Field operations weekly report, 2012 May 6-12

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 6-12, 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)
WALKER COUNTY On May 11, 2012, RFC Roger McConkey participated in a joint patrol effort between the Georgia State Patrol and Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section. RFC McConkey spent the day patrolling Walker County with a trooper out of the Lafayette State Patrol Post. The two officers patrolled locations such as the Lafayette airport, large gasoline distribution center, and other critical infrastructure in the county. The officers also patrolled other state, county, and city owned properties in the Walker County.
FLOYD COUNTY On Saturday May 5, 2012 at 2200 hours, Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Floyd E911 about a subject unresponsive on a personal watercraft (PWC) on the Coosa River at Brushy Branch. Cpl. Elmore responded to Brushy Branch and met with several complainants and Floyd County Police. After further investigation, the Kennesaw man that was found to be unresponsive on the PWC was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and subsequently charged with BUI, VGCSA-marijuana, operating a PWC during the hours of darkness and operating with expired registration.
GORDON COUNTY On Saturday May 5, 2012, Cpl. Shawn Elmore was patrolling the Coosawattee River by vessel just below Hwy 411 when he came upon two Calhoun men kayaking the river. Cpl. Elmore asked to see the men's life jackets and the men did not have any. Cpl. Elmore asked them to float down river out of the swift water and pull to the bank. As they were floating down river, Cpl. Elmore noticed one the Calhoun men attempting to hide something in the water. When confronted about what he was hiding the man stated he did not put anything in the water. Cpl. Elmore then noticed an unknown quantity of a green leafy substance floating in the river behind the kayak. The Calhoun man later admitted he was attempting to dispose of his marijuana. Cpl. Elmore also located a Bud Light can floating down the river that belonged to the same Calhoun man. He was arrested and charged with VGCSA-marijuana, littering, and operating a vessel without CGA PFDs. The other Calhoun man was charged with operating a vessel without CGA PFDs and escorted off of the river to Hwy 411. On Saturday May 12, 2012, a HIN Inspection site was held at the Calhoun State Patrol Post. Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Roger McConkey, RFC Joe Hill, and Sgt. John Vanlandingham inspected 32 vessels and issued 9 HINs.
On Saturday May 12, 2012, Cpl. Shawn Elmore checked an on-going fishing without permission complaint. Cpl. Elmore encountered 2 adults and a juvenile fishing without permission. The adults were issued citations for fishing without permission.

BARTOW COUNTY On Friday, the DNR Allatoona work unit and the Georgia State Patrol teamed up to complete a facilities check of the Allatoona Lake dam. DNR and GSP have been completing joint patrols in an effort to become familiar with each sister agency and in an effort to be operationally ready to respond to any terrorist act or large natural disaster.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On Saturday, Cpl. Lee Burns, RFC Brooks Varnell, his K-9 "Rock", and Ranger Zackary Hardy attended Rep. Roger Bruce's Family Day at Sweetwater Creek State Park in Douglas County. The officers worked with kids and adults and gave them an opportunity to catch a huge fish using an interactive fishing simulator. RFC Varnell also gave a K-9 demonstration and showed all how the DNR K-9 can apprehend and hold a dangerous person. Cpl. Lee Burns played the dangerous person wearing a safety bite suit during the demonstration, as "Rock" held on tight.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HALL COUNTY On Tuesday, May 8th, Cpl. Jason Roberson investigated a boating incident in which a female victim was struck by the propeller of a boat. She sustained three large lacerations to her hip and leg area.
On Saturday, May 12th, RFC Mark Stephens responded to a boat incident at Balus Creek on Lake Lanier in which a vessel took a large wave over the stern and the vessel sank. On Saturday, May 12th, Cpl. Jason Roberson assisted the Amicalola Longbeards chapter of the NWTF with a Kids Fishing Event at Amicalola Falls State Park.
On May 6th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell investigated a PWC accident at Holiday Marina. The two subjects on the PWC were injured and transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. The accident is still under investigation.
On May 11th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling the Chattahoochee River portion of Lake Lanier. The rangers checked several boats and fisherman. A written warning was issued operating a vessel with improper lights.
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 12th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Lake Lanier in Bald Ridge Creek. The rangers checked a boat that had the engine hatch open. The operator told the rangers that he just needed to add oil. The rangers conducted an

