Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section Field Operations Weekly Report September 30 - October 6, 2012 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) FULTON COUNTY On Saturday, October 6th Sgt. Ricky Dempsey and RFC Chad Cox checked two baited deer stands that were previously located by Sgt. Dempsey earlier in the week, after he had caught another subject hunting over bait in the same area. The rangers located two subjects hunting over the corn and both were charged with hunting big game over bait. On September 29, Cpl. Lee Burns was foot patrolling the area where a deer had been previously been shot with buckshot on the Cherokee County/Fulton County line. Cpl. Burns encountered a homeowner and spoke with him about hunters in the immediate area. During the conversation, Cpl. Burns noticed a bow hunter walking by their location. He checked the bow-hunter who did not have his hunting license or big game license on his person. Cpl. Burns followed the hunter's tracks back to a stand location that was adjacent to the property of the homeowner. The homeowner had out several forms of deer food to watch deer in their back yard. After checking, it was determined that the hunter was not in violation of hunting over bait for actions on an adjacent property. The hunter was determined to currently hold a valid hunting license and big game license. Cpl. Burns is still investigating the deer shot with buckshot. BARTOW COUNTY On September 29, Cpl. Byron Young and Ranger Zack Hardy checked areas baited with corn for deer hunting in western Bartow County. The officers checked two hunters hunting directly over bait. Both hunters were found to be hunting without a license and big game license. Cpl. Young and Ranger Hardy issued citations for the violations. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) DAWSON COUNTY On October 2nd, RFC Barry Britt conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class at Rock Creek Park. During this class a total of 27 students were certified in Hunter Education. GWINNETT COUNTY On October 4th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class at Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. During this class a total of 24 students were certified in Hunter Education. On October 6th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Barry Britt participated in the Public Safety Fall Festival at Cool Ray Field. During this event the rangers set up a display with handouts and answered questions. They also had a patrol boat and ATV on display. Several thousand people attended this event. ROCKDALE COUNTY On October 2nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class at Johnson Park. During this class a total of 23 students were certified in Hunter Education. HART COUNTY On Friday October 5th, Corporal Craig Fulghum received a call from the Oglethorpe Power Company in reference to hunting without permission complaint on company property off Highway 181 in Hart County. A power plant supervisor called Cpl. Fulghum after a security guard noticed a couple of trespassers carrying climbing stands walk by one of their security cameras early Friday morning. The subjects had parked on adjacent Corps of Engineers property, which allows archery-only hunting, and walked onto the power company's property. After arriving at the plant, Cpl. Fulghum tracked the two subjects across a field and into the woods, where he walked up on one of the subjects in a climbing stand. After observing the subject for a few minutes, Cpl. Fulghum approached the hunter and got him out of the stand. After a few minutes of conversation, it was determined that there were actually three individuals on the property. Corporal Fulghum escorted the three trespassers off the property and charged each of them with hunting without permission. FRANKLIN COUNTY During the week of October 1st to 5th, Ranger First Class Tim Vickery assisted the Franklin County Sheriff's Office with the C.H.A.M.P.S. program at Central Franklin Elementary School, Lavonia Elementary School and Royston Elementary School. C.H.A.M.P.S. (Choosing Healthy Activities & Methods Promoting Safety) is a program founded in 2003 by the Georgia Sheriff's Association to provide educational programs to Georgia's youth. Several topics are covered, including Hunting and Firearms Safety, Water Safety and ATV Safety. A total of 9 presentations were made to 5th grade students at the three schools that focused on Hunting and Firearms Safety. HALL COUNTY On October 6th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy and Cpl. Adam Loudermilk worked night deer hunting in Hall County. One vehicle was stopped for spotlighting deer. A rifle was located in the vehicle but no bullets were found. The subjects stated they didn't have any. Citations and warnings were issued for blinding wildlife with lights and open containers of alcohol. A