Field operations weekly report, 2012 August 19-25

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report August 19-25, 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 August 17th, Cpl. Chip Cox and Cpl. Byron Young responded to a 911 call of a large vessel that had run aground on an exposed sandbar on Lake Allatoona. The Rangers found an intoxicated man on the vessel alone and tried to get him to cooperate to get him to safety, but he refused to give the rangers his ID or allow them to assist with his boat crash. He was arrested and charged with boating under the influence, failure to provide a conservation ranger with positive ID, and misdemeanor obstruction. The incident shows the hazards of boating while intoxicated and how physical hazards are exposed as the water level drops throughout the end of the boating season.
On August 18th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Chip Cox, RFC Chad Cox, and Ranger Zack Hardy assisted the boating public with a HIN (hull identification inspection) site at the Allatoona Corp of Engineer's office on Spur 20. People wanting to register their boats, but having problems, received assistance and an inspection from the DNR Rangers. Over 35 people and their boats showed up for the inspection. During the inspection, Cpl. Chip Cox located two PWCs (personal water-craft) that had been reported stolen out of Detroit, Michigan in 2008. The PWCs were recovered, information documented, and the case will continue with the assistance of the Bartow County Sheriff's Office.

On August 18th, Cpl. Lee Burns and Ranger Zackary Hardy patrolled the Etowah River by vehicle checking bridges and landings. They checked a group of twenty-five kayaks, boats and inner tubes and none possessed a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device. The rangers documented the violations and spoke with the groups about boating safety on Georgia's waterways and in return were assured compliance by all in future trips.

On August 26th, Cpl. Lee Burns, RFC Barton Hendrix and Intern Chris Ellis were patrolling Lake Allatoona near Red Top Mountain State Park. They noticed a rented pontoon boat with five passengers riding the bow. Upon stopping the vessel, the operator left the wheel and attempted to blend in with the other twenty passengers. RFC Hendrix questioned the operator about leaving the wheel and found him to be intoxicated. He was arrested for operating a vessel under the influence, child endangerment and allowing person to ride the bow. CHEROKEE COUNTY On 23rd, Cpl. Byron Young and Ranger Zack Hardy conducted a morning patrol on Lake Allatoona. The officers checked 14 fishermen and found only one violation for fishing without a license. The fishermen all reported improving conditions with water temps dropping. Two subjects were checked that had several hybrids. All of the fish were within the legal length limits.
COBB COUNTY On August 23rd, RFC Brooks Varnell and Ranger Zack Hardy responded to a complaint from the Cobb County Animal Control Office of a person holding a wild animal at a residence in Acworth. The Rangers found a silver fox being held without a permit for holding wildlife. The Rangers constructively seized the wild animal and will work with the owner to find a suitable home in an approved facility for the species normally found in the extreme northern US or Canada. FANNIN COUNTY On August 20th, DNR Officers completed an investigation with the arrest of a man and woman for possession of big game without a big game license, possession of drug

paraphernalia, possession of marijuana less than one ounce, and manufacturing marijuana. The investigation began the week before when RFC Cody Jones received information about a black bear that had been killed out of season. The officer's executed a search warrant on a residence where they located the hide and paws of a black bear. During the search marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found inside the residence, and five marijuana plants were found growing in the back yard.
On August 25th and 26th, RFC Cody Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake. RFC Jones encountered several boating violations including improper registration, no registration, operating without safety equipment, no PFD's, violating no wake zone, and reckless operation of a vessel.
GILMER COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Joe Hill conducted an undercover detail on the Cartecay River. The rangers encountered violations of public indecency and criminal trespass.
MURRAY COUNTY On August 12th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and Cpl. James Keener patrolled areas around the Conasauga River and areas around Carter's Lake. The officers issued citations and warnings for fishing without a license, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, and littering.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
RABUN COUNTY On August 25th, Sgt. Steve Seitz, Cpl. Derek Dillard, and RFC Chad Chambers worked on a fatal boating incident on Lake Seed that occurred around 2:30 PM. The incident involved two vessels that collided causing one of the vessels to run head on into a rocky bank. The operator of the vessel that struck the bank later died enroute to the hospital. The boating incident is currently being investigated by RFC Anne Alexander, RFC Bart Hendrix, and Sgt. Seitz who are members of the Georgia DNR Critical Incident Reconstruction Team.
UNION COUNTY On August 24th, RFC Kevin Dyer assisted the Union County Sheriff's Office dive team with a training exercise on Lake Nottley. The dive exercise consisted of locating and removing vehicles from the bottom of the lake at a boat ramp near the dam. DNR officers found and marked the vehicles a few months earlier while using the DNR side scan sonar unit in the area. The Union County Sheriff's Office divers used the sonar images and locations to find two vehicles on this exercise. The divers removed the vehicles from the lake with the assistance of a local wrecker service. One vehicle had been reported stolen a couple of years earlier and the other vehicle is still under investigation of being stolen.

