Field operations weekly report, 2012 December 16-29

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 16-29, 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)
CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 22nd, Cpl. Lee Burns foot patrolled an area where RFC Barton Hendrix had been multiple times during the week and located several baited deer stands. Cpl. Burns located a subject rifle hunting within twenty-five yards of whole kernel corn. The subject stated he knew the corn was there and admitted to killing two deer over it. The subject was cited for hunting over bait, failure to record deer harvest and warned for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange. He had his hunter orange with him, but did not put it on until he got down from his ladder stand.
MURRAY COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. James Keener, Cpl. Casey Jones, Sgt. John VanLandingham, and RFC Cody Jones were patrolling the Coosawattee WMA in the area of Ball Ground Road when they stopped a vehicle that had been observed entering and leaving the management area very suspiciously. After the vehicle was stopped, consent to search the vehicle was given and an amount less than 1 oz. of suspected marijuana was located in the driver's possession. The driver was subsequently charged with possession of marijuana.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
MADISON COUNTY On December 14, Sgt. Stan Elrod received an anonymous tip that some men had been injured while night hunting. There were two men involved and one man had gotten his fingers shot off. Sgt. Elrod and RFC Tim Vickery began investigating the tip. Due to very little information, the rangers had a difficult time gathering information. Local hospitals were checked and one report was found at Ty Cobb Memorial where a man had been treated for a gunshot wound and was missing some finger parts. Sgt. Elrod and RFC Vickery began searching for these two men. Finally, on December 17 the rangers located the victim. After speaking with the man, it was clear this was the victim of the incident. He was missing parts of three fingers. Apparently he and his brother were trying to shoot a coyote when the accident happened. One brother was resting the rifle on the others shoulder. When the rifle fired, the victim's hand holding the light was in front of the muzzle.
DAWSON COUNTY On December 18th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck issued citations to a subject for "Fishing in a Closed Trout Stream" on the Amicalola River on Dawson Forest WMA. Further investigation resulted in an Arrest Warrant taken out on the subject for "False Statement in Obtaining a License". The subject had an Alabama Driver's License but had obtained a Georgia Resident Hunting License, Big Game License and Deer Harvest Records.

On December 19th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck issued a citation to a subject for "Driving in Unauthorized Area" on Dawson Forest WMA.
On December 22nd, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Mitchell Crump responded to a compliant of possible illegal duck hunting activity and hunting without permission. Seven hunters were checked for proper licenses and equipment. No violations were documented.
FORSYTH COUNTY On December 21st, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Lee Brown worked a complaint in reference to possible illegal duck hunting activity. A total of four hunters were checked for proper licenses, birds, and equipment. Four violations were documented which include failure to sign federal migratory bird stamp and hunting waterfowl without Georgia waterfowl license.
GWINNETT COUNTY On December 17th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins watched a subject throw some paper from the window of his vehicle on the ground in the parking lot of the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office. The subject was issued a citation for littering.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OCONEE COUNTY On Thursday December 20th, RFC Tim Butler was listening for morning duck shoots. RFC Butler heard a volley of shots coming from a pond he previously found baited with corn. Two men were found hunting ducks in the pond. Both of the men were issued citations for hunting ducks over bait.
On Thursday December 20th, RFC Tim Butler checked two men and a juvenile hunting rabbits. One of the men did not have a plug in his shotgun and the other did not have a hunting license. Both men were issued warnings for the infractions.
WILKES COUNTY On Sunday December 16, Cpl. Mark Patterson checked a hunting club with several baited stands. One subject was caught hunting deer over bait. This subject did not have a hunting license or a big game license. One other subject on the club was caught with a deer he had not recorded on his harvest record.
On Saturday December 22, Cpl. Mark Patterson caught a subject hunting deer without a big game license.

