Field operations weekly report, 2012 June 3-9

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report June 3-9, 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 Saturday, Cpl. Lee Burns received a late call from Daniel Hill, the DNR Law Enforcement Officer at Red Top Mountain State Park. Officer Hill had received a report of an abandoned vessel at Illinois Creek. Cpl. Burns was involved in a drowning recovery operation but later was able to locate the abandoned vessel. The abandoned vessel had many parts removed including the engine. The boat will be recovered and checked to see if it is stolen.
On Saturday, Cpl. Lee Burns and Ranger Zack Hardy held a hull identification inspection site at the Allatoona Project Army of Corp of Engineers Office on Spur 20. The inspection site is for those people who are in the process of registering their boats, but need assistance with the hull identification numbers or certification of their paperwork. The Rangers completed 30 inspections during the two-hour scheduled event. Cherokee County On Saturday, Cpl. Byron Young received a call at daylight from a family stranded in a rental pontoon boat on Lake Allatoona at McKaskey Creek. The family had rented the boat from Park Marine overnight and had a problem with the battery. Cpl. Young was able to coordinate getting the family assistance with a new battery and back to a safe location. Cobb County On Saturday night, Sgt. Mike Barr received a call from a National Park Service Officer Sean Perschalski. He had received information of a drowning on the Chattahoochee River in the area of Sandy Point and specifically the area known as "diving rock". Cobb

County Rescue had responded and planned on resuming operations the next morning at daylight. Jointly, DNR Law Enforcement, the National Park Service, the Sandy Springs Fire Department, and the Cobb County Dive Team were able to locate the drowning victim. The 22 year old from Woodstock had attempted to swim across the river to the "diving rock" but did not make it. DNR RFC Brooks Varnell and Cpl. Lee Burns worked with National Park Service Officers on a boat in the river to ensure safety for all rescue personnel.
FANNIN COUNTY On June 8th, RFC Cody Jones and RFC Joe Hill patrolled Blue Ridge Lake and the Toccoa River. The officers issued two citations and two warnings for fishing license and PFD violations. MURRAY COUNTY On June 3rd, Sgt. John VanLandingham was patrolling around Carter's Lake when he noticed a vehicle parked in a wooded area. Sgt. VanLandingham began walking down a trail toward the lake when he encountered a man and a woman. The two subjects were carrying several bags and coolers. Sgt. VanLandingham noticed that the woman was also holding several Bald Eagle feathers. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the two subjects were also in possession of several different species of plants, and the male subject was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Cpl. Shawn Elmore and RFC Joe Hill responded and searched the surrounding area including a vehicle and a nearby campsite. Additional plants were found in bags near the vehicle. The female was cited for illegal possession of bird parts. The male subject had to be hospitalized after collapsing and was then arrested and charged with possession of bird parts and Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession of Methamphetamine.

GILMER COUNTY On June 3rd, RFC Joe Hill patrolled around Carter's Lake. He issued three citations for fishing and boating violations.
On June 7th, Sgt. John VanLandingham was patrolling the Bear Creek Campground on Cohutta WMA when he observed a campsite set up within 100 feet of the creek. He approached the camp and explained the regulation of where the tents could be set up and showed them the signs marking 100 feet. The campers moved the tents behind the signs. Sgt. VanLandingham then asked one of the campers what he had hidden as he was approaching. The camper stated that he had hidden a marijuana pipe that they were smoking. Another camper was found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana. The two were charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, possession of marijuana less than one ounce.
On June 9th, RFC Joe Hill and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Carters Lake. The officers issued three citations for failure to obey regulatory markers and operating vessel without registration. Two warnings were issued for failure to use engine cut-off switch and riding bow/gunwale.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On June 8th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck secured arrest warrants on a subject who had destroyed the silt fence at the parking lot project on Dawson Forest WMA at the Amicalola River on June 5th. Warrants were taken for damaging and destroying department property, theft of department property and driving in an unauthorized area.
On June 8th, Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled Dawson Forest WMA. During the patrol numerous visitors to area were encountered (horseback riders, campers, fisherman and swimmers.) Sgt. Brown gave verbal guidance to a family camping along the boardwalk at the Amicalola River and guided them to the camping areas on Dawson Forest. He checked a total of 19 individuals for GORP. During these checks he was able to sell a 3 day group and an annual group GORP by using his MDT.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On June 6th, Cpl. Jesse Cook and RFC Anne Alexander participated with the Lumpkin County Junior Deputy Academy. The rangers talked with the Junior Deputies about firearm and hunting safety. The rangers also utilized the Laser Shot during this program.
On June 7th Cpl. Jesse Cook, RFC Anne Alexander and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck had the students of the Lumpkin County Junior Deputy Academy at the Lumpkin County Firing Range. The rangers had the 22 rifles from the Region II Shooting Sports Trailer for the students to shoot and display proper firearm handling. All in attendance were able to shoot the rifles and learn how to properly use the sights and properly handle the firearm.