short while later RFC Eric Isom and K-9 Colt arrived on scene to attempt to locate any bullets. After a short search K-9 Colt located 3 bullets. The subjects were contacted and advised to meet with the officers again. They were confronted with the discovery of the bullets and they confessed to throwing them out the window when they saw blue lights. The subjects were then charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. BANKS COUNTY On October 6th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk checked a baited area for deer hunters. Two hunters were located hunting over bait. One citation and one warning was issued for hunting big game over bait. On October 6th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk taught a hunter education class at Grove Level Baptist Church. A total of 16 students were certified. JACKSON COUNTY On October 6th, RFC Eric Isom and his K9 partner "Colt" were on patrol when they encountered a vehicle parked near a hunting club. RFC Isom checked the owner of the vehicle's name through the DNR data base and found that he did not possess a big game license. RFC Isom deployed Colt and tracked the subject hunting to a ladder stand. He was hunting with a crossbow. RFC Isom also found whole corn and a salt block approximately 30 yards from his stand. The subject stated that sent elimination spray doesn't work because Colt tracked his path exactly. He received a citation and warning for hunting big game over bait and hunting without a big game license. Region III- Thomson (East Central) COLUMBIA COUNTY On October 5th, RFC Bobby Timmerman, RFC Brian Adams and members of Columbia County Sheriff's Office Special Operations served a search warrant on a residence. The search warrant was obtained from a month long investigation. The search yielded the illegal possession of an owl, hawk, marijuana and drug related objects. The items were seized and turned over to evidence. Two subjects were charged in the incident. On October 6th, RFC Bobby Timmerman and Cpl. Ryan Swain received a tip in reference to illegal possession of an owl at a business. Officers responded to the business and found a mounted owl in plain view. The owl was seized and turned over to evidence. The business owner was charged with illegal possession of birds generally. MCDUFFIE COUNTY On October 6th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Brian Adams, RFC Bobby Timmerman, RFC Grant Matherly and Secretary Stephanie Taylor conducted courtesy HIN inspections at the Thomson Office. Numerous vessels were inspected and registered. OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Friday October 5th, a call was received requesting assistance with a search for a missing person. The subject, a 72 year old male, had last been seen on a hunting club on Wednesday. Rangers responded to the scene and assisted county officials that had begun the search until search efforts were halted for the night. The search continued throughout the day on Saturday and into Sunday morning when the missing man was located. The missing person was provided medical attention and reunited with family members and friends that had responded to the scene. Rangers that responded were SGT Matt Garthright, SGT Doyte Chaffin, CPL David Allen, CPL Mark Patterson, RFC Brian Adams and RFC Tim Butler. RICHMOND COUNTY On September 30th, Cpl. Ben Payne worked two investigations of hunting without permission. One of the investigations involved an alligator that was supposedly killed without permission on a private pond in South Richmond County. Upon further investigation it was revealed that the alligator was killed in a different pond where the landowner had given permission. All hunters involved were properly licensed. The alligator in question was 11 feet long and weighed well over 500 lbs. The second investigation was an anonymous complaint. The complainant advised that a nice buck had been killed in Richmond County over bait. Cpl. Ben Payne investigated the complaint and learned of pictures of this buck. After obtaining photographs Cpl. Payne recognized the woods were the pictures were taken. Once the location was determined he went to the area the buck was killed and obtained evidence. The suspect was identified and questioned. The investigation revealed that the buck was killed without permission and over bait. The suspect was charged for hunting big game over bait, hunting without permission, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Cpl. Payne and RFC Matherly worked the ESI 70.3 triathlon in Augusta. The event started with a 1.3 mile swim. Rangers assisted with securing the Savannah River and aiding racers. There were over 3600 entrants into the event. All swimmers made it safely to the end of the swim with no incidents reported. JEFFERSON COUNTY RFC Matherly checked hunting without permission complaint several times this