Field operations weekly report, 2012 April 8-14

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 8-14, 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 April 10th, Cpl. Lee Burns was working an on-going hunting without permission complaint along the Etowah River. After locating a vehicle, Cpl. Burns positioned his vehicle out of sight and waited for the hunter to return. After approximately an hour, Cpl. Burns noticed a hunter come out of the woods and walk back to his truck. Cpl. Burns questioned the hunter about the property he was turkey hunting. The hunter advised Cpl. Burns he could hunt anywhere in the State of Georgia as long as it was not posted. Cpl. Burns helped the hunter understand the current laws and reviewed the hunting without permission law. Cpl. Burns asked the hunter how many years he had been hunting on lands not posted; he replied "at least twenty years." Cpl. Burns then utilized his computer system to see if the hunter had any prior DNR related violations. Not having any prior violations and very confused about the game and fish laws, Cpl. Burns issued him a written warning for hunting without permission.
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On April 7th, Cpl. Tommy Gentry received a call in reference to a turkey hunter that had been shot in the side of the face. Cpl. Gentry, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Roger McConkey, RFC Bart Hendrix, and RFC Ben Cunningham responded and investigated the incident. The incident is still under investigation by the department's Critical Incident Reconstruction Team (CIRT.)
FLOYD COUNTY On April 14th, RFC Ben Cunningham, RFC Roger McConkey, and Cpl. Shawn Elmore participated in the Floyd County women in the outdoors program at the Floyd County wildlife association. The officers set up the department's archery equipment and assisted the women with learning about shooting archery equipment.
POLK COUNTY Cpl. Ricky Dempsey and RFC Chad Cox checked three subjects fishing for largemouth bass on Cedar Creek. Two were fishing with lures and one was attempting to snag a large bass on the bed with two treble hooks. Two of the subjects were charged with fishing without a license and one subject was charged with fishing with illegal fishing gear (snagging game fish).
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
STEPHENS COUNTY On April 14th, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Lake Hartwell. Violations were written for insufficient personal floatation devices, fishing without licenses, violation of the 100 foot law, and operating without registration.

HABERSHAM COUNTY on April 14th, while patrolling the Habersham Mills area, RFC Chad Chambers encountered two turkey hunters entering onto a piece of property on which they did not have permission. Upon an interview of the two subjects, RFC Chambers also discovered that one of the individuals was from Illinois and did not have a hunting license. The men were charged for the violations of Hunting without Permission and a Nonresident Hunting without a License and a Big Game License.
RABUN COUNTY On April 8th, Corporal Derek Dillard was patrolling the area of Betty's Creek on Messer Creek Road and saw a man fishing down from the bridge. As the man was walking back up to the road, he put his fishing equipment down on the ground. Corporal Dillard told him to get his equipment and asked to see his fishing license. The man didn't have a valid fishing license and trout license. Corporal Dillard cited the man for fishing without a license and warned him for fishing without a trout license.
UNION COUNTY On April 14th, Sgt. Steve Seitz received a complaint about three people killing a turkey on Easter Sunday without permission. The three men were identified and were Georgia residents. After speaking with the complainant, Sgt. Seitz determined the turkey was actually killed in a field just over the North Carolina state line. The turkey season was not open in North Carolina at this time. Sgt. Seitz gathered all the information from the complainant and relayed it to a North Carolina wildlife officer. The North Carolina officer is currently investigating the incident.
DAWSON COUNTY On April 13th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Adam Dills were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA at the Delayed Harvest Stream. They encountered several subjects fishing. A written warning was issued for fishing without a license. Verbal guidance was given for fishing without a trout license and fishing with illegal bait.
On April 14th, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Mitchell Crump, RFC Adam Dills and Wildlife Technician III assisted the Georgia State Patrol with a road check on Dawson Forest WMA. During the check a vehicle tried to avoid the road check. The troopers took chase and stopped the vehicle. The subject was charged with DUI, open container, fleeing or attempting to allude, speeding and other traffic charges.
HALL COUNTY On April 11th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins interviewed a subject on a boat investigation dealing with HIN alteration. Felony warrants were taken out in Hall County for HIN alteration.
On April 14th, Sgt. Lee Brown received call about a drowning on Lake Lanier. Sgt. Brown, RFC Dills, RFC Crump and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck responded to Mountain View Park. Cpl. Jason Roberson and RFC Mark Stephens respond by water to

