Field operations weekly report, 2011 November 20-26

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report November 20-26, 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 22nd, Cpl. Byron Young was on foot patrol and located deer bait off Oak Grove Road near Euharlee. Cpl. Young advised another team member, RFC Brooks Varnell and his K-9 "Rock". On Friday, RFC Varnell and Rock tracked a man in his 40's into the woods where they found him in a deer stand hunting for deer without fluorescent orange and directly over two piles of whole kernel corn. He was charged with hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
On November 26th, Sgt. Mike Barr was on patrol and noticed a Toyota Truck parked beside a house on Long Road. The vehicle normally did not stay at the house. Behind the house were 58 acres and the Cora Harris historic site owned by Kennesaw State University. Sgt. Barr has received several complaints over the past two years of possible poaching on the property. Sgt. Barr foot patrolled and found two men, one from Adairsville and another from Calhoun, hunting on the Cora Harris property. One had killed an eight-point buck. Sgt. Barr and the caretaker of the property verified that the two were well within the property lines of the historic site. One person said he had been hunting there over fifteen years and killed an average of three deer per year. Charges will include hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The eightpoint buck was confiscated and will be given to a needy family for food.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. Lee Burns was patrolling Cherokee County on Salacoa Road. He found a vehicle pulled off the road at some land with a "for sale" sign. He waited on the hunters to return to the vehicle. A man came walking out of the woods carrying a rifle but without wearing the required fluorescent orange. Cpl. Burns verified he was hunting deer. While speaking with the man, three other hunters came walking out of the woods. Cpl. Burns noticed that two of the men were wearing solid black jackets. Cpl. Burns advised the men that the black jackets without orange could be mistaken for movement of a wild hog or bear. The men commented that they never really worn fluorescent orange while deer hunting. Cpl. Burns checked licenses and found that one man did not have his license or big game license. Three of the men were from Canton Georgia and one from Eastman Georgia. Cpl. Burns issued citations for hunting deer without fluorescent orange and spoke with all about the importance of safety while hunting.
PAULDING COUNTY On November 25th, RFC Chad Cox was patrolling Paulding Forest WMA and located a small truck parked on the WMA. Ranger Cox waited at the vehicle and two subjects came out of the woods wearing camouflage. Ranger Cox asked them what they were hunting and both advised deer. Ranger Cox told them that the WMA was closed for deer hunting. Both subjects were charged with hunting on closed WMA and hunting without license. They were also warned for hunting without a big game license.

On November 20th, RFC Chad Cox was patrolling in the east part of Polk County when he located twelve bags of trash thrown out at the entrance of a field next to the highway. Ranger Cox was able to locate an address where the trash came from. One citation was issued for littering and the subject returned to the scene and picked up the trash.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BANKS COUNTY On November 25th, RFC Eric Isom and K-9, Colt participated in a youth hunting event. RFC Isom and K-9, Colt also informed the children and adults on the functions of the DNR's K-9 program. They also gave a demonstration on how Colt is able to find articles that were hidden. Ten children and thirteen adults were in attendance.
JACKSON COUNTY On November 21st, RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt answered a call from a land owner stating that he believed that someone was hunting his property and had fired a rifle off Unity Church Road. Colt was deployed and found the hunter and the location where the deer was killed both were not on the complaint's property.
On November 24th, RFC Eric Isom received and call form a landowner stating that someone was hunting on his property off Abby Lane. K-9 Colt was deployed to do a woods search. Two suspects were found on the complainant's property hunting. The subjects were told by a neighbor who was found to only own an acre of land that they could hunt there. After talking to the neighbor, RFC Isom issued warnings to the subjects for hunting without permission.
On November 25th, RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt were patrolling a landowner's property off Hwy 129. RFC Isom found one hunter not wearing fluorescent orange. K-9 Colt was deployed and located another hunter who was hunting on the property. Both subjects received warnings and citations for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange.
On November 26th, RFC Eric Isom located a truck parked near a hunting lease near Unity Church Rd. It was determined that the owner of the vehicle had an expired hunting license. K-9 Colt was used to track the hunter in the woods. He was located and received warning for hunting without a hunting license and big game license.
RABUN COUNTY On Sunday November 20th, Corporal Derek Dillard assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a road check in the area of Camp Creek Road. During the check, a subject who had been hunting earlier was arrested for driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Also there were several citations issued for seatbelt violations. On Sunday night November 20th, Corporal Derek Dillard responded to the area of Bridge Creek road for a complaint of someone shooting a deer from the road. Rabun County Sheriff's Officers Sgt. Riley Owens, Deputy Kyle Shook, and Deputy Delwin Speed had