week. The subject has not returned to the area. The investigation is ongoing. BURKE COUNTY In Burke County, on October 6th, Sgt. Boswell and RFC Matherly worked a night hunting complaint. No activity was observed. RFC Jeff Billips instructed a hunter education class at Di-Lane Plantation WMA. RFC Billips patrolled Di-Lane Plantation, Mead Farm and Yuchi WMA's for archery hunters. RFC Billips conducted night hunting surveillance at multiple locations in Burke County. Region IV- Macon (West Central) PUTNAM COUNTY On October 5th RFC Josh Copelan and Sgt Bo Kelly received a call from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office in reference to a lost 88 year old man in the woods. The man was located on his property and returned to his vehicle. The man told rangers that he had gotten "turned around" and did not bring a flashlight with him. Although being extremely exhausted and dehydrated, the man was in good condition. TROUP COUNTY th On the evening of October 4 Ranger Russell Epps was investigating a hunting deer over bait complaint when he located an individual hunting coyotes. Upon investigation, it was determined that the individual did not have a valid hunting license and had been trapping in the area out of season. The individual was cited for hunting without a license and trapping out of season. Additionally, a raccoon hide was confiscated. Region V- Albany (Southwest) RANDOLPH COUNTY Rangers Goss, Heard, and Atchley assisted the Randolph County Sheriff's Office in the serving of a search warrant for manufacturing marijuana on a local hunting club. The Rangers also conducted a search of the property for additional suspects and assisted with the collection and destruction of a large number of plants growing on the property. Randolph County Seizure LOWNDES COUNTY On the night of October 6th, Cpl. Greg Wade, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and RFC Jon Penuel assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a DUI road check near Valdosta. The officers' efforts resulted in 73 total arrests; 2 of which were for drug possession and 16 arrests of persons driving under the influence. The Rangers provided the DNR mobile intox trailer for the event. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) WHEELER COUNTY On September 23rd, RFC Rodney Horne made an arrest for fishing without a license while patrolling Clarks Bluff Landing on the Oconee River. The violator had hidden their fishing pole in the river. APPLING COUNTY nd On October 2 , RFC Chase Altman answered a call about hunting without permission off Piney Bluff Road that resulted in one warning for hunting without permission. JEFF DAVIS COUNTY th On October 6 , RFC Chase Altman attended the God in the Hunt event in Jeff Davis County. Over 170 children were in attendance, and RFC Altman spoke about tree stand safety. On October 7th, RFC Altman, RFC Debbie Brannen, and Cpl. Kevin Joyce responded to a missing persons call on Bullard Creek WMA, for two people who had been gone since the night before. Soon after arriving on the WMA, RFC Altman located one of the missing persons and not long afterwards, the Rangers discovered the other missing person, still in the vehicle, which was stuck down a closed road on the WMA. One citation was given to the operator for driving on unauthorized area on a WMA. Both individuals were ok and didn't need medical attention. EVANS COUNTY On October 1-2nd, Capt. Scott Klingel, Sgt. Don Dasher, Cpl. Jon Barnard, Cpl. Mike Wilcox, Cpl. Kevin Joyce with K9 Briar, RFC Clint Jarriel and RFC Jamey O'Brien assisted the Evans Co. Sheriff's Dept., with a multi- agency manhunt. The officers secured a perimeter and provided surveillance during the night of a wooded area the suspect fled into after a high speed vehicle pursuit. The suspect who was wanted for burglary, aggravated battery, drug violations and numerous other charges was armed and had stated he would not be taken alive. After daybreak RFC Clint Jarriel heard a strange noise in the vicinity of deer camp in the wooded area. He and a Toombs Co. Deputy investigated the area and located the suspect in one of the deer camp buildings. The suspect was hiding in the bathroom of the building and verbally threatened harm to the officers or his self if they tried to enter the room. The officers secured the building until backup arrived. The suspect was forcibly removed by a SWAT team from GSP F Troop after negotiations failed. On October 7th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked a complaint area and located an individual trapping rabbits with rabbit boxes and live traps. One violation for trapping out of season was documented. JENKINS COUNTY On October 5th, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Cpl. Mike Wilcox received a call from the Jenkins county Sheriff's office about night hunting in progress. The complainant stated that