Field operations weekly report, 2012 December 9-15

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 9-15, 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)
FANNIN COUNTY On December 4th, RFC Joe Hill received a complaint of someone shooting a doe from the road in Fannin County. RFC Hill went to the location and spoke with Investigator Davenport with Fannin Co. Sheriff's Office. Investigator Davenport advised RFC Hill a witness spotted a vehicle sitting on the side of the road immediately after the shot occurred. The witness also identified the suspect. RFC Hill and Investigator Davenport went to the suspect's house to interview him. The suspect denied any knowledge of the incident. On December 8th DNR Rangers prepared to execute a search warrant on the suspect's residence. RFC Hill was near the suspect's house watching to let other officers know when he returned home. While watching the house, RFC Hill observed the suspect come home after legal shooting hours, shine the headlights of his truck on four deer, and then shoot a seven point buck from the vehicle. The officers arrested the suspect and charged him with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. While the officers were making the arrest, another vehicle drove into the field. DNR officers found the driver of that vehicle to be in possession of an open beer. He was cited for violation of the GA open container law. The search warrant Was executed and the investigation into the original road hunting complaint is ongoing.
On December 4th, RFC Cody Jones instructed a hunter development program for a local high school. 41 students participated and utilized the DNR laser shot equipment.

On December 15th, RFC Cody Jones was patrolling for hunters on Forest Service Rd. 339 when he encountered two subject riding ATVs on Forest Service property. RFC Jones stopped the ATVs, documented the operators' information and turned it over to a Forest Service Agent. Federal citations were issued for operating ATV's on US Forest Service property.
GILMER COUNTY On December 9th, RFC Joe Hill patrolled the Cartecay Tract of Rich Mountain WMA for small game hunters and GORP compliance. No hunters were checked, but a total of eight hikers were checked for GORP compliance. Four hikers had a GORP pass and four did not. Three of the hikers had dogs that were not kept on a leash. RFC Hill gave verbal warnings for the GORP violation and written warnings for the leash law violations.
MURRAY COUNTY On December 3rd, Cpl. Casey Jones charged a Murray County man with multiple violations after he was found hunting deer at night. Cpl. Jones received a call in reference to a person hunting without permission and hunting deer at night. When Cpl. Jones arrived at the scene it was determined that the suspect had also killed two doe deer outside of either sex days.

WHITFIELD COUNTY On December 3rd, Cpl. Casey Jones arrested an illegal immigrant after he was found hunting on property of another without permission. The subject was also found to be in possession of illegally taken wildlife (a five point buck), hunting without license, hunting without big game license and hunting without orange. As the illegal immigrant was in possession of a firearm the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) is in the process of pursuing charges against the suspect as well.
On December 8th, Cpl. Casey Jones charged a Whitfield County man for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
STEPHENS COUNTY On December 15, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled U. S. Forest property in the Toccoa area. While on the Panther Creek road, the rangers saw a large group of hikers. When the group saw the rangers, a woman ran towards them waving her arms. The rangers stopped to talk to her and she advised them she had a friend that had broken her ankle and was left on the trail and some of the group needed a ride back to Habersham County where the cars were left to be able to carry her to a hospital. Rangers offered to call an ambulance but she declined. The rangers gave two men a ride to their vehicles so they could return and pick up the injured hiker.
FORSYTH COUNTY On December 15th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Brandon Pierce were listening for duck shoots. The rangers heard a shoot and RFC Pierce responded to the area of the shots to attempt to locate. While Sgt. Brown was waiting for RFC Pierce to get into the area of the shots they heard, Sgt. Brown had subjects shooting at his location. Sgt. Brown checked three subjects duck hunting. Warnings were issued for hunting without a license (to two subjects), hunting without a Georgia Waterfowl License and for hunting without a Federal Duck Stamp. The two subjects in violation were sold licenses by Sgt. Brown by using his MDT to have them in compliance so that they could continue their hunt.
On December 15th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a possible illegal duck hunting complaint at a closed campground on Lake Lanier. Arriving at the scene shots were heard by the ranger in the general area. Ranger Pierce headed in the direction of the shots and located two subjects hunting from a makeshift blind. The subjects, both juveniles, were hunting ducks and geese. Upon inspecting their guns and ammo, it was clear that several violations were at hand. The subjects had paddled a boat to the location from their residence. Verbal warnings were given on hunting with an unplugged shotgun, hunting waterfowl with lead shot, and littering. The boat was inspected for proper equipment and the subjects were told to leave and if wanted they could return with the proper equipment.