a couple of vehicles stopped following the complaint. One of the vehicles had a dead doe deer in the back of it that he had shot from the road with a 12-gauge shotgun. The deer was confiscated and the subject was charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, killing an antler-less deer, and possession illegally taken wildlife. The other vehicle was released when determined it was not involved. On Friday November 25th, while Corporal Derek Dillard was patrolling the area of Race Path road, he came across 2 subjects hunting deer without a license. They were charged for hunting without a license and then given a ride out since they didn't have cell phone service to get someone to come pick them up.
HABERSHAM COUNTY On November 26th, RFC Chad Chambers and Cpl. Derek Dillard assisted officers from the Georgia State Patrol and Habersham Co. Sheriff's Office with a road check on Hwy. 123. Several contacts were made for transporting deer without proper documentation and failure to record deer harvest. The officers also confiscated the illegal deer. A number of traffic infractions were also cited.
In the afternoon of November 26th, RFC Chad Chambers responded to the Batesville area in regards to hunting without permission complaint. RFC Chambers arrived on the scene to find three subjects, two of which were juveniles. The individuals were actually hunting on their land when RFC Chambers contacted them, but the adult and one of the juveniles were hunting without the required fluorescent orange clothing. The adult was charged and the juvenile was verbally warned. Towns County
On Sunday November 20th, Towns County Deputies responded to a disturbance call. A BOLO was given out for a possible drunk driver. Cpl Jesse Cook who was in the area located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Subject was held pending arrival of the deputies who conducted field sobriety exercises on the driver. The driver was arrested for DUI and a pat down incident to arrest for officer safety was conducted. A small bag of suspected marijuana was found on the subject's person.
On Tuesday November 22nd, Cpl Jesse Cook responded to an in-progress complaint of a subject fishing without permission on the Hiawassee River. According to the complainant when confronted the subject snatched away from him and ran into the woods. The subject eventually came back to the scene and Cpl. Cook conducted an inquiry. The subject was eventually charged with Fishing without permission.
On Friday November 25th, Cpl Jesse Cook responded to an in-progress complaint of subjects hunting without permission of Gum Log Road in Towns County. A legal hunter confronted the trespassers, but the subjects fled to a vehicle, which was located in North Carolina. Due to the jurisdictional limitations, Cpl. Cook requested the assistance of North Carolina DNR and Clay County North Carolina Sheriff's Office. The vehicle was eventually located and an interview was conducted of the subject. The subject eventually admitted his involvement in the incident. Documentation was provided to landowner for

prosecution and Ranger Cook is waiting on final word from landowner/witness before any charges are made.
DAWSON COUNTY On November 24th, Cpl. Freddie Hays and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA. They issued a written warning to a subject for hunting without a license and a verbal warning for hunting without a WMA license.
Later in the evening Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Freddie Hays and RFC Mitchell Crump were working night hunting complaints. The rangers caught two subjects hunting deer at night. Citations were issued to the subjects for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
DEKALB COUNTY On November 27th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at the Tucker Park and Recreation Department. During this class a total of 27 students were certified in Hunter Education.
FORSYTH COUNTY Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Freddie Hays were patrolling on Buford Dam when they observed two subjects in a small vessel fishing. The subjects were called to the shore. They didn't have any PFD's and were fishing without a license. Written warnings were issued for operating a vessel without PFD's and fishing without a license.
GWINNETT COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was contacted by the Gwinnett County Police Dept. reference to hunting without permission. One subject was caught and a citation was issued for hunting without permission.
On November 24th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins checked two subjects hunting deer. One was issued a citation for hunting without wearing the required fluorescent orange and issued a written warning for failure to record deer harvest. The other subject was issued a citation for hunting without a license for wearing the required fluorescent orange. He was also issued a written warning for hunting without a big game license.
On November 25th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins responded to complaint in Duluth of shots fired in a residential area. Cpl. Tompkins located two subjects hunting behind an apartment complex with a dead five-point buck. One subject was issued a citation for failure to record deer harvest and issued a written warning for hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The other subject was issued a written warning for hunting without permission. The five-point buck was confiscated.
Cpl. Tompkins was patrolling in the Bold Springs area and located a hunter while checking property for without permission on adjacent property hunting. The hunter wasn't wearing the required fluorescent orange. The subject was issued a written warning for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.

On November 25th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was working a complaint of hunting deer over bait. Cpl. Sanders encountered a subject hunting over the bait. A citation was issued for hunting deer over bait and for hunting deer without wearing the required fluorescent orange.
On November 26th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located subject hunting without permission after receiving complaint previous evening. The subject was issued a citation for hunting deer without wearing the required fluorescent orange and hunting without a hunting license. The subject was issued written warnings for hunting without permission and hunting without big game license.
Cpl. Tompkins responded to an in-progress complaint of hunting without permission on county property. The subject was located and issued a citation for hunting without permission.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On November 19th, RFC Mitchell Crump assisted the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office with a shooting event for kids.
On November 23rd, RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling Yahoola Reservoir in Dahlonega. He checked a vessel operating with insufficient PFD's. The operator was issued a written warning for the infraction.
On November 26th, RFC Mitchell Crump encountered a subject burning illegally. The subject was issued a written warning for the infraction.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. Eric Sanders encountered a subject hunting deer without wearing the required fluorescent orange. The subject was issued a citation for this infraction and a written warning for failure to record deer harvest.
On November 26th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was working a complaint. One subject was encountered hunting on the property. A citation was issued for hunting without permission and hunting deer without wearing the required fluorescent orange.
HART COUNTY On November 24, Cpl. Craig Fulghum checked several swamps for duck hunters. He issued five citations and two warnings for license violations to duck hunters.
On November 24, Cpl Craig Fulghum was checking an area around a hunting club that has had problems with vandalism. He noticed a vehicle turn into a road that led to a hunting club gate and turn their headlights off as they went down the road. He observed a couple of men exit the vehicle and start trying to get into the gate. After they were unsuccessful and left, Fulghum stopped the suspicious vehicle. The driver was found to have an open container of alcohol. He was charged for open container.