GREENE COUNTY On Sunday December 16, RFC Richard Tanner patrolled Redlands WMA. While patrolling the area, RFC Tanner encountered one subject hunting deer on the WMA. The area was closed to deer hunting. The subject was also in possession of buckshot, which is illegal to hunt with on the WMA. RFC Tanner charged the individual with Hunting on Closed WMA and warned him for Hunting With/Possession of Buckshot on WMA.
WASHINGTON COUNTY On Saturday December 22, Cpl. Micheal Crawley was checking a complaint of a convicted felon hunting with a firearm. Cpl. Crawley encountered the subject, but the subject was not hunting at the time. Cpl. Crawley discovered that the subject was in possession of several narcotic level pills that did not belong to him. Cpl. Crawley arrested the subject and charged him for Violating Georgia Controlled Substance Laws. The subject also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest from another county.
WILKES COUNTY On December 24, Corporal Mark Patterson checked waterfowl hunters at Lake Boline. Violations addressed were operating a vessel without registration and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Later in the morning while patrolling portions of Clarks Hill WMA, Cpl. Patterson noticed a plume of black smoke originating from a nearby residence. Upon investigation, a large pile of debris including numerous tires was found burning behind a barn. The responsible party was contacted and charged with unlawful burning.
On December 28 and 29, Cpl. Mark Patterson checked several hunters during regular patrol. Two cases of hunting without a license, two cases of hunting without a big game license, one case of hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and one case of hunting without permission were documented.
GREENE COUNTY On December 27, CPL David Allen and SGT John Harwell patrolled Dyars Pasture for duck hunters. Citations were issued for unplugged shotgun and license violations.
RICHMOND COUNTY On December 29, Cpl. Ben Payne worked night hunting complaint. He checked several without permission complaints around Richmond County. He checked duck hunters at Phinizy WMA. Several hunters were checked with only minor violations. Later in the morning he went to MCG and worked a hunting incident that occurred on Christmas Day. Later in the evening he worked a roost pond with Sgt. Boswell.

JEFFERSON COUNTY On Dec 27th RFC Grant Matherly assisted with a search warrant with Jefferson County SO while doing so RFC Matherly noticed that the man was someone he had been investigating for the past two months. While at the man's property RFC Matherly was able to finish his investigation for the man having over the limit in bucks. RFC Matherly then questioned the man, who confessed to having killed all four bucks this hunting season. RFC Matherly then confiscated the four bucks while the SO confiscated nearly 50 guns.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On December 21st, RFC Keith Page located four young men hunting ducks near the Tussahaw Creek off of Highway 36. None of the individuals had a hunting license, Georgia waterfowl license, or federal duck stamp, and several of them were also hunting with lead shot rather than the required steel shot. One of the men was also found to be hunting with an unplugged shotgun. In addition, none of the hunters had attended the required hunter safety course. Citations were issued for hunting without license, hunting without Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without federal duck stamp and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. The men received warnings for hunting with illegal ammunition and hunting without completing a hunter safety course.
HARRIS COUNTY On December 19th and 21st, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and Cpl. Mitch Oliver assisted the Harris County Sheriff's office with active shooter training. The training was simulated where a shooter had come into the school and Deputies were trained how to resolve the situation. The Rangers played the role of the shooter as well as innocent victims trying to flee the scene. The training was conducted with simunition weapons.
MONROE COUNTY On December 20th Cpl. Keith Waddell and Sgt. Brent Railey were returning from a region meeting in Macon when, on Highway 74 in Monroe County, they noticed a subject walking on the shoulder of the highway. The individual was wearing full camouflage and an orange vest and was carrying a deer rifle. The officers stopped to check the suspect's hunting license and he ran into a wooded area away from the officers. The officers pursued the suspect several hundred yards and the suspect refused to drop his weapon, saying things like "leave me alone" and turning toward the officers several times while holding the loaded rifle. After repeated strong verbal commands with guns drawn they were able to disarm the suspect and arrest him. During a search of the suspect's person a small amount of marijuana and 3 knives were taken from him. Sgt. Tim Kendrick, Cpl. Susan Morris, Cpl. Tony Wynne, RFC Keith Page, Cpl. Mitch Oliver, and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen with "Ruger" (department K9) offered assistance with the case. The suspect was transported to the Monroe County Justice Center for booking. Cpl. Waddell met with Monroe County magistrate judge and secured warrants on the suspect for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Obstruction of an Officer (Felony), Hunting without a License, Hunting without a Big Game License, and Possession of Marijuana Less than an Ounce.

