Field operations weekly report, 2012 November 4-10

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report November 4-10, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On October 27th, Cpl. Byron Young and Ranger Zack Hardy responded to a complaint of hunting without permission off Stoker Road. The officers located 4 people hunting deer. The hunters parked on the power line on private property and walked to an adjacent property to hunt. The hunters were not aware of the property lines and stated they thought that they could use the power line to access the property. One hunter was found to be hunting without a license and big game license. The adults were issued warnings for hunting without permission and one adult was issued one citation for hunting without a license. The hunters were advised that the power line was not public property and that they must obtain permission from the landowner to utilize the power line.
On October 27th, RFC Brooks Varnell received a complaint of hunting without permission off Popham Road. The caller advised RFC Varnell that the lock on the gate had been cut and another lock put on the private gate. RFC Varnell foot patrolled and located a truck inside the property with a cut lock in the bed of the truck. Cpl. Byron Young and Ranger Zack Hardy arrived to assist RFC Varnell. The three officers and K-9 "Rock" spread out and foot patrolled the property. Cpl. Young and Ranger Hardy located a subject deer hunting on the property without wearing any orange clothing. The individual was charged with hunting on lands of another without permission and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
On November 10th, Cpl. Chip Cox and Ranger Zack Hardy responded to an in-progress complaint from a hunting club off Griffin Road. Members of the club had encountered two people on their property tracking a shot deer. On arrival, the Rangers found that one person had left the area. Club members had used their cell phone and taken pictures of the suspected poachers. The Rangers foot patrolled and located a freshly used climbing stand on adjacent property. The area was scattered with corn. The Rangers made contact with one of the persons who was at a nearby house and he called the second person who had left the area quickly. When he returned, the Rangers discovered that he had hunted deer over bait, did not have the required fluorescent orange, and did not purchase a hunting license or big game license for this season. All violations were addressed with the subject.
CARROLL COUNTY On October 28th, Cpl. Eric Brown was investigating a hunting complaint in Villa Rica. As he was checking a piece of property he heard a handgun fired within 100 to 150 yards of him. As he approached the area from which the shot came he encountered a subject walking toward him with a handgun drawn. He immediately identified himself and ordered the subject to put the gun down. The subject complied and was taken into custody. The subject advised that he had fired a warning shot to scare the Ranger from his property. The subject was arrested for reckless conduct and hunting without orange.

CHEROKEE COUNTY On October 26th, Cpl. Lee Burns checked two baited deer stands found during the 20112012 deer season. Cpl. Burns found two hunters hunting deer over bait. Cpl. Burns cited the first person for hunting over bait and warned him for hunting w/o fluorescent orange. The second person was cited for hunting w/o a hunting license, hunting w/o a big game license and warned for hunting without fluorescent orange. Both hunters had fluorescent orange vest with them, but were not wearing it while on stand as required by law. The second hunter advised Cpl. Burns that he took off his fluorescent orange vest after Cpl. Burns had passed his location to prevent him from being seen.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On October 30th, Cpl. Eric Brown and Sweetwater Creek Assistant Manager Tim Morris were checking some deer bait close to the park. They encountered three subjects hunting in the area of the bait. Each subject was charged with hunting deer over bait and was cited for hunting without a hunting license.
On November 1st, Cpl. Eric Brown and Sweetwater Creek Assistant Manager Tim Morris were checking deer hunters behind the park. Two subjects were cited for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange.
FLOYD COUNTY On November 1st, Rangers responded to a hunting incident on Berry College Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Critical Incident investigators Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Bart Hendrix and Cpl. Wil Smith responded and investigated the incident. The investigators determined that one hunter shot through thick brush at what he thought was a deer. The "deer" was another hunter leaving the woods. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment.
On November 10th, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Floyd County E911 advising that a Rome Police officer had stopped a vehicle matching the description given in a complaint about spotlighting on Technology Blvd. Cpl. Elmore responded to the traffic stop location and found a buck and three does in the back of a truck. All of the deer were still warm. A Dallas man and a Villa Rica man were in custody and taken to the Floyd County jail. Cpl. Elmore interviewed both men and determined that they had killed the buck on Technology Blvd and shot the three does on Friday Rd. Both men were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The four deer were given to a known family in need.

