Field operations weekly report, 2013 April 21-27

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 21-27, 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 21st, Cpl. Lee Burns was at the Block House boat ramp on Allatoona Lake. Cpl. Burns noticed a vessel coming to the dock to pick someone up and about that time, a small dog jumped out of the boat into the water. The vessel operator yelled at his son to jump in and save the dog. The child jumped into the fifty-three degree water to rescue the sinking dog by placing him under his arm. Cpl. Burns noticed the child struggling as he attempted to swim back to the dock. Cpl. Burns got down and reached out to the child pulling both him and the dog to safety.
On April 21st, Cpl. Lee Burns heard Bartow County 911 call out a suicide attempt at one of the Bartow County Fire Stations. The call was that a young man was attempting to kill himself at the Fire Station and then took off down through the woods on foot. Cpl. Burns was passing the Station at the time and pulled in to assist. At one point, the young man took his father's pistol out from under the seat and threatened to kill himself. The father was able to retrieve the firearm from his son before stopping at the Fire Station. Cpl. Burns and two deputies were able to calm the son down and transport him to the hospital for evaluation.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On April 25th, Ranger Zack Hardy performed a vessel patrol on Allatoona Lake for boating and fishing activity. During the patrol, the ranger checked 6 vessels for proper safety equipment and 10 fishing licenses. One citation was issued for operating a vessel without Coast Guard Approved PFDs. Also on this day, the ranger assisted the Fisheries Management Section with annual sampling.
FANNIN COUNTY On April 27th, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Joe Hill patrolled locations around the Delayed Harvest section of the Toccoa River, Noontootla Creek, and Rock Creek with USFS Officer Mike Tipton. The officers issued two citations for fishing without a license, two citations for littering, three citations for possession of marijuana less than one ounce, six warnings for parking in an unauthorized area, and one warning for fishing without a trout license.
FULTON COUNTY On April 21st, RFC Chad Cox received a complaint about a subject shooting a Great Blue Heron on a golf course in North Fulton. Cpl. Will Smith and RFC Cox responded to the location and were able to locate feathers and shotgun wadding. After speaking with several people in the neighborhood they located the shooter. The subject was charged with taking a protected species. A Roswell PD Officer also charged the subject with discharging a firearm in the city limits.

GILMER COUNTY On April 26th, Cpl. James Keener, Cpl. Casey Jones, and Cpl. Shawn Elmore patrolled Carter's Lake. The officers issued two citations for fishing without license and one warning for operating vessel without registration.
PAULDING COUNTY On April 21th, RFC Daniel Gray was contacted by Paulding County 911 in reference to an individual who had possibly killed a hen turkey. Upon investigating the case with assistance from Paulding county Sheriff's office deputies, it was determined that the individual who shot the turkey was a convicted felon, and could not possess a firearm. The individual was charged with possession of firearm by a convicted felon, hunting w/o license, hunting w/o a big game license, and for taking a protected game animal (hen turkey).

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On April 22nd, RFC Barry Britt responded to a complaint of hunting without permission. RFC Britt checked the two hunters and determined they were hunting legally and had written permission to be on the property they were on.
DEKALB COUNTY On April 21st, Cpl. Eric Sanders patrolled the lake at Stone Mountain Park for boating and fishing activity. Written warnings were issued for operating a vessel without PFD's and operating a vessel with improper registration and a citation was issued for fishing without a license.
On April 26th, RFC Barry Britt conducted 7 career day presentations at Wadsworth Magnet School in DeKalb County.
FORSYTH COUNTY On April 21st, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling lake parks around Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. Sgt. Brown issued a written warning for fishing without a license.
On April 26th, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Barry Britt patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. Verbal guidance was given on several occasions for fishing without a license on persons, operating a vessel with improper registration and operating a vessel without registration.
On April 27th, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling lake parks around Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River for boating and fishing activity. Verbal guidance was given for possession of an undersized bass, fishing without a license and fishing without a trout license.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GREENE COUNTY On Saturday April 27, US Forest Service Officer Zach Nichols, US Fish and Wildlife Officer Tom Payne, and RFC Richard Tanner patrolled the Oconee National Forest / Redlands WMA. While patrolling, the officers encountered two individuals that were in possession of a combination of 55 white and hybrid bass. The fisherman stated they thought they were allowed to keep 15 of each species. The officers explained the state limit and gave the fisherman a copy of the current fishing regulations for future use. The fishermen were cited for the offense and 25 of their fish were seized due to over the limit. The fish were donated to a local family in need so they would not go to waste.

