able to safely pull out he had lost sight of the vehicle and was unable to locate it. Cpl Roberts and RFC Sweat then conducted a search of the dirt back roads in the area. The Rangers were able to locate the vehicle which had three occupants dressed in full camo and face paint. A vehicle stop was made and after an investigation the Rangers charged the subjects with hunting without a license, hunting without a Georgia Waterfowl license, hunting without a Federal duck stamp, hunting waterfowl with lead shot, and operating a vessel without PFD's. JASPER COUNTY On November 12th, while on patrol of Charlie Elliott WMA, RFC Billy Bryant encountered several small game hunters hunting rabbits with dogs. The management area was closed to all small game hunting. The hunters had their license and other permits and thought because it was opening day of rabbit season the management area would be open for hunting. All were cited for hunting on a closed WMA and given a regulations book and information on opening and closing dates on WMAs. During the weekend of November 12th and 13th RFC Billy Bryant assisted with the Hunt and Learn special hunt on Clybell WMA. The students of the workshop were taken on guided squirrel hunts with and without dogs, taught a Hunter Education Class, and were given lessons on Squirrel Biology. On Saturday the students were able to watch a K-9 demonstration by K-9 Drake. RFC Bryant showed the students how quickly a DNR K-9 was able to locate hidden wildlife. JONES COUNTY On November 6th, while on routine patrol, Cpl. Bill Goodson encountered a subject on a hunting club who was hunting without florescent orange. The subject was from Florida and did not have a hunting license. Two citations were issued. On November 12th Cpl. Bill Goodson received a complaint of hunting without permission near the Piedmont Federal Wildlife Refuge. USFW officer Tom Payne was first on scene and observed a small pickup truck riding up and down Highway 11. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver admitted that he was trying to pick up his hunting partner, who had killed a deer. Cpl. Goodson arrived to assist. The subject agreed to call the hunter on the phone and get him to come on out of the woods. They said that they were trying to sneak the deer out because they had encountered the land owner and were afraid that he had called the game warden. The deer turned out to be an eleven buck. Both subjects said they thought they were on Cedar Creek WMA, but were about 1 mile from the boundary. The deer was confiscated and two citations and a warning were issued. On November 12th RFC Josh Copelan and Cpl. Bill Goodson, along with Officer Tom Payne of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made contact with several subjects in a hunting camp the individuals had earlier been hunting over bait. Citations were issued to the hunters for the infraction. It was also discovered that one of the hunter had been hunting the Piedmont Refuge that morning without a permit. A citation was issued to this hunter for the infraction. LAMAR COUNTY On November 19th, RFC Keith Page located a man on Walters Road who was hunting deer over bait (two salt blocks); Page had been checking the area since the beginning of archery season. When RFC Page found the man in the deer stand he wasn't wearing an orange vest. The man stated he usually wore a vest on the way to and from his stand. Because the man had his orange vest in his pocket, RFC Page charged him only with hunting big game over bait he was given a warning for failure to wear fluorescent orange. MERIWHETHER COUNTY On the morning of November 9th Cpl. Keith Waddell responded to a call from a hunter who had just witnessed a subject shoot a deer from truck and walk into the woods in order to retrieve it. The suspect was able to escape before the complainant could make contact or record a tag number. Cpl. Waddell asked for assistance from Meriwether County deputies to look for the vehicle. A deputy with the Meriwether County Sheriff's office subsequently stopped a vehicle matching the suspect description. Waddell arrived just as the stop was taking place and noticed the bed of the truck was wet as if it had just been washed out. Corporal Waddell was able to find blood in the bed of the truck and inside the vehicle he recovered a 12 gauge shotgun and a spent 12 gauge slug shotshell. Corporal Waddell read the suspect his Miranda Rights Warning and through questioning and further investigation was able to conclude the suspect had in fact shot a doe deer. The suspect was issued citations for hunting from a public road, discharging a firearm from a public road, and hunting without permission. On November 12th Cpl. Keith