GORDON COUNTY On November 4th, while teaching a hunter education class, Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Gordon County E911 in reference to spotlighting on Evergreen Rd. Gordon County Sheriff's deputies were headed to the area. Approximately 10 minutes later, Cpl. Elmore received another call from E911 about a deer that had been shot on Owen Gin Rd about 4 miles from Evergreen Rd. E911 advised a complainant was behind the vehicle that fired the shot. Gordon County deputies met with the complainant and the suspect vehicle. Cpl. Elmore arrived on scene and spoke with the Chatsworth female in the truck and learned her husband was out on foot looking for the deer. Gordon County deputies and Cpl. Elmore searched the area for the Chatsworth man. After a three hour search the Chatsworth man was located on Maple Grove Church Rd just inside Murray County approximately 5 miles from the scene of the incident. He was arrested and transported to the Gordon County jail. Both subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road. The deer was located and was given to the landowner.
HARALSON COUNTY On November 3rd, Cpl. Wil Smith received a call in reference to hunting without permission in Haralson County. Cpl. Smith responded and found that the suspect was gone upon his arrival. Cpl. Smith learned from a local deputy that another vehicle in the area had traces of deer bait in the back. Cpl. Smith and Sgt. Rick Dempsey returned the following morning and also found traces of corn near the vehicle. They searched 77 acres until they located 2 subjects hunting. One hunter was approximately 100 feet from a pile of corn while the other was hunting without wearing required orange clothing. The hunters were cited for these violations.
On November 3rd, Cpl. Wil Smith and Sgt. Rick Dempsey were patrolling Haralson County when Sgt. Dempsey spotted a vehicle with a deer in the back. Cpl. Smith performed a vehicle stop and the Rangers checked the licenses of the two subjects. Neither subject possessed a valid hunting license nor had the shooter recorded his deer harvest. The subjects were cited for hunting without a license, possession of illegally taken wildlife and warned for failure to record deer harvest. The Rangers seized the 8 point buck and took it to a local cooler for processing. The meat will be distributed to local non-profit charity organizations.
POLK COUNTY On November 1st, Cpl. Wil Smith and Capt. Turner of DNR Aviation performed a helicopter patrol of Polk County.
On November 2nd, Cpl. Smith received information from the Polk Co. Police Department that two subjects were found fishing on a private lake by one of their officers on November 1st. The officer gave Cpl. Smith the subjects' information and Cpl. Smith made contact with them. The subjects explained that they had fished in the lake years ago when it was open to the public. Cpl. Smith explained that the lake was not open to the public and the owner had completed a landowner's affidavit. The two subjects were cited for fishing without permission.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DEKALB COUNTY On November 8th, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted a two hour Hunter Education Program at Tucker Parks and Recreation Center. A total of twenty-eight students attended the course and all were certified.
On November 8th, Cpl. Eric Sanders received a call from DeKalb County Parks Officer Bowman about two subjects hunting on property owned by Dekalb County. Cpl. Sanders and DeKalb Parks Officer Bowman located the two subjects hunting on Arabian Mountain Park Property and Vaughter Farm State Park property for deer. While dealing with the two subjects Cpl. Sanders and Officer Bowman encountered a third subject hunting on the park property. Citations were issued for Hunting w/o Written Permission and Failure to Record Deer Harvest.
On November 10th, Cpl. Sanders and Sgt. Brown were patrolling affidavit property for hunting without permission. The rangers encountered two subjects that were hunting on the property. These two hunters stated that they had permission to hunt on the property. During their investigation the two hunters stated that they encountered a subject this morning that was not to be on the property. Cpl. Sanders asked the hunter to take him back to his stand where the violator was last seen. There at the stand was a feed trough full of corn and a salt block. One subject was charged with hunting deer over bait and issued a warning for hunting without hunter education. The subject was issued a warning for hunting without a license.
FORSYTH COUNTY On November 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a complaint of possible illegal hunting. After arriving at the scene two subjects were contacted and interviewed. One subject had taken their first deer and had failed to record it. Both subjects' licenses were checked. One violation was documented. The violation consisted of hunting deer without fluorescent orange. The buck was recorded in the officer's presence and the subject was allowed to keep it. Verbal guidance was given to the subjects to be compliance with the laws of the state.
On November 8th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Lee Brown worked a baited stand. As a result, one individual was found to be hunting deer over the bait. A total of three violations were documented. The violations consisted of hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and failure to record deer harvest. On November 10th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Barry Britt patrolled the Chattahoochee River for any boating safety/fishing activity. A total of five boats and three fishing licenses were inspected. As a result, one violation of fishing without a trout license was documented.
