Field operations weekly report, 2011 December 4-10

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report November 4-10, 2011
This report is a broad sampling of events that have taken place in the past week, but does not include all actions taken by the Law Enforcement Section.

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
BARTOW COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl. Byron Young teamed up with RFC Brooks Varnell, his K-9 "Rock" and RFC Bart Hendrix to work a complaint of someone hunting without permission off New Riverside Ocher Property off Highway 293. The Rangers located a truck parked near railroad tracks with hunting gear in the vehicle. The Rangers and Rock foot patrolled. RFC Hendrix located the man in a thick pine woodlot on the property. The man was deer hunting in a ground blind. In front of the blind was a corn block. He admitted not having permission to hunt the property. The Rangers charged the man with hunting without permission, a five hundred dollar fine by law, and also charged him with hunting big game over bait.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 10th, RFC Brooks Varnell and his K-9 "Rock" teamed up with RFC Bart Hendrix in Cherokee County. They were patrolling an area in Acworth on Old Alabama Road at Highway 92. RFC Hendrix had previously located a site baited for deer using corn. "Rock" tracked a scent into the woods where the rangers located a hunter in a tree stand hunting for deer without the required fluorescent orange. He was directly over the site baited with corn. The corn feeder was a bit unusual in that he had removed a orange and white traffic barrel from somewhere on a public road, cut holes in the bottom of the barrel, and filled it with corn as a gravity feeder. The man admitted baiting for deer. He was charged with hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
COBB COUNTY On December 8th, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Bart Hendrix responded to a citizen's complaint of someone hunting without permission on Fowler Road. Cobb County Police also responded to the scene. Together they foot patrolled and found a man hunting deer with a crossbow on the property. The man did not have permission and when the Rangers checked, also did not have a hunting license or big game license. Back at the person's truck, the Rangers noticed a rack of a buck in plain view in the bed of the truck. The man admitted to killing the buck in Bartow County earlier in the season. The man was issued citations for hunting with a big game license and possession of illegally taken

wildlife (the rack/buck taken in Bartow Co without a license). The landowner was not present to assist in charging the person for hunting without permission, but the Rangers will be patrolling the area for future problems associated with the property.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On December 10th, the annual Youth Squirrel Hunt was held on Dawson Forest WMA. Sgt. Lee Brown Cpl. Jason Roberson, Cpl. Freddie Hays, RFC Mitchell Crump and RFC Eric Isom assisted with the hunt. The National Wild Turkey Federation Amicalola Longbeard Chapter sponsored the squirrel hunt. A total of 32 kids were in attendance. After shooting BB guns, 22 rifles and skeet the kids were able to go hunting with a guide who had a squirrel dog to assist in the hunt.
On December 10th, after the squirrel hunt Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt patrolled the Delayed Harvest Stream on Dawson Forest WMA. Several fishermen were checked and one was issued a written warning for possessing treble hooks on the Delayed Harvest Stream.
FORSYTH COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl. Freddie Hays received a call from a Forsyth County Deputy that they had a subject stopped who was a convicted felon that was in possession of a firearm. The deputy told Cpl. Hays that the subject also had deer blood on his pants and boots. Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump along with Cpl. Hays met the deputy at the Forsyth County Jail to interview the subject. After a short interview by the deputies the rangers went to a resident to interview more subjects. At the resident a five-point buck was found and seized. Once back at the jail Cpl. Hays interviewed the subject again and advised him that the rangers had found the deer that he had killed. The Forsyth County Sheriff's charged the subject Office for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and Cpl. Hays charged the subject with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The five-point buck was donated to a needy family.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On December 6th, Cpl. Freddie Hays conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at Johnson Park in Conyers. During this class a total of 14 students were certified in Hunter Education.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On December 4, RFC Tim Vickery received a call from the Franklin County dispatch about shots fired in a field. He responded along with two deputies. RFC Vickery went into the field looking for a deer that may have been shot and the deputies hide their vehicles on either end of the road to see if the shooter would come back. While RFC Vickery was in the field, a small car came by shining a spotlight into the field. One of the deputies stopped the car. A husband and wife were inside with two loaded rifles. After a short roadside interview, they admitted to shooting at a deer earlier and coming

