Field operations weekly report, 2012 October 28-November 3

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report October 28 November 3, 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)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On Saturday November 3rd, Corporal Craig Fulghum was checking a piece of property in Hart County where he had a hunting without permission complaint. Corporal Fulghum drove into the property and noticed an individual standing on a power-line. The individual was not wearing fluorescent orange and was holding a .30-06 caliber rifle. Corporal Fulghum talked to the individual, who did not have permission to be there. The subject told Cpl. Fulghum that he was checking rabbit boxes. The subject was cited for hunting without a license and hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. He was issued warnings for hunting without big game license, hunting without hunter safety certification, and hunting without permission.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On Saturday November 3rd, Ranger First Class Tim Vickery was patrolling Franklin County when he passed a pickup truck pulling a trailer with an ATV on it. Ranger Vickery noticed as he passed the trailer that the ATV had a set of freshly cut deer antlers hooked onto the left stirrup of the ATV. Ranger Vickery turned around and stopped the vehicle to check the driver's hunting license. The hunter had not recorded the buck on his license, even though he stated that he knew he was supposed to. The subject was issued a citation for failure to record deer harvest and the antlers were confiscated for evidentiary purposes.
During the week of October 29 to November 2, Ranger First Class Shane Sartor assisted the Franklin County Sheriff's Office with their C.H.A.M.P.S. program at Central Franklin, Lavonia, and Royston Elementary Schools. Ranger First Class Sartor presented 7 programs on ATV safety to the fifth grade classes of the three elementary schools.
STEPHENS COUNTY On Thursday November 1st, Corporal Bill Bunch received a call from the Stephens County Sheriff's Office stating that someone had shot a deer from the road. By the time Cpl. Bunch got to the scene of the complaint, the violators were gone. While Cpl. Bunch was driving around the area, the complainant called him and told him that a vehicle had just stopped at the creek below his house and dumped something in the creek. The complainant gave the vehicle description as a white Chevrolet pickup with one headlight out. As Cpl. Bunch drove back to the area he met the white pickup in the road. He turned around and stopped the vehicle. As Cpl. Bunch approached the vehicle he noticed blood in the bed. There were two subjects in the vehicle. Corporal Bunch questioned the driver, who told him that he had killed a buck. However, he denied being the one who shot from the road. When they went back where the complainant had seen the subjects dumping something, Cpl. Bunch saw a dead doe lying in the creek. The two subjects

admitted to dumping the deer. One subject was charged with killing of antlerless deer, open container, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and unlawful dumping. Ranger First Class Josh Chambers charged the other subject with possession of illegally taken wildlife, open container, and unlawful dumping.
HALL COUNTY On Saturday Nov. 3, 2012 RFC Mark Stephens responded to a call in Barrow County. The caller advised Officer Stephens that someone was hunting on their property without permission. Officer Stephens arrived at the location and issued citations to the individual hunting without permission.
JACKSON COUNTY On November 3rd, Sgt. Mike Burgamy and RFC Eric Isom were on patrol when they encountered a vehicle that had ran off the roadway and flipped onto its side. Sgt. Burgamy and RFC Isom assisted the driver who had minor injuries and kept the scene safe until Jackson County Sherriff Deputies could arrive.
WHITE COUNTY On Tuesday November 30th, RFC Anne Alexander, Wildlife Technician Scott Bardenwerper, and Sgt. Steve Seitz closed an illegal bear hunting investigation that originated in Helen. The incident occurred on September 15, 2011 that involved three individuals killing a bear at night with a bow in downtown Helen. The bear was left in a tree and not reported. During the on-going investigation the three individuals were interviewed during the last week of October. All three individuals confessed, provided statements and were charged with hunting bear at night, and unlawfully concealing the taking of wildlife.
DAWSON COUNTY On October 28th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled Dawson Forest WMA in reference to the area being closed to big game hunting. A total of six individuals were found to be hunting deer on the area. Six violations were documented including hunting on a closed WMA, hunting with/possession of buckshot on a WMA, and hunting without hunter safety certification.
On November 1st, RFC Barry Britt and RFC Brandon Pierce assisted DNR's Fisheries Management Section and local volunteers with trout stocking for the delayed harvest season on the Amicalola Creek at Hwy 53 Bridge and Steel Bridge in Dawson Forest WMA. While there, the rangers issued two citations for fishing without a trout license and two written warnings for fishing with unlawful bait in a delayed harvest stream.
On November 3rd, RFC Barry Britt issued two written warnings for hunting on a closed WMA after he checked two hunters who had been deer hunting during the small game hunt on the Amicalola Tract of Dawson Forest WMA.