assist. The two bodies were recovered by the Hall County Fire Department Dive Team just before dark.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On April 13th, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Adam Dills, and RFC Mitchell Crump assisted the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office with a road check on Dick's Creek Road. The Sheriff's Office had received several complaints from residents on the road of speeding and other violations. Several citations were issued by the Sheriff's Office for traffic violations.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On April 10th, Cpl. Eric Sanders conducted an I & E program for Georgia Power. Cpl. Sanders talked with the employees during this program on Boating Safety.
On April 14th, Cpl. Sanders was patrolling Randy Poynter Lake when he encountered two subjects in a vehicle with an open container. Citations were issued for this infraction.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
LAKE OCONEE On Saturday, April 14th, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Freddie Hays patrolled Lake Oconee for fishing and boating violations. One operator was cited for operating a vessel without PFD's and a fisherman was cited for fishing without a license. Several other infractions were given verbal guidance.
MORGAN COUNTY On April 9th, RFC Ricky Boles taught a hunter education class at the Morgan County Public Safety Building. All students that attended were part of the Morgan County 4-H skeet shooting team. Eight students were certified.
RICHMOND COUNTY On March 7th, Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Jeff Billips conducted an undercover surveillance detail for fishing over the limit of shad at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam on the Savannah River. Sgt. Boswell observed two fishermen that continued catching shad after obtaining their limit. The fishermen suddenly attempted to leave with a cooler filled with shad. Sgt. Boswell and RFC Billips checked the fishermen at their vehicle. The cooler contained 31 shad and the fishermen were issued citations for over the limit of shad.
On March 9th, RFC Grant Matherly and RFC Jeff Billips checked for creel limit violations at the New Savannah Bluff lock and dam. The rangers cited two fishermen for over the limit of shad. They were in possession of 29 shad.
On April 13th, Cpl. Ben Payne and RFC Grant Matherly worked undercover surveillance for fishing over the limit of Shad at the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam. RFC Matherly observed one individual take over the limit of shad, placing them in a cooler and then proceeded to leave. Cpl. Payne stopped the individual at his vehicle and

counted the shad in the cooler. He possessed over the legal limit and was issued a citation for possessing over the daily creel limit.
On April 14th, Cpl. Payne and his work section attended the "Time to Care Event" at the Commons on Broad Street in Augusta. The Rangers set-up the Fishing Simulator and assisted kids with catching simulated fish with a fishing pole and line. The simulator projects fish on a screen and the kids try to reel in the fish without the line breaking. The event was a success with a couple thousand people attending during the course of the afternoon.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 9th, RFC Robert Timmerman responded to an unoccupied vessel floating on Clarks Hill Lake near Mistletoe State Park. The vessel was secured and the owner was located later in the day.
LINCOLN COUNTY On April 12th, Cpl. Ryan Swain conducted a Hunter's Safety Course in Lincolnton.
WILKES COUNTY On Friday April 13th, RFC Mark Patterson caught one subject hunting turkeys over bait. The area was known to be baited. When RFC Patterson saw a truck parked nearby, he walked in and caught the subject.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday April 14th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Mark Patterson patrolled Lake Russell in the Vans Creek and Coldwater Creek areas. They encountered one boat with expired registration and one subject fishing without a license.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BLECKLEY COUNTY On April 14th RFC Josh Swain and RFC Kevin Joyce received a citizen complaint regarding a bush hook set for alligators being seen on the Ocmulgee River. Rangers responded to the area and upon searching the river bank they were able to locate the unlawful device. Swain and Joyce setup surveillance on the area. Due to the close proximity of boats and fisherman on the river, communication was very limited. The rangers were able to text Cpl. Robert Stillwell and he was able to coordinate with Cpl. Ronnie Beard to form a response team to make contact with the individuals at the boat ramp in case the violator(s) were not able to be contacted at the scene. At approximately 11 p.m., officers observed a boat, occupied by three subjects, pull up to the alligator set. The subjects checked and re-baited it. Due to the fact that the boat never got close enough to the bank for the rangers to contact it the decision was made to wait and contact the subjects at the boat ramp. There, rangers contacted the subjects; they were subsequently charged with hunting alligators out of season and use of unlawful devices for hunting game.