On November 25, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled Hart County for duck and deer hunters. One citation was issued for hunting on a closed Wildlife Management Area.
On November 25, Cpl. Craig Fulghum responded to a call of shots fired on private property. He located two men hunting. Both subjects were issued citations for hunting without a license and hunting without fluorescent orange. They also received warnings for hunting without hunter safety certification.
On November 26, RFC Josh Chambers and Cpl. Derek Dillard worked a night hunting detail with the assistance of eight other rangers and the aviation unit. The plane assisting spotted a truck shining a spotlight. Chambers and Dillard located the truck. He claimed to be coyote hunting. He was charged for hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting with a light exceeding legal requirements.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On November 24, RFC Tim Vickery checked an area that had been baited for deer. He caught two subjects and issued citations for hunting deer over bait and hunting without fluorescent orange.
On November 24, RFC Shane Sartor received a complaint in Franklin County about trespassers that had killed a deer. Sgt. Stan Elrod, Sartor and RFC Tim Vickery responded to the area to meet with the complainants. The rangers began searching the area for the trespassers. One subject was located in a tree stand on the property line. The deer was just across the line on the hunting club property. The subject was violating several laws. He received citations for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without a hunter safety certification and hunting without fluorescent orange. He received a warning for hunting with illegal ammunition.
MADISON COUNTY On November 25, RFC Shane Sartor was working an area for night deer hunting. A vehicle pulled into his field and started shining. Several deer were in the field and one shot was fired. Sartor pulled in behind the vehicle and turned on blue lights. At this time, the vehicle sped off through the field towards the field entrance. Sartor was able to block it and keep them in the field. After several laps around the field the vehicle headed back towards the entrance. At this time, it turned to exit and made contact with RFC Sartors patrol vehicle. The suspect's vehicle spun around and struck Sartors vehicle in the passenger's door. The night hunter was able to get in to the road and take off again. The chase lasted about eight miles and Sartor lost sight. He had radioed the tag number to Sgt. Stan Elrod. Elrod and the Madison County Sheriff Office began a search for the vehicle. The vehicle was not located.
On November 26, RFC Shane Sartor and Sgt. Stan Elrod began looking for the suspects involved in a chase from the night before. The suspects were located. Three people were involved. Two of the suspects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a

vehicle, and hunting from a public road. The driver was charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, reckless driving, fleeing and eluding, and damaging department property.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Friday November 25, Wildlife Tech. Kevin Vonseggern, Wildlife Tech. Carl Della Torre, and RFC Phillip Nelson caught two subjects shooting a decoy deer. Violations included hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
On Friday November 25, RFC Phillip Nelson worked a hunting incident off Stevens Grove Church Road where a subject fell out of a deer stand.
WILKES COUNTY On Thursday November 24, Sgt. Brian Carter, Wildlife Tech. Mark Patterson, and RFC Phillip Nelson responded to a baiting complaint in Wilkes County. The officers checked the area and caught one subject hunting over bait with no orange, and another subject hunting without wearing fluorescent orange.
ELBERT COUNTY On Friday November 25, Cpl. Julian Wilkins was patrolling the south end of Elbert County when he saw a subject sitting in a stand without wearing fluorescent orange. Cpl. Wilkins talked with the subject and also found that he did not have any licenses. After checking the area Cpl. Wilkins found 2 more subjects hunting without licenses or fluorescent orange.
MORGAN COUNTY On November 24th, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Ricky Boles patrolled Lake Oconee boat ramps for duck hunting activity. One duck hunter was cited for hunting ducks without a license.
On the afternoon of the 24th, Cpl. Derrell Worth observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the area of Kingston subdivision. Three hunters were checked as they appeared out of the woods wearing no orange. RFC Ricky Boles was contacted for officer safety and arrived on scene. Two citations were issued for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange, one for hunting without a license, one for hunting without big game license, and a warning was issued for not having taken a hunter safety course. Hunting without permission charges are pending on the subjects. On the morning of November 25th, RFC Ricky Boles issued citations for hunting big over bait and hunting w/o fluorescent orange. Subject was hunting over corn and a salt block. Warnings were issued for hunting without a license and hunting big game without a license.

Sgt. John Harwell's work section set up a night hunting detail in Morgan County on November 25th. Cpl. Derrell Worth, Cpl. David Allen, RFC Larry Mills, RFC Niki Spencer, and RFC Ricky Boles all participated in this detail that lasted until midnight.
GREENE COUNTY Cpl. Derrell Worth patrolled Oconee National Forest for hunting activity on November 25th. Several hunting license violations were cited. WALTON COUNTY On November 26, RFC Niki Spencer responded to an in-progress hunting without permission complaint. Two suspects were located and charged with hunting without permission.
NEWTON COUNTY On November 26, RFC Niki Spencer received a call from Covington Police Department in reference to a hawk complaint. On November 27, RFC Niki Spencer and RFC Larry Mills cited an individual for unlawful hunting/possession of birds or parts.
RICHMOND COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. Ben Payne received a call of a possible suicide drowning at the Savannah River Lock and Dam. Once arriving on scene he spoke with Investigator Johnson with the Richmond County Sheriff Office. It was determined a suicide by a note that was left in the victim's car. The victim jumped off the Lock below the dam and into the water. Witnesses stated that he was yelling for help when he went under the water. Divers from the Richmond County Dive Team responded and began diving for recovery of the body. Water hydraulics and current from flow through the dam was preventing them from diving in the right area. A decision was made to call DNR Side Scan Sonar equipment in to assist with recovery. RFC Richard Tanner used the side scan sonar to locate victim in 8-10 ft. of water. The dive team recovered the body once marked by DNR. Total time of looking with side scan sonar was 2 hours until victim was located.
BURKE COUNTY November 26, Conservation Rangers from Regions 3 and 6 conducted a three county night hunting surveillance detail. Rangers stopped several vehicles after the occupants were observed night hunting. Violators were arrested for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, driving under the influence of alcohol, and open container.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On November 27th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman performed a Search and Rescue on Clarks Hill Lake after two boaters had been reported missing. The Rangers located the subjects near the Lake Springs Area and returned them to shore.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On November 26th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended one subject for hunting deer over bait. He was issued a citation and released.