HALL COUNTY On June 9th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Tim Vickery patrolled Lake Lanier by boat. They were requested by the Corp of Engineers to assist in removing approximately 60 people from an island who were having an event (party) without a permit. Upon arrival it was determined that the individuals were not violating any laws. The people were allowed to stay on the island. Also during the patrol they checked several boats and issued 5 citations and 2 warnings.
On June 9th, Cpl. Jason Roberson arrested one subject for Boating under the Influence in Sunset Cove on Lake Lanier.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WILKES COUNTY On Tuesday June 5th, RFC Mark Patterson presented I&E program at the Wilkes Co. Farm Safety Day. There were approx. 140 people in attendance. RFC Patterson's program was on boating safety.
ELBERT COUNTY On Sunday June 3rd, Cpl. Julian Wilkins caught two subjects fishing without a license. One of the subjects was checked through the computer and had a suspended driver's license. This subject was turned over to Elbert Co. S.O. after Wilkins dealt with the fishing violations.
LINCOLN COUNTY On Saturday June 9th, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Mark Patterson patrolled Clarks Hill Lake. They patrolled the Elijah Clark and Soap Creek areas. The violations they encountered were; two no wake zones, one child under 10 not wearing a life jacket in a moving vessel and one subject riding on the boat gunwale.
GREENE COUNTY On June 8th, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Richard Tanner responded to a complaint on Lake Oconee in reference to two juveniles following a boat within 100ft. When the officer's arrived at the location of the incident, the two juveniles were spraying each other with their PWC's. Both juveniles were given verbal guidance and given a boating safety handbook to read.
On June 9th, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. Derrell Worth patrolled Lake Oconee for boating violations. Citations were issued for failure to obey regulatory marker, riding the bow/gunwale, towing skiers without an observer, operating an overloaded vessel, Insufficient Life Jackets, and operating at night with improper lights.
LINCOLN COUNTY On June 9th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, RFC Leroy Ficklin, RFC Brian Adams, and RFC Mark Patterson worked a Marine Event in Soap Creek on Clarks Hill Lake. One subject was arrested for Boating under the Influence.

