Field operations weekly report, 2012 April 29-May 5

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 29-May 5, 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 18th, Cpl. Lee Burns was working a fishing without permission complaint along the Etowah River at Pagamine Road. Cpl. Burns located a fisherman on private property and asked if he had permission from the landowner to fish. The fisherman stated that he got off work early and wanted to fish and just took a chance on getting caught because he was too tired to kayak down to the dam. Cpl. Burns checked his fishing license and ran a background for prior violations. Having no previous wildlife violations, Cpl. Burns issued him a written warning and advise him to obtain permission before fishing private property. On April 18th, Cpl. Lee Burns was patrolling Old Allatoona Dam Road and stopped to check two fishermen on the bank of the Etowah River. As Cpl. Burns stepped out of his vehicle, he noticed a very strong odor of suspected marijuana and noticed the older male of the two flip what appeared to be a suspected marijuana joint into the river. After checking their fishing licenses, Cpl. Burns questioned the two about the odor of marijuana. He asked for consent to search and the son agreed, but the father denied. Cpl. Burns then called the Bartow K-9 out for assistance. No marijuana was located, but the son had an outstanding arrest warrant from Paulding County and was arrested for extradition to Paulding County.
On April 19th, Ranger Zack Hardy and Sgt. Mike Barr visited the Cartersville Elementary School. They met with two fifth grade classes on boating safety, swimming safety, and

life jacket use. Ranger Hardy brought a kayak and demonstrated the dangers of overturning in cold water without proper safety gear. The class took turns utilizing life jackets and how to survive a cold water event. Shown is Ranger Hardy teaching fifth graders how to use life jackets.
On April 29th, Cpl. Lee Burns was patrolling Lake Allatoona at the Cooper Branch boat ramp. He noticed a man in his 30's attempting to load a ski boat onto a trailer that was having difficulty. Cpl. Burns also noticed the operator go to the back of the boat and urinate into the lake. Another boat, with several children on board, was close by and also witnessed these events. Cpl. Burns then watched the boat operator again attempt to load the boat onto a trailer several times but could never get the boat onto the trailer straight. Cpl. Burns checked on the boat for their safety and found that all five occupants were intoxicated. The operator of the boat was checked for his level of intoxication and was arrested for boating under the influence and operating a vessel with insufficient life jackets.
On May 1st, Cpl. Byron Young met with 125 first grade students at Euharlee Elementary School. He worked with the kids on water safety, swimming safety, and how to wear life jackets when in a boating and water environment.
On May 5th, Cpl. Lee Burns and Ranger Zack Hardy were patrolling Lake Allatoona by boat. The rangers encountered several boating violations including an underage child less than 10 years old without a life jacket, several boats operating without a valid registration or life jackets, and several violating the 100 foot law. The rangers also encountered a vessel after dark without lights and found that the operator was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the Bartow County jail.
FULTON COUNTY On April 25th, Cpl. Eric Brown received information of illegal trapping in Fulton County. Upon investigating, he found a live trap set in a field with a Buff Orpington Rooster tied in the back as bait. He made contact with the landowner who admitted to placing the rooster in the trap to catch fox and coyotes that were in the area. Corrective action was taken and the trap was removed.
PAULDING COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Rick Dempsey, Cpl. Eric Brown and RFC Chad Cox conducted a boat inspection in Paulding County. A total of 24 boats were inspected to meet registration requirements.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY On May 5, Cpl. Bill Bunch and Tfc. Eric Bohannan patrolled Lake Hartwell. During the patrol they, three issued citations and warnings for towing skier without an observer and two for operating without registration.