SPALDING COUNTY On the night of December 21st Major Stephen Adams, Sgt. Brent Railey and RFC Travis Sweat were notified of a Child Abduction Recovery Team (CART) callout in Spalding County in reference to a missing nine year old girl. She had been missing since around noon on that day. Sgt. Railey contacted his Critical Action Team (CAT) members Cpl. Susan Morris, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen with K9 Ruger and RFC Keith Page and had them meet him at the scene. At around 1:30 AM the rangers as well as the Georgia State Patrol NIGHTHAWKS led by Cpl. David Holland as well as about ten civilian volunteers began an organized grid search of the area around the missing girl's house. Less than thirty minutes after the search began the girl's body was found a short distance from her home. Ultimately, a neighbor of the victim was arrested and charged by Spalding County Sheriff's Investigators with murder, kidnapping and concealing a death. He remains in custody at the Spalding County Jail.
COWETA COUNTY On December 26th, RFC Travis Sweat responded to a call in reference to two hunters trespassing. He responded and found two duck hunters who had used a boat to access private property by way of a creek. After speaking to the landowner involved, they were warned for hunting without permission and cited for operating a vessel without personal floatation devices.
HEARD COUNTY On the morning of December 28th, Ranger Russell Epps was listening for morning duck hunting activity, when he heard shooting coming from a known baited swamp. Ranger Epps located five individuals, two adults and three juveniles, hunting the baited swamp. Upon investigation, a sample of bait was retrieved and the two adults were charged with hunting ducks over bait.
JONES COUNTY On Saturday, December 29th, Ranger Jeremy Reese and Sgt. Bo Kelly checked an area for hunting without permission. No contact was made with anyone hunting on the complainant's property.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On December 23rd, Sgt. Brent Railey was checking boats and licenses at the boat ramp on Joe Kurz WMA. A duck hunter came to the ramp and reported he had hit a rock and two people, including himself, were thrown from the boat and two others jumped from the boat when it swamped. They were on the banks of the Flint River with two other hunters who stopped to help. They were waiting on his return after he drained the water from the swamped boat. Sgt. Railey assisted the man with getting the boat on the boat trailer and draining the water from it. The hunter then returned to the area and retrieved his friends.

No one was injured and there was minimal damage to the boat. No ducks were killed and no citations were issued.
On December 27th, Cpl. Keith Waddell received a call in reference to illegal burning in Manchester. He responded and found an individual burning roofing shingles and other construction debris. The individual was cited for illegal burning.
PULASKI COUNTY On December 23rd, RFC Ronnie Beard checked two duck hunters who were in possession of nine wood ducks. Upon being questioned, one of the hunters admitted that they had killed all nine birds. The hunters were cited for taking over the bag limit.
PUTNAM COUNTY On Saturday, December 29th, Cpl. Josh Copelan and Ranger Jeremy Reese checked waterfowl hunters hunting on Lake Sinclair. No violations were detected.
Later that day, Sgt. Bo Kelly patrolled BF Grant WMA for small game hunters. No violations were detected.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TURNER COUNTY During a patrol on December 22nd, Ranger Chad Hulsey encountered a vehicle parked in an unusual position on the edge of a public road. Ranger Hulsey found the occupant sitting in the vehicle with the windows down, a rifle in the seat and a propane heater on the console. The ranger interviewed the subject, and afterwards cited him for hunting from a public road.
On December 29th, Cpl. Al Greer and Cpl. Greg Wade located 5 subjects hunting waterfowl after legal hours, the subjects were charged with hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting waterfowl with lead shot, and various license violations.
DECATUR COUNTY On December 21st, RFC Tony Cox, Ranger Jace Heard, and Sgt. Rick Sellars where conducting patrols, when one of the Rangers located a duck pond that was being hunted well after the legal shooting hours. Ten hunters were cited for 16 violations, including hunting waterfowl after legal hours and hunting without licenses or duckstamps.
On December 27th, RFC Tony Cox conducted a waterfowl patrol on Lake Seminole where he encountered and cited a subject for taking over the limit of waterfowl, and confiscated 30 coots and gallinules.