Waddell, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen, and Cpl. Mitch Oliver, utilized the fishing simulator, the laser shot hunting simulator, and Department of Natural Resources shotguns to conduct a Kid's Event in conjunction with the Meriwether County Ducks Unlimited Chapter at Big Red Oak Plantation in Gay. Over 75 kids attended the event and in addition to the fishing simulator and laser shot, were exposed to skeet shooting, various games, and a sportdog retrieving program. On the afternoon of November 13th Cpl. Keith Waddell and intern Carson Nalls were patrolling an area near Gay on Highway 109 Spur when they stepped out of the patrol vehicle near a wooded area. Immediately after stepping out of the truck they heard what sounded like a feeder running. They walked to a bottom near a creek and witnessed a feeder with fresh corn scattered on the ground underneath the feeder. A short distance across a food plot, Cpl. Waddell noticed a hunter with a deer rifle in a ladder stand wearing an orange vest and looking at a Georgia hunting regulations booklet. Waddell made contact with the hunter and issued him a citation for hunting big game over bait. MONROE COUNTY On the morning of November 12th Cpl. Tony Wynne was on routine patrol in search of hunting activity when he saw a vehicle in a field in a lightly populated area. When he checked the vehicle he saw indications the person was hunting. He also saw indications the person may be hunting without wearing fluorescent orange and possibly hunting over bait. Following a faint trail and back-tracking several times to re-acquire the trail, Wynne eventually followed the trail across a creek with steep embankments. He came out on the edge of a stand of hardwoods and immediately saw a camera. The camera was overlooking corn strewn on the ground. Amid the corn were several pieces of a salt block. Looking beyond the camera, Wynne saw the camouflaged hunter, approximately fifty yards away, in a climbing stand, watching him. The hunter was not wearing fluorescent orange. After the hunter climbed down from the tree, Wynne explained the offenses the hunter violated. Wynne charged the hunter with hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. th On November 11 , Cpl. Scott Carroll, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen, RFC Travis Sweat, and RFC David Brady performed an Honor Guard detail at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. The officers presented the opening colors at the Basic Ranger School graduation. PUTNAM COUNTY On the morning of November 19th Cpl. Bubba Stanford and Ranger Coley Paschal checked five waterfowl hunters on a pond in the southern part of the county. Cpl. Stanford had checked the pond earlier in the week and had located wheat and whole corn in the pond. Several citations were issued for hunting over bait and warnings were issued for license violations. Later that same morning, Cpl. Stanford answered a complaint about possible hunting without permission. Cpl. Stanford located three hunters waterfowl hunting near a property line and citations were issued for license violations. TALBOT COUNTY On November 13th Cpl. Jeremy Bolen was checking a complaint of hunting without permission. A hunter walked out of the woods and claimed that he was not hunting. Cpl. Bolen utilized K-9 Ruger to search the area. Ruger located a pair of gloves, a face mask, and a 20 gauge shotgun hidden in a stump hole. After the hunter noticed that Ruger and Cpl Bolen located these items he fled on foot. The subject was later located by K9 Ruger with the assistance of Cpl. Mitch Oliver, Cpl. Keith Waddell, and the GSP aviation unit. The subject was arrested and charged with possession of firearm by convicted felon, interference with performance of ranger's duties, hunting without permission, hunting without a license, and hunting without orange. TROUP COUNTY th On November 6 , Cpl. Jeremy Bolen was checking a complaint of a baited area in Troup County. While on the property, Cpl. Bolen heard a shot on an adjoining piece of property. Cpl. Bolen walked up on two hunters in the area. One hunter had shot a 4 point buck which was in a QDM county. The other hunter was hunting without license. The deer was confiscated and the hunter was issued a citation for violation of a QDM county. The other hunter was issued a citation for hunting without a big game license and a warning for hunting without a license. TWIGGS COUNTY On the one-day Central Zone bear hunt on November 12th, Cpl. Robert Stillwell and Cpl. Bill Goodson checked a hunter who had successfully harvested a bear. While checking the hunter the officers discovered the area was baited. The hunter was charged for the offense and the animal was confiscated. On