STEPHENS COUNTY On May 4, Rfc. Tim Vickery and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled trout streams in the Toccoa and Clarkesville areas. The two rangers issued two citations for fishing without a license, one warning for fishing without a license and two warnings for fishing without a trout license.
RABUN COUNTY On Saturday May 5th, Corporal Derek Dillard and USFS Officer Jeff Angel stopped a vehicle in Clayton in the area of Warwoman Road which the driver had a suspended license. Methamphetamine was located during the stop and the Northeast Georgia Drug Task Force recovered 2 meth labs at a residence after further investigation.
FORSYTH COUNTY On April 29th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Intern Josh patrolled parks on Lake Lanier (East Bank, West Bank, Little Ridge, Tidwell, Charleston, Two Mile and Bethel). They also patrolled the Chattahoochee River at Lower Pool. Three written warnings were issued for fishing without a license.
On May 4th, Lt. Col. Jeff Weaver, Sgt. Lee Brown and Sgt. Mike Burgamy along with representatives from the Corp of Engineer and National Park Service met a reporter from Fox 5 out of Atlanta. They met on the Chattahoochee River at Lower Pool. The reporter wanted to do a story for their "Good Day Atlanta" morning show. The main topic was promoting wearing a PFD or Life Jacket while on the river and Lake Lanier as well as other waterways in the state as part of the "Wear It" campaign. Sgt. Burgamy was the main spokesman for the Law Enforcement Section. While filming for the show the trout stocking truck from Buford Fish Hatchery arrived to stock the river. The reporter along with the cameraman was able to get excellent footage of Fisheries Technician Andy Wentworth stocking the trout. Overall it was a great media event for all agencies involved.
On May 5th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Adam Dills were patrolling Lake Lanier by boat. While patrolling Charleston Park they observed two subjects fishing from the shore. The rangers checked the subjects to see if they had a fishing license and if they had caught any fish. Neither of them had a fishing license. Upon further inspection a pipe commonly used to smoke illegal drugs was found and one person had a bag of what he called "Spice" on his persons. The pipe and suspected "Spice" was seized for testing and the two subjects were arrested for fishing without a license.
HALL COUNTY On May 5th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Adam Dills were on Lake Lanier in Little Shoal Creek answering a complaint of a PWC buzzing boats. While trying to get to the complaint the rangers observed a subject riding a PWC without wearing PFD. A citation was issued riding a PWC without wearing a PFD. While talking with the complaint the rangers observed the PWC leave the shore. It was after legal hours for a PWC to be operating. A citation was issued for operating a PWC after hours.

Later in the evening these same rangers observed a boat leave Sunset Cove without any navigation lights on. The vessel was stopped and a citation was issued for operating a vessel without lights during the hours of darkness.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On April 29th, Region 3 Rangers assisted in the search for a missing child at Fort Gordon. RFC Richard Tanner, Sgt. John Harwell, and RFC Jeff Billips utilized the Side Scan Sonar to search a nearby pond. The Richmond County dive team located the child.
On May 1st, Cpl. Ben Payne patrolled Richmond County for fishing complaints. He caught two people fishing in the Merryland Property ponds without permission. They were cited for fishing without permission. Phinizy Swamp WMA was also checked on routine patrol with no citations written but verbal guidance given. At the Lock and Dam fishing licenses were checked on the wall. Shad are still running and fishermen are catching their limits. Stripers and Hybrids are not running yet but should start later this month.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On May 2nd and 5th, RFC Brian Adams conducted a kids fishing event outside of Gibson. Captain Thomas Barnard, Cpl. Ryan Swain, and RFC Leroy Ficklin assisted with the event.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins assisted Mistletoe State Park Staff with a missing elderly male. The male, who was mentally handicapped, was located after a brief search of the park.
MORGAN COUNTY On May 3rd, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles participated in Morgan County's Annual Safety Camp. The six graders were given instruction on how to be safe around electricity, animals, fire, etc. RFC Boles taught ATV safety while Cpl. Allen taught boating safety. Students were given 20 minutes of instruction at each station, 297 students attended.
On May 5th, RFC Ricky Boles cited a vessel operator for operating a PWC above idle speed within 100' of shoreline and a vessel.
LAKE OCONEE On May 5th, RFC Ricky Boles cited a fisherman for fishing without a license, verbal guidance given on lesser infractions.
RFC Ricky Boles charged and arrested an individual for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. Subject was transported to the Putnam County Detention Center.