On November 26, Sgt Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman conducted a concentrated patrol of McDuffie PFA. Several violations were detected. The violations ranged from fishing without a license to Illegal consumption/possession of alcoholic beverages on a PFA.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BLECKLEY COUNTY On November 24th RFC Tim Butler located a dove shoot in a cow pasture. Upon checking the shoot RFC Butler determined the area was baited with corn and wheat; four hunters in the field were issued citations for hunting over bait.
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On November 26 RFC Tim Butler received a complaint of night deer hunting. RFC Butler, Sgt Ezra Wyche, and Cpl Robert Stillwell investigated the complaint. The investigation led to two people being charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
JONES COUNTY On November 25th RFC Josh Copelan and Cpl. Lynn Stanford cited two hunters for hunting deer over bait and one additional charge of hunting without fluorescent orange.
LAMAR COUNTY
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On November 20 RFC Keith Page located a truck parked in a field on High Falls Park Road. Upon investigation RFC Page noticed several empty beer cans and corn sprinkled in the back of the truck. Believing that the truck belonged to someone who was hunting and probably violating several game laws, RFC Page called Sgt. Tim Kendrick to the scene to assist with locating the hunters. Once Kendrick arrived, the rangers entered the woods. They located one man who was hunting over bait, without orange and hunting under the influence of alcohol. The rangers also located a second individual who had just shot a deer over bait as well as a third hunter who was hunting without an orange vest. The man who was under the influence of alcohol was charged with hunting under the influence, hunting big game over bait, and hunting deer without wearing an orange vest. The other men were charged with hunting deer without orange, hunting big game over bait, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. A fourth hunter was also charged with underage consumption of alcohol.
PEACH COUNTY On November 20th Sgt. Tony Fox and Cpl. John Harkins investigated a complaint of persons hunting without permission. Sgt. Fox walked out the area and found where one of the two suspects was hunting. The other suspect was located at the suspects' truck. After the investigation was concluded both hunters were charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. They were given a verbal warning for hunting without permission.
PUTNAM COUNTY On November 24th RFC Josh Copelan, Cpl Lynn Stanford, Cpl Bill Goodson and Sgt Bo Kelly responded to a call from Putnam 911 in reference to two missing girls who were

last seen in the woods behind their home. With the assistance of local deputies, both girls were located and taken home.
On November 24th Sgt Bo Kelly cited a hunter for hunting over bait and hunting without wearing an orange vest. All charges will be heard in Putnam County State Court. On November 26th Cpl Lynn Stanford and Sgt Bo Kelly cited three hunters for hunting deer without an orange vest. All charges will be handled in Putnam County State Court.
TALBOT COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen were called to a hunting without permission complaint in reference to hunters using complainant's property to access a hunting club. With the assistance of Cpl. Bolen's K9, the officers were able to locate a hunter as he was leaving his stand. The hunter was not wearing any fluorescent orange when the officers approached him and he later told them that he had left it in the truck. It was explained to him that he did not have permission to use the road he was travelling and that the landowner had made this clear to the hunting club in years past. The hunter stated that he was new to the club and didn't intend to trespass. The property owner elected not to prosecute, but the hunter was issued a citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
On November 26th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver was in the Box Springs area listening for roost shooting of waterfowl when he detected an illegal open burn. The subject conducting the operation was issued a written warning for the offense.
TROUP COUNTY On November 20th Sgt Jim Bradfield and Ranger Russell Epps located a truck parked in south Troup County in the bed of the truck officers noticed a large number of white oak acorns as well as corn. As a result of this finding the officers decided to locate this hunter. The hunter was located within a few minutes, in a deer stand, hunting with a rifle, about five yards from the property line facing into the adjacent clear cut property. This hunter was not wearing his florescent orange vest and had left his hunting license at his truck. After a brief check of the area no bait was located. The hunter indicated that he put the corn out in another location along with a camera to photograph deer and that he had collected the white oak acorns to plant. This hunter was issued a citation for not wearing his florescent orange vest.
TWIGGS COUNTY
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On November 25 RFC Tim Butler and Wildlife Tech III Randy Wood found three men target practicing in an unauthorized area on Ocmulgee WMA during a check-in deer hunt. All three subjects were issued citations for target practicing in an unauthorized area on a WMA. Directions to the WMA shooting range were given to the group.
WILKINSON COUNTY On November 26th Cpl Bill Goodson worked a night hunting detail near Ivey. One person was apprehended hunting deer at night and hunting from a motor vehicle. The

hunter was released on a copy of charges and will appear in Wilkinson County Probate Court.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On November 21st, Corporal Randy Davis located an illegal burn site and issued the subject responsible a warning for burning household garbage. GRADY COUNTY On November 24th, Corporal Randy Davis apprehended a subject hunting without nonresident hunting licenses and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. Sergeant Rick Sellars and Corporal Mike Binion assisted in retrieving an illegally taken doe deer. The violator was cited for nonresident hunting without license, without big game license, and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. The deer was confiscated and donated to a needy family.
Illegally Harvested Deer
On November 25th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Mike Binion checked a duck shoot, citing two hunters for hunting without a license and without a Georgia Waterfowl license. MITCHELL COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl Mike Binion responded to a hunting without permission complaint. The violator was apprehended and charged with hunting without permission, hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and without required orange clothing. He was also charged by the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office with criminal trespass and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On November 24th, Sergeant Rick Sellars, Corporal Mike Binion, and Corporal Randy Davis checked a large dove shoot issuing several citations and warnings for license violations.

