Field operations weekly report, 2011 December 11-17

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 11-17, 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 17th, Cpl. Chip Cox and Ranger Zack Hardy participated in a Christmas event in Emerson called "Shop with a Cop". Eighty-six designated needy children spent time with law enforcement officers and the officers took them shopping. The day started with a "blue light" police vehicle escort of school buses from Emerson PD to Kohls in Cartersville. Cpl. Cox had five kids and Ranger Hardy had four kids. The kids had a percentage of their donated money go to clothes and some available for toys and gifts. All had a great time and appreciated the attention by local and State agencies. Also attending were the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff's Office, Emerson PD, Euharlee PD, Cartersville PD, and the Georgia Department of Transportation.
CHEROKEE COUNTY Cpl. Lee Burns and RFC Chad Cox attended an eighty-hour Marine Patrol Officer Certification training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Facility in Charleston, South Carolina. The training was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and lasted

December 5th 15th. Officers attending were from various states and patrolled major waterways with their state.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On December 17, RFC Josh Chambers caught two subjects small game hunting on the Hart County WMA. The area is only open for archery deer hunters at this time. He issued two warnings for hunting small game out of season on a WMA.
STEPHENS COUNTY On December 17, Cpl. Bill Bunch checked the Lake Louise area. He caught two subjects fishing without permission on the property. Citations were issued for fishing without permission.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On December 12, RFC Tim Vickery checked an area that had been baited for deer. One subject was caught and charged for hunting deer over bait and warned for failure to record deer harvest record.
TOWNS COUNTY On Sunday December 11th, while on routine patrol Cpl Cook observed a dark Ford Mustang depart Hwy 288 onto Hwy 76 laying drags as it entered Hwy 76. The vehicle then sped towards Hiawassee turning onto Bugscuffle Road again sliding sideways into the left lane as it entered onto Bugscuffle. At this time Cpl Cook initiated his emergency equipment on his truck and the vehicle again accelerated to a high rate of speed on a narrow winding residential road posted at 30 mph speed limit. Due to numerous children observed playing in yards that the reckless vehicle had just past Cpl Cook decided to suspend the chase but continued to look for the vehicle along with Towns County Deputies, Georgia State Patrol, Hiawassee PD and Agent from United States Forest Service. A short time later the vehicle was located and the driver was arrested and charged by Cpl Cook for laying drags, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving and fleeing and attempting to elude. This is the third time this subject has been charged with major traffic violations including fleeing and attempting to elude. Subject is currently on probation and advised that he did not want to stop because he had been drinking alcohol and didn't want to get his probation revoked. Subject was tested for DUI but did not go high enough to be charged.
UNION COUNTY On Tuesday December 13th, Habersham County Ranger RFC Chad Chambers responded to Kings Cove and Fain Branch in Union County to an in-progress complaint of subjects hunting from a public road and hunting without permission. Upon his arrival RFC Chambers was met by a Union County Deputy and several suspects. Subjects originally denied any wrong doings saying that there had never been a gun. RFC Chambers questioned one of the subjects who eventually admitted to the violations and admitted that once they observed a county deputy they went and hid the firearm. All subjects