On November 10th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county for hunting activity. RFC Pierce located a vehicle and waited for them to return. The individual had all required

license. RFC Pierce inspected the stand that the subject was hunting from and found bait. A violation of hunting big game over bait was documented on the individual.
GWINNETT COUNTY On November 9th, Cpl. Eric Sanders responded to complaint if hunting without permission. Once on the scene Cpl. Sanders found the subject that was hunting. It was determined that the hunter had permission but a warning was issued for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
On November 10th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Barry Britt worked a complaint of possible illegal hunting and hunting without permission on property owned by the City of Duluth. One subject was found to be hunting on the area. A total of three violations were documented consisting of hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and hunting without permission. Verbal guidance was also given to be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the state.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On November 4th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was checking sites previously found baited for deer. One subject was encountered and issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
BANKS COUNTY On November 10th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy and RFC Eric Isom checked Commerce water shed for hunting activity. They checked three adult hunters and five youth duck hunters on earlier youth waterfowl season. The young hunters harvested seven wood ducks and two shovelers.
JACKSON COUNTY On November 8th, RFC Eric Isom with his K9 partner Colt spoke to a class at New Kings Middle School. RFC Isom informed the class on the duties of a Conservation Ranger, hunting safety tips, and the department's K-9 program. Rfc. Isom also gave the class a demonstration on evidence recovery using the K-9.
On November 10th, RFC Eric Isom with his K9 partner Colt was patrolling a property on foot. Colt located a fresh blood trail and deer hair. Colt also located a fired rifle casing in the vicinity of the blood and hair. RFC Isom also located several bait stands on the property. RFC Isom collected the evidence and has started an investigation on illegal hunting.
On November 11th, RFC Eric Isom and his K9 partner Colt checked one deer hunter who was accompanied by two other individuals near Commerce. None of the subjects were wearing florescent orange. RFC Isom issued a citation and warnings for hunting deer without wearing florescent orange and accompanying a deer hunter without wearing florescent orange.

On November 11th, RFC Eric Isom and his K9 partner Colt were checking a baited property near Maysville. One deer hunter was located hunting over bait. The subject received a warning for hunting big game over bait.
BARROW COUNTY On November 5 and 6, 2012 Cpl. Jason Roberson, RFC Mark Stephens, and Sgt. Mike Burgamy taught hunter education to the general public at the Barrow County High School. Over 100 students were certified Tuesday night.
TOWNS COUNTY On November 7th, Cpl. Derek Dillard received an in-progress complaint from GSP Gainesville reference to an illegal open burn in Towns County off Shake Rag Road. Cpl. Dillard responded and observed a large amount of old paint cans, couches and other metals and plastics in the burn pile. Cpl. Dillard instructed the individual to extinguish the fire which he complied. The subject was issued a citation for unlawful burning of waste.
On November 10th, Cpl. Jesse Cook assisted the Hiawassee River Watershed Coalition and concerned citizens with a shoreline and waterway trash cleanup of Lake Chatuge. Cpl. Cook assisted Watershed Coalition staff with determining pickup locations and acted as a safety officer and team leader for the event. The event resulted in over 1600 pounds of trash collected by the groups. Cpl. Cook's group which consisted of Young Harris College students, three trash collectors in kayaks and a retired veterinarian won the award for the most unusual trash which happened to be about a 1950's model stove. Other items that were picked up was beer/soda cans and bottles, baby diapers, tires, roofing tar paper, bed mattresses and large amounts of fishing line which is extremely hazardous to birds and other animals that visit the lakes edge.
UNION COUNTY On November 10th, acting on a T.I.P. (Turn-in-poachers) complaint, Cpl. Jesse Cook and US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Robert Burnette located a subject hunting over a baited area. After further investigation of the area the subject was also charged with the following state violations: Hunting deer over bait, hunting without fluorescent Orange and Failure to record deer harvest. LEO Burnette also charged the subject with Operating an ATV, Maintaining a trail, cutting trees and erecting a feeder on US Forest Service property. T.I.P. Hotline: 1-800-241-4113
HART COUNTY On November 8, 2012, RFC Josh Chambers investigated a possible hunting accident. The investigation determined the individual did not die as a result of a hunting related incident.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On November 10th, Sgt. Max Boswell worked deer dogging in Burke County. He answered a complaint of dogs off of permitted property. Sgt. Boswell recovered the dogs from the complainant on private property. Sgt. Boswell made 2 cases for dogs off of permitted property.
