Field operations weekly report, 2011 August 21-27

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 21-27, 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)
FANNIN COUNTY Three of the five defendants that were arrested in connection with the illegal killing of a black bear and a newborn cub, and the removal of two addition new born cubs in March 2010 have pled guilty. The defendant that was suspected of having killed the bears pled guilty to hunting bears out of season and hunting on lands of another without permission, and the charge of possession of illegally taken wildlife was dismissed. The defendant who was with the suspected killer of the bears had the same three charges dead docketed upon twelve months of not being arrested for committing any other crime. One defendant charged with conspiracy in the taking of the bear cubs had the charge dismissed. One of the two defendants who had come to the kill scene and taken the bear meat, hide, and two live bear cubs pled guilty to possession of illegally taken wildlife, possession of freshly killed bear parts out of season, concealing the unlawful taking of wildlife, tampering with evidence, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, criminal trespass, and possession of marijuana. The second defendant who had come to the kill scene and taken the bear meat, hide, and two live bear cubs pled guilty to possession of freshly killed bear parts out of season, criminal trespass, and tampering with evidence. Charges of possession of illegally taken wildlife and concealment of illegally taken wildlife were dismissed.
FULTON COUNTY On August 27th, RFC James Psillis conducted a Hunter Education course at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Sandy Springs. A total of 32 students were certified.
GILMER COUNTY On August 11th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Wildlife Technician Joe Hill investigated a complaint of an illegal bear kill. The investigation started when a complainant called in and advised the WRD staff that she had found a dead black bear beside her house. Upon investigating the bear kill the rangers' located two bullet wounds in the bear carcass. The rangers then interviewed the neighbors of the complainant who admitted to shooting the bear twice when it entered their property. The ranger's finished collecting evidence then issued the Gilmer County man a citation for taking bear out of season.
On August 16th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and Wildlife Technician Joe Hill investigated a complaint of a subject in possession of several deer. DNR Officers and Parole Officers conducted a search of the suspect's vehicle and business and located the heads of three recently killed bucks, a five pointer, a seven pointer, and an eight pointer. The suspect was arrested for three counts of possession of illegally taken wildlife and a warrant was issued for possession of ammunition, a violation of the suspect's parole.
On August 18th, Sgt. John VanLandingham observed a vehicle shining a spotlight in an apple orchard. Sgt. VanLandingham stopped the vehicle as it left the orchard and

discovered two subjects and two loaded rifles in the vehicle. The passenger was in possession of a deer kill permit that allowed him to act as an assistant to the permit holder. The driver was not listed on the permit. The driver was charged with hunting deer at night, and the passenger was charged with violation of a deer kill permit.
MURRAY COUNTY On August 7th, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener issued citations to three Murray County residents for being under the influence on Cohutta WMA. Later in the afternoon the two rangers arrested a Whitfield County man for public indecency when they observed him masturbating in a public area along Holly Creek.
On August 13th, while patrolling Carters Lake, Cpl. Casey Jones and Cpl. James Keener issued seven citation and warnings to boaters. The violations ranged from violation of the 100 ft rule to operating vessels during hours of darkness without lights.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
WHITE COUNTY On Saturday August 20th, RFC Anne Alexander and Wildlife Tech. Brandon Walls were patrolling Chattahoochee WMA when they came across a male and female in a pull off area. Upon checking both subjects driver's licenses, it was determined that the male subject had an outstanding arrest warrant in Tennessee for failing to appear in court for a battery charge. The officers confirmed the warrant and were informed that Tennessee wanted to subject held for extradition. The male subject was placed under arrest and transported to the White County Jail by a deputy.
RABUN COUNTY On Saturday August 20th, RFC Chad Chambers, RFC Anne Alexander, and Wildlife Tech. Brandon Walls responded to a boating incident on Lake Burton. The incident occurred at approximately 11:00 PM when a bass boat with three occupants was traveling up Moccasin Creek toward the boat ramp on Lake Burton when it struck a deck boat being operated without lights. The bass boat ran across the deck boat and off the other side causing significant damage to both boats. The two occupants of the deck boat received minor injuries and the three men in the bass boat were not injured. The operator of the deck boat was charged for operating without lights during hours of darkness.
DEKALB COUNTY On August 22-26 Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Freddie Hays attended the 40-hour "CIT" (Crisis Intervention Team) training at the GBI Headquarters. This training will assist the officers if the were to come in contact with persons that may have a brain disorder or a mental disease.
GWINNETT COUNTY

On August 23rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an Online Hunter Education Class at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. During this class a total of 27 students were certified in Hunter Education.
HALL COUNTY On August 27th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Jason Roberson responded to Port Royale Marina reference a drowning. The body was recovered and taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. The cause of the drowning is still under investigation.
On August 27th, Sgt, Mike Burgamy, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Eric Isom responded to a boating accident on the Chestatee River portion of Lake Lanier. Once on the scene it was determined that two boats had collided. Two people were taken to the hospital (one to North Fulton and the other was taken to the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Scottish Rite) and that another person was missing. Sgt. Lee Brown was called in to assist with securing the vessels involved in the accident. Sgt. Brown and Sgt. Burgamy with Capt. Mark Padgett assisting took the vessels to the DNR facility at Aqualand Marina. Sgt. Steve Seitz and RFC Anne Alexander with the DNR CERT Team processed them vessels the next day. On August 28th, Capt. Padgett, Sgt. Brown, Sgt. Burgamy, Cpl. Loudermilk, Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Eric Isom were on the scene to assist with the search of the missing person. RFC Richard Tanner assisted by operating the DNR Side Scan Sonar during the search efforts. The Hall County Sheriff's Office Dive Team, the Forsyth County Fire Department Dive Team, Dawson County Fire Department, Dawson County Sheriff's Office and the Corp of Engineer also assisted with the search. The body was recovered and taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. The accident is still under investigation.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On August 23rd and 25th, RFC Mitchell Crump conducted a 10 Hour Hunter Education Class in Dahlonega at the Woodmen of the World building. During the class at total of 21 students were certified in Hunter Education.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
TALIAFERRO COUNTY On August 23-25, Corporal Michael Crawley assisted the Parks and Recreation Division with Active Shooter training that took place at A.H. Stevens State Park in Crawfordville. Several rangers were afforded the opportunity to attend the 3-day training filled with classroom lecture and several hours of real-life scenarios.
LINCOLN COUNTY On August 25, Cpl Ryan Swain responded to a call of an abandoned vessel in the Little River on Clarks Hill Lake. No contact was made with the vessel that was described by the complainant.

