Field operations weekly report, 2013 January 6-12

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report January 6-12, 2013
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)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY On January 10th, RFC Eric Isom and K9 Colt assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigations on a homicide investigation in Franklin County. RFC Isom utilized Colt to clear an area for any possible evidence.
JACKSON COUNTY On January 12th, RFC Eric Isom located two waterfowl hunters hunting after sunset along the Jackson and Barrow County line. The two hunters received warnings for hunting waterfowl after hours, hunting without a federal duck stamp, and hunting without a hunting license. They were also educated on the legal hours to hunt waterfowl.
FORSYTH COUNTY On January 6th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Ranger Erin Lundy were listening for morning duck shoots. One shoot was located with two subjects hunting. A citation was issued for hunting without a Georgia Waterfowl License and a written warning for failure to sign the Federal Migratory Duck Stamp.
FULTON COUNTY On January 11th, Capt. Mike England, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Barry Britt and Ranger Erin Lundy worked the Atlanta Boat Show.
On January 12th, Cpl. Eric Sanders, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins and Ranger Kevin Goss worked the Atlanta Boat Show.
During the show the rangers answered questions, sold recreational licenses, assisted with boat registrations and utilized the Fishing Simulator.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On January 6th, RFC Barry Britt patrolled Lumpkin Park for duck hunting activity. He issued one written warning for hunting waterfowl without a Georgia Waterfowl license.
On January 12th, RFC Barry Britt, Sgt. Lee Brown, RFC Anne Alexander, and Ranger Erin Lundy presented a hunter development program in Lumpkin County with Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office. After an early morning squirrel hunt, approximately 50 youth from around the county had lunch and then participated in a skeet shooting competition using shotguns, clay pigeons, throwers, and ammunition from the DNR's sport shooting program.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WILKES COUNTY On Wednesday, January 09, Cpl. Mark Patterson checked some waterfowl hunters on Fishing Creek WMA. One subject was found to have an unplugged shotgun.
WALTON COUNTY On January 12th, RFC Tim Butler witnessed a woman throw a wad of paper out of her car while traveling down the road. RFC Butler initiated a traffic stop and issued her a citation for littering.
On January 11, RFC Fred Hays and RFC Niki Spencer received an anonymous complaint about someone selling mallard ducks from an antique shop. After checking several shops, Rangers located four mounted ducks and one mounted alligator for sell. Verbal guidance was given to the shop owner.
NEWTON COUNTY On January 11, 2012, RFC Niki Spencer stopped a vehicle driving in excess of 80mph in a 55mph zone. While performing the traffic stop a Newton County Deputy arrived and the offense was turned over to the deputy.
GREENE COUNTY While patrolling Dyars Pasture, RFC Richard Tanner cited one individual for fishing without a license.
LINCOLN COUNTY On January 6th Cpl. Ryan Swain encountered a suspicious vehicle in the Mount Zion Church area. Swain ran the tag on the vehicle and it came back to a different type vehicle. Swain attempted a traffic stop but the subject fled. After a brief chase the subject jumped from his moving vehicle and fled into the woods. Marijuana was located in the vehicle. Swain was able to determine the identity of the suspect. The incident is still under investigation and charges are pending.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On January 6th RFC Leroy Ficklin responded to hunting out of season complaint. Ficklin met with the complainant in the Stagecoach road area who advised he had heard a rifle shot on his property. RFC Ficklin located two subjects on an adjacent piece of property that were deer hunting. Further investigation revealed that one of the subjects had shot a deer on the complainant's property. Both subjects were charged with hunting out of season and warned for hunting without permission.
On January 12th Cpl. Brian Hobbins was checking the Dearing area for waterfowl hunters. Hobbins located a vehicle in the area where he heard several shots. Hobbins located two subjects in deer stands with high powered rifles. An adult and juvenile at first claimed to be coyote hunting. After further questioning both subjects admitted they were