GRADY COUNTY On December 27th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Jace Heard completed an investigation on a subject that was confronted by a landowner while hunting deer at night. Warrants were taken for the poacher for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without permission.
On December 29th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Mike Binion were conducting a concentrated patrol to address night hunting complaints when Cpl. Binion stopped a vehicle after observing the occupants actively night hunting. Two subjects were arrested and cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
LEE COUNTY On the night of December 28th, RFC Randy James heard the Sheriff's Office dispatch a unit on a shots fired call near a residential area. The complainant witnessed a vehicle leave the area and was able to get an accurate description it. The vehicle in question later returned where it was stopped and both occupants were questioned. It was then discovered the driver was the one who had shot the deer, he was placed under arrest and transported to the Lee County jail where he was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 23rd, Ranger Chris Carlisle received information of an in-progress dove shoot after a passerby observed a lone hunter with his bird dog in a peanut field. Ranger Carlisle located the hunter and upon approaching the man, Carlisle was greeted with "Hello again". The hunter introduced himself and Ranger Carlisle recalled that he had issued the subject a citation the week before for hunting doves over bait at another location. Carlisle asked the subject if the field was baited and was informed that it was not. Carlisle, however, inspected the field and found it to be baited similarly to the field addressed the previous week; split peanut scattered across the field. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting doves over bait and Ranger Carlisle seized the 12 doves he had taken.
BROOKS COUNTY On December 29th, RFC Jon Penuel was conducting a patrol to address night deer hunting when he witnessed the occupants of a truck hunt several fields. Two subjects were interviewed and subsequently charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting from a public road.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On December 24, 2012 RFC Clint Jarriel worked a baited watershed lake for duck hunting activity. Four hunters were checked and citations wrote for hunting over bait (ducks) and possession of illegally taken wildlife. One duck was confiscated.
ATKINSON COUNTY On December 26th, Sgt. Damon Winters received a call from Atkinson County 911 about suspected night hunting off Old Axson Road. Sgt. Winters arrived at the location to find an Atkinson County Deputy and the land owner out with four suspects. After an investigation all four suspects were transported to the Atkinson County Jail and charged with hunting deer at night.
LOWNDES COUNTY On January 1st, Sgt. Damon Winters and RFC Keith McDonald worked a baited duck shoot in the Lake Park area. Two hunters were found in a small pond next to the interstate and two more hunters were found hiding at another adjoining pond. Twenty one violations were documented and five ducks were confiscated.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Saturday December 15th, RFC Jamey O'Brien patrolled and checked Abercorn boat landing for boating and duck hunting activity. A total of 10 boats and 22 duck hunters were checked; one violation was noted for an expired hunting license
BULLOCH COUNTY On December 30th, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled lower Bulloch County for deer hunting activity. His efforts resulted in two violations being documented. The documented violations were for hunting without a license and hunting without fluorescent orange.
On December 31st, Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled in Bulloch County for early morning duck and dove hunting activity. His efforts resulted in three violations being detected. The documented violations were for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl conservation license, hunting without a license and hunting with an unplugged gun.
On the morning of December 31st, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to a deer dogging complaint. The complaint was off Railroad Bed Road near Brooklet. Investigation of the incident resulted in two violations being documented. The violations were for failure to keep dogs on permitted property and hunting deer with unmarked dogs.
APPLING COUNTY On the 20th, Cpl. Altman finished an investigation of illegal dumping of a deer carcass on private property, resulting in two littering violations being issued to the individuals responsible.

