Field operations weekly report, December 30, 2012-January 5, 2013

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 30, 2012 January 5, 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)
RABUN COUNTY On January 1st Corporal Derek Dillard responded with Deputies from the Rabun County Sheriff's Office to a call where someone pulled into the caller's yard and was revving their car engine and yelling and screaming at the people in the home. The driver of the car was arrested and charged with Driving under the Influence. The caller did not want to press charges for trespassing.
On January 4th, Corporal Derek Dillard responded to a complaint of possible illegal hunting on Highway 441 South in Lakemont. A red truck was located parked next to a posted sign. Shortly after a subject walked out of the woods carrying a .30-30 rifle and said that he had been walking back in the woods to see if his deer stand was still there. The deer stand was located on USFS property. Upon further investigation of the incident it was determined that the subject had hunted there earlier during deer season with no valid hunting license. With assistance from Rabun County Sheriff Deputies John Crane, his K-9 partner "Pinda", and Anthony Welch, another weapon was located hidden in the woods. The weapon that was hidden in the woods did not have any serial numbers because they had been filed off. The subject admitted to hiding it because he saw us and knew he would get into trouble. A total of three firearms were seized from the subject since he said he had been a convicted felon in the past and didn't have any proof of having his firearm rights back. The subject was issued citations for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without permission, and hunting with an illegal weapon. Additional charges regarding the firearms may be pending as well.
UNION COUNTY On November 23, 2012 RFC Kevin Dyer received a complaint in reference to a subject in a vehicle that had shot at a deer from a public road in Union County. RFC Dyer obtained all the information from the complainant and started an investigation on the incident. Over the month of December the Rangers made several attempts to locate the subject. On January 4, 2013 RFC Kevin Dyer and Cpl. Derek Dillard made contact with the subject at his residence. During the interview the subject confessed to shooting at a doe deer from the public road. The subject was issued citations for hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting big game from a public road.
HALL COUNTY On January 5th, RFC Eric Isom spotted a suspicious vehicle parked at the Region 2 Law Enforcement Office off Dawsonville Hwy in Gainesville. A female was sitting the in the passenger seat. When questioned, she responded by stating that she was waiting on her boyfriend to finish hunting. RFC Isom blocked the vehicle with his vehicle and deployed

his K9 Colt. Colt located the subject hunting with a 12 gauge shotgun. The subject stated that he was squirrel hunting and thought that the area was a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). RFC Isom explained to the subject that it was the DNR Law Enforcement Office and not a WMA. He was given a regulation book and instructed where he could find public areas to hunt. He was also issued a warning for hunting without permission.
On Friday, January 4, Cpl. Jason Roberson served a search warrant in Hall County with the help of Sgt. Mike Burgamy, RFC Eric Isom, Ranger Kevin Goss, and the DNR investigative unit. In the search, an alligator and a five foot long Cobra were seized.\
DAWSON COUNTY On Saturday, January 5, The Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with the Amicalola Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF hosted the thirteenth Dawson Forest Youth Squirrel Hunt. In all, 55 children participated as well as 25 volunteers and 32 adults. Lunch was provided to all participants as well as hands on shooting instruction and firearms safety. The children were able to shoot BB, .22 caliber, and shotguns. They were then divided into groups and allowed to hunt squirrels with the use of dogs on a fully guided hunt. In all thirty nine squirrels were taken.
FORSYTH COUNTY On January 4th, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling the Chattahoochee River. A total of eight fishermen were checked. Warnings were issued for fishing without a license and fishing without a trout license.
On January 5th, RFC Barry Britt issued a written warning to a duck hunter at Lake Lanier for hunting waterfowl without a GA waterfowl license.
GWINNETT COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins interviewed a subject at the Gwinnett County detention center in reference to an ongoing investigation for hunting without permission and hunting deer over bait. The subject admitted to hunting on the property in question and placing the bait that was near the stand. A check of records revealed the subject did not have a valid hunting license. The subject was issued citations for hunting without permission, hunting over bait, and hunting without a license.
WALTON COUNTY On January 3rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Freddie Hays were working a duck hunting complaint when they encountered two subjects hunting deer out of season. Citations were issued for this infraction.
On January 4th, Cpl. Eric Sanders, RFC Freddie Hays and RFC Nikki Spencer continued the investigation of the two subjects cited for hunting deer out of season the previous day. Citations and warnings were issued for hunting without permission, hunting deer over bait, non-resident hunting without a license and non-resident hunting without a big game license.