back to look for it. They were both transported to Franklin County jail and charged with hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting deer at night. On December 10, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Craig Fulghum responded to the Canon area about a deer being shot from the road. They went to the area and began looking for evidence. While there, a vehicle with two men came by the location several times looking and driving slowly near the field the deer was shot in. Acting suspiciously, the rangers stopped the vehicle and began asking some questions. The men admitted to shooting the buck from the road. They each were arrested and transported to the Franklin County jail and charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle. On December 10, RFC TIM Vickery checked a duck swamp for hunters. One subject was charged for hunting without a Georgia Waterfowl license.
MADISON COUNTY On December 10, RFC Shane Sartor held his annual Youth Dove hunt. Approximately 80 participants showed up and enjoyed bbq, ribs, and chicken for lunch. An area was designated for skeet shooting also. Many prizes were given away as well as several shotguns and rifles. Although the doves were not flying, everyone had a great time.
JACKSON COUNTY On December 9th, RFC Isom was checking a stand baited with whole corn and a mineral block off Hwy 124. RFC Isom also had previous knowledge that a deer was killed from that stand on December 1, 2011. RFC Isom found a subject hunting from that stand without wearing any florescent orange. When confronted with the evidence, the subject admitted to killing an 8 pt. buck over the bait on December 1. The subject received a citation and verbal warning for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. The subject also received written warnings for hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife for the crime that occurred on the 1st. The eight point rack and meat were also confiscated. On December 10th, RFC Eric Isom located a subject hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. RFC Isom noticed two bow cases in the truck and asked if his partner had fluorescent orange with him. The subject said no, he had left his in the truck also. RFC Isom deployed K9 Colt to track the other hunter. Colt located the hunter without fluorescent orange and a 6 pt. buck that the hunter had killed. Both subjects received citations for hunting deer without fluorescent orange. The subject who killed the deer also received a verbal warning for possession of illegally taken wildlife.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On December 10th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin apprehended three subjects in a wooded area near Federal Property who were manufacturing methamphetamine and were in possession of methamphetamine. The lab was disposed of by Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
LINCOLN COUNTY

On December 11th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Ryan Swain apprehended a subject for fishing commercially without possessing a commercial fishing license.
On December 11th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Ryan Swain apprehended a subject for hunting big game over bait and not wearing orange clothing. The subject was also screened for HUI but it was determined by the Rangers that the subject's blood alcohol content was just under the legal limit.
ELBERT COUNTY On Wednesday December 7th, Cpl. Greg Colson and RFC Phillip Nelson traveled to Burke County to participate in Critical Action Team training on the Savannah River.
On Tuesday December 6th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Greg Colson assisted the Elbert County S.O. with a shooting that occurred that morning. A subject was shot in the back by the driver of a black car. A search began for the black car which was finally located.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HEARD COUNTY On December 8th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver and Ranger Russell Epps went to interview an individual who had possibly killed a turkey out of season. Through a reliable source Oliver had received a picture of the suspected poacher holding a dead turkey - a rifle could be seen in the photo. It was apparent from the picture that it was taken during the fall or early spring and the individual was wearing a fluorescent orange vest. After learning the name and address of the subject in question, the officers went to his house to see if he could explain the photo. When Cpl. Oliver showed him the picture of himself and the dead turkey he put his hands up to his face and gave the officers the full story. He stated that he and two other men had been squirrel hunting in November and, as they were in a vehicle leaving the property, a turkey ran across the road. Each of them jumped from the truck and one of the other men shot at the turkey with a shotgun as it attempted to fly away. When the shotgun was empty another subject shot once or twice with a .22 rifle. The turkey was hit and fell to the ground. All three subjects then took their .22 rifles into the woods in pursuit of the wounded bird. The subject in the picture stated that he made the finishing shots on the turkey. They then took the photograph that Cpl. Oliver later received and left the turkey in the woods. On the evening of the 8th, Oliver and Epps met with the other two men to interview them. They each gave similar accounts of the incident and admitted to killing of the turkey. Each subject was charged with hunting out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife. They each received a written warning for hunting with an illegal weapon.
JASPER COUNTY
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While patrolling for waterfowl activity on the morning of December 11 , RFC Billy Bryant and K-9 Drake encountered several violations including hunting without license, hunting without federal duck stamp, and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Later that same day, while patrolling the Oconee National Forest, the Rangers encountered two subjects hunting deer the season was closed on National Forest Lands. After a brief

