Field operations weekly report [Dec. 8-14, 2013]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 8-14, 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 December 13th, RFC Bart Hendrix foot patrolled a piece property off Hwy 92 and located several baited deer stands and a baited duck blind on a pond. RFC Hendrix contacted rangers in his unit to assist with checking all the baited areas at the same time. Cpl. Byron Young, RFC Brooks Varnell and RFC Zack Hardy met RFC Hendrix the following morning and checked the baited areas. Cpl. Young and RFC Hardy located one hunter in the duck blind. The hunter was found to be hunting without a federal duck stamp. The hunter was issued citations for hunting waterfowl over bait and hunting without a federal duck stamp.
Whole Corn located in the pond FANNIN COUNTY On December 12th, RFC Cody Jones received a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked near a wooded area where no one had permission to hunt. After walking out the area, RFC Jones was able to locate two hunters who were not wearing fluorescent orange. The two hunters were hunting without permission and didn't even know who owned the property. One of the hunters did not have a hunting license, big game license, or a hunter education card. The two hunters were issued citations and warning and were escorted from the property.

On December 14th, RFC Cody Jones assisted with a program called "Shop with a Cop." The program selected 25 kids to each spend $100 on Christmas presents for themselves. Each child shopped with a Law Enforcement Officer, Fire Fighter, EMS, or other volunteer. Lunch was provided for the children and when they were picked up by their parents, a Christmas Dinner was given to the families along with the child's presents. There were a lot of happy kids (and volunteers) that day.

WHITFIELD COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Casey Jones responded to an in-progress hunting without permission complaint. After locating the hunters Cpl. Jones determined that they were, in fact, hunting on property without the landowner's permission. Cpl. Jones addressed several violations that included hunting without permission, hunting without license, failure to affix and sign federal duck stamp and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
GORDON COUNTY On December 13th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway performed a routine deer cooler inspection and located two antlerless deer that appeared to be taken with a firearm. Upon obtaining information from cooler records, Sgt. Galloway met with a subject at his residence in Gordon Co. The subject admitted that both deer had been killed with a firearm in a county that was closed for taking antlerless deer on the harvest date. The subject was issued a citation for killing antlerless deer and both deer were confiscated. Both deer were given to a needy family in Gordon Co. CHATTOOGA COUNTY On December 08th, Chattooga Co. 911 contacted RFC Ben Cunningham and Cpl. Tommy Gentry just after midnight. They asked the Rangers to assist a deputy in identifying a heart that a coon dog had brought back to a hunter. The hunter thought the heart was too big to be from a deer. After the Rangers arrived on the scene they were able to locate where a deer had been field dressed approximately 50 yards off the road.

DADE COUNTY On December 10th, Sgt. Jeff Galloway performed an onsite inspection of a licensed Wildlife Exhibition facility located on Veteran's drive in Dade Co. The facility S.O.A.R. (Save our American Raptors) houses several species of birds of prey such as Bald Eagles, Red tail hawks, Falcons and Owls. This vendor performs exhibitions at schools, zoo's and outdoor conventions. Both the wildlife and facilities were in good shape and all permits were current.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Tim Vickery received a complaint through the Franklin County Sheriff's Office of someone shooting a deer from the road. RFC Vickery met with the complainant and a deputy who were on the side of the road with the dead deer, an eight point buck. The complainant stated that he had driven up behind a truck parked on the road and saw a young man outside of his truck, so he stopped to make sure everything was alright. The complainant stated that when he asked if everything was ok that the young man jumped into his truck and took off, but he could hear someone in the woods talking. The complainant had gotten a vehicle description and tag number before the subject fled. The complainant stated that when the young man took off, he looked down the bank of the road and saw the deer laying there. While talking to the complainant, the overseer of the property stopped to see what was going on and told RFC Vickery that if the shooter was caught, he wanted him prosecuted for hunting without permission. After taking photos of the deer, RFC Vickery went to the Sheriff's Office to get information on the vehicle owner. That afternoon, RFC Vickery and Sgt. Stan Elrod went to the residence of the subject that the vehicle was registered to. RFC Vickery knocked on the door and an older male subject came outside. When he was asked where his son was, the older subject came right out and stated that he had shot the deer from the road. He told RFC Vickery that he was riding down the road with his son when they saw the deer, and that he had stepped out and shot the deer. He was trying to drag the deer back to the truck when the complainant stopped. The subject stated that when the complainant had stopped, he left the deer and fled on foot while his son left in the truck. The talking that the complainant had heard was the father talking on his cell phone to his son. After the son fled the scene, he drove around and picked his father up on the interstate. The son was a juvenile and was not charged. The father was charged with hunting from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without permission.
DAWSON COUNTY On December 9th, RFC Barry Britt conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class in Dawson County. During this class a total of 12 students were certified in Hunter Education.
On December 10th, Sgt. Lee Brown assisted the Dawson County Sheriff's Office with securing the perimeter around a house that a murder suspect was held up in. SWAT Teams from Cherokee and Forsyth Counties responded and were able to take the suspect into custody.