GWINNETT COUNTY On October 29th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins taught a Hunter Education class at Ivy Creek Baptist Church. 42 students were certified at the class.
On November 1st, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins taught a Hunter Education class a Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. 28 students were certified at the class.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On October 29th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling in Lumpkin County for deer hunters. The rangers checked a total of three hunters. One of the hunters checked didn't have a hunting license or a big game license. The hunter was also hunting without permission.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Sunday, October 28th Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Phillip Nelson responded to an in progress hunting without permission complaint. Three subjects were found on the complainant's property pursuing a hog that had been wounded earlier. Violations documented were hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange.
WILKES COUNTY On Saturday, October 3rd Cpl. Mark Patterson checked areas known to have baited stands. Violations documented were hunting big game over bait, failure to wear fluorescent orange, and failure to record deer harvest.
MORGAN COUNTY On October 28th, RFC Ricky Boles arrested a subject for possession of marijuana. Four subjects were trespassing on abandoned subdivision property when RFC Boles encountered them. The suspect attempted to discard the bag out of the rear car window. Subject charged for possession of marijuana less than an ounce.
On November 3rd, RFC Ricky Boles had a hunter to "BUSH BOND" on him. When the hunter saw Ranger Boles, he proceeded to run into the woods. Along with Cpl. Derrell Worth, the subject was located at a nearby house. Violator charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and attempting to flee and elude.
On November 3rd, RFC Ricky Boles encountered four suspects riding ATV's on a WMA at night. Upon approaching them, two of the subjects had open containers of beer in their possession. Violators were charged with unlawful use of ATV's on WMA and possession of Alcohol on WMA.

C.I.R.T On November 2nd, CIRT member Niki Spencer responded to a hunting fatality in Crawford County. The victim was shot in the chest by his father while approaching his father's deer stand. No charges at this time.
NEWTON COUNTY On November 3rd, RFC Spencer was checking hunting without permission complaint and located two hunters on the property. One individual was cited for hunting big game over bait. Hunting without permission charges are pending.
HANCOCK COUNTY On Saturday, November 3rd Cpl. David Allen issued three citations for hunting deer over bait and investigated a dumping site on Minor Road. The investigation led to two citations for littering.
GREENE COUNTY On October 28th, while on patrol, Corporal Derrell Worth cited a subject for hunting big game over bait.
On November 2nd, while on patrol, Corporal Derrell Worth cited a subject for hunting without a hunting and big game license.
On November 2nd, Corporal Derrell Worth checked a baited deer stand that was being occupied by a 9 year old child. The child was hunting deer and was armed with a high powered rifle. Corporal Worth along with the juvenile located his father. The child's father was cited for unlawful enticement of big game and allowing underage person to hunt unsupervised.
On November 3rd, Corporal Derrell Worth cited a subject for hunting big game over bait. The same subject was cited two weeks earlier for the same violation.
BURKE COUNTY RFC Jeff Billips investigated two hunting without permission complaints. The investigations are on-going.
RFC Billips and Wildlife Technician Steve Kyles patrolled Yuchi and Di-Lane Plantation WMA's.
RFC Billips held a hunter education class at Di-Lane Plantation WMA for 27 students. Sgt. Boswell and RFC Matherly worked a night hunting detail in Burke County on November 3rd. No activity was recorded.
RICHMOND COUNTY On November 2, Cpl. Payne received a complaint from GEMA of hunting without permission. Cpl. Payne contacted the complainant and learned that hunters were hunting on a sewer line on his property. Once on scene Cpl. Payne ran the tag of a vehicle parked