Corporal Ben Payne, RFC Grant Matherly and RFC Jeff Billips investigated an illegal artifact digging complaint. The investigation is on-going.
RFC Billips and Sgt. Max Boswell responded to deer dogging complaint with one citation issued.
RFC Billips conducted night hunting surveillance with no violators contacted.
CLARKE COUNTY On Saturday November 10, RFC Tim Butler caught one subject hunting deer over bait. The subject had a big game license, but did not have a hunting license. The subject was charged with hunting big game over bait and warned for hunting w/o a license.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Sunday November 04, RFC Phillip Nelson and Oglethorpe Sheriff's Office caught two individuals night hunting deer. The subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
WILKES COUNTY Cpl. Mark Patterson taught a Hunter Education Class in Washington on Monday November 05. Twelve students were certified.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday November 10, Cpl. Julian Wilkins received a complaint of hunting w/o permission. Cpl. Wilkins located the two subjects. One subject had killed a six point buck. Both subjects were charged with hunting w/o permission and one was also warned for hunting w/o a big game license and no fluorescent orange. The deer was given to the landowner.
WALTON COUNTY On November 7th, RFC Freddie Hays received a complaint of a person hunting without permission. The complainant had pictures on a trail camera of a subject dragging a deer on his property. During the investigation, RFC Hays learned that the subject had killed two bucks on the property belonging to Newton County. RFC Hays contacted the individual and during the interview he admitted to killing the two bucks on property at Newton County Reservoir in Walton County. The subject was issued citations for the violations and the deer was confiscated.

On November 8, RFC Freddie Hays was patrolling Walton County in the Loganville area when observed a subject throw trash from a moving vehicle. RFC Hays conducted a traffic stop and issued the subject a citation for littering.
MORGAN COUNTY Sgt. John Harwell, RFC Ricky Boles, and RFC Richard Tanner assisted with the managed deer hunt at Hard Labor Creek State Park from November 5-7. The Rangers assisted by patrolling the area and helped collect biological data from the deer harvested. During the hunt, hunters harvested 76 deer and 7 hogs.
HANCOCK COUNTY On November 8, Sgt. John Harwell responded to hunting without permission call in Hancock County. A property owner located a vehicle parked at one of his gates and contacted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. After further investigation, it was determined the hunters that parked the vehicle were hunting in an area they had permission to be.
GREENE COUNTY On November 10, RFC Richard Tanner received a complaint of hunting without permission. While investigating the complaint, RFC Tanner located two hunters hunting deer in a baited area. While talking with the hunters, each of them admitted to previously harvesting deer that they failed to record on their harvest record. RFC Tanner issued both individuals for hunting deer over bait and gave each hunter a warning for failure to record deer harvest.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On November 10th Cpl. Brian Hobbins patrolled a hunting club on which several baited deer stands had been located. Two hunters were cited for hunting deer over bait.
On November 10th RFC Bobby Timmerman checked an area that he had previously located a baited stand. One subject was located in the area. He was charged with hunting big game over bait. That afternoon RFC Timmerman responded to a request for assistance from the Sheriff's Office to help look for a ten year old boy who had wandered away from Petersburg Campground. The subject was located by officers at West Dam Park a few miles away and was reunited with his family.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On November 9th Cpl. Brian Hobbins and Wildlife Tech Nick Holbrooks responded to a call of two lost hunters on Clarks Hill WMA. The subjects had gotten lost while tracking a deer after dark. The subjects were located by the officers and transported to their vehicle.
WARREN COUNTY On November 4th RFC Brian Adams patrolled a hunting club on which several baited deer stands had been located. One hunter was cited for hunting deer over bait.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On November 4th Cpl. Josh Copelan and Sgt. Bo Kelly checked a hunting club that was found to be baited with corn in several locations. Two hunters were apprehended hunting over bait and hunting without wearing an orange vest. Additionally, one of the hunters was found to be in possession of marijuana. Both hunters were cited, and the hunter with the marijuana was arrested.