On January 5th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and RFC Freddie Hays set up a detail for duck hunters. Sgt. Lee Brown, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Nikki Spencer assisted with the detail. A total of five duck hunters were checked. Two juveniles were given verbal guidance for hunting without hunter education and hunting waterfowl with lead shot.
HART COUNTY On January 2nd, Cpl. Craig Fulghum received several calls from homeowners on Lake Hartwell about two subjects shooting ducks from a boat. After receiving the call Cpl. Fulghum responded to the area by vehicle and observed the subjects shooting ducks from their vessel while the vessel was under power. Cpl. Fulghum called the Hart County Sheriff's Office and asked them to send a deputy to New Prospect boat ramp to see if there was a truck with a small trailer that possibly belonged to the hunters. After a few minutes deputies reported back that they had the vehicle and trailer and that it was still at the bottom of the ramp with the trailer in the water. When Cpl. Fulghum arrived the hunters were loading their vessel up. After talking to the hunters a Citation was issued to an adult for hunting waterfowl from a vessel. The other subject was a juvenile and he was given a verbal warning for the same violation.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WALTON COUNTY On January 1, RFC Fred Hays charged three hunters for hunting big game over bait. RFC Hays also cited one individual for fishing without a WMA license while patrolling Charlie Elliot WMA.
On January 3, RFC Fred Hays cited one individual for hunting out of season, hunting without a license, hunting big game over bait and hunting without permission.
GREENE COUNTY On Sunday December 30, Cpl. David Allen, WL Tech III Kevin VonSeggern, and USFS Ranger Zack Nichols worked a deer decoy on Scull Shoals Road. A white Chevrolet Avalanche stopped in the roadway and the driver of the vehicle exited, loaded a hunting rifle, and shot the decoy. The driver of the vehicle was charged with hunting from a public roadway and hunting from a motor vehicle.
On January 4, while patrolling Greene County, RFC Richard Tanner encountered a semitruck operator that passed his patrol vehicle in a no passing zone with oncoming traffic. RFC Tanner performed a traffic stop and issued the operator a traffic citation for the offense.
On January 4, RFC Richard Tanner encountered one individual target practicing on the closed Tremble Bridge Shooting Range on Redlands WMA. RFC Tanner issued the individual a warning for target practicing in an unauthorized area on WMA.