On November 24th, Corporal Randy Davis investigated a complaint of night deer hunting. After interviewing all participants, Corporal Davis issued warnings for blinding wildlife with lights to two subjects. DECATUR COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. Mike Binion responded to a complaint from Decatur County deputies about a homeowner that had a pet alligator in an above ground pool. The subject was cited for possession of an alligator without a permit. The alligator was confiscated and released. On November 22nd, Sgt. Rick Sellars responded to a complaint of hunting after legal hours on the Flint River. Two subjects were cited for hunting waterfowl after legal hours. The vessel operator was also cited for operating a vessel at night without lights. On November 25th, Corporal Randy Davis and RFC Tony Cox conducted a boat patrol on Lake Seminole to check duck hunters and commercial fishermen. The officers located two vessels, which contained evidence of illegal netting activity, moored on the bank of the Flint River. Gill nets and an illegally caught game fish were present. An investigation was initiated, resulting in two subjects being charged with illegal netting and taking game fish with commercial gear. Four gill nets and over sixty fish were seized. The species of fish confiscated included, catfish, striped bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, shell cracker, tilapia, and suckers.
Illegal Netting Lake Seminole
On November 25th, RFC Tony Cox conducted a patrol on Lake Seminole to check duck hunters and commercial fishermen. One subject was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence, and fishing without a commercial license.

THOMAS COUNTY On November 25th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Mike Binion conducted a patrol along the Grady / Thomas County line. One subject was cited for hunting without a license, without a big game license, and hunting deer without wearing the required fluorescent orange. CALHOUN COUNTY On November 25th, RFC Bob Holley and Sgt. Ellis Wynn located a group of nonresidents hunting hogs. Citations were issued for hunting without licenses along with warnings for improper licenses. WORTH COUNTY On the night of November 26th, RFC Clint Martin and Sgt. Butch Potter stopped and cited two subjects after they were observed hunting from a public road. DOOLY COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. Al Greer, Cpl. Ronnie Beard, and Ranger Chad Hulsey were working Lake Blackshear when they encountered two groups of hunters, hunting waterfowl after hours. Charges were made for hunting waterfowl after hours. One of the adults was also charged for allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD. On November 23rd, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence and RFC Clint Martin located three vessels on Lake Blackshear hunting waterfowl after hours. Thirteen citations were issued for hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without licenses, hunting without federal migratory bird stamp and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's. Four wood ducks were located and confiscated.
Lake Blackshear After Hours Waterfowl Case
LEE COUNTY On November 23rd, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence located a dove field that had been baited with an airplane. The landowner was notified and the field was posted for no hunting.

On November 24th, RFC Randy James assisted Lee County Sheriff's Department with locating subjects in a pecan grove stealing pecans. One of the subjects was an employee of the pecan grove. At some time during the harvest he had dumped a wagon load of pecans in the woods away from the grove and returned numerous times to collect them. The subjects were arrested and charged with theft by taking by the Lee County Sheriff's Department.
CRISP COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. Al Greer and Ranger Chad Hulsey were working a hunting deer from the road complaint. While working the complaint a subject was charged with hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. The subject was issued a warning for hunting without permission per the landowner's request. On November 25th, Cpl. Tommy Lawrence conducted a waterfowl patrol on Lake Blackshear. Citations were issued ranging from hunting without Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without federal migratory stamp and failure to sign migratory bird stamps.
TIFT COUNTY On November 24th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Cpl. Robbie Griner located three subjects hunting ducks in a small pond that was found to be baited. The hunters were cited for several violations, including hunting over bait and hunting without Georgia Waterfowl Licenses. Two Gadwall and one Wood Duck were confiscated by the rangers.
Rangers Retrieve Bait Sample Tift County
On November 26th, RFC Penuel was on patrol to address night deer hunting complaints when a vehicle occupied by two people shined the fields that the officer had under surveillance. Penuel stopped the vehicle and after interviewing the suspects, charged both with blinding wildlife with lights.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Cpl. Robbie Griner responded to an in-progress complaint of illegal hunting. The officers located two subjects hunting deer, one without the required licenses and another not wearing the required fluorescent orange. Charges for these violations were addressed with the hunters.
BROOKS COUNTY On November 25th, RFC Jon Penuel checked two hunters as they exited the woods from an evening deer hunt. One of the subjects was not a resident of Georgia and had not obtained the required licenses, which resulted in him being cited for the violations.
On November 26th, RFC Penuel was patrolling for evening waterfowl hunting when he heard shots coming from a large pond well after legal shooting hours had ended. RFC Penuel located the hunter and addressed violations with the individual for hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without a federal duck stamp, and hunting with illegal ammunition (lead shot).
On the night of November 25th, RFC Jon Penuel received a call for assistance from deputies that had responded to a shots fired call. Upon arriving at the location, the deputies had located a truck and two men parked in the back of the field. The men gave several different stories for being at the location but curiously, none of those stories had anything to do with firing guns. RFC Penuel arrived and interviewed both subjects who continued to deny any knowledge of the shots. Sgt. David Ruddell and RFC David Brady responded to assist Penuel with a search of the area, in an attempt to find evidence linking the suspects to the shots. A fresh set of tire tracks that indicated a vehicle had recently shined the field was located and shortly thereafter a freshly killed deer was found. The Rangers, equipped with the deer and photos of the tire tracks, travelled to the residence of one of the suspects where a vehicle with tires matching the tracks in the field was found. Confronted with the evidence, the suspect's wife surrendered the weapon used in the incident. The investigation resulted in both suspects being charged with hunting deer at night and additional charges for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon for one suspect.
Brooks County Night Hunting Case

