Field operations weekly report, 2011 April 24-30

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 24-30, 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)
CATOOSA COUNTY From April 27th to May 1st, DNR Officers assisted with search and rescue efforts and security in the Ringgold area following a devastating tornado that struck the area on the evening of the 27th. On April 27th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, Cpl. Casey Jones, and RFC Roger McConkey responded to the City of Ringgold to assist with search and rescue efforts after the devastating tornado. On April 30th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, Cpl. Tommy Gentry and RFC Eddie Tompkins assisted the Ringgold Police Department and the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office with security and patrolling Ringgold and Catoosa County during the tornado recovery efforts.
Commissioner Mark Williams and Sgt. John Vanlandingham FULTON COUNTY On April 30th, RFC James Psillis presented the laser shot simulator during the Alpha Expo at the 1st Baptist Church of Alpharetta. Over 150 kids participated with the laser shot simulator.

GORDON COUNTY On April 27th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore attended 2 meetings with Gordon County officials in reference to inclement weather planning. Cpl. Elmore also assisted the Gordon County Sheriff's Office with patrolling the Sugar Valley area that was damaged earlier in the day by a possible tornado
On April 30th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, while en-route to Catoosa County, checked a pond at Bandy Lake Rd and Cline Rd in reference to fishing without permission. Cpl. Elmore encountered 5 people fishing in the pond. Each person was charged with fishing without permission and Cpl. Elmore confiscated 2 largemouth bass.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HABERSHAM COUNTY On April 22nd, RFC Chad Chambers responded to a complaint of someone fishing without permission on the Soque River off Hwy 197. When RFC Chambers arrived in the area he observed 4 subjects exiting the area. One of the subjects had an 8 lb rainbow trout. Upon interviewing the subjects and talking with the complainants, it was determined that the fish was illegally caught on Mr. Turner's property. The subject was written citations for fishing without permission and possession of illegally taken fish.
RABUN COUNTY On April 28th, Wildlife Technicians Brandon Walls and Eric Wood, with support equipment from fisheries management section, assisted Rabun County Fire and EMS personnel with search and recovery operations on Lake Burton in areas severely damaged by a tornado. They assisted in the rescue of one trapped and injured survivor and the recovery of one deceased victim. Later the same date they Assisted Rabun County Sheriff's office with security operations in the area.
On April 29th, Wildlife Technician Brandon Walls assisted Rabun County Sheriff's Office with security operations in tornado damaged areas around the Lake Burton Area.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Greg Colson responded to Rabun County and assisted with securing Lake Burton after tornados had caused major damage to houses around the lake. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency closed portions of the lake where homes were severely damaged and large amounts of debris were floating in the water. The Rangers were dispatched for 2 days and provided waterborne as well as land response and security efforts. Four other Rangers responded from Region III as well, they included Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. David Allen, RFC Niki Spencer, and RFC Bobby Timmerman.

LINCOLN COUNTY On April 30th and May 1st, Cpl Ryan Swain worked a complaint of wake zone violations and vessel damage at Elijha Clark State Park on the Savannah River portion of Clarks Hill Lake. No violations in the wake zones were detected but several other violations were detected.
HANCOCK COUNTY On April 25th, at approximately 1630 hrs, Cpl. David Allen and Cpl. Derrell Worth responded to Sparta in reference to a search for an elderly black male that went missing from a personal care home.
On Monday, April 26 at approximately 1200 hours, eight additional members of Region III's Cat Team responded to the incident location and at approximately 1430 hours the subject was located. Those CAT Team members included Capt. Thomas Barnard, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Greg Colson, RFC Grant Matherly, RFC Jeff Billips, RFC Phillip Nelson, and RFC Ricky Boles.
Newton County - RFC Larry Mills was deployed to the States Emergency Operation Center in Atlanta to assist with the high call volume due to recent tornados that struck Georgia.
RICHMOND COUNTY On May 1st Rangers from Georgia and South Carolina jointly patrolled the Savannah River waterway in Augusta during the annual Day in the County Concert. Well over 300 boats and three times the people from previous years participated this year. Both agencies each had one BUI arrest with additional charges of child endangerment and VGCSA. Georgia's Rangers included Capt. Thomas Barnard, Sgt. Max Boswell, Cpl. Michael Crawley, Cpl. Ben Payne, and RFC Grant Matherly.
BURKE COUNTY April 27th and 28th, RFC Billips presented boating, ATV and firearms safety programs to over 300 third grade students at the Annual Ag in the Classroom days in Midville.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On April 30th, RFC Keith Page and RFC Billy Bryant were patrolling Jackson Lake and, at approximately 7:30 p.m., they stopped a boat that had violated a regulatory marker near Reasor's Marina. After a brief investigation the Rangers determined the operator of the vessel was under the influence of alcohol. After testing was completed the operator of the vessel was determined to be 2.5 times the legal limit for alcohol. That subject was arrested and transported to the Butts County Jail with citations for Failure to Obey Regulatory Markers and Operating a Vessel under the Influence of Alcohol.