eventually admitted to the incident and all were charged with Hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a Roadway and were issued warnings for Hunting without permission. The subjects took RFC Chambers and showed him where they had hidden the firearm.
FORSYTH COUNTY On December 17th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Freddie Hays were patrolling a piece of property on which they had a complaint of hunting without permission. Sgt. Brown had met with the complainant earlier in the week in which a landowner affidavit was filed with the department. The rangers located a vehicle parked on the property. Sgt. Brown went looking for the subject(s) while Cpl. Hays waited at the vehicle in case they were not located by Sgt. Brown. Sgt. Brown located two subjects hunting on the property. They were escorted backed to Cpl. Hays location. Citations and warnings were issued for hunting without permission, hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without a license and hunting without a big license.
GWINNETT COUNTY On December 13th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. During this class a total of 14 students were certified in Hunter Education.
JACKSON COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Eric Isom checked a hunter hunting off Lyle Field Rd. The subject was hunting within sight of a corn feeder. RFC Isom issued a warning for hunting big game over bait due to the distance of the corn feeder. On December 16th, RFC Eric Isom heard a shot off Maley Rd. RFC Isom located a vehicle and found two deer in the back of the vehicle. RFC Isom encountered two subjects hunting the property. The one subject who claimed he had killed the deer did not have them recorded. The other subject claimed that he was fifteen years of age. After questioning the subject to verify his hunter education status, the subject admitted to being seventeen and from South Carolina. They received citations, written warnings, and verbal warnings for failure to record deer harvest, hunting without florescent orange, nonresidence hunting without a license, and non-residence hunting without a big game license. Both deer were confiscated and donated to a family in need.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WALTON COUNTY On December 16th, RFC Niki Spencer was dispatched to a hunting incident in Walton County. The incident involved a father and son. According to both, the v/s was squirrel hunting from a tree stand while the son was in a blind at the base of the tree. They had already shot 3 squirrels and the v/s was climbing down from the stand. He lowered the .22 caliber by rope and exited the tree. When he turned to retrieve the weapon, he grabbed the weapon and the rope it was still attached, at which point the weapon discharged one round into his right thigh. The v/s went to Walton Medical to receive treatment and was released. The round is still located inside his leg and he has been

recommended to see an orthopedist for future removal and treatment. Investigation is still ongoing.
HANCOCK COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Richard Tanner was patrolling Hancock County when he found two subjects hunting without a license, without their orange vest, and one hunting over bait. Both subjects were charged for these violations.
WASHINGTON COUNTY On Sunday December 18th, Cpl. Micheal Crawley worked duck hunting activity in Washington County and caught 2 people hunting without proper licenses and hunting waterfowl with lead shot.
BURKE COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Jeffrey Billips received a hunting deer at night complaint. RFC Billips patrolled the location, no violators were contacted. RFC Billips patrolled several other night hunting locations.
On December 14th, RFC Billips was contacted by a land owner in reference to deer dog hunters off permitted property. RFC Billips located the hunters and assisted in the recovery of the dog. A hunter was issued a warning. RFC Billips investigated several hunting without permission complaints.
On December 15th, RFC Billips patrolled and checked hunting without permission complaints. RFC Billips patrolled Di-Lane Plantation and Yuchi WMA's. RFC Billips patrolled for night hunters.
On December 17th, Burke County Sheriff's deputy Mike Murphy observed a truck stopped on Hwy 56 North. Deputy Murphy observed a spotlight shining from the driver's side into a field. Deputy Murphy stopped the truck occupied by two males and a female. Inside the truck, Deputy Murphy discovered 3 rifles, a handgun and a spotlight. RFC Billips arrived on the scene, conducted interviews, and issued citations. The female had a warrant and was taken into custody.
Corporal Micheal Crawley and RFC Billips patrolled several night hunting complaints throughout the county.
WARREN COUNTY On December 16-17th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins assisted the wounded warrior project with deer hunts for veterans on Come-A-Way Plantation.
LINCOLN COUNTY On December 18th, Cpl. Ryan Swain responded to an illegal waterfowl hunting complaint on Bussey Point Federal Area. Four hunters were checked and one violation was detected.