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
BACON COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. James McLaughlin was assisting with a night hunting detail when a suspicious vehicle was spotted. Cpl. McLaughlin stopped the vehicle. It was determined that the driver of the vehicle had a suspended driver's license and no insurance on the vehicle. Cpl. McLaughlin also found a large amount of marijuana in the vehicle. The two occupants were turned over to Bacon County Sheriff's Office.
LAURENS COUNTY On November 20th, Cpl. James McLaughlin assisted Cpl. Dan Stiles with a missing hunter on Beaverdam WMA. The hunter had been missing since 11:00 am. As dark got closer, a helicopter arrived and started searching. After about an hour, the helicopter spotted the individual lost in the woods. The hunter had started a fire and was excited to be rescued. The hunter was not injured.
TELFAIR COUNTY On November 18th, Cpl. James McLaughlin responded to a complaint of hunting from a public road. When Cpl. McLaughlin arrived on scene, he spoke with the informant and was briefed on the incident. Cpl. McLaughlin spoke with the suspects and they denied any wrongdoing. The suspects were told they could be on their way. After a brief investigation, it was determined that the individual did shoot at a deer from the road. Cpl. McLaughlin along with Trooper David Anderson went to the suspect's house. After a short conversation with the suspect, he admitted to shooting at a deer from the roadway. He was issued citations for hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
On November 21st, Cpl. James McLaughlin and Cpl. Dan Stiles along with several other agencies assisted the Georgia Department of Corrections at Telfair State Prison with securing the perimeter at the prison. The inmates started a large fight inside the prison and were attempting to take over the prison. Order was restored after several hours with only minor injuries.
On November 27th, Cpl. McLaughlin, Cpl. Johnny Ashe, and RFC Rodney Horne were working illegal duck hunting near Lumber City when they heard several shots. The Rangers were able to locate the duck shoot. One individual was apprehended and the others fled on foot. RFC Danielle O'Conner and RFC Tim Hutto with K-9 Gauge were called in to assist. Gauge tracked the individuals to a residence where the rangers located a set of waders and rubber boots along with a hunting vest and shotgun shells. On November 28th, the subjects that fled on foot wanted to turn themselves in. Cpl. McLaughlin, Cpl. Ashe and RFC Rodney Horne met with the subjects, and they admitted to shooting ducks on the pond. The 5 individuals were cited for charges ranging from hunting after hours, possession of illegally taken wildlife and hunting waterfowl without a Federal Waterfowl Stamp.

IRWIN COUNTY On November 25th, Cpl. James McLaughlin and Cpl. John Stokes checked several duck shoots. Nine people were checked and a couple of violations were documented ranging from unplugged guns to hunting without licenses.
DODGE COUNTY On November 25th, while working a night flight detail for the Pulaski and Bleckley counties, Sgt. Tony Fox reported a suspicious vehicle off the Dodge County line. Cpl Dan Stiles responded and found two vehicles parked up a short road without lights. After several minutes Cpl Johnny Ashe arrived to back up Cpl Stiles and assisted him with the two subjects. After a brief investigation it was determined that one of the subjects was apparently intoxicated. He was also found to be driving without license since he had just been released from prison. His vehicle also did not have valid registration or insurance. The driver and his vehicle were turned over to Dodge County S/O for prosecution.
CLINCH COUNTY On November 24th, RFC Jason Shipes was patrolling an area between Argyle and Manor in reference to a complaint of deer dogs on unpermitted property. While in the area RFC Shipes was advised that just prior to his arrival a high-powered rifle was fired in the area. RFC Shipes located fresh deer tracks in the dirt road where the shot was fired. RFC Shipes tracked the subject to his residence and conducted a field interview. The subject admitted to RFC Shipes that he was expecting him to show up as he knew what he did was wrong. He stated that a spike buck stepped into the road and started running away from him. He stated that he shot at the deer with a 30.06 but missed. Citations for hunting big game from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle were issued. A warning citation for hunting without permission was also issued to the subject.
On November 25th, RFC Jason Shipes responded to a complaint of failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property near GA Hwy 168. Complainant stated that on three different occasions that day, deer dogs had entered onto their hunting club interrupting several members' hunt quality. The complainant stated that three dogs were running a deer through their club when he was able to catch one of them. The owner of the dog was located and asked why the dogs were on the property. He stated that they do not have a cut-off road on that side of the club. RFC Shipes issued a citation for failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property and the dog was returned to the owner.
ECHOLS COUNTY On November 24th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree was working a night deer hunting complaint near Fruitland. Just after 10:00 PM a vehicle approached the clear-cut at Sgt. Dupree's location. A bright light was shined from the passenger side of the vehicle across the clearcut. As the vehicle passed by, Sgt. Dupree pulled in behind and observed the light being shined into other clear-cuts farther down the county road. After stopping the truck, Sgt. Dupree charged two adult males with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle. The night hunters were using an LED spotlight and possessed a .17 HMR caliber bolt-action rifle. Both stated they were night hunting deer because they had been unsuccessful hunting deer legally.