FRANKLIN COUNTY On August 25th, RFC Tim Vickery was requested to assist with a search in Hall County for evidence involved with a missing teenage girl. He assisted the D.N.R. CAT team search an area where a missing teenage girl's body was found near Lake Lanier.
On August 25th, RFC Tim Vickery patrolled Franklin County and issued a warning for illegal burning of waste.
On August 25th, RFC Josh Chambers, Cpl. Craig Fulghum, and Sgt. Stan Elrod held a Hull identification inspection at the mega boat ramp at Tugalo State Park. Two boats were inspected.
MADISON COUNTY On August 25TH, RFC Shane Sartor was requested to assist with a search in Hall County for evidence involved with a missing teenage girl. He assisted the D.N.R. CAT team search an area where a missing teenage girl's body was found near Lake Lanier.
FORSYTH COUNTY On August 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled Lake Lanier for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of fourteen boats and twelve fishing licenses were inspected. As a result of the inspection, five violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel without CGA PFD's, operating a vessel without registration, allowing underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's. Verbal guidance was given on several occasions to be in compliance with state law.
GWINNETT COUNTY On August 25th, Sgt. Lee Brown attended the Gwinnett Safe Kids "Water Safety" event at Buford Dam Park. Sgt. Brown assisted the U. S. Coast Guard with their station talking with those in attendance about water safety and wearing a life jacket. Other agencies involved in the event were the Army Corp of Engineer, Gwinnett County Fire Department and the Gwinnett Safe Kids.
HALL COUNTY On August 19-25 rangers from Region II continued the search for a subject that had drowned on Lake Lanier on August 18th. The rangers assisted the Hall County Sheriff's Office during their dive operations as well as operating the DNR Side Scan Sonar and conducting surface searches of the area during periods of high boat traffic.
On August 24th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Mitchell Crump and RFC Brandon Pierce were contacted and a request was made from Gainesville P. D. so see if the rangers could search the lake and shoreline of an apartment complex that bordered Lake Lanier for a missing teenager. The rangers using two patrol boats searched the area requested by Gainesville P. D. with no success in locating the missing teen on this day.

On August 25th, RFC Eric Isom with K-9 "Colt" assisted Hall County Sherriff's office with a wooded area search in attempt to located evidence used in a crime.
On August 25TH, RFC Mark Stephens and RFC Mitchell Crump responded to a boating incident on Lake Lanier in Hall County. A child dislocated his left wrist from attempting to jump off the top of a houseboat.
On August 23RD, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk taught a Hunter Education Class. During the class he certified 27 students.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On August 25th and 26th, Cpl. Eric Sanders set up a booth at the Big Haynes Creek Wildlife Festival. This event was held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers. Cpl. Sanders presented information reference to the hunting and fishing laws in Georgia as well as Hunter Education requirements. Cpl. Sanders had the King Fisher fishing simulator which was a huge success with the kids in attendance.
JACKSON COUNTY On August 19th, RFC Eric Isom with his K-9 partner "Colt" answered a possible hunting out of season complaint. RFC Isom and Colt walked the property and found no signs of anyone hunting the property.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On August 25th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, RFC Bobby Timmerman and RFC Brian Adams conducted a concentrated patrol at the rope swing on the Little River. Officers cited 1 subject for littering and verbally warned 5 juveniles for criminal trespass.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On August 23rd, RFC Brian Adams was on ATV patrol for deer bait. RFC Adams found 2 males smoking marijuana in a golf cart. The 2 subjects were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce.
On August 25th, RFC Brian Adams participated in the 26th Annual Sexton Farms Kids Skeet Shoot. Approximately 50 children were in attendance. RFC Adams spoke to the group about muzzle control and gun safety prior to the competition.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Sunday August 19th, RFC Phillip Nelson was called to assist a U.S. Forest Service Officer on Oconee National Forest land. The officer had located a suspicious subject coming out of a closed road with a marijuana plant. After RFC Nelson arrived they went back onto the property and located several more plants. This subject was turned over to Oglethorpe Co. Sheriffs Office.

