Field operations weekly report, 2012 November 11-17

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report November 11-17, 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 November 14th, Cpl. Byron Young received a call in reference to a subject hunting in a climbing stand on Pine Log WMA without required orange clothing. Before Cpl. Young arrived to the area he received a call back stating the hunter had climbed down and put his orange on and walked out leaving the climbing stand behind. Cpl. Young checked the stand the following morning and located a 69 year old male climbing down out of the tree this time with an orange vest on. Cpl. Young checked the hunter and he admitted to taking his orange off while in the tree, but stated he always put it on when he climbed down. Cpl. Young issued the male a warning and stressed the importance of hunting with orange both on the ground and while in a tree.
CARROLL COUNTY On November 17th, Cpl. Eric Brown responded to hunting without permission complaint south of Temple. Upon arrival, he found three subjects hunting waterfowl. All three subjects were cited for hunting without permission.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Chip Cox responded to a complaint of illegal hunting on closed US Army Corps property off Mill Creek Road. Cpl. Cox arrived and located a fresh blood trail and two persons still in the area, one hunter had a .22 caliber handgun and one person did not have a firearm. Cpl. Cox called Cpl. Byron Young and Ranger Zack Hardy to assist with locating a third hunter seen in the area with a shotgun. Cpl. Cox checked the area and located a 2nd .22 caliber handgun in a holster, hidden in the leaves. The officers interviewed the two people who admitting to arriving before daylight to deer hunt and one person admitted to hiding the gun in the woods. The officers charged the two men with hunting without permission, hunting deer without florescent orange, and warned both for hunting with an illegal weapon. The officers learned the identity of the third person, and are following up on his last known address.
On November 11th, Cpl. Lee Burns and US Fish & Wildlife intern Monica Matson patrolled McGraw Ford WMA checking hunters. The two waited at a vehicle displaying a Montana license plate. Upon checking two hunters; one from Montana and the other from South Africa, neither had hunting license or a wildlife management area license. When questioned about the infractions, the two advised they told the lady at Wal-Mart they were going hunting and the big game license is what she stated they needed to hunt. Cpl. Burns issued both hunters written warnings for hunting w/o a license and hunting w/o a WMA license.
On November 12th, Cpl. Lee Burns was conducting a foot patrol of an area he had received information on to be baited with whole kernel corn. After approximately a mile of foot patrol, Cpl. Burns heard a buck grunt call. Cpl. Burns eased out from behind some thick privet hedge and noticed two hunters up in a ladder stand hunting deer

without fluorescent orange. Cpl. Burns walked into the area and noticed whole kernel corn scattered under the stand. Cpl. Burns cited the first hunter for hunting over bait and warned him for hunting without fluorescent orange as he had it with him, but not wearing it. The second hunter was also cited for hunting deer over bait, without a big game license and warned for hunting without a hunting license.
On November 17th, Cpl. Lee Burns and Cpl. James Keener worked hunting without permission and a baiting case in Cherokee County. Upon reaching the baited area, the rangers noticed a small buck lying down on the creek bottom about a hundred yards away. The rangers scanned the area and found the hunter on the ground up next to a large hardwood tree. The rangers cited the person for hunting without permission, hunting over bait and warned him for hunting without fluorescent orange, possession of illegally taken wildlife and failure to record deer harvest. The buck was confiscated and donated to a deserving Pickens County family.
Cpl. Keener assisting with confiscated buck Confiscated 7 point buck
DOUGLAS COUNTY On November 11th, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling the Anneewakee area south of Douglasville for illegal deer hunting activity. He found two subjects on an ATV in the area of where he had heard shots earlier. He watched the subjects and witnessed them pick up an 8pt. buck and a doe. Cpl. Brown made contact with the subjects and after questioning, learned that one of the subjects had shot the doe. A third subject was located at his residence and confessed to shooting the 8pt. buck. Both subjects were charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, failure to record, and illegal possession of wildlife.
On November 12th, Cpl. Eric Brown responded to a call from Deputy Tolbert with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Deputy Tolbert had stopped a vehicle around 10:00 pm with two fresh deer in the truck. Upon questioning it was determined that the two subjects had shot the deer at night. Both subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and illegal possession of wildlife.