NEWTON COUNTY On April 29th, RFC Freddie Hays issued citations to two subjects fishing without a license at Factory Shoals on the Alcoy River.
Also while patrolling the area around the Yellow River in Porterdale, RFC Hays issued a boat operator a citation for operating a vessel without CGA PFDs.
RFC Freddie Hays issued citations to a boat operator for allowing children under the age of 10 years old to ride in a moving vessel without wearing PFD's and operating a vessel without PFD's. Verbal guidance was given on registration infractions.
GREENE COUNTY On May 1st thru 3rd, Cpl. Derrell Worth taught a ten hour hunter safety education course to 13 students at Lake Oconee Academy. All students were certified.
Cpl. Derrell Worth provided wildlife classes to approximately 40 students at Greene County Elementary School.
HANCOCK COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner taught classes to 15 people at a hunting camp located in Hancock County. Cpl. Worth taught firearms safety while RFC Tanner taught wildlife identification.
WILKES COUNTY On Thursday May 3rd, RFC Mark Patterson was checking for fishing and boating activity. As he pulled up to a boat ramp he saw a subject in a nearby boat throw a plastic water bottle into the lake. He waited for them to arrive at the ramp, and issued a littering citation. All other boating equipment was in order.
CLARKE/OCONEE COUNTY On Friday May 4th, RFC Phillip Nelson did his infrastructure ride along with a GSP Officer out of the Athens Post. The patrol was from 1800 hours on Friday until 0200 hours Saturday morning. They did not observe anything unusual during the eight hour shift.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday May 5th, Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Phillip Nelson assisted with a Jakes Day event. The event included archery, BB guns, fishing and a snake show. Approximately 60 kids attended.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On May 4th, Cpl. Stanford and Cpl. Goodson patrolled Lake Sinclair. While on patrol made contact with a PWC operating after the hours of darkness.

On May 5th, Cpl. Stanford and RFC Mills patrolled Lake Sinclair. While on patrol a warning was issued for failure to obey regulatory markers and also responded to a water related death which is still under investigation.
On May 5th, RFC Copelan was patrolling the Oconee River near Wallace Dam. While patrolling Copelan identified two separate vessel operating within 300 feet of a dam past the buoy line. Both vessels were issued citations for the violations.
On May 6th, Cpl. Goodson and RFC Copelan patrolled Lake Sinclair. While patrolling they responded to two stranded boaters. Both vessels were return safely. Also while patrolling one warning was issued for PFD requirements.
BUTTS COUNTY On April 30th, RFC Keith Page and Sgt. Tim Kendrick responded to a complaint on the Ocmulgee River behind the Jackson Lake Dam. The caller stated that someone had deployed a large net in the river and had caught several turtles and fish. Page and Kendrick launch a patrol boat and scanned the river for signs of the net. The net was found approximately 300 yards south of the public boat ramp. The net had 3 large turtles trapped in it and 1 large catfish, all which were dead and bloated, causing part of the net to float on top of the water. The rangers decided to cut the net and confiscate it to avoid the further entrapment of any fish or wildlife. The hoop net was approximately 15 feet in length and about 3 feet in diameter.