LAKE OCONEE On Saturday January 5, Cpl. David Allen patrolled Lake Oconee checking fishermen. Cpl. Allen issued citations for operating vessel without PFD's and operating vessel with insufficient PFD's.
On December 30, RFC Ricky Boles responded to hunting without permission complaint on Lake Oconee. RFC Boles located and charged three duck hunters for hunting without permission.
WILKES COUNTY On Saturday January 05, Sgt. Brian Carter located a baited dove shoot. The subjects were shooting in a cow pasture baited with wheat. Since Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Phillip Nelson were nearby they assisted. The landowner was written a citation for unlawful enticement and warned for possession of illegally taken wildlife. Four other subjects were warned for hunting over bait and warned for possession of illegally taken wildlife.
GREENE COUNTY On January 3, Corporal Micheal Crawley, Corporal Ben Payne, and Corporal Derek Dillard attended Cpl. Charles Copelan's funeral for an Honor Guard detail. Cpl. Charles Copelan retired in 1985 as the Game Warden for Greene County.
BURKE COUNTY On January 5th Cpl. Brian Hobbins worked a night hunting complaint near Waynesboro. At 11:45 pm he had a truck come down the road and headlight a large wheat field. The subjects then pulled into several other fields and continued to shine each one. Hobbins stopped the truck which was occupied by three people. At the time of the stop a loaded rifle was being held by the front seat passenger. The three subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, and warned for hunting from a public road.
LINCOLN COUNTY On December 31st Cpl. Ryan Swain responded to hunting w/o permission complaint off Hwy 220. Swain located two subjects hunting raccoons. Both subjects were charged with hunting w/o permission.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On December 31st RFC Leroy Ficklin conducted a routine patrol in the Thomson area for hunting activity. Ficklin checked several deer hunters and issued citations to one subject for hunting w/o license, hunting w/o big game license, and hunting without orange.
On January 5th RFC Leroy Ficklin conducted a concentrated patrol on McDuffie PFA. Ficklin checked several fishermen. One subject was cited for fishing w/o license and warned for possession of undersize bass.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On the afternoon of December 31st, Corporal Josh Copelan patrolled the boat ramps along the Oconee River as well as Bartram Forest WMA. Several hunters, boaters and fisherman were checked and no violations were discovered.
BIBB COUNTY On December 30th, Corporal Robert Stillwell and a US Fish and Wildlife Service Officer apprehended four subjects hunting waterfowl on Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge - the refuge was not open for waterfowl hunting. The hunters were charged with hunting without permission. One of the subjects was also charged with hunting without a license.
On January 4th, Ranger David Fisher, RFC Ronnie Beard, Corporal Robert Stillwell, Sergeant Tony Fox, and US Fish and Wildlife Service officers conducted a decoy detail in order to address ongoing complaints of persons hunting private property without permission. On this date, officers cited one hunter for hunting hogs without permission, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
BLECKLEY COUNTY On the morning of January 5th, RFC Ronnie Beard and Wildlife Technician Randy Wood received information regarding a baited duck pond being shot near the county line. Upon their arrival at the pond, officers contacted four hunters leaving the woods from a morning of duck hunting. After checking license, stamps, and ducks that had been harvested by the hunters, RFC Beard inquired as to whether the pond was baited. All of the hunters stated they didn't think it was. A subsequent check of the pond revealed it was indeed baited, with corn. The hunters were cited for hunting ducks over bait and one was charged for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Four wood ducks were confiscated.
BUTTS COUNTY On December 23rd, RFC Keith Page located a truck parked at a gate where he had previously located several baited deer stands. RFC Page entered the woods and found a man sitting in a ladder stand that had several piles of corn in front of it. Later, RFC Keith Page discovered that the man was also hunting deer without a big game license. RFC Page charged the man for hunting big game over bait and issued him a warning for hunting deer without a big game license.
JONES COUNTY On the morning of January 5th, Ranger Derek Cobb and Corporal Bubba Stanford patrolled southern Jones County for waterfowl hunters. The rangers located an adult and juvenile hunting a pond and discovered that the pond was baited with whole corn. A hen hooded merganser was seized and the adult was charged with hunting ducks over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife. That same morning, Ranger Jeremy Reese patrolled Cedar Creek WMA and checked several small game hunters. No violations were discovered.

MERIWETHER COUNTY On January 5 at approximately 18:01 hours Corporal Keith Waddell was patrolling Joe Kurz WMA in Meriwether County when he heard shots being fired in the direction of the Ducks Unlimited Waterfowl Impoundment. At 18:05 hours Corporal Waddell stepped out of his patrol vehicle in the parking lot of the Waterfowl Impoundment and heard more shots fired from the impoundment. Corporal Waddell began walking to the South side of the impoundment and heard a wood duck call being blown. Corporal Waddell walked to a location behind a hunter in waders standing in the impoundment. At 18:10 hours Corporal Waddell heard a volley of shots fired from the North West side of the Impoundment. A group of wood ducks flew over the hunter standing in front of Corporal Waddell and he observed the hunter fire at the ducks. Corporal Waddell made contact with the hunter and while conversing with him observed two other hunters walking out of the impoundment. Waddell asked the hunters if they hit the ducks they just shot at and they said they missed the ducks but heard someone else shoot at them right after they did. Corporal Waddell checked the hunting licenses and shotguns of all three hunters. Each of the three subjects was issued citations for hunting waterfowl after hours.