FANNIN COUNTY On November 16th, RFC Cody Jones obtained 7 arrest warrants on 3 subjects from an investigation that started on September 14th. The subjects were stopped by the Georgia State Patrol for a traffic violation. The subjects had a spike deer head in their truck and no one possessed a hunting license. RFC Jones was contacted the following day. After interviewing 7 people and reviewing surveillance video it was clear that the subject's story of the incident was inaccurate. The subjects were charged with possession of wildlife without a hunting license, possession of big game without a big game license, and obstruction of law enforcement.
On November 10th, RFC Cody Jones checked a hunting blind overlooking a pile of corn and a mineral block. RFC Jones checked two out-of-state hunters who did not have any licenses. Both hunters were not wearing fluorescent orange and one hunter had killed a doe earlier that morning. Citations and warning were issued to both hunters for hunting without a non-resident license, hunting big game over bait, hunting without wearing fluorescent orange, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The doe deer was seized. On November 10th, RFC Cody Jones was patrolling a complaint area for hunting without permission. RFC Jones was able to locate a hunter who was not wearing fluorescent orange. The hunter was hunting on land he had permission to hunt but he was charged for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.

GILMER COUNTY On November 10th, Sgt. John VanLandingham stopped a vehicle leaving the Rich Mountain WMA and arrested the driver for driving with a suspended license.
On November 10th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Joe Hill inspected a deer cooler in Gilmer County. Minor tag violations were discussed with the employees and verbal guidance was given to correct the violations. While at the cooler a hunter came by to drop off a deer he had harvested that morning. The officers checked the hunter's licenses and found the hunter did not have a hunting license. RFC Hill issued a citation for hunting without a license.
MURRAY COUNTY On November 11th, Cpl. Casey Jones issued a Murray County man a citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
On November 12th, Cpl. Casey Jones charged a Murray County man for hunting out of season and illegally target practicing on Coosawattee WMA.
On November 17th, Cpl. Casey Jones issued citations to a Murray County man for hunting without permission and hunting big game over bait.
On November 17th, Cpl. Casey Jones issued a citation to a Murray County man for failure to properly record deer harvest.
PAULDING COUNTY On November 17th, Sgt. Ricky Dempsey, Rfc. Chad Cox, Rfc. Brooks Varnell, K9 Rock and Wildlife Tech. Daniel Gray along with Paulding SO Deputies conducted a wildlife check point on Paulding Forest WMA. The rangers issued several wildlife citations and the deputies wrote several traffic citations.
PICKENS COUNTY On November 17th, Cpl. James Keener and Cpl. Lee Burns issued a citation to a hunter for hunting big game over bait in the Yellow Creek area.
POLK COUNTY On November 11th, Rfc. Chad Cox checked a deer stand that had been baited with corn. Rfc. Cox located a male subject hunting from an enclosed box stand near the corn. The subject was cited for hunting big game over bait and warned for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On November 9th, Cpl. Casey Jones started an investigation after receiving a hunting without permission complaint. The investigation resulted in two Whitfield County men

being charged, the following day, with multiple violations including hunting without permission, possession of illegally taken wildlife and improperly recording deer harvest.
On November 10th, Cpl. Casey Jones charged a Whitfield County man for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
JACKSON COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Eric Isom spoke to a class at East Jackson Middle School. RFC Isom informed the class on the duties of a Conservation Ranger, hunting safety tips, and the department's K-9 program. K9, Colt also gave the class a demonstration on evidence recovery.
On November 17th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy and RFC Eric Isom with his K9 partner Colt were checking a property baited with several stands. RFC Isom deployed Colt and located a deer hunter who was hunting big game over bait. RFC Isom issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
FORSYTH COUNTY On November 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county for the opening weekend of duck season, as well as, boating safety/other hunting activity. A total of seven hunters and one boat were checked for proper equipment. As a result, three violations were documented consisting of failure to participate in migratory bird HIP program. Verbal guidance was also given on several occasions to be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the state.
On November 17th, RFC Barry Britt conducted a HIN (Hull Identification Number) inspection for boats having issues getting a registration. A total of eight boats were completed and the registration problems cleared.
DAWSON COUNTY On November 17th, RFC Brandon Pierce, RFC Barry Britt, RFC Mitchell Crump, Sgt. Lee Brown, Wildlife Technicians David Shattuck and Scott Bardenwerper, and two Georgia State Patrol Officers conducted a road check on Dawson Forest WMA for illegal hunting and traffic violations. Numerous vehicles, driving licenses, and hunting licenses/permits were checked. Three violations were documented consisting of hunting without a license on person and driving with expired tag. On numerous occasions verbal guidance was given to be in compliance with the laws and regulations of the state.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On November 13th, RFC Mitchell Crump and Wildlife Technician Frank Manning conducted an Information and Education Program on the effects of wildlife on livestock for the Lumpkin County Livestock Association. A total of fifteen people attended the program.

