Field operations weekly report [Nov. 10-16, 2013]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report November 10-16, 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 Division.

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
CHEROKEE COUNTY On November 10th, RFC Zackary Hardy and Barton Hendrix responded to a lost boater call on Allatoona Lake. RFC Hendrix obtained a call back number for the lost boaters from Cherokee E-911 and tried the number several times, but there was no answer. RFC Hendrix spoke to Cherokee E-911 again and they said they had received another call from another member of the lost boaters. The lost boater stated the first phone had died and the second phone would not last very long. The Rangers traveled to Galt's Ferry Landing and launched a river boat to begin the search for the lost boaters. After about one hour of searching, the Rangers observed a boat in the area of Galt's Ferry moving slowly across Allatoona Lake. The Rangers approached the boat and the people on board were very thankful they had been found. The operator of the boat said he had put in a Galt's Ferry Landing and could not find his way back. He stated he couldn't find his way around the shallow waters near the island in front of Harbor Town Marina. The Rangers had the boaters follow them back to the boat ramp at Galt's Ferry Landing.
GORDON COUNTY On November 17th, Cpl. Gentry, RFC McConkey, RFC Cunningham, and Sgt. Galloway responded to John's Mtn. WMA and the surrounding U.S. Forest Service property to search for two missing raccoon hunters. The only information obtained from the family was that their son and his uncle had gone hunting the night before in the Villanow area and had not returned. The area described by the family for the Rangers to search covered multiple counties and thousands of acres. The Rangers spent a few hours searching these areas with the assistance of county agencies before contact was made with the hunters.
FLOYD COUNTY On November 16th, RFC Cunningham responded to an environmental investigation in reference to altering the stream bed on a local trout stream. The officer found the location where the land owner had altered the 50 foot buffer along Spring Creek. By law, trout streams have a 50 foot buffer to protect the water quality of the stream and can't be manipulated. The Ranger made contact with EPD and provided them with pictures of the location. EPD is to follow up on the violation.
On November 17th, RFC Cunningham responded to a hunting without permission complaint. The hunters were found to have permission to hunt the property. One of the hunters was charged with hunting without completing the required Hunter Education course and hunting without a big game license. He was written a warning for hunting without a resident hunting license.
WALKER COUNTY On November 16th, RFC McConkey and Sgt. Galloway assisted with a managed hunt on Pigeon Mtn. WMA. This managed hunt provided hunters the opportunity to hunt deer over the three day hunt with modern firearms.

CATOOSA COUNTY On November 16th, RFC McConkey worked a baited location in Catoosa County. The Ranger located one subject hunting in the tree stand watching a large pile of corn and five peanut butter jars attached to trees next to the corn. The subject was found to be a Tennessee resident hunting in Georgia without non-resident big game license or nonresident hunting license. The subject was charged with non-resident hunting big game without a non-resident big game license and hunting big game over bait. He was written a warning for the non-resident hunting without a non-resident hunting license violation.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling the Audubon property for hunting without permission. As he finished checking several spots he heard a shot on the backside of the property. Cpl. Brown went to investigate and found one subject hunting on the property and had just shot a coyote. The subject was issued a citation for hunting without permission.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On Thursday November 14, 2013 Ranger First Class Tim Vickery received a complaint through the Hart County Sheriff's Office regarding a neighbor that had shot a deer from his backyard. The complainant was concerned because the person that shot the deer had shot towards several houses. A Hart County deputy was dispatched and met with the complainant to get some information while RFC Vickery was en route to the call. On the way to the call Ranger Vickery got the subject's information from the deputy and checked to see if he was licensed. At that point, the subject did not have any hunting licenses. When he arrived at the scene, Ranger Vickery continued to gather information from the neighbors in the trailer next door and found that the subject would be back in approximately 30 minutes. While waiting, Ranger Vickery ran the subjects tag number and checked his license status again. This time he had a hunting license, big game license and harvest record. When the subject returned, Ranger Vickery questioned him about killing the deer. He admitted to killing the deer and showed Ranger Vickery his licenses. Ranger Vickery then pulled up the man's information and showed him where he had purchased the licenses at 9:28 a.m. at Royston Ace Hardware, about an hour after the complaint was called in. The subject then admitted that he shot the deer first and then went and bought his licenses. He was cited for hunting without a license and hunting without big game license.
MADISON COUNTY On November 15th, Sgt. Stan Elrod was hunting off duty and encountered some hunters trespassing. He called RFC Shane Sartor for assistance. Two hunters were charged for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange.

