Field operations weekly report [Dec. 1-7, 2013]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 1-7, 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)
PICKENS COUNTY On December 7th, Cpl. James Keener responded to an in-progress call off of Town Creek Church Road in reference to hunting without permission. After finding the hunter and talking with him and the complainant, Cpl. Keener issued a citation for hunting deer without fluorescent orange and a warning for hunting without permission to the individual.
FANNIN COUNTY On December 5th, RFC Cody Jones was patrolling Cohutta WMA. RFC Jones came across a vehicle that had lost control and slid off the road due to the wet and foggy conditions on the mountain. Because of the remote area of the WMA, it took about two hours for a wrecker to arrive and pull the vehicle back onto the roadway. Another hunter ran off the road and rolled his truck on its top during this hunt. No one was injured in either incident.

FLOYD COUNTY On December 5th, RFC McConkey assisted with a managed hunt on Berry College WMA. The deer pictured below was taken this morning around 7:30am.
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On December 2nd, RFC McConkey worked a hunting deer at night complaint area in Chattooga County. While hiding in the back of the field, the Ranger watched a truck stop and shoot at a deer standing near the roadway. The Ranger stopped the truck and found four males and one juvenile female. After investigating the incident, the Ranger arrested the driver who had shot at the deer. The driver was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. The three male passengers were written warnings on the violations. The juvenile female was not issued citations or warnings due to her age. CATOOSA COUNTY On December 3rd, RFC McConkey completed an investigation on a fishing without permission complaint. The Ranger had obtained photos of six subjects entering private property to fish in the local pond. After several weeks, the Ranger was able to locate two of the subjects. They were interviewed and the identities of five of the six were found. Warrants were taken for four of the subjects for the violation of fishing without permission. One subject could never be identified and one subject was a juvenile female.

POLK COUNTY On December 1st, RFC Chad Cox located a non-permitted deer cooler. While investigating the cooler he also located a subject that had killed an antlerless deer. RFC Cox issued the owner of the cooler a citation for operating a wildlife storage facility without a permit. He also issued the other subject a citation for killing an antlerless deer on a buck only day.
CARROLL COUNTY On December 1st, Cpl. Eric Brown was patrolling south Carroll County for roost shoots and deer hunting activity. While patrolling property owned by the county, Cpl. Brown encountered one subject hunting coyotes. The subject was cited for hunting without permission.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HALL COUNTY On December 1st, Corporal Jason Roberson checked an area that was baited for deer. He had been checking the area twice a day for about ten days and determined that the hunter had been in the area two times during the ten day period. Corporal Roberson got dropped out in the area and set up surveillance on the baited stand. After about two and a half hours, the hunter showed up. Corporal Roberson interviewed him and he advised that he normally only hunted about thirty minutes or an hour at a time and time of day did not matter. He was charged with hunting big game over bait and warned for hunting without orange.

DAWSON COUNTY On December 1st, RFC Barry Britt located a subject hunting with fluorescent orange. The subject was issued a citation for hunting without fluorescent orange.
On December 7th, Ranger Shane Brown, SGT Lee Brown, and RFC Barry Britt arrested two subjects on Dawson Forest WMA. The subjects were charged with transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle on a WMA, target practicing on a WMA, littering, discharging a firearm from a public road, and discharging a firearm while under the influence. Dawson County Sheriff's Office took warrants for criminal damage to property on the subjects for shooting out the windows of two vehicles parked on the WMA.
On December 7th, Ranger Shane Brown and SGT Lee Brown issued warnings on Dawson Forest WMA for hunting on a closed WMA and failure to sign a duck stamp.
FORSYTH COUNTY On December 1st, Ranger Shane Brown and SGT Lee Brown issued warning to a group of young duck hunters. The warnings were hunting without a license, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, and failure to sign a duck stamp.
On December 7th, Ranger Shane Brown and SGT Lee Brown issued citations and warnings for hunting with a unplugged shotgun, hunting with no Federal duck stamp, and failure to sign a duck stamp.
GWINNETT COUNTY On December 5th, Cpl. Eric Sanders attended a meeting at Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation. Cpl. Sanders provided information to park employees about deer hunting.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On December 4th, RFC Mitchell Crump issued a subject a citation for blinding wildlife following a three week investigation for possible night hunting incident where a complainant positively identified the subjects' vehicle. During the investigation the subject admitted to blinding wildlife.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On December 2nd, RFC Tim Vickery was checking an area for hunting activity when he walked up on two individuals sitting on the ground together. As RFC Vickery walked toward them, one of the men appeared to be trying to hide something. Neither subject was wearing an orange vest. They were also hunting over bait. After talking to the two subjects, it was determined that one did not have any hunting licenses. When RFC Vickery asked the subject what he was hiding, he stated that he had hidden a gun because he didn't have any hunting licenses. RFC Vickery went to where the two were hunting and retrieved the rifle, which was hidden under a log. After talking to the subjects further, the one who hid the gun stated that he was a convicted felon. RFC Vickery arrested the subject and walked the two individuals out of the woods. Once out of the woods, a Franklin County deputy arrived to transport the individual under arrest to the jail. He was charged that evening with possession of firearm by convicted felon, hunting