On November 17th, RFC Mitchell Crump conducted an Information and Education Program, sponsored by the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, on shooting safety. Approximately one hundred shooters participated in the skeet shoot. All proceeds for the event went to charity.
DEKALB COUNTY On November 11th, Cpl. Eric Sanders checked areas along the Yellow River for any fishing activity. A total of three fishing licenses were checked and all three received citations for fishing without a license.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On November 17th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was patrolling the county for any hunting activity. Cpl. Sanders found a vehicle parked and spoke with an individual with it. While speaking with the subject the officer heard a gunshot that came from a nearby gas line. The shot was well after shooting hours ended. Cpl. Sanders went to the location of the shot and the subject was found in a box stand on the gas line. The subject had shot and missed the game animal. As a result, a total of one violation was documented consisting of hunting deer at night.
WHITE COUNTY On November 11th 16th, RFC Anne Alexander a member of the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section's Critical Incident Reconstruction Team attended the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Advanced Level II National Boating Accident Investigation Reconstruction and Analysis Course in Tallahassee Florida. This course provides extensive hands on training in collecting, documenting, preserving and analyzing boating collision data. Some of the course topics include, eyewitness reliability, determining boat speed, striation analysis (angles of impacts) and GPS data acquisitions. This training assists the investigator in the preparation, testifying and prosecution of criminal violations of the State's Boating laws and helps to bring closure to families of those involved.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
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On November 17 , 2012 Ranger First Class Timothy J. Vickery and Corporal Bill Bunch were checking a complaint when they encountered a subject hunting over bait. The subject was sitting in a stand with corn and a salt block approximately thirty feet in front of him. The subject stated that he did not put the bait out, but that he had seen it and knew it was there. The subject was written a citation for hunting big game over bait.
STEPHENS COUNTY On November 17th, Cpl. Bill Bunch issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and a warning for hunting without fluorescent orange after checking an area baited for deer.
On November 17th, Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled the Lake Russell WMA, he issued citations for driving in a wildlife opening and transporting a loaded firearm on a public road.

HART COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Craig Fulghum was hunting ducks in the Shoal Creek area. About 15 minutes before legal shooting hours, he heard a group in a nearby swamp start shooting. He called RFC Josh Chambers to respond. Cpl. Fulghum waded out of the swamp he was going to hunt and drove his personal vehicle to the area of the shooting. He and RFC Chambers caught 4 adults and one juvenile shooting waterfowl before hours. Cpl. Fulghum used his retriever to locate some of the wounded ducks the hunters had shot. Citations were issued for shooting before legal hours and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Fourteen wood ducks were confiscated.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OCONEE COUNTY On Sunday November 11, RFC Tim Butler caught one subject hunting deer over corn. The subject was charged with hunting big game over bait.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday, November 17, Cpl. Julian Wilkins checked four subjects duck hunting. One subject had an electronic duck call playing through his cell phone. The call was played through a booster and a speaker. The subject was charged for unlawful use of an electronic call to hunt game birds.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On November 15, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Sgt. Matt Garthright responded to hunting without permission complaint on Rosemont Rd. They located one subject hunting from a climber that did not have permission from the landowner. The subject was charged with hunting without permission and hunting without orange.
On November 17, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Ryan Swain patrolled the Savannah River for duck hunters. Two subjects were warned for hunting without permission. Several other warnings were written to other hunters for license and unplugged gun violations.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On November 17, RFC Brian Adams checked an area where he had previously located several baited deer stands. He located one adult and two juveniles hunting the baited areas. The adult was charged with hunting big game over bait.
LINCOLN COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Ryan Swain checked an area where he had located a baited deer stand. He located one subject hunting the bait. The subject was charged with hunting over bait, hunting without orange, hunting with an illegal weapon, and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