inspection of the vessel and determined that the boat had not been registered. A written warning was issued for operating without registration and the registration process was explained to the operator.
Later in the afternoon in Bald Ridge Creek the rangers check several fishermen. One of the fishermen was issued a written warning for fishing without a license.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On May 12th, RFC Mitchell Crump received a complaint of subjects that were driving in unauthorized areas and in a creek on the Chattahoochee National Forest. The complainant also told RFC Crump that there was a truck stuck in the creek. RFC Crump responded to the area and found the stuck truck. He called U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Jason Arwood and advised him of the situation. Officer Arwood responded to the area and they made contact with the owner of the truck. Officer Arwood had the vehicle towed and issued a citation for operating a vehicle off-road.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On May 7th, Cpl. Eric Sanders started an investigation into a possible stolen boat. Cpl. Sanders discovered that the HIN was used on another vessel in Alabama. Cpl. Sanders called the Alabama Boat Thief Unit and passed the information that he had to them to follow up on. The investigation revealed that the boat in Georgia has the correct HIN assigned to it. Cpl. Sanders is waiting to hear from the investigators in Alabama.
On May 9th, Cpl. Eric Sanders was working a site that was baited for turkeys. Cpl. Sanders made contact with a subject that was hunting over the bait. The subject was issued citations for hunting big game over bait, hunting with an unplugged shotgun and a written warning for hunting without permission.
HART COUNTY On May 12th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and Trooper Chad Johnson patrolled Lake Hartwell. Cpl. Fulghum noticed a vessel with an expired registration and stopped the vessel. Once Fulghum and Johnson began talking to the occupants, they noticed the driver was impaired. After performing a series of field sobriety exercises they arrested the boat operator for boating under the influence. The operator registered three times the legal limit on the Intox 5000 at the Hart County Jail.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday May 12th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins carried the mini boats to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield for the JAKES day event. Kids were talked to about boating safety while allowed to ride along and operate an electric powered mini boat.
On Saturday May 12th, RFC Mark Patterson presented a boating safety / water safety program during the Lake Russell Corps of Engineers kids fishing event. The kids who caught a tagged catfish were allowed to pick a prize.

WILKES CO.UNTY On Friday May 12th, RFC Mark Patterson contacted a subject in reference to holding a game animal without a permit. A written warning was issued due to the circumstances.
During the week RFC Patterson made contact with several subjects and found insufficient PFD's and no fire extinguisher. These contacts were made while patrolling the various boat ramps.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 8th, RFC Robert Timmerman and TFC Ben Rollins performed a joint concentrated patrol of Columbia County for added security of critical infrastructure.
On May 12th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Brian Adams performed a concentrated patrol of the Little River and Keg Creek on Clarks Hill Lake. Several boating violations were detected and several subjects were cited for the violations.
LINCOLN COUNTY On May 9th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and TFC Will Greer performed a joint concentrated patrol of Lincoln County for added security of critical infrastructure.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On May 7th and 9th, Brian Adams conducted a Kids Fishing Event in Gibson. RFC Mark Patterson and RFC Leroy Ficklin assisted.
NEWTON COUNTY Along with other members of the WRD community, Sgt. John Harwell, RFC Freddie Hays, and RFC Ricky Boles attended the annual JAKE'S DAY at Charlie Elliott on Saturday, May 12. These Rangers provided the opportunity for kids and adults to hunt game without actually having to get in the woods. Laser rifles, live animal scenes along with computerized generated scenes gave the real feel of hunting game animals. Hundreds attended the event.
On May 6th, RFC Freddie Hays cited two fishermen for fishing without a license on the Yellow River. While patrolling the South River, one fisherman was cited for fishing without a license.
On May 12th, RFC Freddie Hays cited a boat operator for operating a vessel with no PFD's and fishing without a license. The Operator was given verbal warnings on lesser infractions.
LAKE OCONEE On Saturday May 12th, RFC Richard Tanner and Cpl. Mackay Bloodworth of the Georgia State Patrol cited a PWC operator for operating a vessel within 100' of a dock. Other lesser violations were handled with verbal guidance while patrolling Lake Oconee.