HARRIS COUNTY
th
On November 9 , Cpl. Mitch Oliver participated in the Pine Ridge Elementary Career Day. Cpl. Oliver presented a short program on the duties of a Georgia Conservation Ranger to 5 second grade classes. HEARD COUNTY
th
On November 10 Sgt Jim Bradfield was checking for hunting activity when he located several trucks parked on a hunting club. Upon looking at these vehicles Bradfield saw two bags of corn in the back of one of the trucks. Sgt. Bradfield walked the area and located two hunters in a ground blind on a food plot. While inspecting these hunters' license the sergeant noticed a tripod feeder in the end of the food plot and asked the hunter if the feeder had corn in it. This hunter's reply was "it probably does". Both Sgt Bradfield and the hunter walked down to the feeder where they both saw corn on the ground and a second tripod feeder in the area as well. This hunter indicated that he was responsible for the feeder and that the other hunter with him was not aware that the area was baited. This hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and the second hunter was issued a warning for the same violation.

JASPER COUNTY
th
On the evening of November 8 , RFC Page received a call from Sgt. Tim Kendrick who stated that he had located two trucks - one from out of state and the other from an adjoining county and was unable to find the vehicle owners in the hunting licensing system. The rangers decided to walk into the woods and, after finding the hunters, confirmed they both had licenses. However, one of them was found to be hunting over bait and was charged with hunting big game over bait.
JONES COUNTY On the afternoon of November 10th Sgt. Bo Kelly and Cpl. Bubba Stanford located two hunters hunting over bait - one subject was hunting over corn and the other had placed acorns in planted pines. Citations were issued for the violations.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On the morning of November 6th Sgt. Brent Railey was on patrol near Joe Kurz WMA when he observed two people underneath a deer stand; neither one had an orange vest on. Further investigation revealed one was a hunter and the other a photographer. Sgt. Railey determined the hunter was hunting under the influence of alcohol and that he had killed a very small spike. Sgt. Railey and Cpl. Keith Waddell charged the hunter with hunting under the influence, hunting deer without wearing an orange vest, and killing an illegal buck in a quality buck county. He was arrested and taken to the Meriwether County Sheriff's office. The buck was donated to a local charity. The photographer, who was from another country, was warned for accompanying a deer hunter without wearing an orange vest.
On November 10th Cpl. Keith Waddell was notified of a hunter being shot in Meriwether County. Cpl. Waddell went to the scene and with the assistance of Cpl. Wanda Roberts and Sgt. Brent Railey determined that while hunter was getting out of a ladder stand, he lost control of his rifle and dropped it, resulting in a discharge. A friend was hunting nearby and heard his screams. Despite blood loss, the hunter survived and was airlifted to a hospital in Atlanta where he is expected to recover.
MONROE COUNTY On the morning of November 4th Cpl. Tony Wynne was checking an area where he had previously found deer bait. In order to get to the baited area Wynne had to pass the camp. Wynne went in to one of the baited areas well before daylight so his presence would not be detected in case a hunter remained in camp. As the day dawned, no one showed up to hunt from the baited stand as Wynne had expected. Wynne went to check another stand that had only a few remnants of corn around it. There was a hunter in that stand. The hunter was not wearing hunter orange. Additionally, a feeder full of corn had been moved in front of the stand where previously there had not been one. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait and failure to wear fluorescent orange during firearms deer season.
On November 5th, after receiving information that a subject was hunting within the city limits of Forsyth, Cpl. Tony Wynne searched for and found the area the subject was

hunting. Less than 25 feet from a subject's climbing was corn strewn on the ground. On the morning of November 9th Wynne checked the stand and found the subject hunting with a crossbow. The subject had an orange vest but was not wearing it. Wynne issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and a written warning for failure to wear orange.
PUTNAM COUNTY On November 9th Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly travelled to Paulding County to obtain and execute a search warrant on a residence, in reference to the illegal taking of a turkey. Evidence was located at the residence on a trail camera that provided proof that a hunter had killed a turkey out of season and over a baited area. The hunter agreed to meet with Cpl Stanford to discuss this incident. The hunter was charged with hunting out of season, hunting over bait, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. On November 10th Cpl. Lynn Stanford and Sgt. Bo Kelly cited two hunters for hunting over bait and hunting without an orange vest. Warnings were given for hunting without license. All charges will be handled in Putnam County state court.
On November 8th 10th Cpl Lynn Stanford, Cpl Josh Copelan, and Sgt Bo Kelly assisted DNR Game Management with the firearms hunt on Cedar Creek WMA. Over 700 hunters signed in for the hunt and several good bucks were taken during this hunt.
