Field operations weekly report, 2013 April 7-13

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 7-13, 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On April 13, Ranger Zack Hardy received a complaint of a hen turkey being killed on hunting club property. Ranger Hardy met with the complainant who advised that he saw a hunter that had killed and possessed a hen turkey along the roadway. When confronted by the complainant, the hunter entered the woods with the hen turkey and came out without it a few minutes later. Ranger Hardy foot patrolled the area and found the hen turkey hidden behind a pine tree. The complainant was also able to give Ranger Hardy a tag number and description of the person's vehicle which came back to an address in Atlanta. To ensure the hen had been shot by the hunter and for evidence, Ranger Hardy contacted the Bartow Animal Hospital in Cartersville. They agreed to x-ray the turkey. Pellets from a shotgun shell can be seen in an x-ray. The fatal pellet was found in the head of the turkey. Ranger Hardy then contacted Cpl. Byron Young and together they went to the address in Atlanta to question the hunter about the hen turkey. The person was not home but a shotgun, turkey shells, and a box turkey call were in plain view in the vehicle that matched the description given by the complainant. The officers waited five hours until the suspect came home. When confronted with the evidence, the person admitted to calling in and shooting a hen turkey and then hiding the illegal turkey in the woods. The person was charged with taking a hen turkey. The hen will be held as evidence and later used as an educational tool by conservation officers.
Ranger Zack Hardy with an illegally killed hen turkey.

On April 13, Cpl. Byron Young and Cpl. Lee Burns were finishing up a vessel search for a missing person in the Etowah River. As Cpl. Burns was backing the DNR river boat trailer into the river, Cpl. Young went downstream to check the area around Hardin Bridge. About 400 yards below the bridge, Cpl. Young encountered one person in the river holding onto a tree and one person in a kayak under the same tree. Cpl. Young quickly maneuvered to assist the two kayakers. One kayak was upside down under the tree. Cpl. Young assisted the two males to the shore and retrieved the kayaks. The men stated that the strong current pushed them under the tree and they capsized, fell in the water, and held onto the tree to stay out of the current. Cpl. Young advised the two men to check the generation schedule at the Allatoona Dam before venturing out on the river. For the Allatoona Dam water generation schedule information, contact a recorded message from the Corp of Engineers at (706) 334-7213.
On April 13, Cpl. Byron Young, Cpl. Lee Burns, and Ranger Zack Hardy conducted a HIN inspection (Hull Identification Inspection) at the Allatoona Dam Corp of Engineers parking lot near Cartersville. Some vessels must go through an inspection in order to complete their vessel registration process. The officers inspected 31 boats. The paperwork will be forwarded to the registration division who will issue the new registration within two weeks. For more information on the registration process, go to www.goboatgeorgia.com
On April 9 13, Cpl. Lee Burns, Cpl. Byron Young, RFC Bart Hendrix, RFC Chad Cox, and Ranger Zack Hardy continued a search for a person missing along the Etowah River since April 3, 2013. DNR utilized a helicopter, patrol boats, foot patrols, and sight checks along the river, but did not find the missing person. On Saturday, search and rescue dog teams were utilized near Hardin Bridge. The assistance to the Bartow County SO will continue by DNR Law Enforcement.
On April 11, Cpl. Lee Burns was continuing the search for a missing person along the Etowah River at Hardin Bridge. He found a man under the bridge closely matching the description of the missing person. Cpl. Burns contacted Bartow County 911 and found that the person was not the missing person, but that he did have four outstanding arrest warrants from Murray County, Gordon County, and the City of Calhoun. The person was arrested and turned over to the Bartow County Jail.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On April10, Cpl. Lee Burns and RFC Bart Hendrix responded to a call from the Canton Police Department of a possible drowning on the recently opened Hickory Log Reservoir. A seventeen year old was bank fishing with a friend when they decided to go swimming. Becoming tired and possibly hypothermic in the cold water, he was not able to return to shore. The Cherokee County dive team later recovered the body approximately thirty feet from shore in eight feet of water.