HARRIS COUNTY On April 25th RFC Jeremy Bolen responded to a fishing without permission complaint. RFC Bolen located two subjects who were 17 years of age and one subject who was 18 years old. After speaking with the landowner about the incident, RFC Bolen issued written warnings to the three subjects for fishing without permission.
On April 26th RFC Mitch Oliver presented two information and education programs for career day at the Harris County Middle School. RFC Oliver explained to the 8th grade students the employment requirements and the job duties of a Georgia Conservation Ranger.
On April 29th RFC Oliver presented four information and education programs to the 3rd grade students of Pine Ridge Elementary School. RFC Oliver used the department's wildlife trailer to help explain his job duties and show the students a sample of the animals Conservation Rangers work to protect.
On April 29th RFC Jeremy Bolen performed four K-9 Information and Education programs for different 3rd grade classes at Pine Ridge Elementary school. RFC Mitch Oliver assisted with these programs.
JASPER COUNTY On the night of April 30th RFC Keith Page and RFC Billy Bryant encountered a man paddling a small johnboat on Jackson Lake. Officers stopped the man because his vessel wasn't displaying any navigational lights. After speaking with the man, Page discovered several home made fishing poles, bait buckets containing live minnows, a can of worms, and a bucket containing two live bream. The man denied the fact that he was fishing and began to get extremely nervous. Page then asked the man to empty his pockets to make sure he didn't have any weapons in his pockets. While the man was pulling things out of his pockets, RFC Page noticed a small baggy that was tied in a knot that was just inside the lip of the man's watch pocket. Fearing that the man was going to reach for it and throw it into the lake, RFC Page immediately grabbed the small baggy and found that it contained crystal methamphetamines. RFC Page placed the man under arrest and turned him over to the Jasper County Sheriff's Office. RFC Page later took warrants for possession of methamphetamines, fishing without a license, and possession of illegally taken fish.
MONROE COUNTY While off duty on the afternoon on April 23rd Cpl. Tony Wynne received a phone call from a complainant in reference to someone fishing without permission on private property on Shi Road. Wynne responded to the area and met with a person who oversees the property. The person explained that when he drove down to the pond, he saw a person fishing in the pond. He said the person ran when he drove up and added that the landowner does not allow anyone to fish in the pond. He also pointed out the general area where he last saw the person. Wynne knew the area as a source of complaints for people fishing without permission. Wynne went to the area where the fisherman was last seen and began searching for him. As Wynne approached a wooded area, a person hidden inside the tree line called out, "You got me. I'm comin' out." Once the fisherman