HENRY COUNTY On April 9TH RFC Kevin Godbee and RFC Travis Sweat were patrolling off Weems Road for fishing without permission on Henry County Water Authority's property. Officers apprehended three people fishing in the Upper Towaliga Reservoir without permission. All three subjects were cited for the offense and advised not to return. Both Rangers then put a patrol boat in the reservoir and caught two more violators fishing on the opposite side of the reservoir. Those subjects were also charged and told not to return to the property.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On April 14th Sgt. Brent Railey patrolled Joe Kurz WMA and the surrounding area during a turkey quota hunt. No violations were found.
On April 14th, RFC Kevin Godbee and Deputy Ranger Joe Sebo patrolled the Flat Shoals area of the Flint River. Several subjects were cited for fishing without permission.
TROUP COUNTY On April 14th Sgt. Jim Bradfield, and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen presented an Information and Education program to members of the Rod Bender's bass fishing club. This tournament was held on West Point Lake out of Pyne Road Park. The officer's answered legal questions while at the event and Cpl. Bolen presented safety information at the tournament weigh-in.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On April 8th, RFC Jon Penuel and Cpl. Robbie Griner patrolled areas along the Flint River and Lake Worth for boating and fishing activities. During the patrol, the officers cited several individuals for boating safety violations.
CRISP COUNTY On April 14th, Cpl. Al Greer and Ranger Chad Hulsey were conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Blackshear when they stopped a small boat for being overloaded with passengers. During the stop the rangers noticed that the operator exhibited signs of impairment. The operator subsequently failed field sobriety exercises and was arrested for boating under the influence. He was also charged with operating an overloaded vessel, operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
On April 14th, RFC Tommy Lawrence and Cpl. Ronnie Beard conducted a Boater Education Class at Georgia Veteran's State Park.
GRADY COUNTY On April 9th, Cpl. Randy Davis cited an individual for hunting without permission.

MILLER COUNTY On April 14th, Sgt. Rick Sellars requested the assistance of RFC Bob Holley and his patrol dog, to track two hunters that were hunting turkeys over bait. The hunters, a father and his juvenile son, returned to the vehicle about the time that the officers began searching. Using the dog, ranger Holley back-tracked the subjects while Sgt. Sellars checked licenses. The area the two were hunting in was found to be baited with corn and grain sorghum. The adult was cited for hunting big game over bait.
STEWART COUNTY On April 7th, Cpl. Steve Robinson received a tip that a person in Stewart County had killed a buck deer out of season. On April 8th, Cpl. Robinson went to the suspect's hunting camp where the suspect was interviewed and consent was given to search the premises. The remains of the deer were found in the refrigerator and freezer. The suspect was charged with hunting out of season.
On April 13th and 14th, RFC Bob Holley and Sgt. Butch Potter conducted boat patrols on Lake W.F. George. Violations detected included fishing without licenses, operating vessels at night without lights and failure to display anchor light.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On April 7, RFC Danielle O'Connor and K9 Briar were on patrol on McLendon Road in Montgomery County. RFC O'Connor and K9 Briar tracked four suspects. Two were issued citations for hunting turkeys over bait.
TOOMBS COUNTY On April 14th, Cpl. Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel checked a hunting club with several baited turkey sites. The rangers checked one hunter hunting turkeys on the property in an area that wasn't baited. The hunter was from Florida, hunting with a resident honorary license and an unplugged shotgun. The hunter was issued citations for hunting with an unplugged shotgun, non-resident hunting without a license and warned for non-resident hunting without a big game license.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On April 14, Cpl. Barry Britt issued a written warning to a hunter he caught hunting turkeys over bait. He charged a Florida resident with unlawful enticement for scattering cracked corn in the area.
SCREVEN COUNTY On April 13th, RFC Brandon Pierce received a call that a fifty-foot vessel was sinking in the Savannah River at Blue Springs landing. RFC Pierce met with Cpl. Eddie Akins and responded to the scene where the officers met with Sgt. Don Dasher. Upon arriving at the scene, the vessel was found at the landing ramp and half of it on the bottom. The individuals on the vessel managed to make it to the landing ramp after striking something under the water upstream. It was determined that the vessel collided with the object on

the South Carolina side of the river. A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources officer was notified and RFC Pierce, Cpl. Akins, and Sgt. Dasher assisted with the incident. The individuals on the vessel were released at the scene with no injuries. A crane was used to remove the vessel from the river.
BULLOCH/ EFFINGHAM COUNTIES On the night of April 13th, RFC Brandon Pierce responded to a call from Cpl. Eddie Akins in reference to a missing boater on the Ogeechee River. The officers met with Cpl. Dave Sims and Sgt. Don Dasher, along with several Bulloch County Deputies at the scene. The subject had been kayaking earlier that day and had an argument with his partner. The subject decided to keep the trip going while the partner stayed at a residence along the river. A search of the river by officers Pierce and Sims resulted in locating the individual on the Effingham side of the river. The subject was transported back to the nearest landing and released at the scene.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On April 14th, RFC Brandon Pierce, Sgt. Don Dasher, Cpl. Eddie Akins, and Cpl. Dave Sims worked a night landing detail off the Savannah River for boating safety, fishing, littering, and other activities. Several boats and licenses were inspected. As a result, a total of three violations were documented. The violations consisted of littering and operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
On April 1st, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Don Dasher continued working an ongoing complaint of possible hunting without permission. A little after daylight, two subjects were encountered entering the property. The subjects were followed and found to be hunting turkeys on the property. One subject was arrested and taken to the Effingham County Jail for booking. A total of four violations were documented, consisting of hunting without permission and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. The other subject was released at the scene.
BULLOCH COUNTY On Wednesday April 4th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked boat landings on the Ogeechee River. His efforts resulted in four fishing licenses and one boat being checked. One violation for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's was documented.
On Thursday April 5th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked landings on the Ogeechee River. His efforts resulted in one boat and two fishing licenses being checked. No violations were detected.
On Saturday April 7th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked Oliver Bridge WMA for hunting activity. His efforts resulted in four turkey hunters being checked. No violations were detected.
On Saturday March 24th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked three turkey hunters. Cpl. Akins' efforts resulted in four violations being detected. Two violations for hunting turkeys over bait and two violations for hunting with an unplugged shotgun were documented.