investigation RFC Bryant determined one of the subjects was a convicted felon. The felon, hunting with a 30-06 rifle, was arrested and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and his rifle was seized.
MONROE COUNTY
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On December 10 RFC Keith Page located a man on Rocky Creek Road who was hunting over bait. RFC Page located the man sitting in a climbing stand less than 30 feet from a pile of corn. The man was hunting with a 9mm pistol. The hunter tried to say that he was not hunting and that he was just taking pictures of deer. After a brief investigation, RFC Page found that the man had a grunt call hanging around his neck, buck lure in his pocket and had purposely moved his climbing stand within pistol range of the pile of corn. Because the man was in possession of a loaded firearm while hunting near the bait, RFC Page charged the man with hunting big game over bait. He also received a warning for hunting without a big game license.
PEACH COUNTY On December 4th Cpl. John Harkins investigated an illegal dumping complaint forty seven bags of household garbage and trash had been dumped on the complainant's property. Evidence was found that lead Harkins to two men who dumped the refuse. After interviewing the two, Cpl. Harkins gave each a citation for littering.
TROUP COUNTY On December 9th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen checked a baited deer stand on a hunting club in Troup County. Cpl. Bolen located a hunter in the baited deer stand. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
On December 10th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and Ranger Russell Epps were checking waterfowl hunting activity on Corps of Engineers property along West Point Lake. The officers checked 6 hunters who had killed 5 wood ducks. Two citations were issued for hunting without a license and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Two warnings were issued for failure to sign federal waterfowl stamp.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
LEE COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Randy James, Capt. Jeff Swift, Sgt. Danny Bishop, Sgt. Ellis Wynn and RFC Bob Holley along with his patrol dog, assisted the Leesburg Police Department with cordoning off schools and locating a subject that was threating to commit suicide in an area adjacent to the schools. The subject was located unharmed and was taken to a local hospital.
DECATUR COUNTY On December 10th, while conducting a waterfowl patrol, Cpl. Mike Binion, RFC Jon Penuel and Sgt. Rick Sellars checked a pond that was being hunted by seven people and found it to be baited. The hunters were cited for hunting ducks over bait.

Rangers Penuel and Binion retrieving bait sample
On December 10th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Mike Binion, and RFC Jon Penuel conducted a patrol on Silver Lake WMA. One hunter was cited for hunting big game on a closed WMA. The area is open for small game only at this time.
EARLY COUNTY On December 10th, as Sgt. Rick Sellars worked a complaint of hunting without permission, a vehicle that matched the complainant's description was found on an adjoining property line. RFC Jim Atchley and Capt. Jeff Swift assisted with a search of the area, locating two hunters and citing them for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange clothing. The hunters were advised to stay on the property that they had permission to hunt.
TIFT COUNTY On December 6th, Cpl. Greg Wade was working an area known for night deer hunting when he observed a truck pull into a field and the lights switched off. After a short wait, the vehicle's lights were turned back on as the truck pulled back onto the roadway. As Cpl. Wade stopped the vehicle to investigate the suspicious behavior, he noticed that someone was riding in the back of the truck. It was determined that the occupants were raccoon hunting and attempting to locate their dogs. The two hunters however, had no hunting licenses and were charged accordingly.
On December 9th, Cpl. Wade received a complaint from Tift County Animal Control that a deer was being held in a pen at a residence. Cpl. Wade located the house, and could easily see a deer in a small pen. Contact was made with the homeowner and the deer was seized and relocated.
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl. Robbie Griner was patrolling at first light when he heard a duck shoot. He located three trucks parked near a small pond and could observe the hunters shooting and retrieving ducks. After finishing with their hunt, the seven hunters were checked as they exited the pond. Cpl. Greg Wade responded to assist Griner and the two