TALBOT COUNTY
th
On November 8 Cpl. Jeremy Bolen was working the firearms deer hunt on Big Lazer WMA when he encountered a hunter as he came out of the woods to his vehicle. The hunter informed Cpl. Bolen that he had shot at and missed a doe. This hunter seemed very nervous about the situation while talking with the Ranger. After the hunter left, Cpl. Bolen utilized K-9 Ruger to backtrack the hunter back to his stand. Ruger tracked past the stand and turned and went across a creek in front of the deer stand and located a freshly killed button buck approximately 60-70 yards in front of the stand. Cpl. Bolen drug the deer out to the road and loaded it into the back of his truck. Cpl. Bolen met the same hunter in the road, coming back into the area. The hunter informed Cpl. Bolen that he had gone to get some help and was going back to search the area again for the deer. Cpl. Bolen informed the hunter that the deer had already been located by his K-9. The hunter then admitted to shooting the deer and being nervous about it being a button head.

The hunter was issued a citation for failure to allow inspection of wildlife and the deer was confiscated.
TWIGGS COUNTY On November 10th, the one-day middle Georgia bear season, Conservation Rangers conducted concentrated patrol in order to detect and deter violations relative to bear hunting. On this one day, officers apprehended three subjects for taking bear over bait as well as one individual who had killed a cub that weighed less than the required 75 pounds. Additionally, Conservation Rangers issued one citation for hunting without a license, three citations for hunting without the required fluorescent orange, and two citations for possession of illegally taken wildlife. Three bears were confiscated. With the assistance of the sheriff's office and the Georgia State Patrol, two arrests for driving under the influence and one arrest for felony drug possession were also made.
UPSON COUNTY On November 10th Cpl Susan Morris and Sgt. Tim Kendrick investigated two separate hunting incidents in Upson County. Both involved hunters being injured from tree stand falls. The first incident occurred when a home-made wooden ladder stand became detached while the hunter was climbing in it and fell on him, injuring his head and face. The other incident involved a hunter using a climbing stand; as the hunter was adjusting the stand after reaching his desired height, the bottom slipped and fell out from under him. The hunter grabbed the top portion of the stand and the weight of his body pulled his arm muscle away from his shoulder, causing shoulder injuries.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
STEWART COUNTY During a patrol on Hannahatchee Creek WMA on November 10th, Sgt. Butch Potter cited three hunters for hunting deer on a closed WMA.
DECATUR COUNTY On November 10th, Cpl. Mike Binion conducted a patrol on Lake Seminole WMA to address illegal baiting activities. A bow hunter was located in a stand that had been found baited and was cited for hunting big game over bait and placing bait on a WMA.
GRADY COUNTY On November 5th, Sgt. Rick Sellars, Cpl. Mike Binion and Ranger Jace Heard responded to a night deer hunting call in Whigham. The incident began when a Whigham police officer stopped a suspect vehicle while responding to a shots fired call within the city limits of Whigham. The officer had observed a second suspect being dropped out on foot and entering a wooded area prior to stopping the vehicle. An investigation was initiated and Cpl. Bob Holley responded with his K-9 dog in an attempt to locate the subject and any other evidence. The dog located a fired rifle cartridge which matched the rifle found in the suspect vehicle.

The subject on foot was eventually located, and both he and the driver of the vehicle were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On November 4th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County PFA and encountered a vessel with two anglers fishing after hours. Three violations were documented; two for fishing after sunset and before sunrise on a PFA and one for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
On November 5th, RFC Allen Mills received a complaint concerning night hunting and information that two individuals would be hunting the same location in southern Dodge County after dark. Approximately 45 minutes after dark, a black pickup truck turned into the area and shined its headlights across a hay field. RFC Mills stopped the vehicle and discovered two juveniles inside the truck, a 15 year old driver and a 13 year old passenger. The individuals had shined this same field the night before and taken two female deer. Two violations were documented for hunting deer at night and the two juveniles were released to their parents. A juvenile complaint form was filed with the Department of Juvenile Justice.
BEN HILL COUNTY On November 9th, Cpl. John A. Stokes was working a complaint on private property when he encountered a deer hunter and discovered a bag of suspected marijuana on the hunter's person. The subject was arrested and taken to the Ben Hill County Sheriff's office. The amount of suspected marijuana weighed 23.3 grams.