GWINNETT COUNTY On December 13th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins received a call in reference to two subjects seen walking into a wooded area without fluorescent orange vests while hunting. Cpl. Tompkins located the subjects and determined the subjects did not have permission to hunt the property. One of the hunters had harvested a 9 point buck. Cpl. Tompkins made contact with the landowner to advise him of the situation. One subject was issued a citation for hunting without fluorescent orange and a written warning for hunting without permission. The other subject was issued a citation for hunting without fluorescent orange, failure to record deer harvest, and a written warning for hunting without permission. The 9 point buck was seized as evidence.
On December 14th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located a subject bow hunting without fluorescent orange near the Chattahoochee River. The subject was issued a citation for hunting without fluorescent orange and a written warning for failure to record deer harvest.
On December 15th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins received a call in reference to hunters possibly trespassing. Cpl. Tompkins located a father and son bow hunting without fluorescent orange. One subject was just over the property line on the complainant's property. The father was issued a citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange a written warning for hunting without permission and a written warning for failure to a obtain deer harvest record.
BANKS COUNTY On December 12, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk was patrolling for waterfowl hunters hunting after hours. Shooting hours ended at 5:29pm. At approximately 5:43pm he heard several shots. After hearing several groups of shots he was able to locate three hunters who were hunting ducks. The subjects were issued citations for hunting waterfowl after hours.
HALL COUNTY On December 13, RFC Mark Stephens responded to a call in Hall County. The caller advised Officer Stephens that someone was hunting on their property without permission. Officer Stephens arrived at the location and issued a citation to the individual hunting without permission.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GLASCOCK COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Brian Adams checked an area where he had previously located several baited deer stands. Adams located two subjects who were hunting the baited areas. Both subjects were cited for hunting over bait and hunting without orange.

LINCOLN COUNTY On December 15th Cpl. Brian Hobbins patrolled Clarks Hill Lake for duck hunting activity. Cpl. Hobbins checked 12 groups of hunters and issued several warnings for various license violations.
WILKES COUNTY On Wednesday December 12, CPL Mark Patterson received a call from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office reporting a possible hunting without permission case. Deputies had located a vehicle parked in a county dirt road containing items that would suggest the occupant was hunting. Nearby property owners were known to the officers and the vehicle did not match descriptions of anyone with permission to hunt there. While attempting to locate the subject, a nearby deer camp was found to be recently broken into. The subject associated with the vehicle was located along with numerous items believed to have come from the camp. The subject was taken into custody by Wilkes SO officers.
On Friday December 14, CPL Mark Patterson was working night hunting and observed a vehicle shining a field. The vehicle was stopped and the driver charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
On December 15, CPL Mark Patterson checked an area known to have baited deer stands. Two subjects were charged for hunting big game over bait.
WALTON COUNTY On Saturday December 15, RFC Tim Butler was off and heard a dove shoot. RFC Butler went on duty and located the shoot. The shoot was in a cut corn field baited with cracked corn. There were eight adults and one juvenile. The owner of the field admitted to baiting the field. The owner was cited for unlawful enticement and warned for possession of illegal wildlife. The other seven hunters were warned for hunting over bait and possession of illegal taken wildlife. A total of 53 doves were confiscated.
RICHMOND ACTIVITY On December 15, Cpl. Ben Payne checked several without permission complaints around Richmond County. He checked duck hunters at Phinizy WMA. Several hunters were checked with only minor violations. Mid-day he completed HIN inspections at the Thomson Office. He worked a night hunting complaint early in the morning with no activity reported.
WALTON COUNTY On December 15, RFC Freddie Hays issued a citation to an individual for littering after an investigation he and RFC Niki Spencer conducted in regards to trash being dumped on the side of Indian Creek Rd in Walton County.