BANKS COUNTY On November 13th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk patrolled Banks County for deer hunters. During the patrol he issued citations and warnings for unlawful enticement of game, hunting big game over bait, and hunting deer without orange.
On November 16th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk patrolled Banks County for deer hunters. During the patrol he issued citations and warnings for hunting deer without orange, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license.
On November 16th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, and Ranger Kevin Goss assisted Banks County Sheriff's Office with a road check on Wilson Shoals WMA. During the road check the officers arrested two subjects for DUI and issued one citation for littering.
HALL COUNTY On November 10th, at 1755 Ranger Kevin Goss observed a hunter coming out of the woods on Ducket Mill Rd. When Ranger Goss Checked the man's license he found that the man didn't have a harvest record printed on his license. Ranger Goss then printed the hunter a tag from his truck computer and gave the hunter a written warning for not obtaining a deer harvest record.
JACKSON COUNTY On October 10th, RFC Eric Isom received a call from Jackson County Dispatch advising an in progress hunting without permission complaint near Redstone. When RFC Isom arrived at the location the landowner and a Jackson County Sherriff Deputy had already located two subjects hunting without permission. Both subjects also did not have fluorescent orange with them. Both subjects received citations, warnings, and verbal warnings for hunting without permission, hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license.
RFC Isom received a second call reference to hunting without permission from GSP Dispatch. RFC Isom called the landowner who stated that he was hunting and heard a shot that appeared to come from the backside of his property. RFC Isom traveled to the property and began checking properties near the area. RFC Isom located a subject in possession of a 4 point buck. When questioned about the deer, the suspect claimed he killed it on his uncle's property. RFC Isom deployed his K9 partner Colt in an attempt to locate any evidence. Colt began to search the area and quickly began to back track the hunter finding a blood trail that went into the woods behind the residence. The suspect then admitted to killing the deer behind the residence and stated that he may not have been on his property. RFC Isom continued to follow his K9 to the deer stand where apples were found and where the deer had been shot. The suspect received citations and warnings for hunting without permission, hunting big game over bait, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The buck was confiscated and given to a family in need.

RFC Isom and K9 partner Colt were checking a property that was baited. Colt located two adults and one juvenile hunting the property. The adult hunters received citations and warnings for hunting big game over bait and hunting with wearing florescent orange. RFC Isom printed out a harvest record for the juvenile.
RFC Isom finished an investigation from a landowner's complaint. The landowner had found a baited stand near the property line and had confronted an unknown hunter at the stand. RFC Isom was able to determine the identity of the suspect and when interviewed the subject admitted to hunting the baited stand. He received citations and warnings for hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without wearing florescent orange, and hunting without a license.
DAWSON COUNTY On November 10th, RFC Barry Britt issued two written warnings to two Ellijay residents after a litter investigated revealed they dumped trash on private property in Dawson County. The two subjects picked up the trash and removed it from the property.
On November 10th, RFC Barry Britt issued a ticket to a Gainesville, GA resident for target practicing in an unauthorized area on Dawson Forest WMA.
On November 14th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins, Ranger Shane Brown, and Troopers conducted a wildlife checkpoint on Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area. During the check point Cpl. Tompkins arrested a subject for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of drug related objects.
On November 15th, RFC Barry Britt met with USFWS Agent Terry Hasting in Dawson County reference an on-going investigation of a juvenile bald eagle found dead on private property.
On November 15th, RFC Barry Britt, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck and Wildlife Technician IV Scott Bardenwerper responded to a lost 73 year old hunter on Dawson Forest WMA. The hunter was located in good condition shortly after the DNR personnel arrived on scene.
On November 15th, RFC Barry Britt responded to a call of a lost 17 year old on U.S. Forest Service property north of Amicalola Falls State Park. Cpl. Eddie Thompkins, RFC Mitchell Crump, and RGR Shane Brown were called in after a quick search by RFC Britt did not locate the young man. The subject was safely located in his car 4 hours into the search on a rough forest service road in Lumpkin County. He was returned back to his family on Amicalola Falls State Park around midnight.
On November 16th, RFC Barry Britt was working on night deer hunting activity. Just after midnight he saw a vehicle shine a spotlight out the window into a small pasture he was watching. He charged two Cumming, GA residents with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.