WALKER COUNTY On Sunday March 24, Cpl. Shawn Elmore was patrolling the United States Forest Service property along Taylors Ridge off of Hwy 136 in Walker County. Rangers have received complaints from several landowners in the area of hunters coming from the USFS property onto private property hunting without permission. Cpl. Elmore located two trucks and foot patrolled the property. As Cpl. Elmore was walking along the property line, he heard a shot and saw a turkey flopping across the gas line. Cpl. Elmore located two hunters, one of which had killed a gobbler, hunting on private property without permission. The two Ringgold men were both charged with hunting without permission and the one who killed the turkey was charged with possession of illegally taken wildlife. The turkey was confiscated and given to a family in need. On Saturday March 30, 2012, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Cpl. Tommy Gentry were patrolling the United States Forest Service property along Taylors Ridge off of Hwy 136 in Walker County. As the rangers approached private property next to the USFS property, the officers heard a person calling turkeys. Cpl. Elmore went to check an area that had been baited with corn while Cpl. Gentry attempted to locate the person who was calling the turkey. Cpl. Gentry located a Rossville man hunting without permission. Cpl. Elmore located a juvenile hunting in the baited area. The juvenile was given verbal guidance and the violation was explained to his grandfather. The Rossville man was charged with hunting without permission.
PAULDING COUNTY April 10th, RFC Chad Cox and RFC Daniel Gray responded to a complaint on Paulding Forest WMA reference to a Turkey, which was taken illegally. Upon investigating the incident, one subject was cited for Failure to sign-in on a WMA, Hunting within 50 yards of a WMA road and Possession of illegally taken wildlife. Warnings were issued for failure to sign-out the harvested turkey and hunting from a motor vehicle.
POLK COUNTY April 8th, Sgt. Ricky Dempsey was en-route to the Region I annual firearms qualification when he observed a car driving very erratically. Upon stopping the vehicle, Sgt. Dempsey was able to tell that the man driving the car was very confused and did not know where he was. Sgt. Dempsey notified Polk County Police Department for assistance. It was discovered that the driver had Alzheimer's, and had been missing from Alabama since early in April.
HARALSON COUNTY April 13th, RFC Daniel Gray was conducting a routine patrol in Haralson County, checking trout streams. While walking toward a fisherman he observed the fishermen bend down and place something under the bank. The man stated he was picking up trash and not fishing. After a brief search of the area 8 trout were discovered in a cooler in the bed of his truck and his rod and reel were discovered hidden under the creek bank. Citations were issued for Fishing w/o license and Fishing w/o trout license.

FANNIN COUNTY On March 28th, RFC Cody Jones was patrolling the Toccoa River near Aska Road. RFC Jones saw 2 men in the water who were clinging to an over turned canoe as they floated down the river. RFC Jones threw a rope to the men and was able to pull the two men and the canoe to the river bank. The men suffered no injuries and they were able to get to their vehicle before any danger of hypothermia.
On April 10th, Sgt. John VanLandingham was patrolling the Toccoa River in the Delayed Harvest area. He issued citations to two fishermen for possession of illegal bait in an artificial only stream.
GILMER COUNTY On April 13th, RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Lake WMA and issued one citation to a camper for driving in unauthorized areas of WMA.
On April 13th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill checked an area that had been baited with corn for turkeys. The officers found one person to be hunting over the corn. The subject was charged with hunting big game over bait. The subject that put the corn out, on the property, was charged with unlawful enticement of game.
MURRAY COUNTY On March 24th, Sgt. John VanLandingham and Cpl. Casey Jones investigated a suspicious vehicle. They found a person collecting Indian artifacts. The subject did not have permission to take Indian artifacts from the property, and was found to be in possession of methamphetamine. The suspect was arrested and charged with taking Indian artifacts from private property without permission of the owner, Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
WHITFIELD COUNTY On April 6th, Cpl. Casey Jones responded to a complaint of persons hunting turkeys over bait. Upon arrival he found two hunters hunting in an area that was baited with corn. Both hunters were issued citations for hunting big game over bait.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HABERSHAM COUNTY On April 13th, RFC Chad Chambers was patrolling the Soque River when he encountered two individuals fishing without license. One man was given a citation for fishing without a license and warned for fishing without a trout license. The second individual was warned for the same violations.