MCDUFFIE COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Brian Hobbins checked duck hunters in the Boneville and Dearing areas. Two subjects were warned for hunting without a Georgia Waterfowl License.
TALIAFERRO COUNTY On November 16, RFC Brian Adams responded to a complaint of hunting deer at night. Adams located three subjects riding on an ATV shining deer with a spotlight and rifle. The subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting without permission.
HANCOCK On November 17, while patrolling the area of the Oconee Wildlife Management Area and the Oconee River, Cpl. Derrell Worth cited several subjects for the following violations: hunting without license, hunting without big game license, hunting without Georgia Waterfowl license, hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun, duck hunting with lead shot, and operating a vessel with improper navigation lights.
WALTON COUNTY On November 11, RFC Freddie Hays was checking an abandoned subdivision in Monroe where he had previously located several stands baited with salt blocks. RFC Freddie Hays located a subject along with his juvenile son hunting. The adult was not wearing his day light fluorescent orange. The adult was issued citations for the violations and son given verbal guidance for hunting over bait.
On November 17, RFC Freddie Hays and SGT John Harwell encountered a subject not wearing his daylight fluorescent orange. A citation was issued for this violation.
On November 17, RFC Freddie Hays and RFC Niki Spencer conducted HIN inspections on 10 vessels at the WRCC office in Walton County.
RICHMOND COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Ben Payne worked deer bait and hunting without permission complaints in Richmond County. He also worked opening day of duck season on Phinizy WMA. While checking deer bait he encountered an individual hunting over bait and not wearing any fluorescent orange. The individual had required licenses and was issued citations for hunting deer over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. A total of 18 duck hunters were checked with no citations written. Wood ducks, mallards, and one hooded merganser were checked. Hunters stated that ducks were not flying well. In the evening Cpl. Payne worked a night hunting complaint with no contact made.
BURKE COUNTY On November 17 Sgt. Max Boswell checked several deer hunters in Burke County. Citations were issued for Non-Resident hunting w/o license.

WASHINGTON COUNTY Corporal Micheal Crawley worked several hunting without permission complaints in Washington County. Corporal Crawley also responded to a deer dogging complaint involving hunting dogs off the property on Sparta Davisboro Road.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On Saturday, November 17, RFC Grant Matherly and RFC Jeff Billips responded to an in progress roost shooting complaint in Louisville. The Rangers apprehended four individuals shooting ducks after hours. They detected several different violations being broken. The Rangers issued the four individuals nineteen citations for the following violations: Hunting Waterfowl after Hours, Hunting With/Possession of Lead Shot, Possession of Over the Daily Bag Limit, Possession of Illegally Taken Wildlife, Hunting without Federal Duck Stamp, and Hunting Waterfowl without Georgia Waterfowl License. The Rangers confiscated 19 wood ducks from the four hunters. Attached below is a picture of the wood ducks.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HARRIS COUNTY On November 15th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and Technician Mike Crumbley were working the firearms deer hunt on Blanton Creek WMA. The officers checked some hunters who stated that someone in the area shot earlier that morning. Cpl. Bolen located a vehicle in the area and noticed two hunters coming out of the woods. The hunters stated that they didn't shoot at anything. The officers checked their license and drove off. After a short while, the officers drove past the location again and noticed two hunters carrying a ladder stand out of the woods. After the hunters drove off, Cpl. Bolen utilized K-9 Ruger to back track the hunter to his area. Ruger tracked past the tree where the stand had been and located blood in the area. Ruger tracked the blood a short distance to an area where it appeared the deer had died. The officers figured that the deer had been moved away from the area. Ruger went back to the tree where the ladder stand had been and located a spent .30-06 shell casing. The officers were leaving the area to go back to camp and speak with the hunters about the incident when they noticed the hunter walking back in the area. The hunter admitted to killing a deer and hiding it across the road in some briars. The officers located a freshly killed button head buck in the briars. The hunter was issued a citation for failure to allow inspection of wildlife and the deer was confiscated.
On November 17th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen received a call from Technician Mike Crumbley about a hunter who had signed in to deer hunt at Blanton Creek WMA while the quota deer hunt was going on. Technician Crumbley stated that the hunters name wasn't on the quota list. Cpl. Bolen and Cpl. Mitch Oliver arrived at the location. K-9 Ruger was used to track the subject from his truck. The hunter was located in the middle of a clear cut. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting on WMA without a permit.
On November 17th Cpl. Mitch Oliver was assisting Wildlife Technician III Mike Crumbley on a quota hunt at Blanton Creek Wildlife Management Area. Because Blanton Creek WMA is in Harris County, the bucks have an antler restriction of at least 4 points on one side measuring an inch or longer. The officers received information that an illegal buck had been shot and was left in the woods by the person who shot it. Oliver went to the campsite and spoke with the suspects as they were attempting to take their tent down to leave. When questioned about whether either of the subjects had shot a deer that morning, both men stated that they hadn't. Because Cpl. Oliver was confident that one of the two men had shot the deer, he told the men that he was going to get the assistance of a K-9 and back track the men from where they had been parking during the hunt. It was at this time that one of the men confessed to shooting a 6 pointer and leaving it in the woods. Cpl. Oliver followed the two men back to where they were hunting and assisted them with dragging the deer out. The deer was seized and the subject was charged with failure to allow inspection of wildlife and killing an illegal deer on a quality buck hunt.