FORSYTH COUNTY On December 12th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins and Sgt. Lee Brown responded to hunting without permission complaint in Forsyth County. While attempting to locate the subject's possible hunting without permission Cpl. Tompkins stopped a vehicle that was acting suspicious in the area of the complaint. The two occupants of the vehicle stated they were just riding around looking at deer in the fields along the side of the road. While speaking with the two subjects Cpl. Tompkins detected the odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle. The driver admitted to having marijuana in the vehicle. Sgt. Brown arrived on the scene assisted with securing the subjects while a search of the vehicle was completed. A total of six small bags of marijuana were located as well a metal grinder with marijuana inside. The driver was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana.
. On December 15 RFC Barry Britt and Ranger Shane Brown located two subjects hunting deer without fluorescent orange. Both subjects were issued two citations for hunting deer without orange. GWINNETT COUNTY On December 12th Ranger Shane Brown conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class at Bass Pro Shops. During this class a total of 19 students were certified in Hunter Education.

HALL COUNTY On December 13th, Corporal Jason Roberson, Corporal Adam Loudermilk, and Ranger Kevin Goss responded to a missing person call at Mossy Creek State Park. A thirty five year old female had been missing since 8:00 a.m. the previous day. Her car was located at the park. After searching for approximately three hours with the Hall County Sherriff's office, she was located in a nearby cabin.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
NEWTON COUNTY On December 2, RFC Ricky Boles responded to hunting without permission complaint in Newton County. Two hunters were slipping in behind apartment complexes and deer hunting. They were both caught hunting big game over bait and both were hunting without fluorescent orange. The hunters were not hunting on complainant's land but were trespassing on another landowner's land. The hunters were given verbal guidance on the hunting without permission but were cited for the other violations.
HANCOCK COUNTY On December 14, RFC Richard Tanner was contacted about a hunter shooting an undersized buck in Hancock County. Hancock County has antler restrictions, the buck must be four points or better on one side, the hunter was located and cited for the violation.
GREENE COUNTY Cpl. Derrell Worth cited two subjects for hunting without a WMA license, one subject for hunting without a license, one subject for hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license and one subject for violating Georgia's waste control law. After interviewing the subject charged for violating Georgia's waste control law, it was determined that the subject was wanted on a failure to appear warrant in Atlanta. The subject was arrested and turned over to the Greene County Law Enforcement Center.
WILKES COUNTY On December 13th Cpl. Mark Patterson encountered a deer hunter that did not possess a hunting license. The subject did have a big license and the required harvest record. A warning was written for the violation.
GLASCOCK COUNTY On December 14th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Brian Hobbins apprehended one subject for hunting waterfowl while under the influence of alcohol. The subject was arrested and taken to McDuffie County Jail.
LINCOLN COUNTY On December 13th, Cpl. Ryan Swain performed a concentrated waterfowl patrol of Cherokee Boat Landing on Clarks Hill Lake. Several people were cited for license violations and equipment violation.

JEFFERSON COUNTY On December 14, RFC Matherly checked 4 subjects duck hunting in East Jefferson County. He found that two of the subjects did not have their GA Water fowl license. Citations were issued to each of them for not having their license.
While on patrol in West Jefferson County on December 14, RFC Matherly observed 5 subjects sitting in the middle of a set of rail road tracks. The five subjects were confronted about the violation and asked to meet the Ranger at his vehicle after gathering their driver's license and hunting license. Citations were issued to each of the individuals for hunting without permission.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HARRIS COUNTY On December 9th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver concluded a month long night hunting investigation by swearing out warrants for 2 individuals resulting in 7 charges. The investigation began when Cpl. Oliver received information that a person had killed a deer at night on Hopewell Church Rd. The investigation revealed that two additional persons were involved as well. After the lengthy investigation, the evidence supported charging the main 2 suspects which were the shooter and the person who came to pick up the deer. The shooter was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, hunting without permission, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The person who picked up the deer was charged with hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On December 11th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen was patrolling Standing Boy WMA. Cpl. Bolen located a hunter walking out of the woods. After speaking with the hunter, Cpl. Bolen discovered that the hunter was missing the required WMA license. The hunter was issued a citation for the violation.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
STEWART COUNTY On December 11th, Cpl. Steve Robinson and Ranger Quinn Fogle received information that a subject had killed over the limit of antlered "buck" deer. After completing an inspection of the local deer processor it was found that the subject had a total of five deer at the processor, three bucks and two does. The subject was located and checked while hunting and it was found that he had only two doe's and one buck marked on his hunting license. The subject was issued citations for taking over the limit of antlered deer, hunting after obtaining season bag limit and failure to record deer harvest.