deer hunting. The adult was cited for hunting out of season and allowing a juvenile to hunt without Hunter Safety Certification.
WASHINGTON COUNTY Corporal Crawley patrolled for night hunting activity in Washington County. Corporal Crawley worked deer hunting activity in Riddleville Area.
RICHMOND COUNTY On January 12, Cpl. Ben Payne worked night hunting complaint. He checked several without permission complaints around Richmond County. He checked duck hunters at Phinizy WMA. Several hunters were checked with only minor violations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On January 11th, Ranger David Fisher and Corporal Robert Stillwell checked a private pond in response to an on-going complaint of persons fishing without permission officers found three subjects fishing in the pond. Two citations and one warning were issued for the offense. Because one of the subjects had an open warrant for his arrest he was placed into custody and transported to the county jail.
BUTTS COUNTY On January 6th, RFC Keith Page and Corporal Tony Wynne found a group of men duck hunting on the Towaliga River. The men had put a boat in the river at Fill Bridge Road and went down stream towards High Falls State Park. The men passed underneath the Hwy 36 Bridge, which put them on High Falls State Park property. RFC Page explained to the men that it was illegal to hunt on the state park. The men were confused about the boundaries of the state park and had a map in their possession that they had printed off of the internet. RFC Page explained the proper boundaries to them. Because the men thought they were legal in their actions, RFC Page decided to issue the men warnings because he felt they were not intentionally violating any laws.
COWETA COUNTY On January 12th, Corporal Keith Waddell investigated an illegal dumping case involving deer carcasses. No charges have been made.
HENRY COUNTY On January 12th, RFC Kevin Godbee issued a citation for fishing without permission in the Upper Towaliga Reservoir.
HOUSTON COUNTY On the night of January 11th RFC's Ronnie Beard and Clint Martin worked a complaint of subjects hunting without permission. As a result of the officers' surveillance, three subjects were apprehended and charged with hunting feral hogs without permission, hunting without licenses, and hunting from a motor vehicle.

On the morning of January 12th, Sergeant Tony Fox conducted a compliance check of waterfowl hunters at Flat Creek PFA. One warning was issued for the offense of hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On January 6th, Corporal Keith Waddell heard shots being fired from a location on Cedar Rock Road. Upon further investigation of the shots, Corporal Waddell encountered two waterfowl hunters possessing six hooded mergansers piled together in the bed of a Chevrolet pickup truck. Corporal Waddell asked both hunters who shot which birds and they replied they didn't know and they were just shooting and piling the birds together. Corporal Waddell issued the two hunters citations for Possession over the Daily Bag Limit and warnings for Possession of Untagged Birds.
On January 12th, Sergeant Brent Railey heard several shots coming from a swamp near John Wallace Rd. Sergeant Railey called Corporal Keith Waddell to the scene and they checked the area and found four people hunting ducks. Corporal Waddell issued warnings for hunting without a license, failure to attach/sign federal duck stamp and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
MONROE COUNTY On Thursday, January 10th, Corporal Susan Morris received a complaint of hunters at Rum Creek WMA driving around the "road closed" signs and parking on the goose grazing area to hunt ducks and geese. Game Management was working on the road in that area and was unaware the vehicle was illegally parked and dumped gravel, blocking the road. The hunter was located and issued a citation for driving in an unauthorized area of a WMA.
On Saturday, January 12th, Corporal Susan Morris and Corporal Tony Wynne were on routine patrol at Rum Creek WMA and stopped to check a vehicle parked near the lake, thinking the occupants were hunting ducks. They noticed two males asleep in the vehicle. After waking them up, the occupants explained that even though they lived nearby, they decided to sleep by the lake. They were cited for illegally camping on a WMA.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On January 9th, Corporal Jeremy Bolen and Wildlife Technician Mike Crumbley attended the hunting regulation public meeting which was held in Columbus. The meeting was held to gather input from the public about possible changes during the next regulation cycle. The officer's also answered legal questions at the event.
TAYLOR COUNTY On the afternoon of January 12th, RFC Josh Swain was listening for after-hours duck hunting activity when he heard a shoot. Upon investigating the shooting RFC Swain discovered 3 hunters shooting ducks well after legal time. The hunters were charged with hunting waterfowl after hours and two of the men were issued warnings for possession of