While on patrol on the morning of the 30th, Cpl. Altman located two individuals hunting deer. Both hunters did not have their orange vests on, but did have them on hand. Warnings were given, and they were advised to keep the vests on while enjoying their hunt.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY Cpl. Altman was on patrol of Bullard Creek WMA on the morning of the 28th, when he received a call about a hunter driving on a closed road. The hunter was located and checked. One violation of driving on a closed road was documented and the hunter sent on his way.
EVANS COUNTY December 27th, RFC Brannen located a dove field baited with shelled corn. Later that day Sgt. Jon Barnard joined her to look at the field. It was determined the field was baited and the field was flagged. Another dove field was located baited with corn and rock salt. This field belonged to the same landowner/lease. This field was flagged also and the landowner notified.
On the evening of the 27th, a roost shoot for ducks was located. Violations for hunting after hours and hunting without a federal waterfowl stamp were documented.
December 28th, RFC Brannen checked a deer hunter. The hunter was found in violation of hunting big game without a license and hunting without a license.
December 29th, RFC Brannen checked a dove shoot with approximately 15 hunters. One verbal warning was given for failure to participate in the HIP program.
BEN HILL COUNTY On December 29, Sgt. David Reckley worked a hunting incident that happened on a hunting club on McCrimmon Rd. in Ben Hill County. While hunting from an elevated wooden box stand, a 64 year old male and a 16 year old female fell when the stand collapsed. Upon inspection it was found that the floor in the stand was weakened from weathering. The female was uninjured and the male suffered a compound fracture of the right ankle.
TELFAIR COUNTY On December 24, RFC Allen Mills was conducting a routine patrol on Hwy. 149, when a BMW 550I passed RFC Mills at an extremely high rate of speed and then passed another vehicle on a double yellow line in a curve causing that vehicle to drive off the road. RFC Mills engaged his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the BMW. The vehicle did not respond to RFC Mills attempts and continued on for another 5 miles before finally pulling into her driveway. RFC Mills immediately exited his vehicle and placed the suspect in handcuffs. RFC Mills advised the suspect of the charges she was being arrested for when he notices a pungent smell. The suspect had a partially smoked marijuana cigarette in her possession as well as additional marijuana. The suspect also had Lorcet tablets in her possession without a prescription. Four violations were

documented, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, possession of Lorcet without a prescription, reckless driving, and fleeing and alluding. The suspect was turned over to the Telfair Sheriff's department.
PIERCE COUNTY On December 22nd, RFC Mark Pool & RGR Sam Williams were patrolling for deer dogging activity in an area of Pierce County where complaints had recently been received on two different clubs. Two vehicles were observed parked in the middle of a county dirt road. As the officers approached the vehicles, they saw a subject standing in the open driver's side doorway of each vehicle. One of the subjects was not wearing fluorescent orange. The officers spoke with the subjects briefly and determined they were attempting to gather deer dogs that had gotten on unpermitted property. Both subjects also had loaded shotguns that were readily accessible. A citation was issued for hunting deer w/o wearing fluorescent orange. Written warnings were issued for hunting big game from public road and the subjects were verbally warned for hunting on the unpermitted property.
On Dec. 24th, RFC Mark Pool and RGR Sam Williams were patrolling in the area of River Rd. in reference to deer dogging complaints. A total of three subjects were encountered along the roadway. One verbal warning was issued to one of the individuals because the fluorescent orange vest he was wearing had completely faded out on the back. The individual retrieved another vest of the proper color from his vehicle to wear while he continued hunting.
BACON COUNTY On Dec. 24th, RFC Mark Pool & RGR Sam Williams received a call from Pierce County 911 in reference to several individuals hunting deer with dogs along Hwy. 32. A weapon had been discharged from the public roadway. Once in the area, the officers began to patrol the secondary roads attempting to locate the subjects. After a few minutes an individual was encountered on a dirt road in Bacon County just beyond the Pierce County line standing in the roadway with a dog box in the back of the truck. When the officers stepped out of their vehicle, the subject stated, "You caught me." The subject told the officers three other vehicles were in the area and their locations. The rest of the party was located and returned back to the location where the first subject was encountered. The officers interviewed the subjects and checked their hunting licenses. A total of six citations were issued which included hunting deer with dogs in a closed county, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Two written warnings were issued for hunting without a hunting license and hunting big game without a big game license.
WARE COUNTY On Dec. 23rd, RFC Mark Pool and RGR Sam Williams were working a night hunting detail on Henry King Road in northwestern Ware County in reference to a complaint. Just before midnight, a vehicle drove past the officer's location. A light was shined across the field. The officers began to follow the vehicle. It turned onto Watell-Davis Rd. and as the officers caught up with it the spotlight was shined down the rows of a blueberry field.