DEKALB COUNTY On November 12th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located a subject hunting over bait. The subject was bow hunting behind a residence with a small amount corn around a pipe feeder in front of his stand. The subject was issued a written warning for hunting big game over bait.
On November 16th, Cpl. Eric Sanders responded to a complaint of illegal hunting. Cpl. Sanders located two subjects hunting without permission. A citation was issued to the adult for hunting without permission. The juvenile was given verbal guidance.
FORSYTH COUNTY On November 15th, Ranger Shane Brown and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins checked a baited stand and located a subject in the stand hunting without fluorescent orange. The subject was issued citations for hunting big game over bait and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange.
GWINNNETT COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located two subjects hunting deer on bank owned property without permission and without fluorescent orange. The subjects were issued citations and verbal guidance for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange. On November 15th, Ranger Shane Brown and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins responded to a call from the Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office in reference to hunting without permission. After arriving on the scene the rangers determined the two subjects were hunting on county property. One of the subjects had killed a 7 point buck and an 8 point buck. The subjects were issued citations for hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The two bucks were confiscated as evidence.

On November 16th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located two subjects hunting on County Park property. The rangers located the subjects after wading through a river tracking the subjects. Both subjects were hunting with firearms, no fluorescent orange, and the area was found to be baited with corn. Rangers issued citations and warnings for hunting without permission, hunting big game over bait, hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without license, hunting without big game license, hunting with deer harvest record, and hunting without hunter education.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Mitchell Crump and Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck issued citations and warnings to a subject for taking an antlerless deer, possession of illegally taken wildlife and not wearing fluorescent orange. WALTON COUNTY On November 16th, RFC Nikki Spencer and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located a subject hunting without permission after Cpl. Tompkins received the complaint. The subject was issued a citation for hunting without fluorescent orange.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY Cpl. Derrell Worth was contacted on November 16 at 1904 hours by Operator Carnell, GSP Grovetown. She informed that there had been a hunting incident earlier that same day involving a female hunter. This investigation has shown that on 11/16/13, at approximately 1546 hours, a female was hunting off Hwy. 77 in Oglethorpe County. The female hunter was in a two piece climber attempting to climb a tree in order to hunt. The hunter was approximately 8 feet off the ground in her climber when she fell. She was hunting on the edge of a ravine and fell a total of approximately 14 feet. The female hunter injuries consisted of 2 collapse lungs, thoracic #11 fractures, and right ribs 1-12 fracture, left ribs 2-10 fracture, sternum fracture, and air around her heart. She was transported by medical helicopter to Georgia Regents University Hospital in Augusta where she received medical treatment.
GREENE COUNTY During the week of November 10 thru 16, Cpl. Derrell Worth and Sgt. John Harwell cited three subjects for hunting without permission, one subject for hunting big game over bait, one subject for hunting without license and big game license, one subject for hunting without fluorescent orange, one subject for litter, and one subject for failure to record deer harvest.
MORGAN COUNTY On November 12, Lt. Judd Smith while driving down the road noticed a deer hunter entering the woods without wearing fluorescent orange. Lt. Smith walked the hunter up and found him to also be hunting over bait. RFC Ricky Boles was contacted at this time for back up. Under further investigation, the subject was found to have warrants for his arrest in Walton County. RFC Ricky Boles cited the subject for hunting big game over bait and failure to wear fluorescent orange while deer hunting. The subject was then placed under arrest and turned over to a local deputy.
On November 13, RFC Ricky Boles approached two subjects hunting deer over bait (corn) and neither subject was wearing any fluorescent orange. Both subjects were charged for hunting big game over bait and failure to wear fluorescent orange while deer hunting.
On November 14, RFC Ricky Boles while patrolling a property for hunting activity noticed two deer in a pen behind a barn. RFC Boles contacted Wildlife Tech. Kevin Von Seggern to assist with the matter. The landowner was confronted and agreed to turn the deer over to the department. One deer was a seven point buck and the other was a doe. Both deer were darted and transported to a local holding facility. The owner was cited for holding wildlife without a permit.
On November 15, RFC Ricky Boles encountered a hunter hunting over bait while patrolling a property for activity. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait.