ELBERT COUNTY On Friday December 16th, Cpl. Greg Colson responded to hunting without permission complaint. The landowner stated that someone had been hunting from deer stands on their property and had cut several trees on the property. The complaint is still under investigation.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday December 17th, RFC Phillip Nelson, Wildlife Tech. Kevin Vonsegerren, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and Cpl. Greg Colson worked a concentrated detail covering several night hunting complaints in Oglethorpe County. Cpl. Julian Wilkins caught a group of four males at around 10 p.m. They were charged with hunting from a public road, hunting deer at night, and hunting from a motor vehicle. The driver was also charged with Violation of Georgia Controlled Substances Act.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
RANDOLPH COUNTY On Thursday, December 15th RFC Bob Holley received information that the occupants of a black Ford F-150 had shot a deer from the road in south Randolph County earlier that morning. RFC Holley responded to the scene and located the spot in the roadway where the deer was loaded into the truck. With the assistance of his K9 partner "Creek" he was able to determine that the deer was killed approximately 75 yards off of the roadway. The complainant was able to provide RFC Holley with a license plate number and physical description of the two subjects he saw leaving the area. The license plate came back to an individual in Echols County. With the help of SGT Patrick Dupree, DNR Law Enforcement Region VI, RFC Holley was able to identify the driver of the truck and a second individual. Both subject s were located and subsequently interviewed about the incident. During the interview it was determined that the driver shot the deer from the roadway shortly after daylight. He then went and picked up the second individual to help him recover the deer. The driver of the truck was arrested for Hunting big game from a public road, Hunting from a motor vehicle and Hunting without permission. The second individual was cited for Hunting without permission and released. The deer was confiscated.
DECATUR COUNTY On December 17, Cpl. Mike Binion conducted a patrol of Flint River landings to check waterfowl hunters and commercial fishermen. He cited 1 person for taking game fish with commercial gear [gill nets]. The fish were confiscated in this incident.

On December 17, Cpl. Mike Binion and RFC Tony Cox responded to a boat incident on the Flint River. The incident occurred when a pontoon boat struck a tree in the river and caught fire. The passengers were ejected into the water and swam to safety unharmed. Cpl. Binion was able to use his outboard motor to spray water on the fire, containing it until it could be put out with fire extinguishers. No violations were detected in this incident.
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Jon Penuel patrolled areas in the county that are permitted for dog deer hunting. During the patrol, RFC Penuel made contact with two subjects along Sangster Road that were actively involved in an ongoing dog deer hunt. After speaking with the hunters, one was charged with hunting big game from a public road and the other was charged with operating a motor vehicle without dog deer permits displayed.
THOMAS COUNTY On December 14th, Sgt. David Ruddell received a complaint of persons hunting without permission. A local plantation manager had observed a truck parked suspiciously near a highway bridge that adjoined the property. Sgt. Ruddell met with the manager after dark and together they located a climbing tree-stand that was hidden under a covering of brush and trail-cameras that had been placed to overlook several piles of corn. Sgt. Ruddell returned the next morning staked out the area and made contact with a subject that was hunting. Several violations were addressed, including hunting without permission, unlawful enticement, and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
MITCHELL COUNTY On December 15, RFC Jon Penuel and Ranger Chris Carlisle received a complaint about a subject that was deer hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. The Rangers responded to the area and located a subject sitting in a deer stand and not wearing any fluorescent orange. The Rangers made contact with the subject and charged him for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.

BAKER COUNTY On December 16th, Sgt. David Ruddell and Ranger Chris Carlisle were conducting surveillance on a corn field addressing complaints of night deer hunting. At approximately 1:00 AM a spotlight was suddenly shined from a dirt road and swept across the field. As quickly as the light had appeared, it disappeared and the headlights of a car switched on. The vehicle had been driven to the field with no lights on and as the officers watched, the car entered the field and began shining it with a spotlight. The car's headlights were switched off again and the car driven deeper into the field before the spotlighting began again. The officers made their way to the car and stopped it. After questioning the suspects, it was learned that they were responsible for the previous complaints, and had shot several deer in the field on different occasions. Charges for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a public road, hunting without permission, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and driving on a suspended license were made in this case.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Brandon Pierce assisted the Effingham County Sheriff's Office with a manhunt for an escaped prisoner. The prisoner, a 21 year old, was convicted of armed robbery and sentenced to 40 years. Subject fled while on a work detail. RFC Pierce, along with First Sgt. Pete Hossalla and Sgt. Brian Mundy with the Sheriff's Office, searched a hunting club and found the subject standing in the middle of a club road. The subject surrendered and was arrested. The subject was transported to the nearest highway and turned over to the Department of Corrections. There were over 50 officers, a helicopter and several K-9's participated in the search. Subject had escaped for approximately two hours. More charges are still pending.
After dark on December 15th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins heard a call over the radio in reference to possible night hunting. The officers responded to the scene, unknowingly that the complainant was following the violators. Several deputies also responded to the call, found and followed the complainant. The violator's vehicle was stopped while pulling into a friend's residence. The subjects were interviewed and confessed to numerous violations. A total of six violations were documented. The violations consisted of hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. RFC Pierce and Cpl. Akins returned to the scene and found a dead doe deer. The deer was donated to a needy family.
On December 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled river landing along the Savannah River for duck hunting activity. A total of twenty hunters and ten boats were inspected. No violations were documented but verbal guidance was given on issues regarding a federal duck stamp.