A traffic stop was initiated. During the interview of the two subjects, they stated that they were hunting rabbits. A .22 magnum rifle was located in the front seat of the vehicle along with a spotlight. Both subjects were charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle and were given verbal guidance as to the legal hours and methods of hunting rabbits.
On December 28th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and Cpl. Josh Chambers were checking for duck hunting activity on the Satilla River. Cpl. Shipes and Cpl. Chambers observed two hunters returning to the landing after the mornings hunt. While talking with one of the subjects, Cpl. Shipes learned that they were "jump shooting" waterfowl. Upon further inspection of the hunter's licenses and other requirements, Cpl. Chambers found that one of the hunters failed to purchase a Georgia waterfowl license while the other was using an unplugged shotgun. Citations were issued for failure to purchase the required license, hunting with unplugged shotgun and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The two were given verbal guidance for "jump shooting" waterfowl.
ECHOLS COUNTY On December 27th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree encountered nine individuals hog hunting around a large field off Strickland Road at dusk. None of the hunters were wearing any fluorescent orange. Seven of the hunters were non-residents with three being juveniles. Only the two Georgia residents possessed hunting licenses. Sgt. Dupree was able to safely group everyone up and gave verbal guidance on the dangers of hunting without orange. Sgt. Dupree also explained that a hunting license was needed to hunt hogs in Georgia.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 20th, Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA and cited a hunter on the Egypt Island Tract for hunting within 50 yards of a road and issued a warning for hunting from a public road.
On Dec. 21st, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA on the Kilkenny Tract and cited a deer-dogging hunter for failure to keep deerhunting dog on permitted property.
On Dec. 22nd, RFC Thain and Ranger Taylor patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA and adjoining hunting club areas. One deer-dogging hunter was cited for failure to display deer-dogging permit number on his truck. A WMA hunter was cited for hunting within 50 yards of a WMA road on the Oak Level Tract. Two WMA hunters were checked on the Kilkenny Tract with one hunter cited for hunting hogs without wearing fluorescent orange and the other one for accompanying a hog hunter without wearing fluorescent orange. While citing these two persons, they observed a deer-hunting dog on the WMA, caught the dog, and identified the owner who was later cited for failure to keep deer-dog on permitted property.

On Dec. 2nd, Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the western end of the county near Lanier and Blitchton. Cpl. Morgan observed a truck passing a field slowly with a light being shined from the passenger window. Cpl Morgan stopped the truck and found three young men with a loaded 7 mm rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun loaded with "00" buckshot. All three were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. On Dec. 23rd, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Medway River area, checking several speckled trout fishermen. One fisherman, returning from the offshore CAT reef, was cited for possession of an illegal-size red drum (over 23").
Sgt. Shelton & 26" Red Drum
On Dec. 23rd, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Trey Taylor located a lost hunter on the Kilkenny Tract of the Richmond Hill WMA. On Dec. 26th, Ranger Jason Miller cited a hunter for hunting within 50 yards of a WMA road on the Kilkenny Tract of the Richmond Hill WMA. On Dec. 27th, RFC Thain and Ranger Miller found a vehicle parked at the old Bryan Fishermen's Co-op dock, which is privately owned. They then found two hunters returning to their vehicle across the marsh. Both hunters were cited for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange and for hunting without licenses. Both were warned about parking on private property. On Dec. 29th, Cpl. Phillip Scott received a call about a hunting incident and responded to the Effingham County Hospital that evening where he interviewed the shooting victim. The victim had been hunting at Bryan Hunting Club that morning when he was struck in the right hand by a buckshot pellet shot by the shooter as a deer was passing between the two hunters, who were hunting deer with dogs. The victim had continued to hunt and only went to the hospital that evening when his hand began to swell.

