Field operations weekly report, 2013 April 14-20

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 14-20, 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 19th, Cpl. Lee Burns assisted two Bartow County deputies with a vehicle chase on Highway 20. The fleeing felon attempted to turn south onto I-75 and skidded out of control hitting a curb and blowing out two tires. The driver exited the vehicle on foot running across two lanes of traffic. Cpl. Burns pursued him across two more lanes of traffic, down an embankment, over the DOT fence and into Cracker Barrel's parking lot. As Cpl. Burns was attempting to subdue the subject, he was tased by one of the deputies. He was found to be in possession of a firearm. A subsequent vehicle stop of his girlfriend at the beginning of the chase produced six pounds of methamphetamine. The subject had outstanding warrants out of Floyd County for aggravated assault on a police officer.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On April 17th, Ranger Zack Hardy and RFC Bart Hendrix held an inspection of vessel hull identification numbers at Field's Landing. The rangers inspected a total of 32 boats during the 2 hour event.
On April 20th, RFC Bart Hendrix patrolled Allatoona Lake for fishing and boating activity. RFC Hendrix checked 19 boats, 33 fishing licenses and 2 turkey hunters. Several citations were issued for fishing without licenses and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs.
FANNIN COUNTY On April 20th and 21st, RFC Cody Jones patrolled the delayed harvest section of the Toccoa River where there has been a lot of complaints of fishermen using illegal bait and unlawfully keeping trout. RFC Jones encountered and charged 10 fishermen using illegal bait, 2 fishermen keeping trout, and another subject was charged for fishing without a license or trout license. 14 citations and warnings were issued and 6 trout were confiscated.
GILMER COUNTY On April 15th, RFC Joe Hill patrolled the Cartecay Tract of Rich Mountain WMA for turkey hunting activity when he located a vehicle parked on a road posted as being closed to motor vehicles. The driver of the vehicle was asleep in the front seat. RFC Hill issued the driver a citation for driving in unauthorized areas of a WMA.
PAULDING COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Cox received a call from a complainant in reference to people fishing without permission on a small private lake in the north part of Paulding County. RFC Cox responded to the area along with two Paulding County Deputies and located several people just standing around the lake. RFC Cox explained to them that the owner did not want anyone fishing in the lake. One subject had an outstanding warrant and was arrested by the Paulding County Deputies.

POLK COUNTY On April 20th, RFC Chad Cox received a call from Polk 911 at 12:05am in reference to hunting without permission in the Rockmart Area of the county. RFC Cox was able to locate four adults and one juvenile hunting raccoons. The subjects stated they were just training the dogs and thought they had permission to be on the property. One subject was carrying a loaded 22 rifle and another had a 9mm pistol. After identifying each subject to the landowner they were verbally warned for hunting without permission. RFC Cox issued one citation for hunting out of season and another for hunting without a license. The others were issued warnings for hunting out of season.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FRANKLIN COUNTY On April 20th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and RFC Shane Sartor patrolled Lake Hartwell for Boating and Fishing activity. Numerous boats were checked along with fishing licenses resulting in three tickets and one warning for fishing without license being issued.
MADISON COUNTY On April 14th, while patrolling Madison County RFC Shane Sartor observed black smoke coming from behind a house in Comer. RFC Sartor located an illegal burn and the subjects were issued a citation for illegal burning of waste.
STEPHENS COUNTY On April 17th, Captain Thomas Barnard, Sgt. Stan Elrod, and Cpl. Bill Bunch worked the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area checking the Broad River trout stream. The rangers were doing surveillance on several areas on the stream. One subject was charged for littering and fishing without a trout license.
HART COUNTY On April 20th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum checked an area that has an affidavit to prevent trespassing. Cpl. Fulghum caught two subjects fishing without permission. Both subjects were issued citations.
FORSYTH COUNTY On April 20th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump patrolled the Chattahoochee River for boating and fishing violations. The rangers issued citations for fishing without a trout license and fishing for trout with unlawful equipment.
Later that afternoon the rangers patrolled Lake Lanier. Verbal Guidance and written warnings were issued for fishing without a license, operating a vessel without PFD's, operating a vessel with improper PFD's and allowing a child under 10 to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD.