UNION COUNTY On April 7th, RFC Kevin Dyer and RFC Cody Jones responded to hunting out of season complaint in Suches Ga. The complainant stated that he saw a subject shoot a deer from their resident. During the investigation the ranger's located one wounded Doe deer lying in a field behind the suspect's resident. While the rangers were interviewing subjects at the residence one of the subjects had active warrants from White County and was placed under arrest and turned over to a Union County Sheriff's Deputy. The rangers determined that the subject who had shot the deer had fled the scene on foot. Warrants were taken for Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and hunting deer out of season for subject that had shot the deer and fled the scene. The Doe deer was given to a needy family and a single shot shotgun was seized for evidence.
On April 13th, RFC Kevin Dyer patrolled Union County for illegal turkey hunting. During the patrol RFC Dyer issued a warning for hunting without written permission. The suspect was hunting on the property line and had a hen decoy placed on private property that he did not have permission to hunt.
On April 13th RFC Kevin Dyer patrolled Cooper Creek WMA for illegal activity. During the patrol RFC Dyer issued citations and warnings for fishing without a license, fishing without a trout license and driving too fast for conditions.
HALL COUNTY On April 13, Cpl. Jason Roberson taught a boating safety class at Sunrise Cove Marina. He certified four students.
On April 13, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk patrolled Lake Lanier for fishing. A total of 15 fishing licenses were checked and two citations were issued for fishing without a license.
MADISON COUNTY On April 13, Sgt. Stan Elrod and RFC Shane Sartor were patrolling for turkey hunters and found a large dump site on a remote dirt road. The rangers found some evidence that indicated a suspect close to the scene. Later in the day, the rangers found the suspect and interviewed him. The subject was charged for illegal dumping and agreed to return to the scene to clean up the sight. While at the dump site, the rangers heard a vehicle coming down the dirt road and could tell it was travelling at a high rate of speed. When the vehicle came into sight, it had a red strobe light flashing on the dash. The car stopped behind the ranger's truck. Sgt. Elrod approached the car to see who they were and why they had a flashing red strobe light and the driver responded that he was checking to see what the rangers were doing. Sgt. Elrod called the Madison County Sheriff's office for a deputy to respond. The driver of the car received a citation for illegally using emergency equipment without a permit.

HART COUNTY On April 13th Corporal Craig Fulghum taught a boating education course at the Lake Hartwell Corp of Engineers Office in Hartwell.
On April 13th, Corporal Craig Fulghum and RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled Lake Hartwell for boating safety/fishing activity. A total of twenty boats and thirty fishing licenses were inspected. As a result, three violations were documented for fishing without a license and one violation for insufficient life jackets.
On April 13th, RFC Brandon Pierce and RFC Tim Vickery conducted a HIN inspection at the Gum Branch Mega Ramp. A total of fifteen vessels were inspected and all registration problems were resolved.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On April 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Lake Hartwell for any boating safety and fishing activity. The officers inspected twelve boats for proper safety equipment and checked fourteen fishing licenses. As a result, two violations were documented. The violations consisted of operating a vessel without registration and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On April 14, RFC Matherly received a complaint of possible hunting without permission off Gough Red Hill Road in Burke County. After arriving to the scene, RFC Matherly located two subjects from Florida hunting turkeys. After speaking with them for a few moments he determined that they did have permission to be on the property. They were new members of the hunting lease. During his investigation, RFC Matherly determined that neither subject had non-resident license and that they had been hunting over bait. The subjects stated that they had been hunting on the other side of the field away from the bait. While speaking with the men, RFC Matherly noticed that there was a steak in the ground approximately 20 yards from the bait that resembled a steak used to hold a turkey decoy. When he asked one of the subjects if it was their steak, he replied that he wondered where he had left it earlier in the morning. RFC Matherly cited the 17 year old with hunting without a non-resident license and hunting turkeys over bait. RFC Matherly filled out a Juvenile Complaint form for the charges of hunting turkeys over bait and hunting without a non-resident hunting without license for a 16 year old nonresident hunter.