LAURENS COUNTY On November 5th, Cpl. Dan Stiles was working a night hunting complaint and initiated a traffic stop related to possible night hunting activity. After questioning the subject it was determined that the individual was driving on a suspended driver's license. The subject was arrested and turned over to the Laurens County Sheriff's department.
On November 5th, Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted a CD / On-Line Hunter Education review and test class at the Oconee Fall Line Technical College in Dublin. Ten students were certified.
On November 7th, RFC Allen Mills received a call from Dodge County 911 in reference to a tree stand accident in Laurens County. A female hunter fell from a double ladder stand when her husband attempted to climb the same stand and the ladder section bent and collapsed. The female suffered a dislocated shoulder as well as minor scrapes and bruises.
On November 9th, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Riverbend WMA during a big game check-in hunt. Four hunters were checked. No violations were detected.

On November 10th, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis PFA during a big game archery sign-in hunt. Five hunters were checked and one violation for failure to sign-in on a big game hunt was detected. Cpl. Stiles also checked anglers for license compliance and five anglers were checked with two license violations documented. One angler was subsequently arrested and turned over to the Laurens County Sheriff's office for driving with a suspended license.
TELFAIR COUNTY On November 5th, Sgt. David Reckley and RFC Rodney Horne responded to an overdue boater on the Ocmulgee River at Boney's Landing. Two teenage males were located.
JENKINS COUNTY On November 6th, Sgt. Don Dasher was patrolling Jenkins Co. for deer hunting activity. Sgt. Dasher located a 12 year old in a tower stand hunting alone. She was not wearing an orange vest and she had not taken the Hunter Education class. Sgt. Dasher located an adult hunter. This hunter did not have an orange vest, did not have licenses, and had not taken the Hunter Education class. Dasher then located the hunter that brought the 12 year old hunting. He was not wearing an orange vest. The following violations were documented, hunting deer without fluorescent orange 2, hunting without hunter safety, allowing a juvenile to hunt without hunter safety, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On November 8th, RFC Jamey O'Brien conducted an ATV patrol of a hunting club. Two hunters were checked during this patrol, both hunters were in compliance however one was given a warning for not possessing his hunting license on his person.
CANDLER COUNTY On November 10th at approximately 11:30 p.m. Cpl. Dave Sims observed a vehicle travelling along a county road in an area known for night deer poaching. A spotlight was shining out of the passenger window as it drove alongside cultivated farm fields. Cpl. Sims stopped the vehicle, located an unloaded 7mm Rem. rifle and the spotlight. The five occupants of the vehicle admitted to riding around and trying to see some deer. Warning violations for blinding wildlife with lights were documented against the driver and the spotlight user.
SCREVEN COUNTY On November 1st, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely responded to a report of hunting deer at night on Buttermilk rd. near Kettle Creek. At the scene Cpl. McNeely observed a red Chevrolet Silverado stop on the side of the road. Two male subjects exited the vehicle loaded a deer and drove away. Cpl. McNeely stopped the truck and found that it was occupied by three white male subjects armed with a Savage 30-06 rifle. The subjects stated they had shot the deer from the road while returning from hunting that evening in Jenkins County. All three were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, hunting big game from a public road, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

On November 3rd, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Mike Wilcox responded to a call from Screven County 911 regarding an overdue hunter. Officers responded to a wooded area off GA Hwy 24 near Williams Store rd. At the scene officers learned that the missing hunter had left his residence on foot to hunt deer and had failed to return after dark. The missing hunter was 74 years old and had heart issues. Cpl. McNeely and Cpl. Wilcox participated in a search of the woods behind the residence with Sheriffs' deputies and Fire Dept. personnel. The man was located around 10:00 pm and treated for dehydration and minor cuts from briers.
On November 9th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely investigated a complaint of fishing without permission on a private pond on Ogeechee rd. Two male subjects were apprehended at the scene and charged with fishing without permission and possession of illegally taken fish.
On November 10th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Sgt. Don Dasher conducted a search on the Savannah River out of Burtons Ferry landing in response to a 911 call from a stranded boater. Officers located the two subjects and their pontoon boat approx. 9 miles downriver. Both subjects and their boat were taken off the river at Burtons Ferry.