PUTNAM COUNTY On the afternoon of January 4th, Ranger Derek Cobb and Corporal Bubba Stanford patrolled Cedar Creek WMA. During their patrol the rangers located several bags of household garbage dumped on a dirt road on the WMA. Information found in the trash gave the officers a suspect's name. The incident is still under investigation.
UPSON COUNTY On Friday, December 28th, Corporal Susan Morris checked several dove hunters hunting in a clear cut. The hunters advised they owned the property; therefore, they were not required to have licenses. Upon further investigation, Corporal Morris discovered one of the hunters was a non-resident from Florida. Under Georgia law, a non-residence, regardless of property ownership is required to obtain a non-residence hunting license. The hunter was cited for hunting without a non-residence license.
On Friday, December 28th, Corporal Susan Morris received a phone call from a landowner with a complaint of hunting without permission on his property. After receiving the information, Corporal Morris realized the hunters the complainant was referring to was the same dove hunters she checked earlier in the day. The complainant advised he wanted to prosecute the hunters for hunting without permission on his property. Corporal Morris knew where the dove hunter's camp was located, so she revisited the dove hunters. After questioning the hunters, they admitted to hunting on the landowner's property. They were charged with hunting doves without permission.
On Friday, December 28th, while on routine patrol in Upson County, Corporal Susan Morris observed a vehicle moving very slow on a county roadway. When she went by the area she first observed the vehicle, she noticed a fresh deer carcass dumped on the side of the road. She proceeded to gain on the vehicle and noticed it was a truck with hunting equipment in the back and a cooler with what appeared to be fresh blood on it. She turned on her blue lights and pulled the vehicle over. After questioning the occupants of the vehicle, the passenger admitted to dumping the deer remains by the side of the road after cleaning a deer. He stated he didn't know where else to put the carcass. The hunter asked not to be ticketed and said he would go back and clean it up. Corporal Morris told hunter the biggest complaint from the non-hunting public was hunters dumping dead deer in plain view on the side of public roads. The hunter was cited for littering.
On Monday, December 31st, while on routine patrol, Corporal Susan Morris observed several bags of trash on the side of the road in Upson County. After going through the bags, she found the name of the owner. She contacted the person whose name was in the trash and he stated the garbage fell off the back of his truck when he was taking the trash off. The subject offered to pick the trash up. Corporal Morris issued the man a warning for littering.

On Monday, December 31st, Cpl. Susan Morris waited at a vehicle for a hunter to come out of the woods. When the hunter arrived at his truck, he was not wearing a fluorescent orange vest. The hunter explained he was hunting alone, therefore felt he did not need to wear an orange vest. He was given a citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On January 3, Cpl. Mike Binion and Ranger Jace Heard completed an investigation of a convicted felon, who was checked earlier while hunting on Lake Seminole WMA. Warrants were taken on the subject for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
TIFT COUNTY On the evening of December 30th, Cpl. Greg Wade located six subjects standing in a creek bottom and pass-shooting ducks as they flew to roost. The six were charged for hunting ducks after hours, hunting with illegal ammunition, and several license violations.
COLQUITT COUNTY On the afternoon of January 5th, Ranger Chris Carlisle located several hunters shooting doves in a peanut field. While inspecting the field, Carlisle discovered fresh peanut hearts had been spread over the field. Cpl. Greg Wade responded to assist Carlisle with checking the hunters and issuing citations to the subjects for hunting over bait. Thirty-one doves were confiscated.
CALHOUN COUNTY On December 31st, Cpl. Scott Carroll located eight hunters shooting a baited dove field. The hunters were cited for hunting over bait and the doves were confiscated.
On December 30th, Capt. Jeff Swift and RFC Jim Atchley located eight hunters shooting a baited duck pond, all were cited for hunting over bait, along with numerous license violations. Sixteen ducks were confiscated.
On December 30th, Cpl. Scott Carroll and RFC Jim Atchley located a baited dove shoot and issued citations to seventeen hunters for hunting over bait. One hundred and thirteen doves were confiscated.

WORTH COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl. Robbie Griner and Sgt. David Ruddell found an adult and a juvenile hunting ducks over bait. The adult was charged with hunting waterfowl over bait and hunting waterfowl with illegal ammo.
Cpl. Robbie Griner checks duck pond for bait.
RANDOLPH COUNTY On January 1st, Cpl. Scott Carroll located a baited duck pond being shot by three hunters. The three were charged for hunting over bait and their ducks confiscated. On January 1st, Cpl. Scott Carroll encountered two rabbit hunters without licenses. The two were cited for hunting without licenses and a warrant was taken for one of the two for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On January 1st, Sgt. Butch Potter was conducting a patrol when he observed two individuals engaged in night deer hunting activities. Both were arrested and transported to the Randolph County jail for booking, where it was discovered that both had been previously arrested by Sgt. Potter for this same offense.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LOWNDES COUNTY On January 1st, Sgt. Damon Winters and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled Lowndes County for duck hunting activity. Four individuals were encountered hunting ducks over bait. Two of the hunters were hunting without licenses and with unplugged shotguns. Citations were issued for hunting over bait and interference with the performance of a ranger's duties. Written warnings were issued for hunting without a hunting license, hunting waterfowl without a federal waterfowl stamp, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, hunting waterfowl with lead shot, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Sgt. Winters and RFC McDonald also confiscated five wood ducks. On January 5th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled Lowndes County for duck and dove hunting activity. While checking dove hunters on a dove