WASHINGTON COUNTY On April 03, RFC Matherly responded to a complaint of shooting a turkey from the roadway on Stephens Creek Road. When RFC Matherly arrived on scene, he spoke with a Washington County SO Deputy that had arrived on scene prior to his arrival. The deputy had two adult males stopped on the side of the road, which had a freshly harvested turkey in the bed of their truck. After speaking with the deputy and the complainant, RFC Matherly talked with both subjects, and found that they had in fact shot the turkey from the roadway a short distance down the road. The subjects stated they thought they were still on their hunting club and knew they should not have shot the turkey from the road. RFC Matherly returned to the area where the turkey was said to have been shot. He found several foot prints in the road way and blood. Approximately 20 yards in the woods off the side of the road, RFC Matherly found where the turkey had been shot. RFC Matherly also observed that there was fresh blood on the gun of the passenger of the truck. The subjects were arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail where they were both charged with the following: hunting from a public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting without permission, and possession of illegally taken wildlife. The turkey was given to the landowner.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On April 07, while on patrol, RFC Matherly noticed a truck with three occupants. While watching the vehicle RFC Matherly observed the passenger throw a ball of trash from the passenger side window. RFC Matherly conducted a vehicle stop to speak with the passenger. When asked why he had thrown the trash out of the window, he stated he was trying to throw it in the bed of the truck. He was cited for littering a roadway.
GREENE COUNTY On April 13 Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Richard Tanner patrolled Lake Oconee for fishing and boating violations. One fisherman was issued a citation for operating a vessel within 100' of object in water.
On April 13 RFC Ricky Boles while patrolling the shoreline and boat ramps around Lake Oconee issued three citations to fishermen for fishing without a license. Several verbal warnings on boating infractions were given out.
NEWTON COUNTY On April 7 RFC Niki Spencer issued a citation to subject for fishing without a license. The fisherman was fishing along the shore of the South River.
MORGAN COUNTY On April 7 RFC Ricky Boles observed a subject operating a PWC within 100' of a dock above idle speed and operating above idle speed inside of a no wake zone. Subject was stopped and found to be only fifteen years of age. The teen had never taken a boater safety class. Parents were not within sight of teen. The father was cited for allowing person age 12-15 to unlawfully operate a PWC and given a boating handbook. On April 13 RFC Ricky Boles issued two subjects citations for fishing without a license. Both subjects were fishing the shoreline of Lake Oconee.