on the property adjacent to the complaint property. After running the tag he began trying to locate the hunters. After searching for several minutes a shot was heard on the property next to the piece Cpl. Payne was on. Cpl. Payne went to were the shot came from and located a hunter and his nephew. They were not wearing any orange and had a decent 10 point they had harvested. Cpl. Payne asked if they had permission to be there and the hunters stated that they had oral permission. After investigating further Cpl. Payne learned that they had no permission to be on the land they were on. The investigation also revealed two buck antlers in the back of the vehicle the hunters were driving. None of the bucks had been recorded by the hunter. The incident is still under investigation and the hunter was charged with hunting deer without fluorescent orange, failure to record deer harvest, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Additional charges could be filed later this week.
JEFFERSON COUNTY During the week of October 28th thru November 3, RFC Grant Matherly checked three without permission complaints in Jefferson County. He had assistance working the three complaints from Sgt. Boswell, and RFC Adams. No contact was made by any of the officers.
While on patrol Saturday Nov. 3rd Sgt. Boswell and RFC Matherly checked a hunter off of Perdue road, just South of Wrens. The hunter was hunting from a tree stand and was found not to be wearing his florescent orange vest. The subject was issued a written warning for the violation.
Sgt. Matt Garthright and RFC Grant Matherly worked a night hunting detail in Jefferson County, on November 2nd, no activity was recorded. The Rangers stopped one vehicle for head lightening two fields. The driver had his two young sons in the vehicle with no guns present.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On Saturday, November 3rd at 0200 hours Sgt. Matt Garthright pulled up behind a vehicle stopped at a stop sign. The vehicle failed to proceed after several minutes. Sgt. Garthright initiated his blue lights and got out to check on the driver. The driver was found asleep at the wheel with car running. Sgt. Garthright woke the driver up and removed him from the vehicle. The driver appeared to be under the influence. A check of the subject's driver license revealed the subject had outstanding warrants. The subject was turned over to the Georgia State Patrol and arrested for D.U.I. The driver was also arrested two weeks early for the same offense.
WARREN COUNTY On November 2, RFC Bobby Timmerman checked 2 adults and 1 juvenile hunter that took 2 doe deer. Officer found that the hunters failed to record the harvest of the deer. The hunters were given a warning for failure to record deer harvest. The hunters were allowed to keep their harvest.

TALIAFERRO COUNTY On November 3, RFC Bobby Timmerman and CPL Ryan Swain responded to a complaint of a hunter that fell ill and was unable to exit his tree stand. Officers found that the hunter was hunting within 200 yards of corn. EMS responded to the scene and transported the hunter for an evaluation. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On November 3, RFC Bobby Timmerman responded to hunting without permission complaint. Officers found a deer stand on the property line of the complaint location. The deer stand was found to be baited with corn. The incident is still under investigation.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
JASPER COUNTY On November 2nd RFC Billy Bryant and K-9 Drake responded to a night hunting complaint. The complainant provided a tag number for the violator's vehicle. RFC Bryant located the vehicle a short time later. The subject that the vehicle belonged to denied shooting in the area of the complaint. After a brief investigation, RFC Bryant discovered the subject was a convicted felon and a search of the violator's vehicle produced two baggies of marijuana. The subject was arrested for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of marijuana.
LAMAR COUNTY On November 1st, RFC Keith Page located a truck parked at a hunting club where he had previously located a baited deer stand. Fearing that the man may run from his ground blind, RFC Page went into the woods quickly to check the stand because it was just a short distance from the road. Page located the man in the blind and he claimed he was hunting hogs instead of deer. RFC Page questioned the man about the validity of hog hunting on property that did not yield any signs of hogs, nor has it ever had any hogs on it. The man was charged with hunting big game over bait after admitting to RFC Page that he could not show him any hog sign on the entire tract of land.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On November 3rd Cpl. Keith Waddell and Sgt. Brent Railey checked a baited deer stand in Meriwether County. They issued a hunter a citation for hunting big game over bait and a warning for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
PEACH COUNTY On October 28th Cpl. John Harkins responded to a hunting without permission and hunting without a license call from the county Sheriff's department. After investigating the complaint Cpl. Harkins gave the hunter a citation for deer hunting without florescent orange and a warning for hunting without permission.
On October 31st RFC Josh Swain and Cpl. John Harkins completed an investigation which involved the killing of three antlered bucks the previous day. As a result of the