On November 16, Cpl. David Allen caught a subject night hunting while working a local complaint. The subject first shined a hay field with his car lights and then fired one shot at a deer. The subject was immediately arrested and charged for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle. The deer was not recovered.
WALTON COUNTY On November 12, RFC Ricky Boles received a phone call from a motorist which watched a hunter go in the woods without an orange vest on. RFC Boles responded to the call and proceeded to walk the property for the hunter. The subject was located on the ground, hunting, without any type of orange on. Under further investigation, the hunter was found not to have any type of hunting license. When searched for weapons, two small bags of marijuana were found. The hunter was charged for hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without a license, hunting without big game license and possession of marijuana less than an ounce.
On November 16, RFC Ricky Boles cited a hunter for not wearing fluorescent orange while deer hunting and hunting without a big game license.
On November 16, RFC Niki Spencer cited one individual for failure to record deer harvest and for not wearing fluorescent orange while hunting deer.
On November 16, RFC Niki Spencer responded to an in progress hunting without permission complaint. After locating the hunters it was found that they were not hunting without permission but one individual was cited for hunting big game over bait.
On November 16, RFC Niki Spencer cited one individual for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
HANCOCK COUNTY On November 16, Cpl. David Allen while patrolling a property for hunting activity cited a deer hunter for unlawful enticement of game.
BURKE COUNTY On Sunday, November 10, RFC Jeff Billips was checking hunting without permission and hunting over bait complaint when he observed a poacher fleeing the area. RFC Billips gave chase as the poacher ran and hid inside a residence. After a period of time, the poacher exited the residence. RFC Billips determined that there were numerous inconsistencies with the poacher's explanations for his actions. RFC Billips requested assistance from the Burke County Sheriff's office. The poacher denied he had been hunting. After Sgt. Jimmy Golden arrived, a loaded lever action rifle was found in a nearby building. RFC Billips and Sgt. Golden attempted to arrest the poacher and a physical altercation ensued. The poacher was quickly subdued and charged with possession of firearm by a convicted felon, felony obstruction of officer, hunting without permission, hunting big game over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, hunting

big game without big game license, and hunting without license. The poacher was also wanted on warrants in Bulloch County.
On Wednesday, November 13, the driver of the vehicle in a night hunting case was convicted and sentenced in Superior Court. The case was from three years ago. The case involved three adults and a juvenile that were night hunting and had shot a deer decoy. The driver had fled from RFC Billips during a nearly 20 minute pursuit at speeds over 100 mph. The pursuit ended when the driver wrecked his truck in a field drainage ditch. The driver, his brother and the juvenile then fled on foot with a rifle. The brother and juvenile were apprehended a short while later and the rifle were recovered. The driver turned himself into the Burke County Sheriff's office the following day. In a plea agreement, the driver was sentenced to 5 years and 12 months for felony fleeing and alluding, hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road. The remaining two felony and four misdemeanor charges were nol-prosed. He will serve 6 months in confinement, 480 hours community service, pay fines of approximately 6 thousand dollars, suspension of hunting privilege for 5 years and write apologies to every officer that was involved.
Friday, November 15, Wildlife technician Steve Kyles and RFC's Grant Matherly and Jeff Billips set up a decoy during the managed hunt at Di-Lane Plantation WMA. Two WMA hunters shot the decoy and were charged with hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting from a public road.
Saturday, November 16, RFC Billips patrolled Yuchi and Alexander WMA's. RFC Billips encountered rabbit hunters on Alexander WMA who were unaware that it was firearms deer season on the WMA. RFC Billips gave fluorescent orange vests to two juveniles and an adult. RFC Billips documented violations on Yuchi WMA that included driving on closed roads, target practicing in unauthorized area, and hunting without fluorescent orange.
LINCOLN COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Ryan Swain responded to a boating incident off of Murray Creek at Bayshore Drive. Upon arrival at the scene, a 17 foot center console was observed on the bank and resting on a private dock. The vessel displayed severe damage. After a lengthy investigation, it was determined that the vessel was stolen, stripped, and intentionally wrecked. No suspects were arrested but property owners of the vessel and dock were notified.
ELBERT COUNTY On November 10th Cpl. Julian Wilkins located a deer hunter that was hunting without a license and without a big game license.
CLARKE COUNTY On November 16th RFC Tim Butler checked a deer stand that had been baited with corn for the last two deer seasons. RFC Butler finally located a man hunting over the corn after checking the stand on numerous occasions for the previous two deer seasons. While

walking out of the woods RFC Butler located another man on the adjacent property that was deer hunting without a license and not wearing fluorescent orange. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait, hunting without a big game license, and hunting without a hunting license. Additionally, a warning was issued for deer hunting without wearing fluorescent orange.
WILKES COUNTY On the morning of November 16th Cpl. Mark Patterson checked a hunting club known to have baited stands. Two individuals were charged with hunting big game over bait. Later in the morning during a patrol of the Broad River WMA violations of hunting within 50 yards of an open road and allowing a juvenile to hunt without having completed the hunter safety course were documented. In the afternoon, Cpl. Patterson and RFC Phillip Nelson continued to check areas known to be baited. One individual was charged with hunting big game over bait.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY RFC Phillip Nelson conducted a hunter safety class certifying 19 students.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On November 14th, Sgt. Brent Railey assisted teaching a hunter education course in the Sargent Community. Approximately thirty five students were in the course.
FAYETTE COUNTY On November 10th, Cpl. Travis Sweat was patrolling a baited area off of Hwy 85. He cited two hunters for five violations including hunting big game over bait, hunting without fluorescent orange and possession of illegally taken wildlife. He also seized one three point buck.
HARRIS COUNTY On November 12th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen received a phone call about a possible in progress hunting without permission complaint. After Cpl. Bolen arrived at the scene, K-9 Ruger was utilized to locate the subject. Cpl. Bolen detected that the individual was hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without permission, hunting without license, and hunting without a big game license. While Cpl. Bolen was gathering information from the individual, the subject stated various date of births and could not verify his social security number. Cpl. Bolen decided to arrest the subject and make him post a cash bond. While at the jail, Cpl. Bolen discovered that the individual had given him a false name. After a criminal history was ran, Cpl. Bolen learned that the subject was a convicted felon and had an active warrant on him from an adjoining county. The subject was booked into the Harris County Jail on all the violations.