CLAY COUNTY On December 12th, while conducting a waterfowl patrol on Lake George, RFC Jim Atchley documented eleven hunting/boating violations. Two for insufficient PFDs, four hunting from a moving vessel, and five for license infractions. RFC Atchley also confiscated two ducks and sixteen coots during the patrol.
MITCHELL COUNTY On December 9th, Corporal Randy Davis completed an investigation of dumping deer carcasses at a county dump site. An employee of a deer processor was interviewed and charged with littering.
On December 14th, Corporal Randy Davis investigated a complaint of an unpermitted dump site. Residents were complaining of an excessive amount of buzzards and dogs dragging deer carcasses into residential areas. Corporal Davis investigated and discovered that a deer processing business was disposing of deer carcasses into a pit near his business. The owner was cited for littering and given instructions on how to handle the waste properly.
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 14th, Corporal Randy Davis checked a dove shoot issuing a hunter a citation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
DECATUR COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Tony Cox was on patrol when he observed a car hood fly off of a scrap metal trailer and nearly hit his patrol truck. He was forced into the ditch to keep from being hit. The driver was stopped and cited for failure to secure load.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
PIERCE COUNTY On December 13th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and RFC Mark Pool investigated the illegal burning of household garbage reported by the Pierce County EMA Director. After a lengthy investigation CPL Shipes and RFC Mark Pool determined that a large amount of household garbage had been set on fire by one of the residents at the location. A citation for unlawful burning of egregious litter less than 500 pounds/ 100 cubic feet was issued.
WARE COUNTY On December 8th, Rangers Sam Williams and Daniel North were patrolling for deer dogging activity in east Ware County. During their patrol, a number of hunters were encountered. Violations for non-resident hunting w/o a license, non-resident hunting w/o a non-resident big game license, hunting deer with dogs without a deer dogging license, and operating a vehicle w/o permit number displayed were documented by officers.

CHARLTON COUNTY On December 14th, Ranger Sam Williams, RFC Mark Pool, and Cpl. Jason Shipes located two subject actively hunting waterfowl. During an inspection of their licenses and equipment, both hunters were found to be in possession of lead shot and unplugged guns. One of the hunters failed to purchase any of the required licenses to hunt ducks. Violations for hunting with unplugged shotguns, hunting waterfowl with illegal ammunition (lead shot), non-resident hunting without a hunting license, hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license, hunting without a federal duck stamp, and possession of illegally taken wildlife were documented.
EVANS COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked 20 dove hunters and gave verbal guidance on three individuals for no HIP license.
TATTNALL COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked a duck shoot resulting in violations for hunting after legal hours, hunting with illegal ammunition, hunting without the HIP license, possession of over the daily bag limit and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The ducks were confiscated.
LANIER COUNTY On Dec. 9th, RFC Joe Hilton responded to an illegal dumping/burning complaint of household products and building materials, in Lanier County. RFC Hilton interviewed two individuals pertaining to separate incidents. After the investigation each individual was issued a citation for unlawful dumping of egregious litter.
LOWNDES COUNTY On Dec. 14th, RFC Keith McDonald responded to a call about an overdue boater on the Withlacoochee River. There were three people missing, a father and his two young sons. RFC McDonald assessed the situation and learned that due to a storm the father tied up the boat and was attempting to walk out. Being familiar with the area, RFC McDonald began looking in a hunting club along the river. After a short search of the club, the family was found and transported safely back home.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 14th Cpl. Stiles patrolled the Riverbend WMA during a sign-in Big Game Hunt. Several hunters entered the WMA and were hunting waterfowl which is closed during big game hunts. Cpl. Stiles documented seven violations for hunting on a closed WMA and one violation for hunting waterfowl without a GA Waterfowl Conservation License.