COLUMBIA COUNTY On August 28th, Cpl Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman performed a concentrated patrol of the Savannah River below the Clarks Hill Dam. Several vessels were checked with no violations detected.
On August 28th, Cpl Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman responded to a complaint of a woman jumping off of the Little River Bridge from the bridge's causeway. No contact was made with any subjects on the causeway or bridge.
WALTON COUNTY On Monday August 22 and Tuesday August 23, RFC Niki Spencer and Cpl. Greg Colson attended a tree stand accident investigation course.
ELBERT COUNTY On Wednesday August 24, Cpl. Julian Wilkins received a complaint about a baited dove field. Cpl. Wilkins investigated the field and did not find the field to be baited.
On Friday August 26, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Cpl. Greg Colson responded to a complaint of a fawn deer that was being held in a pen. The rangers responded and found the deer in a pen with goats. The owner stated that someone had come by and dropped the deer off after finding it while cutting hay. The owner was advised to release the deer where it had been found.
GREENE COUNTY On August 27, RFC Richard Tanner and Cpl. David Allen patrolled Lake Oconee. They noted a pontoon vessel traveling through a wake zone above idle speed. The vessel was stopped. The rangers noted a large amount of alcoholic beverages in the vessel. After further investigation, the driver of the vessel was placed under arrest for BUI and transported to the Greene County Sheriff's Office.
NEWTON COUNTY On August 27, RFC Larry Mills and SGT John Harwell conducted a day long hunter safety class at the Wildlife Federation in Covington, Georgia. RFC Mills had 25 participants take part in the day long event.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On August 27th, RFC Clint Jarriel along with intern Morris Riner checked a taxidermy shop in Tattnall County for violations. The check resulted in two citations written and the confiscation of an alligator snapping turtle shell.

APPLING COUNTY On August 26th RFC Chase Altman conducted a WRD career program for the 9th grade writing class at Bacon County High School.
COFFEE COUNTY RFC Chase Altman presented a Hunter Education Class at the Hunting and Fishing Expo in Douglas on August 27th for anyone wanting a certificate. Nine students were certified.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LONG COUNTY On August 23, 2011 RFC Randy Aspinwall received a call reference two subjects lost in the Altamaha River Swamp on the Griffin Ridge WMA. Cpl Jimmy Finn also responded to the call. Cpl Finn and Aspinwall were able to make contact with the subject via cell phone and had the subject shoot their shotgun into the air. Aspinwall took a bearing on the shot and went into the swamp to attempt to locate. A helicopter from GSP responded to the call also. It was able to locate the subject about 200 yds from Aspinwall's location. Aspinwall was able to follow the light to the lost subjects. He then led them out of the swamp.
WAYNE COUNTY On August 23, 2011 RFC Randy Aspinwall received a call reference a subject night hunting for deer. He was unable to respond on this date due to two lost hunters in the Altamaha Swamp on Griffin Ridge WMA. The following day he went to the residence and met with the suspect. The suspect admitted to shooting at a deer with a .22 cal Marlin Rifle while using a headlight. He supposedly missed the deer. The suspect was given citations for hunting deer at night and hunting deer with an illegal weapon.
On August 27, 2011 RFC Randy Aspinwall, Cpl Bobby White, and Cpl Chris Ridley held a Hunter Education Class at the Odum Shooting Preserve and certified 67 students.
BRYAN COUNTY On August 21st, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Phillip Scott, and Sgt. James Shelton patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA shooting range and cited one person for violation of range rules.
On August 25th, Cpl. Phillip Scott completed an investigation involving the attempt to register a stolen boat that also had a stolen hull identification number from another boat. Arrest warrants were served in three different counties against three persons. Charges included possession of stolen property (boat), illegal use of stolen/counterfeit hull identification number, and providing false information to an officer. The boat had already been returned to the rightful owner in Effingham County.
On August 27th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Cpl. Phillip Scott patrolled the Ogeechee River from King's Ferry ramp area to Rockfish Creek. Two persons were cited for fishing without a fishing license. Two other persons were cited for operating a vessel above idle speed within 100 feet of a fixed object (bridge) in the water.

LIBERTY COUNTY On August 21st, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Phillip Scott, and Sgt. James Shelton patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area. One boater was cited for fishing without a license and failure to have a throwable (Type IV) PFD on board.
GLYNN COUNTY On 22 & 24 August, RFC Rebekah Huson conducted an 8 hour Boating Education Class at the Regional Office in Brunswick. All participants were certified and completed the DNR approved Boating Safety Course.