HENRY COUNTY On November 11th, Cpl. Travis Sweat was checking bait he found earlier in the season. He issued one hunter citations for hunting big game over bait, hunting without wearing fluorescent orange vest and non-resident hunting without a license.
On November 14th, RFC Kevin Godbee began an investigation into a hunting incident that occurred earlier in the week. A hunter fell from his stand and injured his ankle/foot.
On November 14th, RFC Kevin Godbee taught a hunter education CD/online course in Henry County.
JONES COUNTY On the afternoon of November 11th, Rangers Matt Johnson and Jeremy Reese checked several baited deer stands. One hunter was located on the stands and a citation was issued for hunting big game over bait.
On the morning of November 12th, Ranger Jeremy Reese located 2 hunters hunting over bait. The hunters were issued citations for the offense.
LAMAR COUNTY On November 10th, RFC Keith Page located a man and a young boy hunting deer over bait on Silver Dollar Road. They were also found to be hunting without wearing fluorescent orange vests. RFC Page charged the adult for hunting big game over bait and hunting without wearing fluorescent orange.
On the evening of November 10th, RFC Keith Page located a man on Willis Road hunting deer over bait. The man was also found to be hunting without obtaining a hunting license or a big game license. RFC Page had found the baited stand two days prior and also discovered a buck that had been shot and left on the ground in front of the stand. RFC Page talked to the man about the wasted deer and after getting an admission of guilt, Page charged the man with hunting big game over bait, hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and failure to make a reasonable effort to retrieve a game animal.
While checking for hunting activity on November 11th, RFC Keith Page found two men near Milner that were hunting illegally. One of the subjects was hunting without wearing a fluorescent orange vest and the other was hunting with an expired hunting license. Both men were issued warnings for their offenses.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On November 11th, Cpl. Keith Waddell issued a written warning to a deer hunter for hunting without wearing his fluorescent orange vest.
On November 13th, Sgt. Brent Railey patrolled Joe Kurz WMA during the sign-in archery deer hunt. He assisted a father and son hunting team to recover an arrow the 16 year old son had shot at a doe. He missed and struck a tree and the broadhead was not recoverable.

MONROE COUNTY On Saturday morning, November 16th, Sgt. Tim Kendrick and Cpl. Tony Wynne checked an area where deer bait had previously been found. Upon checking the area, Kendrick and Wynne found a hunter sitting in a ladder stand and hunting with a crossbow. Approximately 20 yards in front of the deer stand was a smorgasbord of deer bait consisting of apples, crushed apple powder, a mineral brick, and a pile of corn. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait and given a warning for failure to wear fluorescent orange while deer hunting.
Cpl. Wynne then went to check another baited area on Bar None Road and found a deer hunter in a ground blind. Previously, the area had been thinly strewn with corn, but the hunter had freshly poured out salt on the ground within fifteen yards of the ground blind. During conversation with the hunter, the hunter mentioned having taken a deer earlier in the season. Upon checking the hunter's license, Wynne saw no deer entered on the harvest record. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait and warned for failure to record his deer harvest.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the morning of November 15th, Ranger Matt Johnson and Cpl. Lynn Stanford assisted officers with the USFS with a license check on Cedar Creek WMA. Several citations and warnings were issued for loaded weapons in a vehicle as well as hunting without licenses.
TROUP COUNTY On November 11th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield interviewed a hunter at a business in LaGrange from a hunting without permission complaint that started on November 9th. The subject told Sgt. Bradfield that he believed that a bank owned the property where he was encountered by the homeowner the previous week. The subject also stated that he had called someone at that bank about hunting there but could not tell the officer who he spoke with. Sgt. Bradfield advised the subject that the property was owned by a developer and had been for quite a while. It was also discovered that this hunter did not have a big game hunting license. A call was placed to the developer by Sgt. Bradfield about charging the hunter with hunting without permission. This investigation should be completed in the following days.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On November 10th, RFC Tony Cox conducted a patrol to check commercial fishermen using gill nets during the legal netting season on the Flint River. He encountered two fishermen that had failed to release the game fish/catfish that were caught in their nets. The two subjects were cited for taking game fish/catfish with commercial gear.