LUMPKIN COUNTY On April 15th, RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling Chestatee WMA at Dick's Creek. He issued a citation for fishing without a license and a warning for fishing for fishing without a trout license.
On April 19th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Eric Sanders, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Mitchell Crump, Wildlife Technician IV Scott Bardenwerper, Wildlife Technician III Frank Manning, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck and a Forest Service Officer conducted a road check on Chestatee WMA. Violations of Forest Service rules (possession of alcohol) and open container violations were detected. Citations were issued for these infractions by the Forest Service Officer.
HALL COUNTY On April 20th, Ranger Kevin Goss and Ranger First Class Mark Stephens were patrolling Hall County near the Chattahoochee River. Officer Stephens pulled his patrol vehicle in an area where individuals usually like to fish. An individual located along the River observed the officers and jumped out of their sight. After an investigation the Officers charged the individual with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
BANKS COUNTY On April 14th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and Cpl. Jason Roberson were patrolling Banks County for fishing activity. During the patrol they observed two individuals acting suspicious at a watershed lake. Upon speaking with the subjects it was determined that one of them had several arrest warrants. Before making the arrest the person ran from the officers. The officers made a short pursuit before returning their attention to the remaining suspect. After further investigation the remaining subject was arrested for possession of marijuana and interference with a ranger's duties. Warrants were issued for the person that ran for fishing without a license, fleeing, and possession of marijuana.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
NEWTON COUNTY On April 18, RFC Niki Spencer, RFC Tim Butler, RFC Phillip Nelson, Cpl. Eric Sanders, and RFC Barry Britt assisted Dekalb County with the search of a missing autistic juvenile.

On April 19, RFC Niki Spencer and RFC Fred Hays from Region IV assisted Newton County Sheriff's Office with setting up a perimeter around a damaged area caused by a F2 tornado in Mansfield.
OCONEE COUNTY On April 15th RFC Tim Butler responded to an in progress hunting without permission complaint. One subject who killed a turkey was located. Citations were issued for hunting without permission and possession of illegally taken wildlife. On April 20th Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Tim Butler caught two men hunting turkey over bait. Both of the men were issued citations for hunting big game over bait. Additionally, one of the men was issued a citation for hunting without a plug in his shotgun. WALTON COUNTY On April 20th Sgt. Brian Carter, RFC Niki Spencer, RFC Rick Boles, and RFC Tim Butler performed HIN inspections at the Wildlife Resources Conservation Center in Social Circle. A total of 45 boats were inspected. CLARKE COUNTY On April 20th RFC Butler issued warnings to five subjects for fishing without permission in a government owned pond. On April 20th RFC Tim Butler checked several public fishing locations. Nine citations and warnings were issued for fishing without a license, possession of undersize fish, and operating a vessel without personal flotation devices.

ELBERT COUNTY On April 14th Corporal Julian Wilkins and Corporal Mark Patterson patrolled Wildlife Management Areas and public access points near Lake Russell. Several fishermen and boats were checked during the patrol. Three citations for fishing without a license were issued and one subject was located with an active arrest warrant.
WILKES COUNTY On April 20th Corporal Mark Patterson responded to a complaint of illegal dumping. Building materials and household garbage was found dumped in a creek. This case is still under investigation.
RICHMOND COUNTY On April 19-20, Cpl. Ben Payne, Cpl. Micheal Crawley Crawley, RFC Jeff Billips, and RFC Grant Matherly worked a Shad fishing detail on the Savannah River. The detail was put together due to the high volume of complaints the officers were receiving. Upon doing surveillance, evidence was gathered and 5 individuals were cited for possessing over the creel limit of shad, which is set at 8 per person. A total of 63 fish were confiscated. Verbal guidance was also given to individuals who were with the violators.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 17, Firearms Instructors Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Micheal Crawley, Cpl. Ryan Swain, and Cpl. Brian Hobbins instructed firearms training for Region III POST Certified Associates and Retired Rangers. Associates must qualify with their firearms annually.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On April 20, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Micheal Crawley, RFC Bobby Timmerman, RFC Brian Adams, and AOC Elizabeth Bentley held HIN Inspections for boat owners at the Thomson Office. They inspected 51 vessels.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
MONROE COUNTY On April 17th, Captain Bob Lynn, RFC Keith Page and K9 Drake patrolled High Falls State Park. Two boats were check for safety equipment and registration requirements. Seven fishing license were also checked. One citation was issued for a non-resident fishing without a fishing license.