BURKE COUNTY On June 8th, RFC Jeff Billips and Wildlife Technician Steve Kyles gave a presentation for the summer reading program at the Burke County Library. The presentation covered the natural history of the American Alligator and various methods utilized by trappers for the removal of nuisance alligators. The highlight of the program was a collection of reptilian pets that RFC Billips' son presented to the appreciative audience.
On June 3rd and 9th, RFC Billips patrolled the Savannah River for boating and fishing activity. RFC Billips covered over 30 miles of the river and performed numerous boating safety, license and creel limit checks.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
JASPER COUNTY On June 9, SGT Tim Kendrick and RFC Billy Bryant patrolled the Oconee National Forest in the area of Wise Creek. Around 1:00 a.m. the Rangers noticed a group of campers that were visibly intoxicated and appeared to be under 21 years of age. The Rangers approached the campers, and after a short investigation, arrested two campers for underage consumption of alcohol and a third for underage consumption of alcohol as well as possession of marijuana. The subjects were transported to the Jasper County Jail.
On June 9, U.S. Forest Service Officer Zach Nichols and RFC Billy Bryant patrolled the Oconee National Forest in the area of Wise Creek. Around midnight the officers approached a group of campers. After a short investigation, the Rangers arrested two of the campers for possession of marijuana. Both subjects were transported to the Jasper County Jail.
LAMAR COUNTY On June 7th, RFC Keith Page received a call from Captain Bob Lynn asking him to assist another Region with the search for a drowning victim on the Chattahoochee River near the Alabama state line. The missing victim was involved in a fatal boat accident the previous day. RFC Page was called to relieve other sonar operators who had been searching for the body of the victim since the accident occurred. Later that day, the victim was located.
SPALDING COUNTY On June 5, RFC Kevin Godbee received a call of a collared deer off Holly Grove rd. in Spalding County near Orchard Hill, Ga. Upon arrival RFC Godbee did not see any deer at the location. He then went to the residence at the location to knock on the door. Curled up in front of the door he discovered a small goat with a collar on. The goat also had two small horns which the complainant thought were antlers. No further action was taken.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
STEWART COUNTY On June 6th, at approximately 1830 hours DNR officers were informed of a boating incident on the Chattahoochee River. Five DNR officers responded to the scene and found a boat had collided with a tree on the shore, which resulted in the three occupants being thrown from the boat into the river. There was one survivor who was able to walk to a phone and call for help. The body of one victim was recovered by the Columbus Fire Department Dive Team on the day of the incident. The second victim was recovered by members of DNR Law Enforcement and Russell County Alabama Sheriff's Department the following morning.
DNR Rangers, Russell Co SO and Columbus Fire Dept Dive Team Search for Victims of Boat Incident
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
CANDLER COUNTY On June 10th, Cpl. Dave Sims responded to a report of a drowning at a private pond in Candler County. The body was located by the victim's grandson before investigators arrived. The grandson stated he went to look for the victim when he did not return home after going fishing. Cpl. Sims assisted Coroner Sonny Morgan and Investigator Melvin Ivey with the recovery of the body of an elderly man from the area of the pond to be transported to the crime lab.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On June 9th, Sgt. James Shelton and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River above and below King's Ferry ramp, checking several boaters and fishermen. The officers observed a 9-foot alligator with a Type IV throwable life jacket stuck in its mouth. Whenever the alligator would submerge, the PFD brought it back to the surface. After approaching the alligator, the alligator submerged several more times and the PFD eventually broke free of the alligator's teeth.
On June 9th, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the Medway River area, checking several boaters/fishermen. They checked two fishermen who had caught a 20 pound black drum in Demeries Creek.

GLYNN COUNTY On June 3, RFC David Brady and Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to the East Beach area of St Simons Island due to a call that had come in concerning a distressed swimmer. Upon arriving on scene, RFC Brady was able to locate a man that was struggling to stay up due to the extreme tide, rip current, and six foot waves that were crashing on the swimmer. RFC Brady was able to throw the man a life jacket and maneuver his patrol boat to get him in the boat to safety. After securing the subject, it was determined that there was another subject in the water in another area of the beach. RFC Brady took the first subject to a nearby Marina while Sgt. Hodge continued the search for the other swimmer. Cpl. Chris Ridley and RFC Brady then returned to the area with a larger patrol boat to continue their search. Sgt. Mark Carson responded to the East Beach area and began working with Glynn County EMA. Rangers worked around the clock until late Tuesday night when the missing swimmer was recovered near the entrance to Frederica River. The rangers utilized DNR boats, Helicopters, ATV's, and Side Scan Sonar in the search for the missing swimmer. Captain Doug Lewis, Captain Ed Watkins (pilot), Sgt. Wayne Hubbard, RFC Craig Smith, Ranger Jeremy Reese, and Ranger Trey Taylor also assisted in the search and recovery of the victim.