BULLOCH COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl. Eddie Akins responded to an in progress complaint of night hunting. Investigation revealed that an adult and a juvenile were involved in the incident. Five violations were documented against the adult and the juvenile was given verbal warnings. The five violations documented against the adult were: Felon in possession of a firearm, hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Friday evening December 13th, at approximately 7:00pm, RFC Jamey O'Brien was called by Effingham Sheriff's office about a missing person north of Guyton Ga. RFC O'Brien arrived at the scene and met with the deputies who requested DNR's assistance. After gathering information from family members, it was determined that a 46 year old male had left his residence to go walk through the woods behind his residence and target practice with his firearm. The subject does this on a regular basis and is usually gone for about 45 minutes however it had been 4 hours with no sign of the individual. Along with deputies, first responders and fire fighters, RFC O'Brien helped work up a plan for search efforts to cover the large wooded area. Just before the officers could begin their search efforts, a vehicle pulled up and the missing subject exited the vehicle. The subject got disoriented in the woods and had walked approximately 3 to 4 miles in the wrong direction where he finally located a remote camper camping on a hunting club. The camper assisted the lost individual by driving him back to his residence. The individual was checked briefly by first responders and he returned home safely.
On Saturday December 14th RFC Jamey O'Brien responded to a call for illegal deer dog hunting in the north/central portion of the county. After taking a report from the complainant RFC O'Brien patrolled the area locating 3 vehicles that appeared to be involved with hunting deer with dogs. Five hunters were checked with violations were documented for hunting without a license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY December 1, Cpl. Chris Moore and Ranger Jordan Crawford patrolled North Chatham for waterfowl hunting violations. 27 hunters were checked and 5 violations were documented for hunting with unplugged shotguns and license infractions. Ranger Kiel Toney checked duck hunters at Houlihan's Boat Ramp in Port Wentworth.
Rangers from Chatham, Bryan, and Liberty Counties conducted a successful detail targeting illegal hunting of waterfowl after sunset on the Ogeechee River. Two suspects were apprehended shooting well after legal hours ended in Chatham County.
December 3, Cpl. Chris Moore and Ranger Jordan Crawford patrolled waters offshore of Chatham County as part of the JEA agreement with NOAA for protection of migrating right whales.

December 5, Cpl. Bill Bryson, Cpl. Chris Moore, and Ranger Jordan Crawford patrolled the waters offshore of Chatham County for fishing violations as part of JEA. 1 vessel was boarded at the DUA Reef and found to be in compliance.
Cpl. Chris Moore encountered two individuals trespassing on Chatham County property after dark. They were made to extinguish their fire and leave. Chatham County officials were notified.
On December 11, RFC Buster Cooper was on patrol in the Highland Park Industrial Park to monitor illegal dumping activity. On a small lane, in the back of the property, RFC Cooper came across an unoccupied vehicle. He ran the tag number of the vehicle and it came back as stolen. The Port Wentworth Police Department had entered it as stolen the night before. He called Port Wentworth PD and spoke to Detective Phinney who stated he would be headed to RFC Cooper's location ASAP. RFC Cooper advised that he would meet him out on the main road, Benton Blvd. When Detective Phinney arrived they both headed back to the stolen vehicle, which, to everyone's surprise, was no longer there. Georgia State Patrol and Savannah Chatham Metro Police were advised that the vehicle was on the move. After a short time a Savannah Metro Unit stopped the vehicle in an adjoining subdivision. The driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Shortly thereafter RFC Cooper and Trooper J.K. Crews made contact with the suspect in a nearby apartment complex parking lot. Trooper Crews chased him on foot and RFC Cooper drove on to the next apartment complex parking lot in an effort to head him off. The suspect ran out of that apartment complex, across Jimmy Deloach Blvd and back into Highland Park Industrial Park where several Savannah Metro Officers apprehended him after a short struggle. The suspect, a 16 year old juvenile was turned over to the Port Wentworth PD pending Theft by Taking a Motor Vehicle charges.
On December 14, Sgt. Cindy Miller noticed a vehicle with a boat trailer at Houlihans boat ramp and waited for their return. After dark the boat came in without lights. One individual was dropped off prior to the boat ramp because it was raining so hard and the boat would not get up on a plane. This individual was picked up later on. After checking the boat and the licenses for the individuals Sgt. Miller realized there were multiple violations. The operator of the boat was cited for operating a vessel at night without lights, possession of undersized striped bass, no fishing licenses, and no hunting license. The individuals had two bows and other hunting paraphernalia in the boat and they admitted to hunting earlier that morning.
BRYAN COUNTY On Saturday December 14th, Sgt. Scott checked hunters on the Richmond Hill WMA, and cited one hunter for blocking access to a gate.
On December 14th, Ranger Jason Miller observed trash being thrown out of a vehicle on Hwy. 144 near Richmond Hill. The driver was cited for littering.

LIBERTY COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Jay Morgan was checking deer hunters and cited one hunter for hunting from a public road.
GLYNN COUNTY On December 12th, RFC John Evans and Wildlife Technician Darryl Hartley were working a complaint of an illegal campsite on Clayhole WMA when another vehicle came into area and parked. Upon investigation, RFC Evans found illegal prescription narcotics in the vehicle and placed the female suspect under arrest. The case was turned over to the Glynn County Drug Unit.
BRANTLEY On December 9th, Corporal Craig Smith and Ranger Colte Shaske responded to a hunter that was lost on the Little Satilla WMA. The subject was located by a Brantley County Deputy on a WMA road and taken back to his vehicle.