without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange and hunting big game over bait. The other subject was charged that evening with hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange and hunting big game over bait. The next day, December 3, 2013, RFC Vickery and Sgt. Stan Elrod checked the other individual's background and found that he was also a convicted felon. RFC Vickery and Sgt. Elrod secured a warrant for the other subject's arrest. That evening they questioned the first subject that was already jailed and found that he had killed a doe on December 1, which was not a doe day. He was then also charged with killing an antlerless deer. On December 4th, RFC Vickery and Sgt. Elrod followed the second subject home from work and arrested him for possession of firearm by convicted felon. He was also cited for driving while licenses suspended or revoked.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On December 7th Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Tim Butler observed a man sitting in a deer stand who was not wearing fluorescent orange. After talking with the individual RFC Butler determined the man was deer hunting and did not have a big game license or a hunting license. RFC Butler located two other men and one juvenile deer hunting on the same tract of land who were not wearing fluorescent orange. One of the subjects was hunting over bait. Citations were issued for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and hunting big game over bait. All three adults were warned for not wearing fluorescent orange while deer hunting.
On Friday December 6th at approximately 1600 hours Sgt. Brian Carter responded to a tree stand incident in the Arnoldsville area of Oglethorpe Co. The 60 year old victim had fallen approximately 30 feet after a step broke while he was ascending to his stand. The victim was life-flighted to Georgia Regents Hospital in Augusta for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries on 12/08/13 at 0200 hrs. CIRT member RFC Jessica Spencer has now been assigned the investigation.
ELBERT COUNTY On Monday December 2nd Cpl. Julian Wilkins taught a hunter safety class certifying four students.
WILKES COUNTY On Wednesday December 4th Cpl. Mark Patterson checked a dove shoot that was found to be baited. Four subjects were hunting a field where wheat had been broadcast under a power line. Violations documented were hunting over bait and possession of illegally taken wildlife.
WASHINGTON COUNTY On December 7, Corporal Micheal Crawley and Sgt. Max Boswell patrolled for duck hunting activity in the Sandersville area. They also worked road hunting complaints in Jefferson County.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY Saturday, December 7th, Ranger Jeremy Reese and Ranger Matt Johnson cited three subjects for driving in an unapproved area on Bartram WMA.
FAYETTE COUNTY On Sunday, December 1st, Cpl. Travis Sweat checked a baited deer stand in Fayette County. He found a man bow hunting and not wearing his fluorescent orange vest and he admitted to putting the bait (corn) out at the stand. The man was cited for hunting big game over bait and warned for hunting deer without fluorescent orange.
HENRY COUNTY On December 2nd, RFC Kevin Godbee received a complaint from the Henry County Water Authority in reference to hunting without permission and hunting ducks over bait. On December 3rd, RFC Godbee was able to meet with the complainants and discovered that the Long Branch Reservoir was baited with corn and someone had previously duck hunted on the property without permission. On the morning of December 7th, RFC Godbee and Deputy Ranger Joe Sebo were set up on the baited site. Around daylight, they heard a volley of gun shots. They moved in closer and discovered five violators hunting ducks illegally. The rangers were able to walk up on the violators without being noticed. RFC Godbee then announced himself and Godbee and Sebo apprehended them. Four of the violators were written citations for hunting ducks over bait and hunting without permission. One of the four was also given a warning for possession of illegally taken wildlife and his ducks were seized. The fifth person was not hunting, he was only observing and making video with his cell phone. He was given a criminal trespass warning, as were all the other violators. The seized ducks were given to the Henry County Water Authority so they could be mounted and placed in their Cubihatcha Wildlife Education Center in Locust Grove.
JONES COUNTY Thursday, December 5th, Ranger Jeremy Reese had a career day booth set up at Jones County Middle School. There were four eighth grade classes and two ninth grade classes present.
PIKE COUNTY On Wednesday, December 4th, Cpl. Travis Sweat was checking a piece of property in south Pike County for violations. He walked up on a man in a stand and found the man was hunting deer over bait. He also did not have a hunting or big game license. Further investigation determined he was a convicted felon. The man was transported to the Pike County Jail and charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, hunting big game over bait and hunting without a license. He was warned for hunting big game over bait.
On Tuesday, November 3rd, Cpl. Travis Sweat and Sgt. Brent Railey conducted a hunter education CD course in Molena. Five students were certified.