LAMAR COUNTY Before daylight on November 17th, RFC Keith Page positioned himself where he could listen for duck hunters in a swamp that he had been advised was possibly baited. Shortly after daylight RFC Page began hearing shots coming from the swamp. After locating a locating a truck parked close by, RFC encountered a man leaving the swamp with a shotgun, two dogs, and one wood duck. After speaking with the man, RFC Page found that the man was hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp. He was also hunting with lead shot and had failed to get a HIP (Harvest Information Permit) license. RFC Page did not find any bait in the swamp. Page charged the man with hunting ducks without a federal duck stamp and hunting with lead shot rather than the required steel shot. RFC Page issued the man a warning for not obtaining a HIP license.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On November 17th Sgt. Brent Railey was checking waterfowl hunters at the Flint River boat ramp on Hwy 85 outside of Woodbury when he checked a boat with two hunters. One of the hunters didn't have a hunting license and he was issued a written warning. They had killed three wood ducks.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On November 13th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen presented a boating safety information and education program to a local television station about wearing life jackets and boating requirements. The program was filmed for the whitewater course in Columbus.
PIKE COUNTY On November 14th Cpl. Wanda Roberts responded to complaint of possible hunting without permission. Once on scene, Roberts found the subject who was hunting but determined that the hunter had permission. A citation was issued for hunting deer without fluorescent orange and a warning issued for hunting without a license.
SPALDING COUNTY On the morning of November 11th RFC Travis Sweat was leaving his residence to work on complaints in the county. As he headed down the road he noticed a vehicle parked in his neighbor's yard located about a half a mile down the road. The vehicle had two men standing next to it and one was wearing an orange vest. RFC Sweat then made a loop back to his residence. Once back, he patrolled his personal property on foot toward the river. Once in the river bottom RFC Sweat located the two hunters on his property. They had apparently seen RFC Sweat's orange vest and were quickly headed back to their vehicle on the neighbor's property. RFC Sweat chased after them and caught them. RFC Sweat then secured their weapons an asked if they had permission to be on the property. They explained that a lady told them they could hunt back at the river. RFC Sweat informed them that this was not the case and issued citations for hunting without permission, hunting without orange, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license.

UPSON COUNTY On November 14th Cpl. Susan Morris was called by the Upson County Sheriff's Department about a possible hunting incident. The victim said he was hunting squirrels and when he shot the bullet ricocheted and hit him in the face. When this happened, he said he dropped the gun and it went off again, hitting him in the chest. This seemed rather odd and upon further investigation, it was discovered the victim shot himself in a suicide attempt.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On November 17, RFC Tony Cox responded to a call to assist a Decatur County Deputy. The deputy had stopped two suspects after observing them shine a spotlight throughout a vacant subdivision in the city limits of Bainbridge. The two subjects were arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, and hunting from a vehicle.
BROOKS COUNTY On November 7, RFC Jon Penuel located a subject hunting deer on a tract of property owned by the Georgia Dept. of Transportation. This area has been an ongoing area of concern due to poaching and trespassing for the last two years. After completing his investigation, Penuel charged two individuals for hunting without permission, unlawful enticement of game, hunting big game over bait and hunting without licenses.
COLQUITT COUNTY On November 10, Ranger Chris Carlisle heard shooting at daybreak and located two hunters exiting a swamp. The hunters had several wood ducks in hand. Upon checking the hunters, Carlisle discovered that both individuals were above the legal age to be hunting during the Youth Waterfowl season. The officer escorted the young men home and discussed the situation with the parents. The young men were warned for several violations including, hunting out of season, taking over the limit, and license violations.
On November 17, Ranger Chris Carlisle heard shooting coming from a large lake and located several vehicles parked at a boat ramp there. The officer also noticed that corn and soybeans had been spilled at the ramp and a boat on shore had grain sorghum spilled in the bottom. With his suspicions raised about the area and activity, Carlisle summoned Cpl. Greg Wade to come to his location and assist. Before Wade arrived at the lake, four duck hunters returned to the ramp by boat and were met by Carlisle. Unknown to Ranger Carlisle, two additional hunters were lagging behind and saw the activity at the ramp and fled the area. Later that morning, as the two officers were searching the pond for additional evidence, the two hunters that had fled earlier returned to the pond and were interviewed by the officers. After a thorough and lengthy investigation, all six hunters were charged with hunting ducks over bait and the two hunters that had fled the scene were charged with failure to allow inspection.
After the Rangers left the pond, they traveled along a county dirt road and encountered a truck parked on the shoulder of the road. A passenger was outside the vehicle and acting