the evening of November 12th, Rangers were alerted to the possibility of a large bear having been illegally taken over bait elsewhere in the county. The following day Cpl. Stillwell, Technician Randy Wood, and Sgt. Tony Fox collected evidence from the suspected kill site the area was baited with corn, dog food, table scraps, peanut butter, and honey. Further investigation revealed individual(s) had staged a secondary, nonbaited "kill site" in order to mislead officers. On November 15th Cpl. Robert Stillwell interviewed an individual who was the subject of the investigation regarding the taking of the bear. The case is currently under investigation and charges are pending. UPSON COUNTY On November 13th Cpl. Susan Morris received a complaint from members of a hunting club that other members in their club were possibly hunting deer over bait. They also informed Cpl. Morris that an eight point buck had been killed over bait the previous day. On the morning of November 14th Cpl. Morris checked the baited stands and found a hunter in one of them. He was cited for hunting big game over bait and for not wearing fluorescent orange. Later that day, Cpl. Tony Wynn accompanied Cpl. Morris to the residence of the hunter who allegedly killed the eight point buck over bait. He was interviewed and confessed to killing the deer at one of the baited stands. He was cited for hunting big game over bait. WILKINSON COUNTY On November 8th Sgt Bo Kelly responded to a hunting incident in which a hunter fell from a tree stand. The hunter sustained leg and back injuries, but was able to call 911 on his cell phone. Local deputies and State Patrol officers assisted in the search for the man, and were able to locate him after one hour. On November 10th Cpl Lynn Stanford and Sgt Bo Kelly completed a night hunting investigation that had begun two days earlier. The two suspects provided Rangers with written confessions as to their night hunting activities. Both men were cited in Wilkinson County Probate court for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. Region V- Albany (Southwest) MITCHELL COUNTY On November 17th, Corporal Randy Davis and Ranger Tony Cox responded to a complaint of a person hunting without permission. A subject was encountered hunting the fire break of an adjoining property, on which the property lines were not well marked. After speaking to the complainant, the subject was issued a warning for hunting without permission and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. BAKER COUNTY On November 18th, Corporal Randy Davis responded to a complaint of illegal burning. An illegal burn site consisting of house hold garbage was discovered. Subject was issued a warning for illegal burning and instructed on how to properly dispose of the waste. DECATUR COUNTY On November 16th, while working a landowner complaint, RFC Tony Cox cited two subjects for fishing on lands of another without permission. On November 19th, Cpl. Mike Binion and RFC Tony Cox conducted duck hunting patrols on Lake Seminole. Two hunters were cited for hunting without a license. Another subject was cited for a non-resident hunting with a resident license. SUMTER COUNTY On the night of November 14th, Cpl Tommy Lawrence, RFC Bob Holley and K-9 "Creek" and Sgt. Butch Potter responded to a request for assistance from the Georgia State Patrol. After being arrested pursuant to a traffic stop, a subject escaped from a Troopers custody and fled into the woods. Despite K-9 and GSP aviation assistance the subject was not located. QUITMAN COUNTY On the morning of November 18th, RFC Jim Atchley along with RFC Bob Holley and his patrol dog responded to a complaint of people hunting without permission where they encountered the suspects as they emerged from the woods. The dog was used to backtrack the suspects to their stand locations to confirm they were actually on the posted property. Both suspects were cited for hunting without permission. RANDOLPH COUNTY While on patrol for deer hunting activity on November 19th, RFC Bob Holley issued four citations for hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without license and taking an illegal antlered buck from an antler restricted county. The spike buck was confiscated and donated to a local charity. LEE COUNTY On November 13th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence was on patrol at approximately 2:00 a.m. when he stopped a suspicious vehicle. The driver and occupant were both under the influence of alcohol and the driver was placed under arrest for DUI. The case was turned over to a GSP Trooper. On November 19th, RFC Randy James presented an educational program to 200, 11th grade students at Lee County High School. On November 19th, Cpl. Ronnie