was out of the woods, Wynne went with him to get the fish and the fishing gear that he had left behind. After talking with the fisherman, Wynne determined that there were two others with him who had also ran. A vehicle parked on Shi Road turned out to belong to one of the others who were still hidden in the woods. Even though the vehicle was locked, Wynne was able to determine the identity of the other two fishermen from paperwork that was left on the dashboard of the vehicle. The identities confirmed the information Wynne had received from the person he had in custody. By this time a Monroe County deputy had arrived to assist Wynne in standing by with the vehicle and the fisherman while Wynne searched for the other two anglers. After an unsuccessful search, Wynne had the vehicle towed, with an order that it not be released by anyone other than him. The fisherman Wynne had in custody was issued a citation for fishing without permission and released, with an admonition that if he saw his friends they must speak with Wynne before the car would be released. Later that afternoon, Wynne received a call from the car's owner. Wynne met the other two fishermen at the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. When he asked them what they did with their fishing gear, they said they left it in the woods when they ran. Wynne charged them with fishing without permission.
SPALDING COUNTY On the morning of April 28th a devastating tornado hit Spalding County. RFC Sweat received a call from Sgt. Wyche to respond to the Spalding County EMA Director. RFC Sweat made his way through blocked roads, through downed trees and power lines, to the command post in Griffin. On the way RFC Sweat contacted three other Rangers to assist with the rescue effort. Once at the command post Cpl. Tony Wynn, Cpl. Keith Waddell, RFC Travis Sweat, and RFC Will Smith were teamed up with Georgia Search and Rescue Teams. With specialized training, four wheel drive trucks, and ATV's the Rangers proved to be of great value in rescue efforts. These rangers were able to access some of the hardest hit areas and help the citizens of Spalding County.
On April 29-May 1, Cpl. Wanda Roberts, Cpl. Keith Waddell, and RFC Kevin Godbee participated in the May Fling Festival in Griffin, Ga. The Rangers operated the fishing simulator for the public and displayed native wildlife mounts.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BROOKS COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC David Brady and RFC Jon Penuel patrolled the Little River. During the patrol the Rangers documented violations including: fishing without a license, operating a vessel without PFD's and registration issues.
BAKER COUNTY On April 23rd, Sgt. David Ruddell and RFC Davis patrolled Chickasawhatchee WMA. A subject was issued a written warning for fishing without license.
THOMAS COUNTY On April 24th, RFC David Brady was working a fishing without permission complaint when he apprehended two subjects fishing in the pond that did not have permission.

EARLY COUNTY On April 22nd, RFC Jeff Phillips checked areas that were documented as being baited for turkeys. One hunter was found and cited for hunting big game over bait and hunting without a non-resident license.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WARE COUNTY Due to recent misuse and abuse of the Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area shooting range an increased enforcement effort was made to thwart this activity. On April 18th and 19th the range was cleaned up and with assistance from Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission a surveillance camera was installed at the range. Violation of range rules were documented by the camera that resulted in three individuals being warned for shooting thrown clay targets. On April 29th, 30th, and May 1st, Cpl. Simmons, Tech III Ken Martin, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, RFC Jason Shipes and Tech IV Steve Kyles worked the range documenting several violations. During these three days a total of 17 violations were documented. Seven of these were littering-related violations that resulted from shooters leaving targets, cans, bottles and brass on the range. The range rules violations varied from shooting a satellite TV receiver, using a silencer without a permit in possession, shooting into the ground in front of the firing line, shooting breakable targets, shooting projectiles over the backstop and shooting after dark. Further charges are pending from an investigation of a recent fire at the range and evidence from additional surveillance camera footage.
Some of the evidence collected at Dixon WMA Shooting Range
PIERCE COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Damon Winters was checking an area where a baited turkey blind had been located. Cpl. Winters discovered one hunter in the blind hunting turkeys with a shotgun. The hunter had a valid license and a properly plugged shotgun. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CAMDEN COUNTY On April 21, Sgt Chris Hodge responded to Crooked River State Park assist Park Manager Joe Bradford with locating two missing kayakers. The kayakers had left the park earlier in the day and had gotten lost up river from the State Park. After searching for a while, Manager Joe Bradford and Park Ranger Ronnie McClure located the subjects upriver from the park. Sgt Hodge then was able to meet with the subjects at a private dock and transport them back to the State Park by vehicle.
On April 22, Sgt Chris Hodge and Cpl Jesse Cook responded to a private pond near Woodbine at the request of the Camden County Sheriff's Office to offer assistance in removing a stolen vehicle from the pond. The vehicle had been stolen from Nassau County in Florida in 2008.
GLYNN COUNTY On 30 April, SGT Chris Hodge and RFC Rebekah Huson provided a safety patrol for the 2011 children's fishing derby at the Jekyll Island fishing pier. The event was completed successfully and without incident.