LANIER COUNTY On November 25th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree was patrolling for dove and duck hunting activity near the Mayday area in Echols County when shots were heard near Cow Creek. Sgt. Dupree located two adult males shooting doves near a residence on US129. Shelled corn had been spread over a garden area where the hunt was occurring. Both individuals were charged with hunting doves over bait and warned for failure to participate in the harvest information program. One of the hunters was charged with hunting without a license.
WARE COUNTY On November 26th, Cpl. Gary Simmons responded to an in-progress deer-dogging complaint on Suwanee Chapel Rd. The complainant was going deer hunting on his property when he encountered two deer dogs pursuing deer on his property. This was the second time that day that deer dogs had been encountered on his property from a nearby hunting club. The hound owner was located and charged with failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property. He was warned for hunting deer with unmarked dogs and operating a motor vehicle with permit numbers improperly displayed.
JEFF DAVIS On Friday, November 25th, Cpl. Barry Britt and Sgt. Keith Byers assisted Jeff Davis Sheriff's Office with a search for two missing 13 year-old girls. The girls had been missing since 2:00p.m. A Jeff Davis County deputy located them the next morning in satisfactory condition walking down a road several miles from where they went missing.
On Saturday, November 26th, Cpl. Barry Britt checked two deer hunters off Bell Telephone Rd. One of the hunters was issued a warning for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange clothing.
EVANS COUNTY On November 24th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked several deer hunters. Violations were documented for hunting without a big game license and hunting without fluorescent orange clothing. Later that same evening, based on an ongoing complaint from the past two years, RFC Debbie Brannen and Cpl. David Sims apprehended five duck hunters on a roost shoot. Violations were documented for hunting ducks after legal hours and a total of 14 wood ducks were confiscated.
TOOMBS COUNTY On November 24th, Cpl. Jon Barnard received an in progress complaint of illegal duck hunting. Cpl. Barnard located the hunters hunting in a pond drain. Cpl. Barnard observed the hunters and after their hunt checked their licenses and bag limit. No violations were documented.
On November 24th, Cpl. Jon Barnard located a parked vehicle on a power-line right-ofway. Cpl. Barnard located the hunter hunting deer without fluorescent orange and without any license. The hunter was issued citations for the violations.

On November 25th, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel inspected the licenses of two deer hunters. One hunter was hunting without licenses and both were hunting without fluorescent orange. The hunter without licenses was issued citations for the license violations and both hunters received warnings for hunting without fluorescent orange.
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 15th, RFC Tim Hutto finished an unlawful dumping complaint in which a subject dumped a boat and other items on property belonging to the city of Pearson. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for unlawful dumping of waste.
On November 25th, RFC Tim Hutto finished a complaint-based investigation into a subject hunting big game from a public road. One subject was charged with hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, and issued a warning for possession of illegally taken wildlife. One doe deer was confiscated and donated to the hunters for the hungry program.
On November 26th, RFC Tim Hutto and K-9 "Gauge" worked an ongoing hunting without permission complaint from the 2010 hunting season. Three subjects were located on the complaint property hunting without permission.
COOK COUNTY On Saturday Nov. 26th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey located a pond where three subjects were hunting ducks. The three subjects had killed 14 wood ducks. The area being hunted was found to be baited with corn. The three subjects were cited for taking over the bag limit and hunting ducks over bait. The subjects were warned for several other violations.
BULLOCH COUNTY On November 24th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and RFC Brandon Pierce checked four hunters on a late evening duck shoot. The officer's efforts resulted in four violations for hunting waterfowl after hours and three violations for hunting without a federal waterfowl stamp being documented against the hunters. Seven ducks were confiscated from the hunters. On November 26th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Cpl. Dave Sims checked two early morning duck shoots. The officer's efforts resulted in five hunters being checked. . A violation for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license and for hunting with an unplugged shotgun was documented.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On November 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a call in reference to a caught deer dog. Officer Pierce arrived at the scene, picked up the dog and called the owner. A total of one violation was documented. The violation consisted of failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property.
On November 26th, RFC Brandon Pierce, Sgt. Don Dasher, Cpl. Eddie Akins, The Sheriff, and several deputies and investigators with the Effingham County Sheriff's Office responded to a call from Region VII DNR officers in reference to a body found in the Savannah River in Chatham County. Also reported were possible numerous bodies

located in the Savannah River in a boat on the Effingham side. Upon arriving at the possible scene the officers were notified by the Coast Guard that the subjects were found and were safely escorted to the nearest landing. The deceased subject is still under investigation by Chatham County.
JENKINS COUNTY On November 26th RFC Jamey O'Brien was working a joint night flight detail with Regions III and VI for illegal night hunting activity. RFC O'Brien observed a vehicle riding slowly on a dim road in some planted pines and began to watch the vehicle closely. As the vehicle made its way onto the public roadway RFC O'Brien observed someone shinning a light from the vehicle into the field where O'Brien was positioned. RFC O'Brien followed the vehicle for a short distance using night vision equipment and observed the vehicle shinning approximately 3 other fields/open areas on both sides of the road with a light. The vehicle was stopped and 2 loaded rifles were found in cab of truck between the driver and passenger. Charges noted were for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
APPLING COUNTY RFC Altman worked a night hunting detail around the Wayne-Appling line on the night of November 26th. Around 9:00 pm two people on ATVs were stopped for shinning the fields on the road. One violation was documented for blinding wildlife with lights. The other ATV was operated by a juvenile. Later that night around 11:30 pm a truck was stopped for head-lighting the fields on the road and for driving into a field and headlighting it as well. The driver was charged with hunting from a vehicle and hunting deer at night.
RFC Altman responded to a call of hunting deer at night early in the morning of the 28th. One vehicle was stopped with two occupants. They were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Nov. 24th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Sgt. James Shelton patrolled northern Bryan County checking deer hunters. One hunter was cited for hunting from a public road on Cross Swamp Rd., and another was cited for failure to display deer-dogging permit number on his truck near Eldora Rd. Later that day at dark, they staked out a bridge/canal on Stubbs Rd. where illegal dumping of deer carcasses had occurred. One person was caught after dark and cited for illegal dumping of deer remains.