GREENE COUNTY On Thursday May 10th, RFC Richard Tanner taught classes at the GPSTC. RFC Tanner taught courtroom demeanor along with courtroom testimony. These classes are taught to the upcoming Rangers in the academy have to attend.
On May 6th, Corporal Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner cited 2 subjects in Greene County for unlawful enticement of turkeys (pending charges reference possession of firearms by convicted felon). One subject was cited for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
On May 7th, Corporal Derrell Worth presented 2 I&E programs on Boating Safety to approximately 60 students from Union Point Elementary School located in Greene County.
On May 7th and 8th, Corporal Derrell Worth certified 22 students at Lake Oconee Academy in Boating Safety.
On May 11th, Corporal Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner taught 3 I&E programs on Boating Safety to approximately 50 students from Greensboro Elementary located at Parks Ferry.
On May 12th, Corporal Derrell Worth assisted the Greene County Sheriff's Office reference a lookout on a black Jeep driven by an eighty-six year old black male suspected for having dementia. He drove off without permission. Cpl. Worth located subject travelling south on Hwy 44, performed a traffic stop, identified the operator; and safely returned vehicle and subject back to his family.
On May 12th, Corporal Derrell Worth patrolled the area around Lake Oconee and cited three subjects for nonresident fishing without license and two subjects for fishing without license.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HOUSTON COUNTY On May 6th Cpl. John Harkins and State Trooper Chris McIntire conducted boating safety checks at Knowles Landing on the Ocmulgee River. Officers issued one citation for the offense of operating a vessel without personal flotation devices.
On May 8th, 9th, and 10th DNR Conservation Rangers assisted the Warner Robins Police Department in the search for a juvenile who had went missing on the morning of the 8th. After an exhaustive search the juvenile was discovered, unharmed, on the morning of the 10th. It was discovered the juvenile had hidden from authorities due to his belief that he was "in trouble".

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
MACON COUNTY On May 11th, Cpl. Ronnie Beard received a call in reference to 5 boaters stranded on the Flint River north of Crooks Landing. Cpl. Beard and RFC Tommy Lawrence located the boaters on a sand bar around 1:00 am, and transported the 5 kayakers and their kayaks to Crooks Landing boat ramp.
On May 12th, Cpl. Ronnie Beard and RFC Tommy Lawrence responded to a boating incident on the Flint River. The operator of a small boat had struck a submerged object causing the motor to be torn from the transom. The motor then landed inside the vessel, severely cutting the operator on his hand. The operator was transported to the hospital for treatment.
LEE COUNTY On May 11th, Cpl. Al Greer and Ranger Chad Hulsey participated in the annual career day event at Lee County Elementary school.
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On May 7th, Corporal Robbie Griner and Ranger Chris Carlisle responded to a complaint from a citizen regarding subjects that had paddled their kayaks up to the Georgia Power Dam on the Flint River, and were standing on the lower wall of the dam fishing. The rangers located the three subjects standing on the lower wall and not wearing life jackets. The laws related to operating a vessel in a hazardous area and wearing PFD's in a hazardous area were explained. The three subjects were cited for failure to obey regulatory markers.
On May 12th, while conducting a patrol along the Flint River, RFC Jon Penuel observed two subjects in an inflatable kayak fishing within the designated hazardous area below the Georgia Power dam and not wearing life jackets. Both subjects were charged with failure to wear a PFD in a hazardous area.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
IRWIN COUNTY On May 11th, Cpl. Morty Wood and RFC Tim Hutto participated in the Children's Safety Day at the Irwin County Pre-K. The officers performed six K-9 evidence recovery demonstrations with K-9 "Gauge" for students and teachers. Approximately one hundred students and teachers were in attendance.
EVANS COUNTY May 9th, 2012, RFC Debbie Brannen checked landings on the Canoochee River. One citation was issued for fishing without licenses. Verbal warnings were issued for fishing without license on person and fishing without permission.