SPALDING, BUTTS, and HENRY COUNTIES On May 2, RFC Kevin Godbee of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Sgt. Danny Fagan of the Georgia State Patrol conducted a joint Homeland Security Patrol within Spalding, Butts and Henry Counties. The patrols are being done in an effort to deter acts of terrorism within the State of Georgia. Both officers visited several schools within these counties and checked the security of several reservoir dams in the area.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Ranger Chris Carlisle were conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Worth when a vessel nearly collided with them. The rangers stopped the vessel and administered the operator field sobriety exercises which he failed. The subject was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and transported to the Dougherty County Jail.
LEE COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Ranger Chris Carlisle were addressing a citizen complaint on the Kinchafhoonee Creek when a vessel was observed violating an idle speed zone. The operator was found to be impaired and placed under arrest for operating a vessel within 100' of object/shore above idle speed and operating a vessel under the influence.
DECATUR COUNTY On May 3rd, Sgt. Rick Sellars assisted the Decatur County Sheriff's Office with the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a segment of the opening ceremonies for the Special Olympics.
On May 5th, while conducting a boating safety patrol on Lake Seminole, RFC Tony Cox arrested an individual for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TATTNALL COUNTY On April 27th, RFC Clint Jarriel, RFC Chase Altman, and RFC Debbie Brannen worked a detail located on the Big Hammock WMA in Tattnall County. Earlier in the week RFC Jarriel found a boat tied to the bank on Big Hammock WMA during a flight with Ed Watkins. A closer investigation revealed a motor with a gas tank stashed in the woods not far from the vessel's location. After watching the vessel for about an hour, four subjects approached the vessel two of which carried the motor and gas tank. RFC Jarriel and Altman approached the subjects and charged them with illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA and illegal use of an ATV on WMA. The subjects were also in possession of pills and what appeared to be marijuana. These items were turned over to the county Sheriff's office for later processing.

EVANS COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity on the Evans Public Fishing area. Approximately 21 fishing licenses and 4 boats were checked resulting in violations for operating a vessel with expired registration and operating a vessel without PFD's were documented.
On May 6th, RFC Brannen and Cpl. Jon Barnard patrolled the Evans Public Fishing area resulting in violations for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license, operating a vessel without PFD's, and operating a vessel with expired registration.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Barry Britt worked an on-going complaint of someone hunting without permission on Jeff Davis County land fill property. He caught a hunter inside the fenced area. County officials requested the subject be given a written warning and instructed not to hunt the property again.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 5th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of twenty-five boats were inspected, as well as, numerous fishing licenses. As a result of the inspections, one violation consisting of operating a vessel with improper PFD was documented. Also verbal guidance was given to 6 persons for operating a vessel with unserviceable fire extinguisher.
On May 6th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of twenty-three boats were checked and several fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspections, a total of two violations consisting of allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD and operating a vessel with improper PFD.
On May 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce presented twenty-five boating safety I&E's to Sandhill Elementary School. A total of 610 students and teachers were in attendance. The patrol boat and vehicle was used in the presentations as displays.
ECHOLS COUNTY On May 2nd, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Cpl. Jason Shipes responded to a request for assistance from the Echols Sheriff's office to help locate a missing 9-year old boy. The child and his friend had been playing in a nearby wooded area and as darkness approached they began walking home. They disagreed on which way to return home and split up. One child made it back to his residence, but the other did not. A Georgia Dept. of Corrections tracking dog was utilized, but the scent was lost. A helicopter with forward-looking infrared was requested and was en-route when a citizen located the child about one mile away along a county dirt road. The citizen brought the child to the search scene and released him to Cpl. Shipes. Other than numerous mosquito bites, the child was returned to his family unharmed.

On May 4th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree responded to a call for assistance from two overdue boaters on the Alapaha River. The boaters had embarked from Mayday Bridge at 3:00 PM en-route to Statenville, an approximate eightmile & ten-hour paddle trip. The boaters, one of which was a pregnant female had misjudged the length of the trip, believing it would take only four or five hours. While Echols' Dispatch was attempting to get a location on the female's cell phone, Sgt. Dupree learned they were currently located at an area known locally as Cranford Shoals. The boaters were advised to stay at that location until Sgt. Dupree and Echols' Sheriff Randy Courson arrived. Both boaters were located and returned safely home. The male subject was charged with operating a vessel without PFD's.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 5th, Sgt. David Reckley, Cpl. John Stokes, Cpl. Johnny Ashe, RFC Rodney Horne, and Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted a HIN inspection site in Laurens County. A total of eleven vessels were inspected and registration issues resolved.
DODGE COUNTY On May 6th, 2012 Cpl. Johnny Ashe, Cpl. Dan Stiles, and RFC Rodney Horne conducted a concentrated patrol of the Dodge Co. Public Fishing Area. Several vessels and anglers were checked resulting in 10 citations and 9 written warnings issued for license, regulation, and boating safety violations.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On April 29, Cpl. Bill Bryson received a call from the State Operations Center, who received a call from Coast Guard Station Tybee requesting help searching for four people in a boat who were past due at the dock. Information received indicated the four people were possibly camping on Ossabaw Island. Cpl. Bryson called Cpl. Chris Moore and the Rangers put a patrol boat in at Savage Island boat ramp and responded to Ossabaw Island. Cpl. Bryson then called Cpl. Phillip Scott who was already on the water to check the beach side of Ossabaw Island. Cpl. Scott went to the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunting camp and got on an ATV and went to the south end pavilion where he found the missing boaters who were camping. Cpls. Bryson and Moore arrived on scene. All four people were cited for camping on a WMA.
BRYAN COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River in the King's Ferry area. One person was cited for operating a personal watercraft (PWC) above idle speed within 100 feet of a bridge.
LIBERTY COUNTY On May 5th, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan set up a wildlife & boat display at the Hinesville "Safe Kids Day" which was visited by over 100 people.