investigation, one subject was cited for failing to record deer harvest and another subject was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. In addition, a warning for taking an undersized buck in a QDM county was issued. Two buck deer were confiscated.
PUTNAM COUNTY On October 31st Cpl Lynn Stanford cited one individual for hunting deer over bait; whole kernel corn was found in the vicinity of the hunter's stand. Later that evening, Cpl Stanford cited one hunter for hunting deer with a .22 rim fire rifle.
Two hunters were cited for killing spike bucks on the BF Grant WMA quality buck hunt. The hunt ran from Thursday through Saturday. Both deer were donated to needy families in the area. Several nice bucks were taken on this hunt and pictures can be viewed on the DNR Facebook page.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On October 30th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Jace Heard conducted a patrol on Silver Lake WMA, citing a subject for hunting big game on a closed WMA. The area was only open for small game hunting at the time.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TELFAIR COUNTY On November 2-3, RFC Allen Mills patrolled the Horse Creek WMA during a buck only big game sign in hunt. RFC Mills checked 23 hunters and documented two license violations and one violation for hunting without a WMA license on person.
DODGE COUNTY On November 2-3, RFC Allen Mills conducted an area check at the Dodge County PFA. RFC Mills checked three vessels and 10 fishing licenses. No violations were documented; verbal guidance was given for minor violations.
LAURENS COUNTY On November 3rd, Sgt. David Reckley, RFC Rodney Horne, and Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted an HIN inspection site in Laurens County. Seven vessels were inspected and registration issues resolved.
On November 1st-2nd, Cpl. Stiles conducted ATV, foot, and vehicle patrols on Beaverdam WMA during a big game check-in hunt. Thirteen license checks were performed. Two license violations were detected and one violation for hunting within 50 yards of a WMA road was documented.

APPLING COUNTY On November 1st, RFC Altman presented hunter safety programs for the CHAMPS Program to four different classes at the Appling Elementary School and Fourth District Elementary School.
While working an area for hunting w/o permission on the evening of November 3rd, RFC Altman discovered a hunter on the property. After checking the individual on GCIC, it was discovered that he was a convicted felon. The hunter was transported to the Sheriff's Office on charges of hunting w/o permission and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. That night RFC Altman responded to a trespassing call in the county. After working the area for a while, RFC Altman set up in a pecan orchard to wait, later a suspect in a vehicle was seen shining a spot light into the orchard. After a short chase, the vehicle was stopped. Two subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. The passenger was also charged with possession of alcohol by an underage person.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY RFC Chase Altman presented a hunter education class on the 30th and 31st to the FFA Class at the Jeff Davis High School. In all, 22 students took and passed the test to receive their hunter education cards.
TOOMBS COUNTY RFC Chase Altman responded to a hunting w/o permission complaint off highway 56. Upon arrival, the subject was charged with hunting w/o permission, hunting deer w/o fluorescent orange, and hunting over bait.
On the morning of November 3rd, RFC Altman and RFC Brannen worked a hunting w/o permission complaint on the Altamaha River. The detail resulted in two hunters being checked, and one fisherman being checked, and given a warning for operating a vessel w/o a CGA PFD.
EVANS COUNTY On Oct. 24th, Evans County Ranger Debbie Brannen checked several deer hunters that resulted in violations for hunting without a license and hunting without fluorescent orange clothing.
November 3rd, RFC Debbie Brannen received a call in reference to hunting without permission. Upon investigation the individual was found to have permission but did not possess licenses. Violations for hunting without big game license and hunting without a license were documented.
LOWNDES COUNTY On November 1st, RFC Keith McDonald responded to hunting without permission complaint in Lowndes County. The landowner observed a truck pass his residence and then heard a gunshot come from the truck. The landowner followed the truck and gave the license plate number to the 911 center. A Lowndes County deputy stopped the truck