PUTNAM COUNTY On December 5th-7th, BF Grant WMA held a QDM Quota hunt. There were 150 hunters signed in for the hunt. Due to warm weather and rainy days hunting was slow and very few deer were harvested. Sgt. Bo Kelly, Ranger Jeremy Reese and Ranger Matt Johnson worked the hunt throughout the week/weekend. Ranger Jeremy Reese and Ranger Matt Johnson issued warnings for illegal camping on WMA. Sgt. Bo Kelly issued warnings for hunting waterfowl out of season on a WMA during a deer hunt. The hunters were told they could hunt waterfowl the next day.
WILKINSON COUNTY On Saturday, December 7th, Ranger Jeremy Reese and Ranger Matt Johnson cited one subject for blinding wildlife.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
MARION COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Randy James received an in progress complaint of deer hunters standing on a public road and shooting at deer that were being run by their dogs. The complainant also stated the dogs were crossing over adjacent property lines. RFC James responded and located a hunter standing on his truck toolbox with a loaded shotgun. His vehicle was parked in the roadway and a freshly killed doe deer was found in the bed of a second truck. The hunters were cited for hunting big game from public road and for taking/possessing antlerless deer. A warning was issued for failure to record deer harvest and the doe was confiscated and donated to a needy family.
DOOLY COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Clint Marin was checking a dove shoot when he discovered that one of the hunters had shot a merganser. The hunter did not possess a Federal Duck Stamp and the merganser had been taken with lead shot. He was cited for hunting without a Federal Duck Stamp and was given a warning for hunting waterfowl with illegal ammunition.
CLAY COUNTY On December 7th, RFC Jim Atchley conducted a boating patrol citing one operator for operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs, and seven other hunters for waterfowl violations including two for using a vessel to rally birds. Later in the day he cited a nonresident for hunting without licenses, big game license and orange.
GRADY COUNTY On December 7th, Cpl. Mike Binion and Ranger Steve Thomas located three subjects hunting waterfowl on a baited pond. All were cited for hunting waterfowl over bait, two were also cited for non-resident hunting without a license, hunting without a Ga. waterfowl license, and hunting without a federal duck stamp.

DOUGHERTY COUNTY On December 5th, Sgt. David Ruddell, Cpl. Greg Wade, RFC Jon Penuel, and RFC Chris Carlisle conducted a wildlife checkpoint on Chickasawhatchee WMA. The checkpoint coincided with the first day of a three-day quota hunt on the WMA. The Rangers were checking to ensure that all state laws and regulations were being followed by those participating in the hunt. Twenty-three hunters were checked and several citations and warnings were issued for various violations including; hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without a WMA license, and hunting without a deer harvest record (failure to record harvest).
Rangers Wade and Penuel talking with a group of hunters.
Ranger Jon Penuel checking a hunter's nice buck.