the vehicle had loud exhaust. Cpl. Wilcox responded to the call and arrived at the location at approximately 11:00 p.m. Cpl. Wilcox observed tire tracks that led into the field and apparently backed back out into the road. It was apparent that the vehicle left quickly, as you could see that the vehicle's tires were spinning in the dirt road. Cpl. Wilcox got into place and waited. At approximately midnight, a vehicle with loud exhaust approached the field, pulled into the field, and made a sweep across the field with the headlights. The truck then began to back out into the dirt road. Cpl. Wilcox stopped the vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by three adult males. Inside the truck, Cpl. Wilcox secured a .243 deer rifle, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a spotlight. All three subjects were cited for hunting deer at night and hunting from a vehicle. EMANUEL COUNTY On October 10th Cpl. David Sims received a complaint of hunting out of season. Investigation revealed that two subjects had shot and killed one doe deer apiece with rifles that morning during the archery only deer season. Cpl. Sims interrupted the two subjects while they were butchering the deer at their residence. Violations were documented for two counts of hunting out of season and two counts of possession of illegally taken wildlife. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) BRANLTEY COUNTY On October 6th, RFC John Evans was patrolling for bear hunting activity and made contact with an archery deer hunter who was an unlicensed nonresident. The hunter stated that he had dropped his father off and that his father was hunting with a .22 Magnum. RFC Evans found the father who was also an unlicensed nonresident. While in route back to their camp to get their IDs, RFC Evans encountered three more club members who were all unlicensed nonresidents as well, two of which had killed a spike and a 4 point. All subjects were cited for nonresident hunting without license and nonresident hunting big game without big game license. The father, who had been hunting in Georgia most all of his life, had not purchased a license in at least ten years and was cited for hunting with an illegal weapon. CAMDEN COUNTY On October 2nd, Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to Cumberland Island in reference to missing campers near the Sea Camp campground on Cumberland Island. Four elderly campers were lost north of the campground and were able to contact Camden County 911 as dark fell. Sgt. Hodge contacted the Cumberland Island Park Service Rangers and advised them of the situation. Upon arrival at the dock, Sgt. Hodge was notified that the campers had been found and were being taken back to their camp by the National Park Service Rangers. On September 23rd, RFC John Evans and CPL Wil Smith were on patrol offshore of Cumberland Island on a Joint Enforcement patrol for National Marine Fisheries Service. While inspecting boats near the St. Mary's River entrance, Officers discovered a fisherman was in possession of a 32 inch Red Drum. Officers later inspected another vessel about 16 miles off of Cumberland Island and found another fisherman in possession of 8 Black Sea Bass in a live well and several sea bass that had been cut up for bait. Both subjects were cited for the violations and the fish were seized. GLYNN COUNTY On October 6th, DNR Officers from Region VI and VII assisted the Coastal Resources Division with its annual Coastfest celebration at the Brunswick DNR office. Officers were responsible for traffic control, parking vehicles, and overall safety of the event. It was estimated that over 8200 people attended the event. On October 2nd, RFC David Brady responded to an in progress complaint about a car that was driving on a closed road on Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area. Upon arrival, RFC Brady made contact with the complainant and then proceeded to track the car into the WMA. Approximately one mile inside the closed road, RFC Brady made contact with the subject driving the car. The subject was cited for driving on the closed road. CHATHAM COUNTY On October 4, Ranger Kate Hargrove, Ranger Kiel Toney, and Sgt. Cindy Miller patrolled the salt waters of Chatham County. The rangers stopped several boats checking creel limits. One boat had a red drum 27 inches long and a spotted sea trout 12 inches long. The individual was cited for possession of illegal size fish. Another vessel had over the limit and undersized summer trout. That individual was cited for the over the limit and undersized summer trout. LONG COUNTY On October 3rd and 4th Cpl Bobby White assisted with the CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Activities & Methods Promoting Safety) program at the Long County Middle School. Cpl White talked about gun safety to 8 different classes with around 225 students over two days.