Field operations weekly report, 2013 March 10-16

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 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 Section.

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
TOWNS COUNTY On March 10th, while on routine patrol of Swallow Creek Wildlife Management Agency, Cpl. Jesse Cook located a large pile of trash that had recently been dumped on the side of the road. Cpl. Cook located several piece of evidence that lead him to two subjects (husband and wife) that had addresses in White and Banks County. Cpl. Cook spent the next several hours attempting to locate the subjects who appeared to have moved numerous times. After finally locating a family member Cpl. Cook was able to make contact with them. Upon interviewing the subjects they originally denied any knowledge of how their trash had gotten to the location, but they eventually admitted to dumping the trash. Due to the subjects being husband and wife, one citation and one warning was issued for littering. Cpl. Cook checked the dump site on Tuesday and the subjects had removed the trash from the management area road.
WHITE COUNTY On March 13th, RFC Anne Alexander and RFC David Webb were patrolling Chattahoochee WMA when they observed a truck and trailer with ATV ramps. They followed the tracks and located eight subjects riding three ATV's on the main road. The three operators were cited for operating an unauthorized vehicle (ATV) on a WMA.
UNION COUNTY On March 15th, RFC David Webb was patrolling Lake Nottley for fishing activity. RFC Webb located a male subject fishing with an expired license at the boat ramp at the dam. RFC Webb ran the male subject's information to issue a warning and he came back with an active warrant for child support in Gwinnett County. RFC Webb confirmed the warrant with Gwinnett County and called a Union County deputy who transported the subject to jail on the warrant. RFC Webb issued the subject a written warning for fishing without a license.
DAWSON COUNTY On March 10th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Dawson Forest WMA. The rangers encountered a subject riding an ATV on the WMA. A citation was issued for illegal use of ATV on a WMA and the ATV was towed.
On March 15th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and Ranger Kevin Goss assisted the Game Management Section with controlled burning on Dawson Forest WMA. The rangers provided assistance by being on each end of Steele Bridge Road at the Delayed Harvest Stream. Once the prescribed burn was started the smoke from the fire would go across Steele Bridge Road. The rangers were there to assist the motorist in the area pass through safely.

On March 16th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck patrolled Dawson Forest WMA. Wildlife Technician Shattuck checked numerous fishermen and others on the area. Written warnings were issued for not having the required GORP pass and possession of illegal bait on the Delayed Harvest Stream.
DEKALB COUNTY On March 16th, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins participated in the First Baptist Church of Atlanta's Outdoor Expo. The rangers set up a booth and the Fishing Simulator.
FORSYTH COUNTY On March 15th, Sgt. Lee Brown participated in the Career Day at Shiloh Point Elementary School. Sgt. Brown took a patrol boat and talked with the students about wearing life jackets and what his duties as a Conservation Ranger are.
Later that afternoon Sgt. Brown went to Liberty Middle School and talked with their Hunting and Fishing Club. Sgt. Brown talked with the students about the upcoming turkey season, opening day of trout season and the recreational opportunities on Dawson Forest WMA, Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River.
GWINNETT COUNTY On March 11th, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville. A total of 17 students were certified in Hunter Education.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On March 16th, RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling Dockery Lake. He issued three written warnings for fishing in closed trout waters.
HALL COUNTY On March 10th, RFC Mark Stephens, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling the Mossy Creek river access area located in Hall County. They observed a car located in the parking lot with two individuals inside. Through an investigation the officers discovered marijuana and Oxycodone inside the vehicle. The owner of the items was arrested for violating the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
JACKSON COUNTY On March 15th, RFC Eric Isom and K9 Colt were checking an undeveloped neighborhood for vehicle traffic. RFC Isom found no vehicles in the area and let Colt out for a break. Colt began showing signs that someone was in the area. RFC Isom began an area search with Colt. Colt located two adults and two juveniles fishing on private property. When asked how they got there, the subjects responded by saying they had a friend drop them off. The two adults received a citation and a warning for fishing without permission.

On March 17th, RFC Eric Isom and K9 Colt checked Bear Creek Reservoir for fishing activity. A total of 21 fishing licenses and 6 boats were checked. Violations were documented as warnings for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without personal flotation device, and operating a vessel without registration.
HART COUNTY On March 10th, Corporal Bill Bunch and RFC Tim Vickery worked a boat patrol detail in Hart and Franklin Counties on Lake Hartwell. Several boats and fishermen were checked. Citations and warnings were issued for failure to obey regulatory marker, operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and fishing without a license.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WILKES COUNTY On March 16th, Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson checked license, creel limits, and vessels at Lake Boline and Holiday Park. One subject was cited for fishing without a license.
RICHMOND COUNTY On March 10, Cpl. Ben Payne patrolled Richmond County checking without permission complaints. He also checked local creeks for fishing activity. No violations were documented. Later in the afternoon he patrolled Phinizy WMA and the Lock and Dam for fishing activity with only verbal guidance given.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On March 15 Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Bobby Timmerman patrolled Columbia County checking several fishermen. No violations were documented.
On March 16 Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Bobby Timmerman attended the CSRA Boat and RV Show at Evans Towne Centre Park. Numerous Boating handbooks and Fishing regulations were handed out. Children were given whistles and bracelets.
WALTON COUNTY On March 11 RFC Niki Spencer taught a hunter education class in Walton County. Six students were certified.
On March 16 Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Mark Patterson, and RFC Ricky Boles inspected boats at the WRCC building at Social Circle. The event started at 11:00am and proceeded until 2:00. Thirty vessels were inspected.