LAKE OCONEE/PUTNAM COUNTY On April 13 around 8:00 p.m. Cpl. Derrell Worth was contacted by Greene County Dispatch regarding two fishermen on Lake Oconee. The starter on their vessel had quit and they were stranded in the middle of lake with no paddles and no lights. RFC Ricky Boles responded by boat while Cpl. Worth communicated with dispatch from Greene and Putnam Counties trying to get their exact location. The fishermen were apparently lost giving their location an hour from their actual location. Thanks to cell phone locating, Putnam Dispatch was able to give a more accurate location, cutting response time by hours. Both subjects were found and towed back in to their boat ramp by RFC Boles.
WILKES COUNTY On April 7th, Corporal Mark Patterson conducted a patrol of Lake Boline, several fisherman and boats were checked. Violations addressed were fishing without a license, operating a vessel without registration, operating a vessel without PFD's, and possession of undersize fish.
On April 8th, Corporal Mark Patterson responded to fishing without permission complaint call from the Wilkes County Sheriff's Department. Three subjects were found fishing in a private pond and subsequently charged for fishing without permission. On April 13th, Sergeant Brian Carter and Corporal Mark Patterson checked an area known to be baited for turkey. One individual was charged for hunting big game over bait.
On April 13, Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson set up the laser shot and archery equipment for a Jakes Day Event at the Wildlife Action Facility.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Sunday April 07, Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Phillip Nelson worked the Oconee River on boating safety patrol. They issued two citations and two warnings for various boating and fishing violations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On the morning of April 6th, Sergeant Brent Railey followed up on a complaint in reference to hunting without permission. Sergeant Railey interviewed one hunter at the location and spoke to another by phone. Both hunters were legal and had permission to be on the property in question.
On the morning of April 13th, Sergeant Brent Railey patrolled a complaint area in Coweta County. Sergeant Railey located a truck parked on private property and followed the sign left by the hunter for several hundred yards until the hunter was located. He was not hunting on the property in question but on a second piece of property that he admitted he didn't have permission to be hunting. Charges are pending Sergeant Railey is speaking with the landowner in this case.

During the afternoon of April 13th, Sergeant Brent Railey, RFC Kevin Godbee and Deputy Ranger Joe Sebo patrolled the Hwy 16 boat ramp and Chattahoochee Bend State Park. No violations were observed.
FAYETTE COUNTY On the morning of April 6th, at 7:30 am, Corporal Travis Sweat received a call about a vehicle parked at the end of a subdivision road. Corporal Sweat responded to the call and conducted an investigation of the area. Corporal Sweat patrolled the area on foot locating a turkey hunter in a turkey blind. The hunter was hunting over two large pipe feeders filled with wild bird seed. The hunter had no decoys or turkey calls in his possession. When questioned about this he stated he was merely waiting for a turkey to come eat the seed so he could shoot it. Corporal Sweat issued citations for hunting big game over bait and a warning for hunting with an unplugged gun.
HENRY COUNTY On April 12th, Corporal Travis Sweat and RFC Kevin Godbee assisted Henry County Search and Rescue operations with searching for a missing 16 year old girl. The girl was located by a passerby in another county.
JASPER COUNTY On April 13th, RFC Keith Page and K9 Drake checked the fishing activity on the Ocmulgee River below the Jackson Lake Dam. RFC Page issued three citations for fishing without a license and also issued two citations for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.
MERIWETHER COUNTY On the morning of April 6th, Corporal Keith Waddell checked a baited. He found two men hunting the area and issued them both citations for hunting big game over bait.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On April 9th, Corporal Jeremy Bolen performed a boating safety program to approximately 25 Georgia Power employees. Corporal Bolen presented an interactive power point presentation which discussed boating laws and requirements.
TALBOT COUNTY On April 13th, Corporal Jeremy Bolen responded to an in progress complaint of fishing without permission. Corporal Bolen located 3 people fishing in the private pond. All 3 subjects were issued citations for fishing without permission.
TROUP COUNTY On April 13th, Sergeant Jim Bradfield, Sergeant Brent Railey, RFC Kevin Godbee, RFC Russell Epps, and Deputy Ranger Joe Sebo all assisted with the western region 4 boat registration inspection site in LaGrange. A total of 43 boats and associated paperwork were inspected in order to complete these boats registrations.