illegally taken wildlife. Additionally, one hunter was warned for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.
TROUP COUNTY On January 12th, Corporal Mitch Oliver and Sergeant Jim Bradfield were in Half Moon Park on West Point Lake checking fishing activity. A vehicle approached the officers and Sergeant Bradfield began talking with the driver. As the two talked, Corporal Oliver noticed that the driver of the car would never look at Sergeant Bradfield when speaking to him. Because of the driver's demeanor, Corporal Oliver asked him to step out of the car. Instead of putting the car in park the driver drove forward about 30 feet before stopping in a parking space. The driver then attempted to hide something between the seat and center console. After the driver was out of the vehicle he admitted to hiding some marijuana. Corporal Oliver searched the vehicle finding a plastic bag containing suspected marijuana two "roaches" and rolling papers. The driver was charged with possession of marijuana less than an ounce (misdemeanor).
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
CALHOUN COUNTY On 01-12-13 Cpl. Scott Carroll checked duck hunters utilizing a creek to enter a private waterway by vessel. The following day Cpl. Carroll and RFC Jim Atchley traveled down the creek by canoe to inspect the hunting site and collect evidence. The Rangers found the suspects again hunting the same private property and charges for hunting without permission are pending.
STEWART COUNTY On January 12th, Cpl. Steve Robinson cited two non-residents for hunting big game without big game licenses. He also performed a GORP compliance check on a wildlife management area range.
DECATUR COUNTY On January 12th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox conducted a waterfowl patrol to address waterfowl hunting violations. The rangers issued six citations for hunting without a license and hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.
On January 12th, RFC Tony Cox responded to a complaint of someone shooting Gopher Tortoises. RFC Cox located the two suspects who had parked their truck near a Gopher, and then walked to the Flint River to fish. During his investigation, Cox noticed a freshly killed raccoon and opossum in the bed of the subject's truck, and which the two admitted to trapping earlier. Both were issued citations for taking a protected species [gopher tortoise], hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, trapping with illegal devices [baited hooks], and trapping without a license.

Decatur County-taking protected species (gopher tortoise) Decatur County-illegal trapping device (baited hook)

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On January 11, Cpl. Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. One vessel was checked for boating safety compliance and eight fishing licenses were checked. Verbal guidance was given to one individual for one minor violation.
On January 11, Cpl. Stiles was contacted by a Laurens County Sheriff's deputy reporting night hunting activity in progress. Cpl. Stiles responded to the scene and found a subject detained by two Laurens County officers. After a short investigation Cpl. Stiles arrested the subject for hunting under the influence. Two other violations were also documented.
SCREVEN COUNTY On January 12th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely responded to a complaint of running deer dogs on un-permitted property in the area of Union Church Rd. and Hwy 17. Four subjects were apprehended. A total five citations were issued for hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property and hunting deer with dogs without deer dog license.
On January 12th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely, Cpl. Mike Wilcox, and Sgt. Don Dasher responded to the area of Hiltonia Perkins Rd. and Hiltonia Millen Rd. to investigate a complaint of persons running deer with dogs without a permit and hunting without permission. Officers apprehended 25 subjects on Beaver Dam Hunting Club conducting the illegal hunt. 37 violations were documented with citations and warnings for: hunting deer with dogs on un-permitted property, possession of illegally taken wildlife, hunting deer with dogs without deer dog license, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license. Four deer were confiscated and turned over to the Screven County Sheriffs' Dept. for disposal. No evidence of hunting without permission was found.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Saturday January 12th 2013 RFC Jamey O'Brien received a call about deer dogs running on private property off Hwy 119. O'Brien met with the landowner and after a short time of investigating the area, 2 hunting dogs belonging to 2 different individuals were located on the private property. The dogs were returned to their rightful owners as well as citations for allowing hunting dogs on unpermitted property.
On Sunday January 13th 2013 while on patrol, RFC Jamey O'Brien observed 2 deer dogs running along the side of the roadway. Not having any deer dogging permits in this area, O'Brien began patrolling the immediate area and ultimately located several subjects hunting a block of woods. The subjects were hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property. A total a six violations were noted, all for hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property.