PIERCE COUNTY On May 8th, RFC Mark Pool and Cpl. Gary Simmons present a number of educational programs at the Pierce County High School Agriculture in the classroom day. These programs focused on a range of topics pertaining to the duties of a conservation ranger. RFC Pool and CPL Simmons spoke with approximately seven hundred students throughout the day.
On May 12th, CPL Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool attended the "Summer in the City Festival" in Blackshear. The officers operated the fishing simulator for all in attendance to enjoy.

On May 13th, RFC Mark Pool and Sgt. Terry Thrift of the Georgia State Patrol performed Home land security checks at various locations in Charlton and Pierce Counties. The patrols are being done in an effort to deter acts of terrorism within the State of Georgia. During this time two vessels were checked for safety requirements and fishing licenses requirements. Verbal guidance was given to the occupants for fishing without a license.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)

CHATHAM COUNTY

On May 6, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Phillip Scott, and Sgt. Cindy Miller checked shrimp boats offshore Ossabaw Island. The captain of one of the shrimp boats was cited federally for not having a Federal shrimp permit, as well as problems with the by catch reduction device (BRD) and turtle excluder device (TED)

On May 8, Cpl. Chris Moore, Cpl. Bill Bryson, Captain Ed Watkins, and Sgt. Cindy Miller stopped a shrimp boat that was dragging in closed waters off the north end of Ossabaw Island. Captain Watkins used the helicopter to spot the shrimp boat dragging in closed waters and called the other rangers to stop and board the shrimp boat. The shrimp boat was 1.6 miles inside closed waters. A citation was issued to three individuals for using power drawn nets in closed waters. 1140 pounds of shrimp were confiscated at a value of $3534.00.
BRYAN COUNTY On May10th, Cpl. Jay Morgan received a complaint about someone fishing without permission on the riverbank of the Blitch property at the Hwy. 80 bridge on the Ogeechee River. Cpl. Morgan contacted Cpl. Phillip Scott who was in the area of the complaint. Cpl. Scott found that the subject had driven onto to the property along the riverbank. The man was cited for fishing without a license and fishing without permission. Upon checking, the officer found that the man had a suspended driver's license and he was also cited by a Bryan County deputy for driving on a suspended license. LIBERTY COUNTY On May 11th, RFC Jack Thain checked an area at Lake Gale where he had received complaints about someone taking alligators out of season. He caught the suspect returning from checking his alligator lines. The suspect was cited for taking alligators out of season. On May 12th, RFC Jack Thain and Sgt. James Shelton patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area. One boater was cited for towing a skier without a mirror/observer on board and for failure to display his boat registration.

OFFSHORE/FEDERAL WATERS On May 6th, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Grays Reef Marine Sanctuary. One vessel that was fishing for king and Spanish mackerel was checked.
GLYNN COUNTY On May 12, RFC John Evans received a call in reference to subjects dumping trash on Clayhole WMA. RFC Evans was off duty and called Cpl. Wil Smith for assistance. RFC Evans responded and found three subjects burning recliners and couches for the metal. A Glynn County Police Officer arrived on scene and found "Spice" in the vehicle. When Cpl. Smith arrived on scene, he issued citations to the three subjects for Burning Egregious Litter.
Wayne County On May 10, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall received a call from Wayne County dispatch in reference to night hunting activity in the area of Will Roberson Rd. Several subjects were riding around shooting near homes. A deputy made contact with the vehicle but the subjects fled on foot. The deputy managed to catch two of the subjects. He transported them to the Wayne County Jail. Aspinwall made contact with them there. The subjects admitted to hunting at night with the aid of a light. The subjects also gave up the third person involved. Contact was made with the subject's mother. She turned him in later in the morning. All three subjects were charged with hunting at night with the aid of alight, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.