On Nov. 25th, Sgt. Cindy Miller cited two duck hunters for unplugged shotguns at Morgan's Bridge boat ramp.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Nov. 25th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and RFC Jack Thain responded to a complaint on Dairy Farm Road regarding deer dogs being off a hunting club's property and on unpermitted private property. Three previous complaints had been reported against the club for dogs being off permitted property. While checking three hunters, a doe deer ran across the road with dogs chasing it from the private property across the road over to the club's property. The officers were able to catch two of the dogs and identify the owners who were at the scene. The two dog owners were cited for failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property and one was cited for failure to display permit number on his truck. A third hunter was cited for failure to wear fluorescent orange clothing while hunting deer.
CHATHAM COUNTY On November 26, RFC Chris Moore along with the US Fish and Wildlife Service held a youth waterfowl hunt in Port Wentworth. The young hunters enjoyed a great hunt with lots of ducks flying in to their blinds.

CAMDEN COUNTY On November 21, 2011, Captain Doug Lewis, Sgt Mark Carson, Sgt Chris Hodge, Cpl Chris Ridley, and RFC Craig Smith investigated a snake bite incident in Kingsland involving a Black Momba snake. The incident is still under investigation.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On November 25 at 5:44 am, Cpl. Billy Reed observed the occupant of a Green Ford truck shine a spotlight into a combined cornfield located off the Mt. Calvary Church Road. Upon stopping and searching the vehicle he located a loaded .22 magnum rifle and two lights. He charged the driver with hunting deer at night.
GLYNN COUNTY On November 24, Capt. Doug Lewis and Sgt. Wayne Hubbard responded to the Southeast GA Health System Hospital in reference to a hunting accident. Patient stated that he was dog hunting on the Long Pine Rd. Hunting Club and was standing on a club roadway. As a deer was approaching his position he started to move to get in a better position for taking a shot. As he moved he took the safety off of his shotgun. As he was moving he stumbled on a rock in the road and fell. During the fall Mr. Ander's gun discharged and he was struck on the toes of his left foot. It is unclear if the gun discharged due to the trigger being pulled during the fall or as a result of being jarred when hitting the ground. When discussing how the fall occurred, Mr. Anders also

mentioned that he had triple bypass heart surgery sometime previously and that since then he wasn't as steady on his feet.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On November 25 while conducting a McIntosh Co. shellfish patrol, Cpl. Chris Ridley observed a subject picking oysters in an unapproved area near Shellman Bluff. Subject was cited and 2 bushels of oysters were confiscated.
On November 26 at approximately 0145 hours, Cpl. Jimmy Finn responded to the Buffalo Swamp area of the Altamaha WMA in response to a lost hunter. Cpl. Finn contacted Cpl. Chris Ridley who also responded. Cpl. Finn was able to locate the hunter's vehicle and was able to guide the hunter out of the woods with the use of his siren.
LONG COUNTY While working a night hunting complaint on November 24th, Cpl. Bobby White pulled a truck over for shining a spotlight out the window. In the bed of the truck was a freshly killed deer. Inside the truck was a loaded 30-06 and 22 magnum. The two occupants of the vehicle were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle and possession of unlawfully taken wildlife. While Cpl. White was hanging the deer on his skinning rack at home in Wayne County about 0200 in the morning of the 25th a truck came by shining a spotlight out its window toward a cut cornfield. Cpl. White pulled that vehicle over as well. There was a loaded 30-06 in the vehicle. The driver was cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
On November 25, 2011 RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling in the area of Johnston Landing. He saw a subject walk into a wooded area where nobody is supposed to be. Aspinwall walked into the area to speak with the subject. As he got close to the subject he recognized the subject as having warrants on him out of Wayne County for a stabbing and an attempted rape. Aspinwall immediately took a knife off of the subject when he first approached him. The subject realizing that Aspinwall recognized him immediately turned to flee. Aspinwall was able to grab him. The subject resisted and the two fought for approximately 20 minutes. The subject attempted to take Aspinwall's gun at least twice during the scuffle. Aspinwall was finally able to subdue the subject and place him handcuffs. Aspinwall then walked the subject out of the woods where he was then able to call for assistance and have the subject transported to the jail. Charges of felony obstruction, damage to state property (felony), and criminal trespass were taken on the subject. The subject had just recently gotten out of prison on a 9 years sentence.
WAYNE COUNTY On November 26, 2011 RFC Randy Aspinwall was listening for duck hunting activity in the area of Lewis Rd. He heard an afterhours duck shoot start. He drove into the area

where he found three subjects standing in the middle of the road shooting ducks as they flew over the road. Two of the subjects were given citation for hunting ducks after hours, no Georgia Stamp, no Federal stamp, lead shot, and hunting from a public road. The other subject was given citations for hunting after hours and hunting from a public road.
On November 26, 2011, Region VII conducted a night flight in efforts to help combat night deer hunting. Rangers from Region VII set up in 14 different areas of Wayne County. Two Rangers from Region VI assisted in the detail by setting up in 2 adjacent counties in Region VI. Two different groups of people hunting deer at night were apprehended.