JENKINS COUNTY On Friday, January 11, 2013, Cpl. Mike Wilcox and Sgt. Don Dasher were on patrol in Jenkins County checking complaint areas and looking for hunting activity. Around 10:30a.m., three trucks were seen on the side of West Old Savannah Road. While checking the vehicles, the officers discovered that it was a hunting party from Scuffle Town Hunt Club trying to catch deer dogs. The hunters were off of their permitted property. Two members of the hunting party were off in the woods and were not wearing fluorescent orange vests. The officers also found several license violations. Six violations were documented: Failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property(1), hunting deer w/o wearing fluorescent orange(2), hunting w/o a license(1), and hunting deer w/dogs w/o a deer dogging license(2). Later that day, the officers responded to another call about deer dog hunters on Perkins Rd. Five hunters were checked and Cpl. Wilcox is still investigated the incident for compliance w/the club's permit.
On Saturday, January 12, 2013, Cpl. Wilcox was on routine patrol in Jenkins County when he received a complaint about deer dogs hunting on un-permitted property. Cpl. Wilcox responded to the area of Godbee Rd. While in the area, the officer encountered a large party of hunters gathered together at a fire station. Cpl. Wilcox checked hunting licenses, and discovered that the hunters had been doing a man drive for deer. No violations were found.
EMANUEL COUNTY On Saturday, January 12, 2013, Cpl. Wilcox received a complaint about deer dogging on un-permitted property in Oak Park. The complainant stated that he caught a deer dog on his property and was holding it in his pen at his house. Cpl. Wilcox was busy w/another complaint and requested help from RFC Jarriel. RFC Jarriel responded to the call. Violations that were documented were failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property.
BULLOCH COUNTY On Tuesday January 1st, CPL. Eddie Akins responded to two calls off Rail Road Bed Road near Brooklet. Follow-up on the complaint resulted in three violations being documented. The violations were for failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property.
On Saturday January 12, 2013 26 Rangers from Region VI and Region VII conducted a night flight detail in Bulloch, Effingham, Evans, and Bryan counties. Fifteen violations were documented for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting big game from a public road.
TOOMBS COUNTY On January 10th, Sgt. Jon Barnard responded to a complaint where Toombs Co. Deputies were detaining two night hunters. The two suspects were stopped by the Deputies after receiving a complaint about them walking with a rifle and shining a flashlight in a field by a residence. When the landowner confronted the two suspects, an adult and juvenile, they said they were hunting deer. The landowner then called the Sheriff's Department where the deputies responded and stopped the suspects as they were leaving the field in a