shoot, Cpl. Daughtrey noticed the field was baited with wheat and cracked corn. A citation was issued to one of the individuals for unlawful enticement of game. Written warnings were issued to fourteen individuals for hunting over bait.
APPLING COUNTY While on patrol for duck hunters on the morning of the 5th, Cpl. Altman, RFC Jarriel, and Sgt. Barnard noticed several boats at Deens Landing. One hunter was given citations for operating vessel above idle speed within 100 feet of a boat ramp, and for operating a vessel w/o registration.
On the morning of the 6th, Cpl. Altman and Sgt. Barnard were on patrol for duck hunters. Several shots were heard coming from a creek nearby. Cpl. Altman waded into the creek and found 3 hunters, resulting in one violation of hunting waterfowl w/o a Georgia waterfowl stamp.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY Cpl. Altman received a call of damage to property at Bullard Creek WMA on the morning of the 3rd. After a brief investigation, it was determined that someone had pulled up some posts and vandalized the bathrooms. Investigation is still ongoing.
WARE COUNTY On December 30th, CPL Josh Chambers patrolled the area of 8-mile Post Road and Suwanee Chapel Road. CPL Chambers checked three groups dogging deer and issued two warnings and gave two others verbal guidance for minor violations.
On December 30th, Cpl. Jason Shipes, Cpl. Josh Chambers, & Rgr. Sam Williams were working a night hunting detail in northwest Ware County near Bickley in reference to a complaint. A little after 2230 hours, a pickup truck drove by the field Rgr. Williams was watching. The other officers were notified of the activity as pursuit of the vehicle began. As Rgr. Williams exited the field, the subjects in the truck continued to shine a light into the other side of the field. A traffic stop of the vehicle was made and the subjects interviewed. The subjects stated they were hunting coyotes. Guidance was given on how to legally hunt coyotes and the three subjects in the vehicle were arrested and charged with hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road. The driver was also charged with driving without a license.
CHARLTON COUNTY On January 1st, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Rgr. Sam Williams patrolled the Emmaus Church Rd. area in reference to complaints received about hunting from a public road. Two vehicles were encountered and a verbal warning given for hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Guidance was also provided to the hunters on hunting from a public road.
On January 5th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Josh Chambers, Rgr. Daniel North, and Rgr. Sam Williams conducted a high visibility patrol near St. George. The patrol was due to several complaints being received in reference to deer dogging activity on unpermitted