officers determined the pond was baited. The hunters were cited for hunting ducks over bait, license violations, and an unplugged shotgun. The 21 ducks taken over the bait were seized.
Ducks seized from baited pond in Colquitt Co. THOMAS COUNTY On December 4th, RFC David Brady responded to a landowner's complaint that someone was hunting on his property without permission, due to a rifle shot heard earlier that day. After meeting with the complainant, Brady searched a wooded area near the complainant's property line and discovered a baited ladder stand across a small creek. The stand was situated directly behind a house where Brady could see an individual washing out the bed of his truck. Officer Brady initiated a conversation with the man who revealed he had killed a seven-point buck in another county but had no knowledge of a rifle shot fired directly behind his home. However, when informed of the fresh blood and drag-marks that lead to his house, the subject admitted he had killed the buck behind his house. During the conversation, the hunter stated he had also killed an eight-point buck earlier in the season but when his licenses were examined by the officer, it was discovered that neither buck had been recorded. The subject was charged with two counts of failure to record deer harvest and both racks were seized.
RFC Brady with seized deer racks.

WORTH COUNTY On December 6th, Cpl. Robbie Griner was contacted by a landowner to determine if a field on her property had been baited for dove. Officer Griner responded to the location and verified the field had been baited with split peanuts. He informed the landowner and posted the field.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce was on routine patrol when a vehicle was spotted and waited on. The subject was checked and had the required license but no fluorescent orange. A total of one violation consisting of hunting deer without fluorescent orange was documented.
CANDLER COUNTY On Friday December 9th, RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to an in-progress hunting without permission/trespassing complaint. RFC O'Brien arrived on scene and located two subjects hunting on private property without permission. The landowner was on scene to confirm the two subjects did not have permission to hunt the property. Cpl Mike Wilcox arrived on scene to assist RFC O'Brien. Violations noted were for hunting without permission and hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. Also, as RFC O'Brien was checking the status of each hunter using the CAD system, O'Brien discovered one of the subjects was wanted for numerous warrants including failure to appear and felony shoplifting. The subject was transported to the jail and was later extradited to Bulloch County, where he was wanted.
Also on Friday December 9th, RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to a suspicious vehicle called in by the Candler County Sheriff's Dept. The vehicle was reported to be riding around rural parts of the county very slowly and at times riding without headlights. A recent strand of burglaries of rural churches was occurring in this area. Upon arriving in the area, RFC O'Brien set up for surveillance and did observe a vehicle traveling down a dirt road at a very slow speed. O'Brien observed and followed the slow moving vehicle using night vision equipment and watched the vehicle make numerous stops in the middle of the roadway. After watching the vehicle fail to stop at several stop signs, RFC O'Brien called in local deputies who were waiting nearby. Candler County deputies stopped the vehicle with the assistance of RFC O'Brien. Upon investigation, the four occupants were not the burglary suspects, however they were all found to be intoxicated and under the age of 21. The case was turned over to the Sheriff's Department.
EMANUEL COUNTY On Saturday December 10th, RFC Jamey O'Brien and Cpl Mike Wilcox were patrolling the county for illegal deer dogging activity. While on patrol the officers received a call on two different deer dogging clubs for deer dogging on private property that was not permitted. In each case, the landowners had captured deer dogs trespassing on their property. Officers met with the landowners, retrieved the owner's information from the