On April 13th, Sergeant Jim Bradfield conducted a boating safety information program for the Rodbenders Bass Club at Pyne Road Park on West Point Lake. This tournament is a big event for Rodbenders attracting 88 boats and many spectators and sponsors. Sergeant Bradfield spoke briefly about boating safety issues and the new boating laws that will be in force this year.
UPSON COUNTY On April 9th, Corporal Susan Morris noticed a large fire in the front yard of a home she passed. Corporal Morris turned around and drove into the yard and observed several people standing around the fire. There were couches, chairs and other household items in the fire. Corporal Morris explained to the homeowner it was illegal to burn those items and he was given a citation for illegal burning. On April 9th, Corporal Susan Morris was checking fishing license at Potato Creek on Highway 74 and found two fishermen that did not have a license. Both were given citations for fishing without a license.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
RANDOLPH COUNTY Sgt. Butch Potter cited one hunter for hunting over bait during a patrol for turkey hunting Sunday morning.
LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE Cpl. Scott Carroll and RFC Jim Atchley conducted a boat patrol Wednesday night through Thursday morning checking crappie fisherman. During the patrol they issued four citations for fishing without a license, one for possession over the daily limit, and two for operating a vessel at night without lights. Seventy-Five crappie were confiscated and donated to charity.
RFC Atchley conducted another patrol late Friday night. Six fishermen were cited for over the limit and 258 crappie were confiscated and donated to charity.
Over Limit case Lake WF George

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On April 7, Cpl. Stiles and RFC Mills were patrolling Laurens County and witnessed a subject throwing trash out of the window of a moving vehicle near East Dublin. A traffic stop was initiated and one subject received a citation for littering.
On April 7, Cpl. Stiles and RFC Mills patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Twelve individuals were checked for fishing licenses and eight vessels were checked for boating safety equipment. Verbal guidance was given for minor violations and five individuals were educated concerning Georgia Outdoor Recreation Pass (GORP) requirements on state owned properties.
DODGE COUNTY On April 13, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Two boating safety inspections were performed and 17 anglers were checked for fishing license requirements. Four violations for fishing without a license and/or fishing without a WMA license on a PFA were documented. Verbal guidance was also given to nine individuals in reference to G.O.R.P. compliance.
WILCOX COUNTY On April 7, Cpl. John A. Stokes found two subjects hunting turkeys over bait. Violations for hunting big game over bait and one for hunting with an illegal weapon were documented.
COFFEE COUNTY On April 8th, RFC Joe Hilton heard several shots fired from a small caliber weapon on Highway 90. RFC Hilton pulled onto Highway 90 and witnessed three individuals running from a wooded area. RFC Hilton confronted the individuals. The individuals stated they shot at a hen turkey feeding on the property. RFC Hilton cited three individuals for hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle and hunting without permission.
Also on the 8th, RFC Hilton was on routine patrol in an area where bait had been placed when he came across a parked vehicle. RFC Hilton investigated the area and heard a gunshot on the neighboring property. RFC Hilton then headed in the direction of the gunshot. RFC Hilton encountered an individual with a turkey and asked if he had just taken the turkey and the individual stated "yes he had". RFC Hilton then asked the individual where he took the turkey and he stated he had taken the turkey on the neighboring property. RFC Hilton and the suspect went to where the turkey was taken and RFC Hilton found feathers, a shotgun wad, and a spent shell matching the ones in the suspects firearm. The individual was cited for hunting without permission, hunting with an unplugged shotgun and possession of illegally taken wildlife.