HANCOCK COUNTY On December 9, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Richard Tanner assisted the GBI and GSP with conducting a road check point in Hancock County. During the check point, several traffic violations were noted as well as one individual was placed under arrest for driving under the influence.
On December 14, RFC Richard Tanner located a non-resident deer hunter that was hunting with an expired hunting license. RFC Tanner issued the individual a warning for the offense.
On December 15, while patrolling Hancock County, RFC Richard Tanner located a deer hunter that was hunting over bait. The individual was cited for the offense.
On December 15, RFC Richard Tanner received a call from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office in regards to a possible hunting accident. The complainant had advised that he heard a gunshot followed by someone screaming for help. Cpl. Josh Copelan and RFC Tanner arrived on the scene to attempt to locate the victim along with two deputies from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office. After approximately 2 hours of searching, it was found that the victim was already at the hospital. It was also found that the victim had not been shot. While hunting in his ladder stand, the strap that held the stand to the tree snapped and the stand fell to the ground with the victim still inside. The victim sustained multiple broken bones and a torn ACL. Sgt. John Harwell, Cpl. Lynn Stanford, RFC Leroy Ficklin, RFC Freddie Hays, and RFC Brian Adams also responded to the call to assist in the search for the injured hunter.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
MERIWETHER COUNTY On December 2nd, just before dark, Cpl. Keith Waddell received a call in reference to someone hunting county owned property without permission. Cpl. Waddell responded and encountered a man walking out of the woods. The individual was wearing hunting clothes but was not carrying a gun. Appearing nervous, the man told Cpl. Waddell he was not hunting and that he was "just walking around" in the woods. The man was then identified and released. Waddell then requested Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and K9 Ruger to come to the scene. A search of the area by Ruger revealed a centerfire rifle in the area the man had walked from. The man was later found to be a convicted felon and the investigation continues.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On December 9th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Jace Heard conducted a vessel patrol on Lake Seminole to check waterfowl activity. The Rangers cited four subjects for hunting without a license or duck stamp.

On December 14th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Jace Heard patrolled Silver Lake WMA, citing one subject for hunting deer on a closed WMA.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On December14th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Ranger Jace Heard patrolled Lake Seminole, citing two duck hunters for hunting without duck stamps.
On December 15th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Jace Heard responded to a call from a deputy who had stopped a subject engaged in illegal night hunting activities. The subject was cited for hunting deer at night and hunting from a vehicle.
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Jon Penuel patrolled for dog deer hunting activity in the Berlin area. The patrol resulted in one subject being charged with hunting without a license and warned for operating a vehicle without permit numbers displayed.
On December 15th, Ranger Chris Carlisle was patrolling for dove hunting activity in the Funston area when he located a dove shoot taking place on a large peanut field. While checking licenses, Ranger Carlisle found the field had been baited with peanut splits. Nine citations were issued for hunting over bait and fifty-nine doves were seized.
WORTH COUNTY On December 15th, Cpl. Robbie Griner located a dove shoot that was taking place in the Oakfield area. As he entered the field, he found split and crushed peanuts scattered about. The officer advised the hunters that the field was baited and stopped the shoot. Four subjects were charged with hunting over bait and eleven doves were confiscated.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On December 16th, at approximately 6:00p.m., RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the area of Kennedy Bridge and Carters Bridge area in an effort to detect roost shooting for waterfowl in Tattnall County. RFC Clint Jarriel heard shots coming from a pond area near Kennedy Bridge road. RFC Jarriel could also hear the report of geese calling in the distance followed by shots and the sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground. RFC Jarriel approached the area and saw a vehicle leaving the area towing a boat. RFC Jarriel stopped the vehicle and determined the subjects to be the shooters. The subjects took RFC Jarriel back to the scene and retrieved the geese from an open field area and also some birds that landed in a pond. The subjects were charged for hunting waterfowl after hours. There were 9 geese total.
On December 8th, RFC Debbie Brannen worked a night hunting/hunting without permission complaint on the Evans/Tattnall county line. Driving along she observed a vehicle in the back of a peanut field where the hunting at night and without permission complaint stemmed. Upon further investigation it was determined that the individuals