TERRELL COUNTY On November 15th, Cpl. Scott Carroll was investigating a shot fired on a hunting property and located a non-resident deer hunter hunting with a resident senior citizens lifetime license. The subject was charged for non-resident hunting with resident license. Upon further investigation Cpl. Carroll located two more non-resident hunters attempting to purchase license while deer hunting. In one case Cpl. Carroll walked up behind a nonresident hunter and witnessed him attempting to purchase a license in his deer stand with a smart phone. All non-resident hunters were cited for hunting without the appropriate licenses.
On November 16th, Cpl. Scott Carroll was investigating a complaint of illegal baiting of deer and located a juvenile hunting over the bait without supervision. Cpl. Carroll located the guardian of the juvenile and cited him for allowing a juvenile to hunt unsupervised and a warning for unlawful enticement.
STEWART COUNTY On Friday November 15th, Cpl. Steve Robinson responded to a burning complaint and located an individual burning an old home site. Cpl. Robinson cited the individual for unlawful burning of egregious litter.
RANDOLPH COUNTY On November 15th, RFC Jim Atchley and Ranger Quinn Fogle located two deer hunters hunting without a hunting license, big game license, and had also failed to record the harvest of deer. Both hunters were cited for the violations.
TIFT COUNTY On the evening of November 15th, Cpl. Greg Wade and RFC Chris Carlisle were patrolling Tift County for hunting activity. Shortly after dark, the rangers passed a vehicle riding down a dirt road without its headlights on. Cpl. Wade proceeded past the vehicle and turned his patrol vehicle to follow the truck. After following the truck a few hundred yards, the operator stopped the truck, got out and began removing a STOP sign from the intersection. The rangers watched as the passenger got out to assist the driver in pulling the sign out of the ground. Eventually, the sign was removed and placed into the bed of the truck. Cpl. Wade initiated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle. The two suspects were juveniles and both were under the influence of alcohol. The officers contacted the Tift County Sheriff Office and the incident was turned over to them for processing.
Later that evening, Cpl. Wade and RFC Carlisle were working a complaint of night deer hunting. Cpl. Wade was positioned overlooking the complaint area and RFC Carlisle was positioned a short distance away. Shortly after 11 pm, Cpl. Wade witnessed a vehicle enter the area and the driver fire shots from inside the vehicle. The driver was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from and motor vehicle and hunting without permission.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TELFAIR COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Rodney Horne was patrolling Horse Creek WMA looking for illegal hunting activity on a Check-In hunt. RFC Rodney Horne documented a violation on a hunter for hunting within 50 yards of a public road. DODGE COUNTY On November 14th, RFC Allen Mills presented the LED power point information to an after school program at the Dodge County Library. Twenty-eight students from the High School attended. On November 16th, RFC Allen Mills received a call from Dodge 911 in reference to an injured deer lying along the roadside. RFC Mills arrived on scene along with a Dodge Co. deputy. After accessing the animal's wounds, RFC Mills humanely dispatched the deer and transported it to a local deer processor that participates in the `Hunters for the Hungry' program.
LAURENS COUNTY On November 10th, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area during a sign-in archery deer hunt. Two hunters were checked for licenses. No violations were documented. On November 10th, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Dodge Co. Public Fishing Area during a sign-in archery deer hunt. No hunters were present.