MUSCOGEE COUNTY On April 14th, Corporal Jeremy Bolen was checking fishing activity along the Chattahoochee River, when he encountered a male and female subject fishing. Corporal Bolen checked the license of the individuals. Corporal Bolen was familiar with both of these individuals from previous violations. Corporal Bolen ran the individuals and determined that they both had two active warrants for non-resident fishing without a license and contempt of court. Both of the subjects were arrested on the outstanding warrants and transported to the Muscogee County jail.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
STEWART COUNTY Sgt. Butch Potter conducted a late night patrol on the north part of Lake George Monday night. During the patrol one boater was charged with operating a vessel without lights and one received a written warning for operating an unregistered vessel.
On Wednesday morning Sgt. Potter responded to a hunting without permission complaint. Two hunters were located and cited for the violation.
BROOKS COUNTY RFC Jon Penuel and RNG Chris Carlisle instructed a Boater Education Class to a local Boy Scout Troop. The course helped the Scouts complete the required training in order to earn their Motor Boating Merit Badge.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Thursday April 18th, RFC Jamey O'Brien and SGT Don Dasher patrolled the Ogeechee River by boat. Two fishing licenses and one boat were checked during the patrol. One violation for fishing without a license was documented.
SCREVEN COUNTY On April 19th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely responded to a call from Screven County 911. The emergency operator stated she had received a call from an unidentified person that said they were stuck on Tuckahoe WMA and needed help. Cpl. McNeely responded to the WMA and began a search. The subjects, a grandfather and two grandchildren were eventually located stuck in the mud on Clay Hill Road. Cpl. McNeely radioed for a tow truck to be dispatched to the scene. After getting the tow truck stuck numerous times. The stranded truck was recovered.
On April 21st, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Cpl. Mike Wilcox were checking landings on the Savannah River. While at Poor Robin landing, officers observed a boat approach the dock and drop off some of its passengers. The operator stated he was transporting people back from a sand bar up river and had to go get another load. Cpl. McNeely asked the operator to show him the boat's safety equipment as well as a fishing license for the fish

on board. While checking the required safety equipment Cpl. McNeely noticed that the operator moved with poor coordination and that his speech was slurred. When asked, the boat operator stated that he had been drinking, mostly because he had a bad tooth. Cpl. McNeely asked the boat operator to participate in a series of field sobriety exercises to determine if he was able to safely transport people up and down the river. The field sobriety exercises demonstrated that the boat operator was intoxicated. Cpl. McNeely arrested the boat operator for operating a vessel while under the influence, and transported him to the Screven County Jail. A sober passenger on the boat retrieved the rest of the party from the sand bar.
LAURENS COUNTY On April 17th, Cpl. Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Sixteen anglers were checked for license compliance and six vessels were checked for safety equipment and registrations. One violation was documented for operating vessel with expired registration. Verbal guidance was given to other subjects for minor violations.
On April 20th, Cpl. Stiles conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Eleven vessels were checked for safety equipment and registration. Six fishing licenses were also checked. Violations for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and operating a vessel with expired registration were documented. Verbal guidance was given to one subject for fishing with expired license.
DODGE COUNTY On April 17th, Cpl. Stiles received a call from the State Operations Center reporting an in progress complaint of persons digging for artifacts. Cpl. Stiles responded to the scene and began looking for violators in the area. An officer from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office had responded prior to Cpl. Stiles' arrival and arrested the individuals on scene. Cpl. Stiles investigated the complaint, photographed the location of the excavation, and seized tools and artifacts from the subjects that were arrested. The violators were charged for criminal trespass and excavating/altering/entering site (archeological) without written permission.
On April 20th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area, around sunset. Five boating safety inspections were conducted and fifteen angler's licenses and creels were checked. Three violations were documented for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license and operating a vessel without a Coast Guard approved PFD. Verbal guidance was given to six individuals in reference to G.O.R.P. requirements. A night detail was conducted on the PFA until 2300 hours. No after-hours activity was documented.

WARE COUNTY On April 19th & 20th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Sgt. Damon Winters, Cpl. Jason Shipes, Cpl. Josh Chambers, RFC Rodney Horne and RFC Tim Hutto conducted a hunter development program at the annual Georgia Hunting and Fishing Federation's Sporting Dog & Outdoor Show in Waycross. Several hundred people enjoyed the laser-shot shooting simulator over two days and the officers answered many outdoor recreationrelated questions. Cpl. Chambers also certified 11 future hunters in hunting safety.
COOK COUNTY On April 17th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey responded to a fishing w/o permission complaint in a local pond in north Cook County. Upon arrival at the pond Cpl. Daughtrey observed four males fishing in the pond. When the subjects saw Cpl. Daughtrey's patrol vehicle they began to walk toward their vehicle. The subjects did not know who owned the pond they were fishing in. Per the land owner's request, the subjects were warned for fishing w/o permission. As Cpl. Daughtrey walked by the subject's vehicle he noticed a clear bag containing what appeared to be crack cocaine sitting in between the two front seats of the vehicle. The four subjects were arrested for possession of cocaine. The case and subjects were turned over to the Cook County Sheriff's Department.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BULLOCH/ BRYAN COUNTY On Thursday, April 18th, Cpl. Phillip Scott along with Dave Chaffin introduced the first grade students of Sallie Zetterower Elementary School to Georgia reptiles. Some of the reptiles shown were alligator, Rat Snakes, Gopher Tortoise, water turtles, and many more. The kids learned about the importance of Georgia's reptiles as an important part of Georgia's wildlife community. The kids had a great time and learned something also.