Beard presented an educational program to 530, 3rd-5th grade students and 20 teachers at Bleckley Elementary School. SUMTER COUNTY On November 13th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence received a call from a landowner about a suspicious vehicle parked on the shoulder of the road. During his investigation, Cpl. Lawrence was able to determine the driver of the vehicle was hunting and was cited for hunting deer without fluorescent orange On November 19th, RFC Randy James and Cpl. Ronnie Beard located three vessels and eight hunters hunting ducks in a baited area on Lake Blackshear. The subjects received citations for hunting ducks over bait with the ducks being confiscated and given to a needy family. DOOLY COUNTY On November 16th, Ranger Martin was working a road hunting complaint in Dooly County. Two subjects were arrested after shooting a deer from the road. The subjects were charged with hunting from a vehicle, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting without permission. Other charges are still pending. Following a four month investigation and processing of DNA evidence by a crime lab, Ranger Clint Martin completed warrants for a subject for hunting out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife. WORTH COUNTY On November 19th, RFC David Brady and Ranger Chris Carlisle were patrolling for opening day waterfowl activity. After hearing a volley of shots at daybreak, the officers located three hunters shooting ducks on a small pond that was baited with grain sorghum. In addition to hunting ducks over bait, one hunter was found shooting an unplugged shotgun. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) BACON COUNTY On the night of November 19, RFC Chase Altman conducted a night hunting detail in Bacon County with the aid of an airplane from the aviation department, with RFC Altman observing from the plane. Captain Klingel, Sgt. Reckley, Cpl. Stokes, Cpl. Winters, Cpl. Simmons, Cpl. McLaughlin, RFC Shipes, Tech II Pool, and Tech IV Sanders were all involved on the ground. Here is a summary of the action taken during the detail. At around 9:00 pm, Cpl. Stokes observed a subject started driving in a farmer's cotton field destroying his crops. The subject was chased about five miles before being stopped. He was taken to the Sheriff's Office and charged with felony criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana, no tag, no insurance, and driving under the influence. Around 10:00 pm, Cpl. Winters stopped a vehicle off Boxer Blvd. Two juveniles were in possession of a spot light and a loaded high power rifle. They admitted to shooting at a deer as well. Since they were juveniles, both were given verbal guidance for hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting deer at night. At approximately 10:45 pm, Cpl. Simmons observed a truck approaching his location. Cpl. Simmons observed a spotlight being shined from the truck into the field. Cpl. Simmons stopped the vehicle for shining the field. There were two adults and 3 juveniles in the truck. Beside the driver was a .30-06 caliber rifle with the bolt half open. On the floor were a live .30-06 cartridge and a spotlight. The adults were charged with hunting deer at night with aid of light, hunting big game from public road, and hunting from vehicle. Cpl. Simmons stopped a second truck later that night. Three individuals were given warnings for open containers. Just after midnight Cpl. McLaughlin stopped a vehicle for night hunting. The two individuals were charged with driving with a suspended license, no insurance, and a felony charge of manufacturing marijuana. WARE COUNTY On November 19, Cpl. Gary Simmons was checking a deer-dogging complaint area on Rayonier timber company property that is not permitted for dog deer hunting. Cpl. Simmons encountered three subjects hunting deer with dogs. The hunters had allowed their hounds to get off their hunting club and onto the Rayonier property. Warnings were issued for failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property. EVANS COUNTY On November 14th, Ranger Debbie Brannen observed a man take a raccoon in a cage out of the back of his pickup at a gas station. She pulled up to the vehicle and investigated the situation. The individual with the raccoon admitted to trapping the animal because it was eating his deer corn. Another man was present and admitted to buying the raccoon. Violations were written for trapping out of season and selling game species. The raccoon was taken as evidence. On November 19th, Ranger Debbie Brannen checked a complaint area along the Canoochee River. One violation was documented for possession of illegal size fish. EFFINGHAM COUNTY On November 