CHATHAM COUNTY On Dec. 28th, RFC Jack Thain checked the boat ramp at King's Ferry on the Ogeechee River and cited one boater for operating a vessel without a boat registration. LIBERTY COUNTY On Dec. 24th, Cpl. Jay Morgan, Ranger Trey Taylor, and RFC Jack Thain patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and Channel areas. Several sport fishermen were checked and one commercial shrimping boat was checked. The shrimp boat was found to be using an improper Turtle Excluder Device, which should allow endangered sea turtles to escape from the net. The boat captain was cited for commercial fishing with illegal gear and a crew member was cited for commercial fishing without a commercial license.
Rangers checking TEDs on shrimp boat
CHATHAM COUNTY On December 16, Rangers Bill Bryson, Kiel Toney, and Buster Cooper were conducting an offshore JEA patrol when they encountered a recreational fishing vessel off Tybee near the SAV buoy. 56 black sea bass were found on board as well as some illegally taken shellfish. Federal charges are pending on the black sea bass due to a closure on the species and a warning was issued on the shellfish. 16 of the black sea bass were still alive and were returned to the sea, as well as the shellfish, the remainder of the Sea Bass were confiscated and turned over to the Savannah Mission to help feed the homeless. On December 16, Rangers Kiel Toney and Buster Cooper were on night salt water patrol in the Lazaretto Creek area, when they encountered a small vessel operating with no lights. The three occupants were found to be in possession of two oversize Redfish. Rangers Toney and Cooper followed the vessel back to a dock in Chimney Creek on Tybee Island, where Rangers Bill Bryson and Chris Moore met them. Citations were

issued for operating a vessel after the hours of darkness without running lights, possession of illegal size fish, and non-residents without fishing license. The two oversize fish were confiscated and Ranger Bryson turned them over to a local pastor to help feed a needy family. December 24, Cpl. Chris Moore charged a Savannah man for failure to stop vessel when ordered.
December 28, RFC Kate Hargrove, Cpl. Chris Moore and Sgt. Cindy Miller, Capt. Ed Watkins worked a shellfish flight detail. Cpl. Chris Moore observed a boat in the marsh and two white croaker sacks on the bank. Cpl. Moore directed Sgt. Miller to the area. Sgt. Miller waited for an hour and a half before she could get up to the individual who was picking shellfish. The individual was cited for picking oysters in a closed area.
December 28, Cpl. Chris Moore checked two boats suspected of roost shooting ducks in the Middle River. Several warnings were issued to the occupants of one vessel for HIP and boating violations. The operator of the second vessel was charged with hunting waterfowl after hours. The other 3 occupants were juveniles; all of which had unplugged shotguns.
CAMDEN COUNTY On December 29th, RFC Craig Smith received a call in reference to a convicted felon hunting with a firearm off Hwy 259. RFC Smith was able to make contact with the subject and secure the firearm and identify the suspect. The firearm was confiscated the case is still under investigation.
GLYNN COUNTY On December 26th, RFC David Brady responded to an in progress complaint of illegal fishing on Jekyll Creek. Upon arrival and investigation, RFC Brady was able to identify that two subjects were in possession of oversize Red Drum and under size Sea Trout. The two subjects were cited for Possession of illegal size fish.