Sgt. Brian Carter and a college intern were patrolling Oglethorpe County on Monday August 20th, when Sgt. Carter saw black smoke coming up from a distance. Sgt. Carter located the source of the smoke and found a subject burning a tire in a scrap limb pile. The subject was issued a written warning.
On August 22nd, Corporal Mark Patterson responded to a complaint of hunting without permission in Clarke County. Upon meeting with the complainant it was determined that the reported activity actually occurred on neighboring property where the boundary line was not clearly defined.
NEWTON COUNTY On August 25th, RFC Freddie Hays taught a hunter safety course to 22 participants at the GA Wildlife Federation. All 22 students passed the written test and were certified.
LAKE OCONEE On August 25th, Cpl. David Allen and Sgt. John Harwell patrolled Lake Oconee. One vessel was stopped and cited for towing skier after hours.
On August 26th, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Richard Tanner patrolled Lake Oconee. Several vessels were stopped and citations were issued for towing skier w/out observer and failure to obey regulatory marker.
On August 19th, RFC Richard Tanner was requested on Lake Lanier in reference to a drowning. RFC Tanner spent two days on Lanier searching for the drowning victim using the Side Scan Sonar.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HOUSTON COUNTY On August 24th agents of the Department of Natural Resources recovered a personal watercraft that had been stolen in Monroe County earlier in the year; the craft was subsequently returned to its rightful owner. Information regarding the perpetrator and the vessel's recovery were turned over to Monroe County authorities for further action.
LAMAR COUNTY On August 20th RFC Keith Page and members of the Lamar County Sheriff's office located a large quantity of trash that had been dumped on City Pond Road. The officers found a name and address on several items in the trash. The address was located in Stockbridge. RFC Page went to the residence on Eagle Drive in Stockbridge and made contact with the violator. The suspect was charged with unlawful dumping.
On August 24th RFC Page located a man on South 6th Street Extension who he had been trying to locate for nearly a month. The man had previously dumped a large quantity of trash on private property on Old Milner Road in the area that was devastated by last year's violent tornados. The landowners, who are still trying to clean up debris, noticed the trash while cleaning up their land. RFC Page was contacted and eventually located

the violator. RFC Page charged the man with unlawful dumping. The man returned to the land and cleaned up his trash later that day.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On August 24th, Corporal Randy Davis and RFC Tony Cox seized a fawn deer from a subject in Baker County. Corporal Davis returned on August 25th and issued a citation for holding a game animal without a permit. The deer was being kept in an enclosed pen with a dog collar on its neck.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On August 25th, Sergeant Rick Sellars, Corporal Randy Davis and Ranger Kevin Goss conducted a boating safety / alligator hunting patrol on Lake Seminole and the Chattahoochee River. During the patrol a Florida alligator hunter was stopped while actively hunting alligators in Georgia waters and issued a citation for hunting alligators out of season.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On August 25th, RFC Allen Mills conducted a 10 hour Hunter Education class in Dodge County, assisted by Cpl. Dan Stiles. Nineteen students completed the course and received their Hunter Education certification cards.
On August 24 25th, Cpl. John Stokes and Cpl. James McLaughlin patrolled the Dodge County Public Fishing Area during the scheduled night fishing opportunity held by the Fisheries Management section.
TATTNALL COUNTY On August 26th, RFC Clint Jarriel was on patrol in an area off Kennedy Bridge road in Tattnall County. Officer Jarriel exited his vehicle in an area to listen for shots in a distance. Officer Jarriel continued to track shots he was listening to. When the area of the shots was located, two subjects were found to be shooting doves out of season. The subjects were cited for the violations and the birds were confiscated and turned over to the Tattnall County Sheriff's Office. The violations were hunting out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
TOOMBS COUNTY On August 25th, Cpl. Jon Barnard, RFC Debbie Brannen, RFC Clint Jarriel held a HIN Inspection check site at the Toombs County Courthouse parking lot assisting 11 boat owners with boat registration issues.
APPLING COUNTY On August18th, RFC Altman was conducting a high visibility patrol at Lake Mayers. One warning was given for allowing a person to ride on the gunwale of a vessel. Later that