On April 13th, RFC Hilton was checking fishing activity and creel limits on the Willacoochee and Satilla rivers and encountered several individuals fishing. On this patrol, RFC Hilton issued several warnings for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without PFD's and operating a vessel without a registration.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Sunday April 7th 2013 RFC Jamey O'Brien and CPL Eddie Akins patrolled the Savannah River and Abercorn Creek by boat for boating/fishing activity. Three vessels were checked, violations detected were for fishing without a license, operating vessel with expired registration and allowing child under 10 to ride in vessel without life jacket.
On Saturday April 13th 2013 RFC Jamey O'Brien and CPL Eddie Akins patrolled the Ogeechee River by boat for boating/fishing activity. A total of 17 boats were checked with no violations being detected.
JENKINS COUNTY On Saturday April 13, Cpl. Mike Wilcox and Sgt. Don Dasher were on patrol in Jenkins County for hunting and fishing activity. While on patrol, the officers checked a piece of property that had a land-owners affidavit. They located two subjects fishing on private property. Violations that were documented were fishing without permission.
On the afternoon of April 13, Cpl. Wilcox and Sgt. Dasher were patrolling the Ogeechee River in Jenkins County for boating and fishing activity. The officers checked three boats and six fishermen. One violation was documented for fishing without a license.
SCREVEN COUNTY On Friday April 12, Cpl. Mike Wilcox responded to a call about illegal hunting. Cpl. Wilcox made contact w/ the complainant. The complainant told the officer that she heard a gun-shot near her house. She looked outside and observed a blue truck driving past her house. She also stated that a few minutes later, the same truck returned to the area and pulled off of the side of the road and appeared to be looking out into the field. Officer Wilcox located the tire tracks off of the side of the road. He searched the area for any evidence, but there wasn't any to be found. No charges have been made.
ECHOLS COUNTY On April 11th, near midnight, Sgt. Patrick Dupree received a call from Echols 911 that an Echols' deputy had a truck stopped with two individuals on GA Hwy 376 and observed a shot deer in the bed of the truck. The deputy had responded to the area in reference to a citizen's call about night hunting. Sgt. Dupree arrived at the traffic stop and learned the deer had been legally-killed on a crop damage permit in a nearby field. After all other aspects of the deer control permit were verified, the driver and his passenger were allowed to leave.

WARE COUNTY On April 13th, Corporal Josh Chambers checked areas that that had been previously located that were baited for turkeys in southern Ware County. During this patrol, Corporal Chambers encountered one turkey hunter hunting within thirty yards of an area baited with corn. During the conversation with the hunter, the turkey hunter advised Corporal Chambers he had taken a turkey earlier that morning at another location and was trying for a second one on the day. Corporal Chambers knew there were many other baited sites on the hunting club so he asked the subject if he would take him to the area he had killed the turkey earlier that day. The hunter took Corporal Chambers to the area and Corporal Chambers confirmed there was no bait in the area where the turkey had been killed. Corporal Chambers charged the hunter with hunting big game over bait for the violation that was being committed in the area where Corporal Chambers originally encountered the hunter.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
MCINTOSH COUNTY On April 9th Cpl Bobby White was checking a crabbing without permission complaint near Doboy Sound on South River. He checked two crabbers fishing crab traps that did not have a valid commercial crabbing license. One citation was made for commercial crabbing without a license and non-resident commercially fishing without a commercial license.
On April 13&14, 2013, Ranger Kate Hargrove, RFC Randy Aspinwall and Cpl. Chris Ridley assisted with events associated with the Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Darien, GA.
BRYAN COUNTY Cpl. Scott assisted with instruction during the week to the new Rangers going through the DNR training academy, teaching verbal and physical skills to Ranger Class 30 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, GA. This training is presented by a team of instructors and is designed to enhance officer safety and improve professionalism.
CHATHAM COUNTY On April 7th, Ranger Jason Miller checked the boat ramp at King's Ferry on the Ogeechee River. One boater was cited for failure to obey regulatory markers (Idle Zone) and for operating within 100 feet of a dock/ramp.
LIBERTY COUNTY On April 7th, Sgt. James Shelton, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the areas around St. Catherine's Sound and Ossabaw Island. One person was cited for picking oysters from an unauthorized area. This was Sgt. Shelton's last boat patrol for DNR since he is retiring after 30 years of service.

CHATHAM COUNTY On April 13th, RFC Buster Copper and Corporal Bill Bryson assisted Tybee Police Department with the annual Orange Crush Day on Tybee Beach. They were on ATV patrol assisting with crowd control and watching for people that was littering on the beach.
WAYNE COUNTY On April 13, 2013, RFC Randy Aspinwall escorted approximately 40 kayaks on the Altamaha River in support of an event held by the Wayne County Board of Tourism.