RICHMOND COUNTY On April 21, Cpl. Ben Payne patrolled Richmond County checking fishing licenses and creel limits at the Lock and Dam. Upon checking licenses at the South Boat Ramp he came upon 3 individuals fishing without licenses. One individual had no ID and did not know personal information. Cpl. Payne obtained driver's licenses and ran the individuals through GCIC. One individual came back with an active warrant out of Richmond County. All individuals were issued citations for fishing without license. A total of 4 citations and three warnings were issued at the Lock and Dam.
BURKE COUNTY On April 21, RFC Jeff Billips responded to hunting without permission complaint. The violators had fled prior to arrival. The case remains under investigation. RFC Billips checked turkey hunters on Yuchi WMA and fishermen in Waynesboro and the Savannah River.
On April 22, RFC's Billips and Grant Matherly assisted Burke County SO with a manhunt for a fugitive felon grave robber.
On April 25, Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Billips assisted Burke County SO with search for fugitive felon grave robber. RFC Billips and Wildlife Technician Steve Kyles participated in the Earth Day Event in Waynesboro.
On April 26, RFC Billips checked turkey hunters on Yuchi WMA and fishermen on the Savannah River and Brier Creek. RFC Billips arrested a female suspect with warrants in Richmond and Screven Counties.
WASHINGTON COUNTY Corporal Micheal Crawley and K9 Storm patrolled Washington county area for turkey hunting activity. They also patrolled the Ogeechee River for fishing activity.
MORGAN COUNTY On April 24th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Cpl. Mark Patterson observed an individual mowing along the shoulder of a highway. The tractor operator struck a guide wire with the rotary mower he was using which caused the top third of the power pole to snap off. There was significant arcing visible from the electrical wires as the pole snapped. The two officers secured the scene, removing the tractor operator from the immediate area of the accident and determined that he had received no apparent injuries from the incident. The accident scene was turned over to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office and the responding electrical company.
WILKES COUNTY On April 25th, Cpl. Mark Patterson conducted a patrol of the Broad River WMA checking numerous fishermen. Also on this day an environmental investigation begun the previous week was concluded with the interview of a subject thought to be involved in the dumping of building materials and household garbage in a creek. Violations documented on this day were fishing without a license and unlawful dumping.

CLARKE COUNTY On April 27, RFC Tim Butler patrolled several county and state properties for fishing violations. RFC Butler had a total of 10 contacts for fishing without a license and fishing without permission.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 21, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Bobby Timmerman conducted boating safety I and E programs at Hayes Marine on Clark's Hill Lake. Approximately 300 people attending the program and visited DNR's booth.
On April 27, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Bobby Timmerman worked a Marine Event Permit on the Savannah River called "Binder Dinker." The event drew over 600 canoe and kayak participants.
CLARKS HILL LAKE On April 27, Cpl. Brian Hobbins worked the Kicks 99 bass tournament. Nearly 250 boats entered the tournament.
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On April 27, RFC Leroy Ficklin patrolled the McDuffie PFA and Clarks Hill WMA for hunting and fishing activity.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
HOUSTON COUNTY On April 27th, RFC Ronnie Beard and Sergeant Tony Fox assisted Flat Creek PFA Manager Maxie Gray with a Kid's Fishing Event. Attendance included a Houston County Girl Scout Troop, leaders, and parents. Total catch for the day was 27 catfish.