CAMDEN COUNTY On April 29, Cpl. Wil Smith received a request from the Camden County Sheriff's Office for assistance with a manhunt. Cpl. Smith learned that a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Agent had attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle travelling from Florida into Georgia. Six illegal immigrants jumped from the vehicle and ran into the woods. Cpl. Smith responded with his ATV to look for the subjects. 5 of the 6 suspects were apprehended.
On May 5, Cpl. Wil Smith received a call for from the Park Superintendent at Crooked River State Park. The Park Ranger informed Cpl. Smith that an 80 year old man had flipped his Geenau vessel in the Crooked River. Cpl. Smith responded and located the man with his vessel. Cpl. Smith helped the man by towing his vessel back to the boat ramp and returning him to safety.
On May 5, while on routine vessel patrol, Cpl. Wil Smith discovered a vessel and two men stuck on a sandbar. The operator of the vessel told Cpl. Smith that he had hit the sandbar and his engine had taken in mud. Cpl. Smith assisted the men by towing them to a nearby boat ramp.
GLYNN COUNTY On May 6, RFC David Brady and RFC Craig Smith investigated a boating incident that occurred on May 5. RFC David Brady was able to make contact with all parties involved and determined that due to the extremely low tides the subjects had hit a sand bar and the passenger had been ejected. The operator of the vessel was able to recover the passenger and bring him aboard. The passenger was taken to the hospital in Brunswick, was stabilized and released the following date.
On May 5, Cpl. Wil Smith received a call in reference to a boating incident on the Altamaha River near the Altamaha Regional Park. Cpl. Smith responded with Cpl. Billy Reed and RFC John Evans. Cpl. Smith determined that the two brothers, ages 60 and 61, were operating their PWCs in the Altamaha River when one brother made an evasive move to avoid a sandbar and turned in front of the other brother and was struck by the PWC. The injured man suffered broken ribs and bruises.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On April 30, DNR received a request for assistance from Brantley County Sheriff's Office. A burglary suspect was on the run in a heavily wooded area in north Brantley County. Corporals Bobby White and Wil Smith and RFCs Craig Smith and David Brady responded along with GSP troopers and Department of Corrections K-9 units. The suspect was apprehended after a 5 hour search covering several square miles.

WAYNE COUNTY The Wayne County Tourism Board held its annual Catfish tournament on the Altamaha River on May 5-6, 2012. The tournament is a not for profit event with all proceeds going to prizes and event costs. The primary purpose is to promote fishing and the natural resource recreational opportunities that the region offers. Capt. Doug Lewis, RFC Randy Aspinwall, Corp. Bobby White and Sgt. Wayne Hubbard assisted with the event.

MCINTOSH COUNTY On May 2nd and 5th Corp. Jimmy Finn conducted JEA patrols offshore of Sapelo Island in
McIntosh Co. These patrols were conducted during day and night time hours. On May 5th Corp. Finn and RFC Randy Aspinwall responded to a complaint of a shrimp boat
dragging inside state waters. A written warning was issued for the violation.