On November 15th, Cpl. Stiles was notified by RFC Allen Mills reference a possible hunting incident victim transported to Dodge County Hospital from Laurens County. Cpl. Stiles responded and interviewed witnesses, the victim, and hospital personnel. The injured person sustained a laceration and trauma to his head and injuries to his hand from a fall sustained while walking to a hunting location. The subject was charged with Hunting Under the Influence. Cpl. Stiles investigated and documented the scene of the incident the following morning.
JENKINS COUNTY On November 15th, Sgt. Dasher and Cpl. Wilcox were patrolling Jenkins County for hunting activity. They located a truck parked next to a cemetery. The officers checked the clear cut that was adjacent to the cemetery and they noticed a man sitting in a tree stand and he wasn't wearing the required fluorescent orange. The violation was documented and the hunter returned to his tree stand.
EMANUEL COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Eddie Akins was called to investigate a hunting accident that occurred in South Emanuel County near Oak Park, Ga. Investigation of the incident revealed that an older female lost her footing while exiting and climbing down from her tower stand. She fell approximately seven feet to the ground. The fall resulted in her being admitted to the hospital for tests and evaluation of her injuries. No charges were documented as a result of the accident investigation.
SCREVEN COUNTY On November 14th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Mike Wilcox responded to a call from Screven County 911 in reference to a caller stating she was lost in the woods. Screven 911 operators were able to find out that the caller was a 46 year old white female from the Sylvania area. The woman had been attempting to walk several miles to a friends' house when she tried cutting across country, to shorten the trip. After leaving the public road the woman became disoriented and called for help. The woman was only able to describe a tower type deer stand and a clear cut as her location. Having knowledge of the area Cpl. McNeely was able to determine her probable location and officers found her after a short search. The woman suffered from no ill effects from her ordeal and was turned over to Screven County Sheriffs' Deputies for a ride home.
CLINCH COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool were checking deer dogging activity when they observed a vehicle parked on the side of the roadway. They observed one hunter standing next to the truck and the other standing on the dog box. Both subjects were found to be hunting from the public roadway. Upon checking the required hunting licenses, the officers discovered neither hunter possessed a valid license. Citations were issued to both subjects for hunting big game from a public road, nonresident hunting without a non-resident license and non-resident hunting big game without a big game license. They were also cited for hunting deer with dogs without a deer-dogging license.

On November 16th, Cpl. Jason Shipes concluded an investigation in reference to someone hunting without permission. Cpl. Shipes had obtained a trail camera photo of the suspect from the complainant that showed two individuals standing over a dead doe deer. One subject was dressed in camouflage and carrying a long gun and was not wearing any fluorescent orange. Cpl. Shipes positively identified the suspect with the firearm and conducted an interview at his residence. During the interview the hunter admitted to hunting on the property and killing the doe. Citations for hunting without permission and hunting without fluorescent orange were documented.
WARE COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool patrolled Dixon WMA's quota dog-deer hunt. Prior to the hunt, DNR personnel provide the participants with a map of the property and a list of the WMA hunt rules as they check-in to begin their hunt. During the patrol the officers encountered several hunters with loaded weapons in their vehicles. One subject was also in possession of a loaded .22 caliber rifle. Citations for possession / transportation of a loaded firearm in vehicle on a WMA were documented.
ATKINSON COUNTY On November 16th, RFC Tim Hutto worked a complaint of hunters on Kirkland Pond Road hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Two violations were documented for the offense.
COFFEE COUNTY On Nov. 15th, Sgt. Damon Winters was working a complaint of night hunting off Clyde Kirkland Road. At around 2030hrs a vehicle was driven by his location and he observed a spotlight being shined out of the window across a rye field. The vehicle was stopped and a spotlight along with a loaded high powered rifle was secured. One suspect was charged with hunting at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle.

BERRIEN COUNTY On November 16th, Cpl. Morty Wood investigated a report of a spike buck deer being killed behind Pine Acres Apartments in the city of Nashville. The shooting had taken place on Friday evening. Nashville P.D. had responded to the shots fired call on Friday evening, but the suspect said he had set off an M-80 firecracker to scare his mother. The complainants stated that the suspect who lived there had corn poured out on the back lawn and that he had also shot and wounded a doe deer on Tuesday evening but was unable to locate it. Cpl. Wood located a cooler full of ice and processed deer meat at the suspect's front door. The suspect showed Cpl. Wood some of the piled corn in the rear of the apartments. After further investigation Cpl. Wood located more corn and two fresh pools of blood in them. The suspect had failed to show this baited area. The suspect was arrested and charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. Nashville P.D. officers were called to the scene and they also charged the suspect with discharging a firearm within the city limits.
COOK COUNTY On Nov 15th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey caught two subjects hunting deer on a piece of property they did not have permission to hunt. Violations of hunting w/o permission, hunting w/o a license and hunting w/o big game license were documented.

LANIER COUNTY On November 17th, RFC Tim Hutto concluded a complaint based investigation on a suspect who was hunting deer from a public road in Stockton. The subject was charged with hunting big game from a public road.
LOWNDES COUNTY On Nov. 15th at around 0400 Sgt. Damon Winters received a call that Lowndes County deputies had someone shoot a doe deer in front of them while they were working a surveillance detail to catch people breaking into cars at a subdivision. Sgt. Winters responded and charged one suspect with hunting at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle. One doe deer was seized.