Berrien County On Thursday December 15, Berrien 911 contacted Cpl. Morty Wood in reference to a man that was in the woods with a broken leg. The injured hunter and his son were not able to give directions to the club, only the name of it. After determining where the club was located, Cpl. Wood, Wildlife Technician Scott Duggan, East Berrien volunteer firemen, and Berrien EMS personnel responded to the hunting club in the Riverside area. The injured man was located and taken to the hospital for a broken left leg. The man and son stated that they were moving a ladder stand when the man stepped into a hole, thus breaking his leg.
On Friday December 16, Cpl. Morty Wood assisted the Berrien County Sheriff's Office with a search warrant/raid of a residence known for methamphetamine distribution located on Baker Sawmill Road. A large quantity of methamphetamine and cash were located inside the residence. Two adult males and one female were arrested for the drugs. Cpl. Wood also located 2 Barred Owls and 2 Red tailed Hawks hanging in the trees in the back yard that are believed to have been shot and killed by one of the men. Charges are pending for 4 counts taking of a protected species.
On Saturday December 17, Cpl. Morty Wood received a call from a hunter who witnessed an individual in a black truck shoot a deer from the public road on HandWilliams Road. The hunter said that the poacher had come back to the field and was dropped off to retrieve the deer. After arriving on scene, Cpl. Wood did not see anyone at the field and continued down the road. Cpl. Wood met a black Ford ranger truck with a driver that he recognized behind the wheel. Cpl. Wood stopped the truck and talked to the driver who was very nervous. Cpl. Wood released the driver and truck after a brief meeting and they traveled back toward the field with Cpl. Wood some piece behind the suspect truck. When the suspect truck drove past the field edge, a white male subject jumped out into the roadway behind the suspect truck, waving to stop him and to be picked up. The suspect truck did not stop and Cpl. Wood drove to the subject and asked where the deer was located. The subject pointed across the ditch in the weeds. Charges included hunting without permission, possession of illegally taken wildlife, hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without a license. The doe deer was confiscated.
Echols County On December 17th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree responded to an in-progress dog-deer hunting complaint. Members of a local still-hunting club along the Alapaha River west of Statenville heard hounds pursuing deer and ultimately caught two deer dogs. When Sgt. Dupree arrived he obtained the dog owner's name and phone number from the dog's collars. Both dogs belonged to the same individual. Sgt. Dupree called the dog owner and he arrived to retrieve his dogs. This individual had been verbally warned for two years in a row for failure to keep his hunting dogs on his property when hunting deer. The dog hunter replied that he could not keep them on the 275-acre tract. He was charged this time with failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property.

Wheeler County On December 6, Cpl. James McLaughlin and RFC Danielle O'Conner along with K-9 Briar assisted Wheeler County Sheriff's Office and the GBI with searching for a fugitive. The subject shot and killed a person at his residence and then fled the scene. After a few hours of searching, the suspect was found deceased in the woods behind his residence with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On December 11, RFC Buster Cooper was patrolling west Chatham checking areas for illegal dumping. RFC Cooper located an area with trash and tracked down the individual responsible for dumping the trash. RFC Cooper cited the individual for illegal dumping.
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 17th, Cpl. Phillip Scott cited two persons for violations of shooting range rules at the Richmond Hill WMA range and cited one person at King's Ferry boat ramp for fishing without a license.
WAYNE COUNTY On December 16th, Cpl Bobby White, while working in Wayne County, checked a trapper. He was issued a citation for trapping without a license and a warning for not carrying a choke stick.