On December 1st, Cpl. Robbie Griner encountered two subjects leaving a tract of hunting land just after dark. One of the hunters had shot a doe deer but did not possess the required licenses. The subject was charged with hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license and taking/possession of antlerless deer. The deer was confiscated and donated to a needy family.
BROOKS COUNTY On December 1st, RFC Jon Penuel located a dove shoot and entered the field to check the hunters. While on the field, the Ranger determined that the field was baited. The subjects were charged with hunting over bait.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
COFFEE COUNTY On Nov. 7th, RFC Joe Hilton was on routine patrol in Coffee County. RFC Hilton encountered an individual hunting deer. RFC Hilton performed a routine license check and found the individual was hunting without a license. The hunter was issued a warning for hunting without a license and hunting deer without a fluorescent orange vest.
Also on Nov. 7th, RFC Hilton was working a night hunting complaint and witnessed a vehicle shine a light from the window multiple times in the field. RFC Hilton performed a routine traffic stop on the vehicle. RFC Hilton made contact with the driver of the vehicle and issued a citation for blinding wildlife.
COOK COUNTY On Dec. 6th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey received a complaint of possible night deer hunting. On the way to the complaint area Cpl. Daughtrey passed a truck that he suspected was the vehicle he was looking for. Cpl. Daughtrey followed the suspect vehicle and observed a spotlight being shined out of the driver's side and passenger side of the vehicle. Subjects in the vehicle shined a cotton field and up into several pecan trees as the truck traveled down the road. A traffic stop was initiated on the suspect vehicle. It was determined that the three subjects in the truck were hunting raccoons. Violations of hunting from a vehicle and hunting from the road were documented.

Later the same night, Cpl. Daughtrey was sitting in an area where he had received a night hunting complaint the prior week. At approximately 12:00A.M., Cpl. Daughtrey observed a spotlight being shined from a vehicle as it drove by Cpl. Daughtrey's location. The spotlight was shined into an adjacent field. Cpl. Daughtrey followed the suspect vehicle as a spotlight continued to be shined into several fields. Upon initiating a traffic stop of the vehicle, Cpl. Daughtrey observed two males in the rear bed of the truck. The two males were leaning over the cab of the truck with a loaded rifle and loaded shotgun. The front passenger of the truck was operating the spotlight. Four subjects were charged with violations consisting of hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle and hunting without permission.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 1st, Cpl. Phillip Scott cited one person for fishing without permission at the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock which now privately owned.
On Dec. 1st, Ranger Jason Miller cited two deer-dogging hunters for failure to keep their dogs on permitted property near Oak Level Rd.
On Dec. 3rd, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Cpl. Phillip Scott patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area, checking several commercial crabbers and sport fishermen and cited one person for commercial fishing without a commercial license.

On Dec. 6th, Ranger Jason Miller cited a deer hunter on the Richmond Hill WMA for hunting big game from a public road off the Bryan Fisherman's Co-op Rd.
OFFSHORE On Dec. 4th, Ranger Jordan Crawford and Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled offshore of St. Catherine's Island, checking for migrating Right whales.
WAYNE COUNTY On December 3, 2013 at 6:00 a.m. Cpl Randy Aspinwall was headed to the Brunswick Law Enforcement Office for a saltwater patrol. He noticed a small SUV on the side of Ga Hwy 27 near Jesup. He thought he noticed someone in the vehicle so he turned around to check on the occupant. He found an 89 year old black male in the vehicle. The elderly gentleman was confused and did not know where he was. His car was out of gas and the battery was dead. Aspinwall was able to make contact with the man's wife. She told Aspinwall that her husband had left home the day before and had not returned. Aspinwall loaded the gentleman up in his truck and transported him to the residence in Brunswick.
LONG COUNTY On December 5, 2013 Cpl Randy Aspinwall was patrolling in Long County when he checked a fisherman under the bridge on Highway 84 on the Altamaha River. Aspinwall ran the subject on his computer and found that the man was wanted for probation violation in Wayne County. Aspinwall placed the suspect in handcuffs and turned him over to the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.