On November 10th, Sgt. Don Dasher was driving South on highway 17. As he entered Screven Co. he saw a hunter standing on the shoulder of the road. The hunter was hunting deer with dogs. His shotgun was loaded with five buckshot shells. The hunter was charged with hunting big game from a public road.
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 6th, RFC Tim Hutto worked an ongoing night hunting complaint. At around 9:20 p.m., RFC Hutto observed a truck approach a field in the complaint area. As the truck got closer, RFC Hutto observed a light being shined out of the driver window. RFC Hutto initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and found a mag-light and a loaded .300 magnum rifle. The subject was arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting big game from a public road.
ECHOLS COUNTY On November 10th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree observed hunter participating in a dog-deer hunt along GA 94 east of Statenville. As Sgt. Dupree passed the hunter's location he noticed the hunter was holding a rifle down by his leg as he stood by his truck. A violation of hunting big game from a public road was documented.
On November 10th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree located several bags of household garbage dumped into the dry creek bed of Tom's Creek on Tom's Creek Road. A name was located on mail in the trash. The individual was located later that afternoon but stated he did not discard the trash but would pick it up. All of the trash was cleaned up the next morning and Sgt. Dupree issued verbal guidance to the individual.

APPLING COUNTY On the night of November 10th, RFC Chase Altman led a detail for illegal night hunting for deer in the county. RFC Altman observed from a plane, while Captain Scott Klingel, Sgt. Jon Barnard, Cpl. James McLaughlin, RFC Debbie Brannen, RFC Clint Jarriel, and RFC Jamey O'Brien assisted from the ground. Using the plane, RFC Altman was able to direct the ground units in stopping three vehicles, resulting in 9 citations for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Nov. 9th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the Medway River area checking fishermen catching mostly speckled trout. One fisherman was cited for operating above idle speed within 100 feet of a dock. One boat with a father and two sons had fished at McQueen's Inlet and caught several Sheepsheads and puppy drum.
On Nov. 10th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor responded to a complaint about a deer-dogging hunting club hunting on unpermitted property. Upon investigation, it was found that the club was hunting on permitted property. It was discovered that the caller that filed the complaint had been cited the week before for hunting on the club's property without permission. On the afternoon of Nov. 10th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Redbird Creek and Ogeechee River areas, checking boaters/fishermen. One fisherman was cited for possession of undersized speckled trout.

LIBERTY COUNTY On Nov. 4th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Medway River and St. Catherine's Sound area. One boater was cited for operating without a boat registration and a fisherman was cited for possession of undersized speckled trout.
CHATHAM COUNTY On November 4, Rangers Buster Cooper and Kate Hargrove along with Sgt. Cindy Miller were on patrol in Turners Creek in Chatham County. The Rangers encountered a vessel that had a previous complaint of possession of illegal size fish. The vessel was stopped and three illegal size trout were found. Citations were issued for illegal sized fish and insufficient PFD's.
Later that same evening Rangers Cooper and Hargrove responded to a call from the Garden City Police Department regarding hunting without permission. Two subjects were being held for fleeing and other City Ordinance violations. Citations were issued for hunting under the influence, hunting without permission, hunting without fluorescent orange and hunting without a license.
LONG COUNTY On November 9th, Cpl Bobby White presented an I&E program to Rayonier members at Sybil's restaurant about gun safety with around 45 members in attendance.
BRANLTEY COUNTY On November 7th, Sgt. Chris Hodge and Captain Doug Lewis completed a night hunting investigation and cited three individuals with Hunting Deer at Night and Hunting from a Vehicle.
CAMDEN COUNTY On November 10th, RFC Craig Smith received a call from Sgt. Chris Hodge about someone claiming that they killed a deer the day before on a piece of property that they did not have permission to hunt on. RFC Smith contacted the subject that he knew was with the subjects that afternoon and was able to locate the two suspects and the set of antlers. After a few minutes of talking, the two suspects admitted to hunting in Georgia without license on property they had permission and also riding down the county road and shooting the 8 point on another piece of private property. The subjects were citied with Hunting W/O Permission, Hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, NonResident hunting w/o a license, and Non-Resident hunting w/o Big Game License.
GLYNN COUNTY On November 5th, RFC David Brady was presented with the Governor's Award for Heroism at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. RFC Brady received the award for his acts during a search and rescue mission off St. Simon's Island this past summer. During the search for the original victim, RFC Brady was able to recover another distressed swimmer in very rough waters and return him to safety.