as if he was searching for something. The officers continued watching as the subject returned to the waiting truck, got in, and closed the door...with a gun barrel pointing out the window. The officers caught up to and stopped the vehicle to question the occupants about the suspicious activity. As Ranger Carlisle approached the truck, he observed two grey squirrels lying in the bed of truck. After interviewing the subjects, both admitted they had been riding around on the county dirt roads and shooting squirrels from the truck. The two subjects were charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.
MITCHELL COUNTY On November 9, Ranger Chris Carlisle and Sgt. David Ruddell responded to an "in progress" complaint of illegal burning. Upon arrival, the officers observed the Camilla Fire Department attempting to extinguish a large pile of roofing shingles, fiberglass, sheet rock, and other building materials. The fire was in a residential area and in close proximity to several homes. After interviewing the person responsible for the burn, it was learned that the individual had been hired to tear down and dispose of an old building. Rather than properly disposing of the debris, the individual had hauled the material to this location to burn. The officers also learned the individual had previously been warned by Mitchell County authorities for similar acts. The subject was issued a citation for unlawful burning of egregious litter (1st offense); a violation that is a misdemeanor of a high-aggravated nature.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On November 14, Cpl. Robbie Griner was patrolling Georgia Power Property below the Lake Worth power dam in Albany. The officer had received information that a subject wearing camouflage had been seen at this location the week before and was suspected of hunting the closed area. Griner traveled the dirt lanes behind the dam and located a black Nissan Altima parked in a wooded area but did not notice anything inside the vehicle to suggest any hunting related activity. The next morning, Cpl. Griner returned to the area and again noticed the same vehicle parked and unoccupied. Griner looked inside and noticed a Thermacell mosquito repel device lying in the floorboard of the car. The officer set up surveillance on the vehicle and after a couple of hours witnessed a camouflaged subject exited the woods carrying a compound bow. After a brief interview, Cpl. Griner charged the subject with Hunting without Permission and Hunting Deer without Fluorescent Orange.
STEWART COUNTY On November 11, RFC Jim Atchley and Sgt Butch Potter cited one hunter for nonresident hunting without a license and issued two warnings for failure to record deer harvest.
WEBSTER COUNTY On November 16, Sgt. Butch Potter investigated a hunting without permission complaint. Although the hunters in question were found to be on the correct property, another hunter was cited for non-resident hunting without license, hunting without big game license and issued a warning for hunting without fluorescent orange.

CHATTAHOOTCHEE COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Steve Robinson responded to a citizen's complaint of hunting without permission. Two hunters were located and cited for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange.
RANDOLPH COUNTY On November 17, RFC Jim Atchley was conducting a night deer hunting patrol when he observed a vehicle drive down the road in front of his position and turn into a cornfield. After hearing a gun shot Atchley followed the vehicle into the field and stopped it. The vehicle's occupants stated that they had shot at a deer and were placed under arrest for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting from a public road. They informed Atchley that they were en-route to pick up another hunter who was still in his deer stand. Atchley followed the subjects to the hunter's location. It was detected during a license check this hunter did not have a license and hen was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and hunting without fluorescent orange.
MARION COUNTY On November 17, Cpl. Bob Holley was patrolling a hunting club addressing concerns from a concerned citizen and came in contact with two adult hunters. Both subjects were deer hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. The two subjects were nonresidents and did not have hunting license. The subjects were charged with nonresident hunting without license, nonresident hunting without big game license, and hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On the evening of November 11th, Cpl. John A. Stokes patrolled the Dodge County PFA for fishing and hunting activity. Eight fishing licenses were checked and two hunters participating in the big game archery sign-in hunt were checked. One violation for operating a vessel without a personal floatation device (PFD) was documented.
On November 13th, RFC Allen Mills received a complaint from Dodge county 911 in reference to litter in a landowner's yard. Officer Mills responded to the area and found a trash bag full of household garbage along with other discarded items. Officer Mills spoke with the landowner, checked the bag and found multiple items with name, address, and phone number which included prescriptions and bills of sale. An individual was interviewed and one count of littering was documented.
WHEELER COUNTY On Sunday, November 18th, RFC Rodney Horne and CPL Kevin Joyce were patrolling when the officers witnessed a vehicle driving in a reckless manner. A traffic stop was initiated which resulted in arrests for DUI drugs, possession of marijuana, failure to maintain lane, and possession of drug related objects.