property from neighboring hunting clubs and nearby citizens. The officer's efforts resulted in citations being issued for failure to keep hunting dogs on permitted property and warnings for operating vehicle w/o permit numbers displayed, hunting w/o a license, hunting w/o a big game license, and accompanying deer hunter w/o fluorescent orange.
PIERCE COUNTY On January 1st, while patrolling Little Satilla WMA, RFC Mark Pool encountered one individual that was hunting deer. The individual possessed a resident license but was a non- resident of Georgia. Citations and warnings were issued for the license violations.
CLINCH COUNTY 0n January 5th, CPL Jason Shipes received information from the Clinch County Sheriff's office that a deputy had apprehended a night deer hunter near Fargo. CPL Josh Chambers responded and met with the Clinch County Deputy Sheriff that had located and stopped the suspected violator. The suspect admitted he was shining clear-cuts along GA 94 looking for deer and if he had seen one he was going to shoot it. The suspect was arrested and charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle.
WHEELER COUNTY On December 30, 2012 RFC Rodney Horne investigated an illegal dumping violation on Buie Road resulting in documentation of one violation.
On December 30, 2012 RFC Rodney Horne patrolled River Bend WMA for illegal hunting and waterfowl hunting activity. No violations were detected.
TELFAIR COUNTY On January 5, 2013 Cpl. James McLaughlin and Sgt. David Reckley checked a dove shoot in the Jacksonville area. Six people were hunting on the peanut field. While checking licenses, Cpl. McLaughlin noticed wheat scattered in the field. It was determined that the field was baited. Violations were documented for hunting over bait and one violation for hunting without a license.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 30, 2012 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Cpl. Stiles was patrolling Beaverdam WMA and encountered four individuals attempting to change a flat tire. Upon investigation Cpl. Stiles determined the subjects had been consuming alcohol and possessed multiple firearms. One subject was arrested for under influence (alcohol) on WMA. Other violations documented were possession/transporting loaded firearm in a vehicle on a WMA and consuming alcohol on WMA.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANLTEY COUNTY On December 31st, RFC John Evans investigated a night hunting complaint on Britt Still Rd. in Brantley County. Upon completion of the investigation, RFC Evans cited three subjects for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
CAMDEN COUNTY On January 1st, RFC John Evans completed an investigation into unlawful dumping in Camden County. The complaint was reported by hunting club members who believed the suspect was dumping used motor oil on the ground to bait feral hogs on his hunting club. RFC Evans cited the subject for unlawful dumping.
On January 3rd, the Camden County Sheriff's Office requested assistance from DNR in response to a mental patient on Cumberland Island. Sgt. Chris Hodge met with Lt. Chris Sears and responded to Cumberland Island to meet with the family of the patient. Officers were able to safely transport the patient back to the mainland where she was turned over to medical personnel for treatment.
On January 5th, Sgt. Chris Hodge was dispatched to a hunting complaint off Spring Bluff Road in Camden County. Upon arrival, Sgt. Hodge learned that shots were heard on property behind the Mt. Calvary Church and that no one was supposed to be hunting on the property. Sgt. Hodge checked the area and later located a group of people at a residence near the area. After talking with the people at the residence, Sgt. Hodge noticed to suspicious males sitting in a truck adjacent to the residence. After speaking with them, Sgt. Hodge noticed an odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. Sgt. Hodge removed both subjects to further investigate. Both subjects were found to be in possession of suspected marijuana and were later arrested and transported to the Camden County Jail and cited for Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
CHATHAM COUNTY On December 30, Cpl. Chris Moore and Ranger Kate Hargrove apprehended two separate groups of fishermen illegally harvesting oysters in closed waters. These fishermen were near Moon River and Skidaway River.
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 30th, Cpl. Phillip Scott continued his investigation of a hunting incident where a deer-dogging hunter was shot in the hand with buckshot by another hunter that had occurred the day before. Sgt. James Shelton, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jason Miller assisted in the investigation.
On Jan. 2nd at 0200 hours, Cpl. Jay Morgan responded to a call from a county deputy regarding three vehicles parked on private property next to the Buckhead Island tract of the Richmond Hill WMA. Cpl. Morgan found seven young adults camping on the WMA in an unauthorized area with an illegal campfire. All seven persons were cited for illegal camping on a WMA.

On Jan. 3rd, RFC Jack Thain, Rangers Trey Taylor, Jason Miller, and Cpl. Chris Moore along with Bryan County detectives served a search warrant and an arrest warrant on a suspect that had been cited by RFC Thain back in November, 2012 for hunting without permission. The suspect was found to be a convicted felon and not allowed to possession firearms. Resulting from a search of the suspect's home, the rangers confiscated one 12 gauge shotgun with ammo, one marijuana cigarette with a bag of marijuana seeds, one small drug scale, and one crack pipe. The suspect was arrested and taken to Bryan County jail to be charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. On Jan. 4th, Cpl. Morgan and Ranger Trey Taylor received information about two teenagers with guns on the side of Belfast River Rd. The rangers found the two teenagers hunting squirrels on one of the suspect's parents' property. One hunter was cited for hunting without a license. On Jan. 4th, Ranger Trey Taylor received a complaint about some illegal traps set on private property without permission in Buckhead Subdivision. Ranger Taylor located three soup-can/raccoon traps with two raccoons caught by them. He later returned with a choke-stick and with the assistance of Cpl. Morgan, was able to release three raccoons and one opossum. Seven illegally placed traps were confiscated. An eighth trap was found the next day.
Confiscated raccoon-traps

On Jan. 5th, Ranger Trey Taylor checked some fishermen at Tivoli Creek pier. One female was cited for fishing without a license. A male was cited for cast netting out of season and fishing without a license.
On Jan. 5th, Ranger Taylor and Cpl. Morgan patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area to the Ogeechee River. Several boaters and fishermen were checked including one boat returning from the CAT reef with 12 sheepshead. No violations were found.
WAYNE COUNTY On December 31, 2012 RFC Randy Aspinwall was patrolling the Rogers Tract WMA when he came across some dog hunters with dogs on the WMA. Two of the four subjects had their guns out attempting to kill the deer that they were running. Citations were written for allowing dogs off of permitted property and hunting on a closed WMA.