HANCOCK COUNTY On March 10 Cpl. David Allen wrote several citations while patrolling Oconee WMA. One subject was cited for driving around a road closed sign on a WMA. The other was a boater operating a vessel in a hazardous area without wearing a PFD.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On March 9th, Cpl. Robert Stillwell and Ranger David Fisher encountered three subjects fishing without permission in a private pond. Two of the subjects were adults and were issued citations for the offense. Further, one of the adults was found to have an active warrant for his arrest; he was placed into custody and turned over to the local sheriff's office.
HARRIS COUNTY On March 16th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen checked fishing and boating activity on Goat Rock Lake. Cpl. Bolen located 3 boats inside the hazardous area buoy line. Cpl. Bolen issued 4 citations for failure to wear personal flotation device in a hazardous area. Cpl. Bolen also issued 1 citation for non-resident fishing without a license.
TWIGGS COUNTY On March 15th and 16th, Rangers with the Department of Natural Resources assisted the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office with road check details held near I-16. The operation resulted in the issuance of 265 citations, 143 arrests (25 of which were for open warrants), and the seizure of six firearms and five automobiles.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EVANS COUNTY On March 16th RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity along the Canoochee River. Several licenses were checked. Two violations for fishing without licenses were documented.
TATTNALL COUNTY On March 17th RFC Debbie Brannen received a complaint from the Emergency Operations Center in regards to illegal hunting in progress. The witness/complainant advised several individuals killed a turkey and took it back to a residence. Ranger Brannen arrived at the residence and conducted an investigation. Upon further investigation one individual was charged with hunting turkeys out of season and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The turkey was seized as evidence and the investigation continues.

BERRIEN & LANIER COUNTIES On March 11th, RFC Tim Hutto and Cpl Morty Wood finished two complaints that involved the same violators in two different counties. On the night of March 11th, K-9 Gauge located evidence that led to fifteen charges on three individuals for hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle, interference with the performance of a Ranger's duties and hunting rabbits out of season. The suspects were also charged in Berrien County for littering after Cpl. Wood observed them dumping a deer carcass on a county maintained road.
BERRIEN COUNTY On March 17th, RFC Tim Hutto, K-9 Gauge, and RFC Keith McDonald patrolled Paradise PFA for boating and fishing violations. Five violations were documented for illegal consumption of alcohol on a PFA, fishing without a WMA license on a PFA, driving around a closed gate, and possession/taking of an illegal size bass.
WARE COUNTY On March 15th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and Rgr. Daniel North were checking Hamp Mizell Landing on Suwannee Creek and observed a subject setting out catfish hooks. While checking the subject's safety equipment and fishing license, Rgr. North learned that the operator of the vessel failed to properly register his vessel and was operating without proper PFD's. The operator was issued written warnings for the two violations and explained the importance of having his safety equipment.
On March 16th, Cpl. Jason Shipes and Rgr. Daniel North were checking for boating and fishing activity at Hwy 84 on the Satilla River. While checking a subject's vessel for the required safety equipment, Cpl. Shipes learned that the operator of the vessel did not have enough PFD's on board. He was issued a written warning for operating vessel with insufficient PFD's.
DODGE COUNTY On March 10th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting a routine patrol at Dodge County Public Fishing Area when he encountered an individual fishing from a kayak. After license and creel were checked, a boat inspection was performed. A violation for operating a vessel without a C.G.A. P.F.D was documented.
On March16th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Three boat inspections were performed and 10 anglers were checked. Five violations for fishing without a license and/or fishing without a WMA license on a PFA were documented.
LAURENS COUNTY On March 16th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area. Five boat inspections were performed and 9 anglers were checked. RFC Mills observed 2 adult individuals fishing in the closed kids fishing ponds. Two violations for fishing in closed water on a PFA were documented.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Sunday March 10th, Ranger Jason Miller was patrolling the Richmond Hill WMA. While on patrol, Ranger Miller came upon six hunters walking on Backtrail Rd. After stopping and questioning the hunters, it was determined that the hunters were participating in a special hog hunt. Each hunter possessed a loaded weapon. The six subjects were cited for hunting within 50 yds. of a WMA road and were also given guidance about not signing in at the front sign in booth.
RFC Jack Thain, Ranger Trey Taylor, & Ranger Jason Miller were on night patrol on Saturday March 16th. After setting up for the night hunting detail, RFC Thain came upon a suspicious vehicle parked at Bryan Fisherman's Co-op. RFC Thain noticed three subjects inside of the vehicle. Rangers Miller and Taylor began driving to Officer Thain's position. RFC Thain had already begun to question the subjects when the other two Rangers came on scene. It was determined that the three subjects were just parking at the Co-op after "late-night partying" from St. Patrick's Day. After field sobriety exercises were performed, it was determined that the female driver and the female passenger were not intoxicated. The male passenger was intoxicated and was also "underage". The male passenger also possessed false identification. The male subject was cited for underage possession and also for the false identification. The subject was then released to the care of the other two subjects.
LIBERTY COUNTY On Saturday March 16th, RFC Thain and Ranger Taylor conducted a HIN inspection at the Savannah Technical College campus.