TELFAIR COUNTY On November 15th and 17th, RFC Allen Mills patrolled the Horse Creek WMA during the big game check-in hunt. Multiple licenses were checked with no violations documented.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On November 18th, Sgt. Damon Winters was working a special detail to detect night hunters in Jeff Davis County. At approximately 2200 hrs, Sgt. Winters observed a vehicle shining a spotlight across a cotton field. Sgt. Winters stopped the vehicle and called Capt. Scott Klingel to assist. When Sgt. Winters approached the suspects' vehicle, the driver jumped out and ran. Sgt. Winters called for Cpl. Kevin Joyce and Cpl. James McLaughlin to come and assist tracking the suspect with Cpl. Joyces' K-9. Sgt. Winters and Capt. Klingel secured the remaining suspects and all evidence. Cpl Joyce and Cpl McLaughlin were unable to locate the other suspect. The remaining suspect was transported to Jeff Davis County Jail and charged. The vehicle was impounded and the evidence was secured at the jail.
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 13th, RFC Tim Hutto and K-9 "Gauge" worked ongoing night hunting complaints. At around 9:00 p.m. RFC Hutto observed a light being shined from a vehicle into a field he was watching. RFC Hutto followed the vehicle and watched the passenger in the vehicle shine two more fields with a hand-held light. RFC Hutto initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and interviewed the passenger. The two subjects in the vehicle admitted to shining deer, but did not have a gun. The passenger was issued a citation for blinding wildlife with lights.
At around 11:00 p.m. in another location, RFC Hutto observed a spotlight being shined from a vehicle into a peanut field. RFC Hutto initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and found a spotlight, firearms, and ammunition in the front seat of the truck. The subjects were questioned then arrested for hunting deer at night.
On November 14th, RFC Tim Hutto worked another night hunting complaint in North Atkinson. At around midnight, RFC Hutto observed a light being shined from a vehicle into a peanut field. RFC Hutto stopped the vehicle and found a light and a loaded 30-30 rifle in the front seat. Two subjects were arrested and charged with hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle and hunting deer at night.
On November 17th, RFC Tim Hutto responded to a deer dogging complaint in Axson. Five subjects were found to be hunting deer with dogs. Citations were issued for hunting deer with dogs in a closed county/area. Atkinson County's deer dog season opens November 22nd.
BERRIEN COUNTY On November17th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked a duck shoot off of the NashvilleEnigma Hwy. Two hunters had shot 11 wood ducks. Both hunters were cited for taking over the daily bag limit of wood ducks.

COOK COUNTY On November17th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey cited a subject for not wearing fluorescent orange while deer hunting. The subject was also warned for hunting without permission. The subject had shot a deer on the adjoining property the previous weekend.
CLINCH COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Jason Shipes observed a vehicle parked in the middle of a county road with the driver's side door open. Cpl. Shipes approached the vehicle and observed a subject on the side of the roadway holding a shotgun. The driver told Cpl. Shipes that he saw a grey squirrel cross the road. He then stopped and exited the vehicle and shot once at the animal. Cpl. Shipes issued a citation for hunting from a public road.
WARE COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool received information that several individuals were hunting without permission in the Millwood area. Utilizing the internet on his patrol vehicle's computer, Cpl. Shipes was able to receive a photo via email of the complainant's property. Cpl. Shipes and RFC Pool arrived in the area and located a vehicle parked on the complainant's property. The officers located two subjects walking along the back edge of the property. Neither of the subjects had a firearm with them and were not wearing any fluorescent orange. They attempted to explain that they were only "scouting" the area. Cpl. Shipes contacted RFC Tim Hutto and asked him to respond in an effort to locate any firearms hidden by the two subjects. RFC Hutto and K9 Gauge were able to back track the subject's exact path. During this track, Cpl. Shipes located two long guns and one pistol hidden underneath some bushes. It was later determined that when the hunters observed the officers patrol vehicle, they hid the weapons. It was also determined that neither of the hunters had a valid hunting license. Both were issued citations for hunting without permission, hunting without a license and hunting big game without a big game license. They were also charged for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
BULLOCH COUNTY On Friday, November 16th, Cpl. Eddie Akins followed up on several calls from the previous day about four dead deer lying in a peanut field off Banks Dairy Road. Investigation of the incident revealed that the deer had been hit by lightning in the early morning hours on November 15th.
On the morning of Saturday November 17th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the southeast portion of Bulloch County for deer hunting activity. His efforts resulted in one violation being identified and documented. The violation was for operating a motor vehicle without a deer dogging permit number properly displayed.
On the afternoon of Saturday November 17th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. Don Dasher checked areas off Hwy. 119 for hunting activity. Their efforts led to one violation being documented. The violation was for hunting without a fluorescent orange vest.