had a live trap for hogs on the property. Violations for trapping without permission were documented and the subjects promptly removed the trap.
On December 9th, RFC Brannen patrolled the Big Hammock WMA. Verbal warnings were given to those using the firing range without the GORP pass.
DODGE COUNTY On December 9th Cpl. Morty Wood, Cpl. James McLaughlin, and Cpl. Dan Stiles investigated a hunting incident in Dodge County involving a juvenile who received injuries. The incident is still under investigation.
On December 13th RFC Allen Mills presented a Power Point presentation of the GA DNR Law Enforcement Section duties and job responsibilities and presented career information to six High School classes.
On December 15th RFC Allen Mills patrolled the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Three boating safety and five license checks were performed with no violations detected. Six visitors received verbal guidance on GORP requirements on state properties.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 12th and 15th RFC Allen Mills patrolled the Beaverdam WMA during a buck-only big game sign-in hunt. Three license checks were performed, no violations were documented.
On December 10th Cpl. Stiles conducted two Information and Education programs to two fifth grade classes at the SW Laurens Co. Elementary School. Cpl. Stiles presented the Hunting and firearms safety section of the CHAMPS program to 40 students.
CHARLTON COUNTY On December 8th, RFC Mark Pool received a call from the Charlton County 911 in reference to two stranded boaters on the St. Mary's River. RFC Pool was unable to contact the two boaters because of their remote location. After a short time of trying to contact the boaters, they again contacted Charlton 911. The stranded boater advised they had located a hunting camp and built a fire and were going to stay there until day light. Early the next morning, RFC Pool contacted Charlton 911 to get an update on the boaters. 911 notified RFC Pool that Nassau County Florida Sheriff's Department and the FWC had boats on the river. RFC Pool arrived at the Trader's Hill to assist. The two stranded boaters were located unharmed.
WARE COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Mark Pool and Ranger Sam Williams responded to Dixon WMA Shooting Range in reference to an accidental shooting. While unloading a Ruger 9mm pistol, it discharged striking the concrete shooting bench and ricocheted. Another shooter was standing approximately 5 feet when the round struck the shooting bench. The round fragmented and hit the other subject causing shallow puncture wounds to the inside of his left forearm. He also received superficial wounds to his left hand, upper left arm, and

below his left eye. The injured subject was transported by EMS to Satilla Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released. BACON COUNTY On December 15th, RFC Mark Pool and Ranger Sam Williams were patrolling Bacon County for duck hunting activity. An active shoot was heard and located in north Bacon County. Five hunters were checked resulting in no violations. BERRIEN COUNTY On December 16th, RFC Keith McDonald checked nine duck hunters in east Berrien County. No ducks were shot during this hunt. One citation was issued for hunting waterfowl without GA waterfowl license. On December 16th, RFC McDonald patrolled Paradise PFA for fishing activity. Seven fishermen and two boats were checked. One citation was issued for operating a vessel without CGA PFD's.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 9th, RFC Trey Taylor and Cpl. Jay Morgan checked a boat at the Ft. McAllister ramp on the Ogeechee River and found two commercial fishermen in the boat with a cooler full of crabs and approximately three bushels of oysters. After talking to the subjects, it determined that one of the men was a licensed commercial crabber and they had legally taken the crabs. Both subjects admitted to picking the oysters from a closed area at St. Catherine's Sound. Both were cited for taking oysters from a closed area. The oysters were confiscated and returned to a location in the river. The rangers then launched their boat and checked several other fishermen that afternoon.
3 bushels of confiscated oysters

On Dec. 9th, Cpl. Phillip and Ranger Jason Miller conducted a boating safety patrol and checked several fishermen from St. Catherine's Sound to Ossabaw Sound. One fisherman was cited for possession of undersized fish. Another boater was cited for not having a throwable (Type IV) life jacket and for not having registration numbers displayed.
On Dec. 10th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Ranger Jason Miller presented a Hunter Education class at J. F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill, certifying 27 students.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Dec. 14th, Ranger Trey Taylor received a call from the Liberty Co. Sheriff's Dept. regarding a call the LCSO received about shots fired in a neighborhood at Sunbury. The deputies had stopped three men who admitted to shooting a deer at night. Ranger Taylor responded and the three men admitted to riding around and shooting at a deer, then coming back to pick the deer up. All three were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, hunting from a road, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The doe deer was confiscated and donated to a local church who gave the meat to needy families.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On December 12, RFC John Evans was working a night deer hunting complaint in Brantley County. At approximately 10:30 pm, a vehicle was observed shinning a light. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.