dog collars and contacted the hunters who owned the dogs. Violations noted were for hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property. The dogs were released to their respective owners.
EVANS COUNTY On December 9th, Ranger Debbie Brannen checked activity on the Evans Public Fishing Area. Several licenses were checked that resulted in violations for fishing without a license, fishing without a WMA license on a PFA and possession of undersize fish.
On December 10th, Ranger Brannen checked a late evening duck shoot. Violations were documented for hunting ducks after legal hours, hunting without a federal migratory duck stamp, hunting with an unplugged gun, and verbal guidance was given for hunting without the migratory bird harvest license (HIP).
CHARLTON COUNTY On December 9, Cpl. Gary Simmons responded to an in-progress hunting without permission complaint. The complainant was headed to his property to hunt when he located a truck vacated on an old firebreak. The truck was left unlocked and two beverages that still contained un-melted ice were observed, indicating at least two individuals had recently been in the vehicle. Cpl. Simmons requested RFC Danielle O'Connor to respond with her K-9 partner "Briar" to track the individuals. While waiting for RFC O'Connor to arrive, one subject walked out of the woods carrying a hunting rifle. After talking with the violator and advising him that a K-9 unit was en-route, the violator phoned the second subject and had him return to the truck. At the complainant's request, both subjects were charged with hunting without permission. Hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license charges were also issued.
COFFEE/ATKINSON COUNTIES On December 10th, RFC Tim Hutto, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey, RFC Joe Hilton, GM Tech II Mark Pool, and K9 "Gauge" set up a night deer hunting detail along the Coffee and Atkinson line in high complaint areas. At around 12:30 a.m. on December 11th, RFC Hutto and Mark Pool noticed a spotlight being shined out of a vehicle in the area they were watching. RFC Hutto initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. A search of the vehicle turned up two loaded high power rifles, one spotlight, and two doe yearlings. Four suspects were arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, hunting big game from a public road, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The two yearling deer were donated to the hunters for the hungry program. The vehicle, a Cadillac Escalade SUV, was impounded as well.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On December 8, RFC Chris Moore, Cpl. Bill Bryson, Sgt. Cindy Miller, and Special Agent Al Samuels (NOAA) conducted dockside boarding's checking shrimp trawlers. These officers measured the shrimp nets on board three shrimp trawlers. All three vessels

had problems with their nets and the captain of the vessel was cited on all three vessels for Turtle Excluder Device (TED) violations.
On December 10, Cpl. Bill Bryson checked affidavit properties in Chatham County. Cpl. Bryson caught an individual hunting without permission on one of the affidavit properties. Cpl. Bryson cited the individual for hunting without permission.
CAMDEN COUNTY On December 4th, Sgt. Chris Hodge and Cpl. Wil Smith responded to a hunting incident on the M & M Hunting Club in Waverly. Officers were advised that a hunter had been shot in the leg with buck shot while hunting deer with dogs. The victim was transported to the hospital for treatment. Officers continue to investigate the incident.
On December 7th, Cpl. Wil Smith received a call that a suspicious vehicle was seen pulling off of I-95 near the Satilla River Bridge. Cpl. Smith responded and located the vehicle. After approximately an hour and a half, Cpl. Smith saw two subjects exit the property with two dogs. Cpl. Smith waited until the subjects pulled up to the Interstate and performed a vehicle stop. RFC Craig Smith arrived for assistance. The two subjects admitted to seeing a hog on the shoulder of the road and turning their dogs loose. Neither of the subjects had hunting licenses and admitted they did not have permission to hunt on the property. Both subjects were charged with Hunting without a License and received warnings for Hunting without Permission at the request of the landowner.
On December 7th, RFC Craig Smith presented an Information and Education program to the Law Enforcement class at Camden County High. Students taking the class have an interest in a future of Law Enforcement. Several of the students taking the class were interested in a career as a Conservation Ranger. RFC Smith spoke to 90 students about the duties of a Conservation Ranger and the requirements for employment.
On December 7th, RFC Craig Smith taught a Hunter Education class at Crooked River State Park and certified 10 students that completed the hunter education program.
On December 9th, RFC Smith received a call in reference to a shrimp trawler illegally trawling in closed waters. RFC Smith contacted Captain Ed Watkins with DNR Aviation with air support. Captain Watkins responded to the area by helicopter and located the vessel trawling illegally in closed waters. Captain Watkins remained in the area until RFC Smith arrived in a patrol vessel. RFC Smith then verified that the vessel was 4.5 miles inside closed waters and escorted the vessel to the Brunswick dock where the shrimp and fish on board were confiscated. The subjects on board were cited, and the captain of the vessel was taken to the Camden County Jail.