just outside of Valdosta. Two individuals were in the truck along with two loaded rifles. After questioning the driver, RFC McDonald issued citations for hunting without permission, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. The two rifles were seized for evidence.
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 3rd, RFC Tim Hutto and Sgt. Damon Winters checked an ongoing complaint of hunting without permission on Axson Road. One subject was located hunting without permission. Violations were documented for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and hunting without permission. The complaint had been checked by the officers for almost two weeks before making contact with the hunter.
On November 3rd, RFC Tim Hutto and Sgt. Damon Winters checked a group of hunters in the southern part of the county. One subject from out of state was found to be hunting deer without a license. Violations were documented for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.
COFFEE COUNTY On November 3rd, RFC Hilton was patrolling Coffee County hunting violations and made contact with an individual hunting deer without fluorescent orange. RFC Hilton issued a written warning for hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Also on this routine patrol, RFC Hilton patrolled Flat Tub WMA and issued four warnings for hunting big game over bait.
BACON COUNTY On October 31st, RFC Mark Pool received a call from Bacon 911 requesting assistance with an in-progress night hunting incident. Prior to RFC Pool's arrival, a Bacon County deputy located several individuals in a blueberry field. The deputy discovered several rifles and two spot lights in the individual's possession. RFC Pool conducted a field interview and learned that the two subjects had shot at a deer. A third individual was also involved in the night hunting incident but had returned home while the other two continued poaching. RFC Pool found what appeared to be two marijuana cigarettes in a cigarette pack on the dash of the poacher's vehicle. RFC Pool also observed one of the individuals step over to the edge of the woods. RFC Pool checked where the individual had stepped and located a small bottle that contained what appeared to be another marijuana cigarette. The two individuals were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, hunting deer at night and hunting from a vehicle. The third individual was located and interviewed by RFC Pool at the Bacon Sheriff's Office and was charged with hunting deer at night and hunting from a vehicle.
CLINCH COUNTY On November 3rd, Cpl. Jason Shipes and Ranger Sam Williams observed an open gate and fresh tire sign entering onto property owned by Rayonier. Utilizing his computer files, Cpl. Shipes confirmed that the property was not leased for hunting. Several subjects were located actively hunting deer with dogs. The hunters were members of a

deer-dogging club that bordered the property in question. After speaking with a representative of Rayonier, the hunters were issued verbal guidance for failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property. A deer-dogging complaint on this hunting club was placed on file in the event any further action is needed.
BULLOCH COUNTY On the morning of November 3rd, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked the Oliver Bridge WMA for hunting activity. His efforts led to one hunter being checked and one violation being documented. The violation was for hunting deer on a closed WMA.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On the afternoon of November 3rd, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to a call about deer dogs running on private (unpermitted) property and the complainant stating that he had caught and was holding two dogs belonging to a dogging club across the Ogeechee River in Bulloch County. Cpl. Akins picked up the two dogs and returned them to their owners. Violations for failure to keep dogs on permitted property were documented against the owners of the dogs.
CANDLER COUNTY On November 2nd, Cpl. Dave Sims was working at night in the north end of the county and observed a vehicle driving down the county road and a spotlight shining into the tree tops. Upon stopping the vehicle, the driver and passenger admitted to hunting raccoons and possessed a loaded .22 caliber rifle in the front compartment of the vehicle. Violations were documented for hunting without a license, hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On November 03, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall was working a night hunting complaint on Raybon Rock Rd West. He watched as a truck came by shining a cornfield with a spotlight. Aspinwall made a vehicle stop and the vehicle had two suspects in it. One of the suspects gave a false name and date of birth. Aspinwall placed the suspect under arrest for giving false information to an officer. After the suspect was placed into a patrol car he asked Aspinwall if he would turn him loose if he told Aspinwall where there was methamphetamine hidden in the truck. Aspinwall advised the suspect that he could not make deals but he would advise the District Attorney of his cooperation. The suspect then told Aspinwall where the meth was hidden. Aspinwall searched the truck and found the meth along with syringes, pipes, and steel wool. He charged both suspects with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. He also charged both suspects with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug related objects. The one suspect was also charged with giving false information to an officer.

BRYAN COUNTY On Nov. 1st, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor presented a Hunter Education class in Pembroke, certifying 20 students.
On Nov. 3rd, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Jason Miller found a 14 year-old juvenile who had shot a bobcat out of season and with an illegal weapon. The juvenile was warned and the bobcat was seized.
LONG COUNTY On November 3rd Cpl Bobby White received call from landowner stating a local dog hunting club was running deer on their property and one of the hunters shot at a deer. Cpl White responded issuing one citation for hunting without permission.
CHATHAM COUNTY On October 28, Cpl. Chris Moore was working a night hunting detail in West Chatham. Cpl. Moore stopped a vehicle he followed for several minutes shining a spotlight. The individual was cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
CAMDEN COUNTY On November 3rd, RFC Craig Smith responded to 2 missing subjects in Kayaks on Crooked River. RFC Smith and 2 volunteers from Camden County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue were able to locate the two after a fisherman located them and called RFC Smith on his cell phone.