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county for hunting activity. As a result of the patrol, one hunting license was inspected. A total of one violation was documented. The violation consisted of hunting without fluorescent orange. On November 19th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landings along the Savannah River for duck hunting activity. A total of forty hunting licenses and fifteen boats were checked. As a result of the inspection, one violation was documented. The violation consisted of hunting waterfowl without GA waterfowl license. On November 20th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a call in reference to two caught deer dogs. The dogs were returned to their owners and two violations were documented. The violations consisted of failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property. BULLOCH COUNTY On November 18th Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a dogging deer on unpermitted property complaint in north Bulloch County. Cpl. Sims located two hunters, their dogs and two vehicles on unpermitted property. The hunters were aware that there was no permit issued for the property but ran dogs on it anyway. Violations were documented on both hunters for hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property. On November 18th Cpl. Dave Sims checked a raccoon hunting party involving 12 hunters aged 16-21. Six adult members of the hunting party had either an expired license or no hunting license at all. Violations were documented on the six adult hunters for hunting without a license. COOK COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey cited a subject for dumping trash in an area off of Spring Hill Road. The subject was also wanted by Cook County for theft charges. He was arrested and taken to the Cook County Jail. On Nov. 15th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey responded to an in-progress night deer hunting call in north Cook County. Deputies had already arrived in the area and stopped a truck in the area where shots had just been fired. Upon further investigation of the incident the driver and passenger of the truck were cited for: hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting without permission. They were both given written warnings for hunting from the road. ATKINSON COUNTY On Friday November 18, Cpl. Morty Wood was working a night deer hunting complaint off of Talmadge McKinnon Road in the Willacoochee area of Atkinson County. Cpl. Wood observed a gray Dodge Durango SUV shine fields with spotlights before the SUV got to Cpl. Woods' place of concealment. As the SUV approached Cpl. Wood's location, the SUV stopped and the occupants got out and were cursing and yelling very loudly. Cpl. Wood then heard three high powered rifle shots come from the SUV's location. After a short wait the poachers got back into the SUV and continued down the road. Cpl. Wood followed the SUV and when the poachers reached more fields, they continued to shine them as they drove past. Cpl. Wood stopped the SUV and found that there were two dead deer in the cargo area of the SUV. When asked what they had shot at on the road, the poachers stated that the spike buck in the cargo area had stood up while they were traveling down the road and that they had stopped and shot it again. The four occupants were arrested and each charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. LAURENS COUNTY On November 15 Cpl. Dan Stiles gave a wildlife presentation to 168 Kindergarten students from West Laurens Elementary School. The presentation was given at the Thomas Farm in Dudley, GA as part of a multi-event field trip. On November 18th Cpl. Stiles returned to the Thomas Farm to conduct the same program to 165 Pre-Kindergarten students. November 19 Cpl. Stiles received a call from the Laurens Co. Sherriff's office in reference to a complaint of a deer shot from the road. Cpl. Stiles responded and found the subject detained by Laurens Co. deputies. The subject claimed to have hit the deer with his vehicle and turned around and saw the deer standing in a power line right of way and shot it because he didn't want the deer to be wasted. No evidence was located to support the subject's claim that he hit the deer with his vehicle and was charged with hunting from a public road and other violations. November 21 Sgt. Keith Byers, Cpl. James Mclaughlin, and Cpl. Dan Stiles responded to a call from the Laurens Co. Sherriff's office for a lost hunter on Beaverdam WMA. The Laurens Co. SO, Laurens Co. Volunteer FD, Dept. of Corrections K-9, GSP, and the GSP aviation unit responded and the hunter was located without injuries and was escorted out of the area. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)