EVANS COUNTY On November 12th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked a complaint from a landowner. One violation was documented for fishing without permission.
On November 16th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked several deer hunters around the Daisy area. Violations for hunting without deer harvest records, hunting without big game license, hunting without a license and hunting without fluorescent orange were addressed. On November 16th, Sgt. Jon Barnard, RFC Clint Jarriel and RFC Debbie Brannen worked a complaint from a deer dog club. One violation was documented for hunting with a deer harvest record.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On November 15th, Ranger Patrick Gibbs utilized the aviation unit for DNR. Captain Steven Turner provided Gibbs with a familiarization flight over Jeff Davis County including Bullard Creek WMA and Flat Tub WMA.
On November 16th, CPL Kevin Joyce and Ranger Patrick Gibbs patrolled Flat Tub WMA for hunting activity. Multiple licenses were checked resulting in documentation for

hunting within 50 yards of a WMA road and failure to wear fluorescent orange while hunting deer.
TATTNALL COUNTY On November 16th, 2013 RFC Clint Jarriel, RFC Debbie Brannen, and SGT Jon Barnard patrolled the county for violations with deer dog clubs and one citation was written for hunting w/o a deer dog license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On November 14th, Sgt. Hodge was patrolling in Brantley County when he encountered two subjects parked near a hunting club gate. Sgt. Hodge stopped to speak with the subjects and discovered that they had stopped there to wait on another subject to meet with them. Sgt. Hodge also discovered that one subject was in possession of marijuana and was in the process of rolling a marijuana cigarette as Sgt. Hodge pulled up. The subject was cited for Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.
On November 16th, while patrolling an active deer dogging complaint area, RFC John Evans encountered a hunter who had just harvested his second spike buck. RFC Evans confiscated the second buck and charged the man with Possession of Illegally Taken Wildlife. The deer was taken to Sterling Wild Game Processing where it will be processed and donated to a local food pantry.
On November 16th, Sgt. Chris Hodge was traveling to an area to work a night deer hunting detail when he observed a vehicle ahead of him begin to shine a light across a clear cut. Sgt. Hodge continued to follow the vehicle and the driver once again shined the light from the vehicle to illuminate another clear cut. Sgt. Hodge then stopped the vehicle to investigate and determined by the driver's statement that he was looking for deer. Sgt. Hodge cited the subject for Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting from a Vehicle, and Hunting Big Game from a Public Road.
On November 16th, Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to a call from the Brantley County Sheriff's Office of night deer hunting. Upon arrival at the scene, Sgt. Hodge learned that two subjects had shot at a deer across the road from a residence. The subjects then fled the area but the complainant gave Sgt. Hodge information on where one of the subjects lives. Sgt. Hodge later made contact with both subjects involved and both admitted to and were cited for Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting from a Vehicle, and Hunting Big Game from a Public Road.

GLYNN COUNTY On November 10th, Sgt. Chris Hodge observed a vessel come under the bridge above idle speed at Hwy 99 and Turtle River. The subjects saw Sgt. Hodge and continued up river. Cpl. Chris Ridley responded to the area and both Rangers waited for the boat to return. Just before dark the subjects returned to the boat ramp and where checked by the rangers. They were found to have several violations. Both subjects were cited for Possession of Illegal Size Fish and Fishing Without a License. The operator was also cited for Possession of Marijuana and Operating a vessel above idle speed within 100' of a bridge. A total of 9 seatrout were seized as evidence.
On November 16th, RFC David Brady and RFC John Evans conducted a JEA patrol in St. Simons Sound. As a vessel was being checked, one man on board was found to be Fishing without a license. After running the subjects information numerous times, RFC Brady determined that the man had given false information due to an active warrant. The man was arrested for Fishing without a license, Giving false information to an officer, and for the outstanding warrant.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Nov. 13th, the Liberty County Sheriff's Dept. received a bomb threat at a school and had a robbery at a credit union in Midway, GA. Ranger Jason Miller proceeded to the area and assisted the Sheriff's Dept., FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshall's Service with the search of a suspect's house and car. A fake bomb was found at the school and it is believed that the suspects used the bomb threat as a way to distract local law enforcement away from the robbery.
LONG COUNTY On Saturday November 9th while checking on a deer dogging complaint in Long County Cpl Bobby White pulled up on a truck on a public road with a juvenile standing on a dog box with a gun in hand, a female standing in front of the same truck with gun in hand and a male standing several hundred yards up the road with a gun in hand.
On Saturday November 16th Cpl White received an in progress hunting without permission complaint in Wayne County. Cpl White arrived on scene finding a truck parked in the ditch, the hunter came out not wearing his orange safety vest. The landowner arrived on scene and said he gave the hunter permission to hunt his property but not in that particular location. The hunter was cited for not wearing an orange vest and given a warning for hunting without permission.