day while on patrol, RFC Altman saw large amounts of smoke coming from an auto shop. Upon further investigation it was determined that several items being burned were illegal to burn. The shop was notified and warned for this, and forced to put the fires out. LOWNDES COUNTY On August 25th and 26th, RFC Keith McDonald investigated an unlawful dumping complaint at the gate to a hunting club in Lowndes County. The investigation resulted in the identification of the three individuals responsible. Citations were issued for littering to all three individuals and they voluntarily cleaned up the trash. The hunting club members were impressed with the results of the investigation. ATKINSON COUNTY On August 16th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree was travelling on US Hwy. 221 south of Pearson when he observed a driver discard several food wrappers and packaging out his vehicle's window. Sgt. Dupree stopped the vehicle and issued the driver a written warning for littering. CLINCH COUNTY On August 25th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool operated the fishing simulator at Trinity Baptist Church's annual wild game supper in Homerville. The event consisted of children's activities and an adult archery competition along with the meal. DNR's fishing simulator was a very popular attraction for all ages during the event. Several hundred people were in attendance and the officers provided hunting regulations and boating information in addition to answering the attendee's many questions.
PIERCE COUNTY On August 23rd, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool assisted the Georgia Governor's Task Force with locating marijuana growing operations in the area. The officers responded to a residence where several marijuana plants were located in a nearby wooded area; however no one was at the residence. The illegal plants were confiscated and charges are pending further investigation.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Aug. 25th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Trey Taylor conducted a HIN/registration inspection at Hendrix Park, helping five boat owners to register their boats. Later that day, they patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area and cited one boater for having improper registration numbers displayed.
On Aug. 25th, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Sgt. James Shelton patrolled the areas from St. Catherine's Sound to the Ogeechee River. No violations were found. Later that day, RFC Thain cited a person fishing without permission at the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock, which is now privately owned.
CHATHAM COUNTY On Aug. 20th, Cpl. Phillip Scott assisted as an instructor at a firearms class given at the Peace Officers Association of Georgia convention in Savannah.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Aug. 19th, Cpl. Phillip Scott responded to a call at Lake George regarding an alligator attacking a homeowner's dog. Upon arrival, Cpl. Scott found that the homeowner had shot a seven-foot alligator as it had tried to attack his dogs. The alligator was taken to an authorized nuisance trapper in order to have the head mounted for display at educational programs.
On Aug. 24th, RFC Jack Thain and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the North and South Newport River areas, citing one boater for having an expired boat registration.
CHATHAM COUNTY On August 25, Ranger Kate Hargrove, Cpl. Chris Moore, and Sgt. Cindy Miller patrolled the salt waters of Chatham County. The Rangers checked several boats throughout the

evening. Two individuals were cited for fishing without a license. Two other individuals were cited for operating vessels with insufficient life jackets. MCINTOSH COUNTY On August 24, 2012, Sgt. Wayne Hubbard received a call from the Area Manager of Altamaha WMA that he was hearing shots coming from the area of Champney Rd. on the WMA. When Sgt. Hubbard arrived the Area Manager was talking to two individuals by the edge of a food plot. The men told Hubbard that they had been sighting in a .300 Magnum in the food plot using a very small pile of dirt as a backstop. Sgt. Hubbard pointed out the cars driving by on I-95 in plain view beyond their target as well as the duck impoundment where department employees had been working. Both subjects were charged with illegal target practicing on a WMA.
On August 25th, Cpl Bobby White and RFC Randy Aspinwall were on boating safety patrol checking fishermen in the Doboy Sound area of McIntosh Co. The two checked a boat with two fishermen on board with 8 short sea trout in the 11 inch range. After leaving that boat they checked another boat with 5 short sea trout. All short fish were confiscated and citations were written.

BRANLTEY COUNTY On August 23rd, Cpl. Wil Smith and RFC John Evans assisted the Governor's Drug Task Force with marijuana eradication in Brantley County. Officers assisted with locating and removing several marijuana plants in the County.
On August 23rd, Agents with the Governor's Drug Task Force located a whitetail deer being held in a fenced enclosure in Brantley County. Cpl. Wil Smith located the deer at a residence and attempted to make contact with the resident. The case is still being investigated at this time.
CAMDEN COUNTY On August 25th, RFC Craig Smith and RFC John Evans were patrolling the Crooked River area. One of the vessels that were stopped had a Redfish that was 27.5 inches and an undersized trout. Rangers cited the subjects for possession of illegal sized fish and seized the fish.
GLYNN COUNTY On August 24th, RFC Craig Smith, RFC David Brady, and RFC John Evans conducted an offshore JEA patrol in conjunction with the Golden Isles Kingfish Tournament at St. Simon's Island. Officers patrolled several offshore reefs offshore of Jekyll and St. Simon's Island.