On Sunday March 25th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked two turkey hunters (father and son). One violation for hunting turkeys with illegal ammunition was documented. Verbal guidance was given to the juvenile for this same violation. Cpl. Eddie Akins also checked three fishermen at the Oliver Bridge Landing. Cpl. Akins' efforts resulted in two violations being documented for fishing without a license. LOWNDES COUNTY While patroling public boat ramps in Lowndes County on April 15th, RFC Keith McDonald observed a boat approach the ramp with a large fish basket positioned between the operator and the passenger. After questioning the operator about the basket, the individual stated he did not expect to see a game warden this morning and he had just borrowed the basket from a land owner up the river. The basket was seized for evidence and citation was issued for fishing with illegal baskets.
ATKINSON COUNTY On April 8th, Sgt. Randall Rymes of the Atkinson County Sheriff's Office contacted RFC Tim Hutto about using his K9 "Gauge" to locate two suspects that had fled from deputies. At around 10:00 p.m. RFC Hutto and K9 "Gauge" arrived at the scene on Gussie Wall Road in Willacoochee. Gauge located one of the suspects behind a residence in the area. The other suspect was located by Gauge in a pond a few hundred yards away from where they had initially fled. Both suspects were arrested and turned over to Atkinson County deputies. ECHOLS COUNTY On April 14th, CPL Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool attended a wildlife management field day held at Rosewood Forest. Approximately 60 landowners and managers were given advice on various topics from planting food plots, timber management, tax

incentives and predator control. CPL Shipes gave a presentation on encountering poachers and information needed for their prosecution.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On April 8th, Cpl. Jay Morgan observed a boat failing to slow down and causing a wake at the docks at Demeries Creek boat ramp. Upon checking the operator, the ranger determined the operator had been drinking and was possibly operating the boat under the influence of alcoholic beverages. After failing several field sobriety exercises, the suspect refused to provide a breath sample. He was cited and arrested for operating a vessel under the influence and operating a vessel above idle speed within 100 feet of a dock. For failure to submit to the breath test, the operator's boating privileges will automatically be suspended for one year per Georgia law.
On April 14th, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan were checking boaters and fishermen at King's Ferry Ramp when they noticed a boat operating too fast inside the "Idle Speed" zone on the Bryan County side of the Ogeechee River. When the boater returned to the ramp dock, he was cited for failure to obey regulatory markers.
CHATHAM COUNTY On April 14th, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan were checking boaters and fishermen at King's Ferry Ramp on Hwy. 17 at the Ogeechee River. Numerous boaters/fishermen were checked and one was cited for not having enough life jackets on board his boat.
On April 14th, while patrolling down Chief O. F. Love Rd., RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan found two vehicles parked outside the locked gate of the Chatham Co. Parks' Litchfield Estates property. Upon checking the property, the rangers found four adults and one child trespassing on the property and one of the adults was fishing in a pond. The adult fishing was cited for fishing without permission and the names of the adults were turned over to Chatham Co. Parks Dept. for possible trespass charges.
LIBERTY COUNTY On the morning of April 14th, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a Hull Identification Number and boat registration inspection at the Ga. Forestry Office in Midway. Ten boats were inspected to resolve their registration problems.
OFFSHORE FEDERAL WATERS On April 13th, RFC Buster Cooper, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Bill Bryson, and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a commercial fishing patrol offshore of Ossabaw Island, checking commercial shrimp trawlers for Turtle Excluder Devices violations. No violations were found.
WAYNE COUNTY

On April 11, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall and Cpl Bobby White responded to 4 hunters lost in the Altamaha River Swamp in the area of Boyles Island. The hunters were located by Aspinwall and White approximately 3 miles from their boat. They were able to escort them back to the patrol trucks and then back to their boat.
On April 13, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall worked a hunting without permission complaint on Owens Road. He was able to locate 3 hunters hunting in an area that they did not have permission to hunt on. He charged each of them with hunting without permission.
On April 14, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall worked a baited turkey stand and located 1 person in the stand. The Hunter was hunting over corn. He was charged with hunting big game over bait.