EFFINGHAM COUNTY On the morning of Tuesday November 13th, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to a deer dogging complaint in Effingham County. The complaint was that a landowner had caught and was holding a dog from a nearby dogging club. Investigation of the incident led to one violation being documented for failure to keep dogs on permitted property.
On Friday November 16th RFC O'Brien conducted an ATV patrol on an area club, no illegal activity was found.
On Saturday November 17th RFC O'Brien responded to a deer dogging complaint off Hwy 119 south of Guyton. Complainant was still hunting on his property when 2 hunting dogs from an area deer dogging club came running through his property chasing deer. One of the two dogs was captured. The owner of the dog was contacted and the dog was returned. A violation was documented for allowing hunting dog on unpermitted property.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
WAYNE COUNTY On November 13, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall received a night hunting complaint. The complainant had heard a shot outside of his home the previous night at approximately 12:30 a.m. When he walked outside to investigate he saw a truck. He walked up to the truck before they saw him. When they did see him they took off at a high rate of speed. The complainant was able to get the tag number and description of the truck. Aspinwall was familiar with the truck and driver and had previous night hunting complaints on him. Aspinwall was able to locate the driver of the truck. Aspinwall was able to gain a confession and the names of his two accomplices. All three were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Nov. 11th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and North Newport River areas, checking several fishermen and citing one boater for operating a vessel without a required fire extinguisher.
On Nov. 17th, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Trey Taylor conducted a HIN/registration inspection detail at the Savannah Tech campus in Hinesville.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On Monday, November 12, 2012 at approximately 3:00 a.m., Sgt. Wayne Hubbard received a page from SOC to call the McIntosh County Sheriff's office. He received information that an off duty McIntosh County deputy had seen what he believed to be logs being taken from the Miller Lake area of Townsend WMA. Sgt. Hubbard was familiar with the situation because there had been an ongoing investigation into an earlier theft of logs earlier in the year. The logs in question were ones that had been sunk in Miller Lake during logging operations many years ago.

Sgt. Hubbard asked the deputy who was on his way to the scene to please detain anyone he encountered in the area until he could get there. As Sgt. Hubbard was enroute he was notified that two individuals and two pickup trucks had been located. The subjects were muddy and their vehicles contained chainsaws, cables, axes and other equipment. When Hubbard arrived at the scene he and the deputies determined that a load of logs had been removed from the lake and taken away. However, there were still three logs dragged up on the bank with cable wrapped around them. Thinking that the truck carrying the logs might still be on the road delivering the logs, Long and Wayne Counties were notified to be on the lookout for the vehicle. A short time later, the off duty deputy called to say he had spotted the large rollback truck headed back to Miller Lake. The truck was stopped and the driver was asked where he was going. He responded that he was headed to pull some buddies out who were stuck. The driver was muddy and was wearing chest waders. The bed of the truck contained wet mud and fragments of wood.
Since the officers were receiving no cooperation from any of the three subjects at the scene, they were all transported to the McIntosh County Jail and all three vehicles were impounded. Upon further investigation and witness interviews, statements were obtained and the location of the missing logs was determined. It also came out during the interviews that this group was responsible for taking the first log that started the initial investigation earlier in the summer.
Charges are pending awaiting valuation of the logs.
BRANLTEY COUNTY On November 11th, RFC Craig Smith observed a vehicle shining a light into a clear cut in East Brantley County. RFC Smith stopped the vehicle and was able to identify 2 subjects that had 2 guns and a spotlight hooked to a battery in the back floorboard. The subjects were cited for Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting from a Public Road, and Hunting from a Vehicle.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On November 15th, DNR Officers from Region VII responded to an overdue boater call at the Altamaha Park in Glynn County. Upon arrival officers learned that a 63 year old man had left the park earlier in the evening to go hog hunting off Lewis Creek in McIntosh County. Friends of the man had located his boat, but were unsuccessful in locating the operator. Officers from DNR Law Enforcement, Glynn County EMA, and the Camden County Sheriff's Officer Search and Rescue searched the area in Lewis Creek for the next two days around the clock and divers located the victim near the location where his boat was found. The boat apparently struck a floating tree in the river and ejected the operator. DNR CIRT investigators continue to investigate the incident.