black and white ford truck. The adult was charged with hunting deer at night and released at the scene with. The juvenile was released at to his grandparents who transported him to the Sheriff's Department, where a conference was held about of the seriousness of the violation.
CLINCH COUNTY On January 12th, CPL Jason Shipes and RGR Sam Williams assisted Clinch County S.O. with a traffic check-point near Fargo. During the check, an individual was encountered with two cage-type traps containing two live raccoons. The individual was charged with possession of game animal without a permit and the raccoons were released in a wooded area nearby.
WARE COUNTY On January 6th, CPL Josh Chambers was patrolling a deer-dogging complaint area near Swamp Road and Suwannee Chapel Road. CPL Chambers encountered four individuals hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property. All four subjects were charged with hunting deer with dogs on unpermitted property and one subject was issued a written warning for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
LOWNDES COUNTY On January 12th, RFC Keith McDonald responded to a complaint reference two individuals camping without permission on a hunting club in Lowndes County. The complainant stated the individuals were using his ground blind as a tent to sleep in. While enroute to the hunting club the complainant contacted RFC McDonald by cell phone and advised that the individuals were leaving the area. The complainant also advised the vehicle description and the direction of travel. RFC McDonald located the vehicle and stopped it to question the individuals. TFC Jeremy Swain backed up RFC McDonald during the traffic stop. RFC McDonald and TFC Swain determined the vehicle was stolen. The individuals were arrested and the vehicle was towed.
While patrolling Lowndes County for duck hunting activity on January 13th, RFC McDonald located three individuals hunting ducks over bait. Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey was in the area and assisted RFC McDonald. The individuals were issued citations for hunting ducks over bait. Written warnings were also issued for possession of illegally taken wildlife and five wood ducks were confiscated.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Jan. 6th, Rangers Trey Taylor and Jason Miller met with a 17-year old suspect contacted Ranger Taylor about getting his raccoon traps back. Ranger Taylor and Cpl. Jay Morgan had confiscated the traps the Friday before from being set on private property. The suspect was cited for trapping without permission and trapping without a license.

On Jan. 7th, Ranger Jason Miller cited a boater at Ft. McAllister boat ramp for operating above idle speed within 100 feet of a ramp.
On Jan. 11th, Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Ogeechee River area near Ft. McAllister. In a boat containing two men, the ranger cited one person for fishing without a nonresident license, and cited the other man for operating a vessel without a Type IV (throwable) life cushion and for operating a vessel without a registration.
On Jan. 11th, Ranger Miller stopped a truck on Hwy. 144 that had trash blowing out of the back of the truck-bed. The driver was cited form littering.
On Jan. 12th, the Region 7 rangers participated in a night flight detail to detect illegal hunting at night violations along with Region 6 rangers, covering Bryan, Bulloch, Effingham, and Evans counties. RFC Randy Aspinwall and Ranger Jay Bright observed a truck on Beautiful Zion Cemetery Rd. shining a spotlight at a clear-cut. Two adult men and a juvenile boy were in the truck. The men were cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. Sgt. James Shelton observed two persons on an ATV shining a field on Mason Rd. A 16 year-old and 17 year-old were stopped and found to have a gun. Both were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. Both subjects were turned over to their parents.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Jan. 12th, Cpl. Jay Morgan, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Trey Taylor patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and Channel area. Several boats were checked, including five boats returning from the CAT reef offshore with spotted pinfish and sheepshead.
LONG COUNTY On Jan. 11th, Ranger Trey Taylor cited one deer hunter for hunting without wearing fluorescent orange clothing off Tibet Rd.
CHATHAM COUNTY On January 6, Cpl. Bill Bryson received information that individuals would be dropped off in an area they did not have permission to hunt. Cpl. Bryson set up a plan to apprehend the subjects. Sgt. Cindy Miller picked up Cpl. Bryson and Ranger Kiel Toney and dropped them off where the individuals were to be dropped off. Sgt. Miller called and let Cpl. Bryson and Ranger Toney know the vehicle was coming their way. Once the vehicle reached Ranger Toney the individuals excited their vehicle and ran into the woods. When they saw Ranger Toney they ran further into the woods. The individuals were finally apprehended about an hour later. Two individuals were arrested and charged with hunting without permission, hunting hogs without an orange vest, and fleeing and attempting to elude an officer.

On January 8, Cpl. Chris Moore documented several violations of illegally harvesting clams and oysters from a closed area in Chatham County. The shellfish were returned to the water alive. Two individuals were cited for picking shellfish in a closed area.