MONROE COUNTY On April 27th, Corporal Susan Morris and Corporal Tony Wynne conducted a boat patrol on the Ocmulgee River from the Juliette Dam to the Highway 83 Bridge. Numerous boats with fishermen were checked for safety equipment and fishing licenses. During the course of the boat patrol, three individuals were checked that did not have their fishing license and were issued citations for fishing without a license.
UPSON COUNTY On April 22nd, Corporal Susan Morris checked two males fishing in a small creek. One of the men asked if it was OK for them to be fishing there, and Corporal Morris told them it was. One of the men did not have a fishing license and was giving a citation for fishing without a license.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE On April 27th, RFC Jim Atchley and Sgt. Butch Potter conducted a boat patrol, issuing citations for taking game fish by an illegal method (cast net), allowing passengers to ride the bow of a moving vessel along with numerous warnings for safety equipment violations.
BROOKS COUNTY On April 22nd, RFC Jon Penuel was contacted by the Brooks Co. Sheriff's office for assistance with a possible suicide. Penuel and Cpl. Greg Wade responded to the scene where a fisherman had reported finding clothing, an empty prescription bottle, and suicide note lying on the bank of the river. A search of the area was conducted that evening and the following morning but was cancelled after the missing subject was located in Colorado.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On April 21st, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Four boating safety inspections were conducted and seven angler's licenses and creels were checked. A violation for operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher and a violation for fishing without a license were documented.
WHEELER COUNTY On Sunday, April 21st, 2013 RFC Rodney Horne was patrolling the Oconee River looking for illegal fishing and boating safety activity. RFC Rodney Horne documented a violation for operating a vessel with insufficient personal floatation devices.

LAURENS COUNTY On April 21st, Cpl. Dan Stiles patrolled the Riverbend WMA. Two fishing licenses were checked. No violations were detected.
On April 27th, Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Nine vessels were checked for boating safety equipment and registrations. Four anglers were also checked for license compliance. One violation for operating a vessel with insufficient P.F.D.'s and two violations for operating a vessel with expired registration were documented.
On April 26th, Cpl. James McLaughlin and Cpl. Kevin Joyce conducted a patrol on Hugh Gillis PFA for after hour fishing violations. Ten violations were documented ranging from fishing on PFA after sunset to license violations.
TELFAIR COUNTY On April 27th, Cpl. James McLaughlin and Sgt. David Reckley patrolled the lower portion of the Ocmulgee River. Several vessels were inspected and checked. Numerous violations were detected and documented for operating vessel without registration, safety issues regarding personal flotation devices, and operating vessels above idle speed within 100 feet of a bridge.
CLINCH COUNTY On April 28th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree, Corporal Josh Chambers, and RFC Mark Pool assisted the Georgia Department of Revenue with a search warrant of a night club in the Homerville area. The warrant was conducted and arrests were made for charges related to and stemming from the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages.
LOWNDES COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Tim Hutto assisted Lowndes County Sheriff's Office with a search for a missing person on the Little River. The missing person's clothes were found under a bridge on the river along with an apparent suicide note. After further investigation it was found that the subject was alive and well in Colorado and was apparently avoiding a scheduled court appearance in Florida. Charges are pending in Georgia and the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office is considering seeking restitution for the search.
On April 28th, RFC Keith McDonald patrolled popular fishing holes in Lowndes County. RFC McDonald encountered several individuals fishing. Citations were issued to four individuals for fishing without a license.
APPLING COUNTY On April 28, 2013 Sgt Jon Barnard and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River in an effort to check fisherman. One citation was issued for fishing w/o a license and one for operating vessel w/o registration.

JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On April 27, 2013 Cpl Kevin Joyce and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled the Altamaha River from the County Landing to Grays Landing in an effort to check boats for safety equipment and fisherman. This effort resulted in two citations; the citations were for fishing w/o a license and operating vessel w/o registration. This patrol effort was also to take care of a complaint of racing boats at Grays Landing.
TATTNALL COUNTY April 27, 2013 RFC Clint Jarriel checked an area that was baited for turkeys. RFC Jarriel observed a subject in the area and a citation was issued for hunting turkeys over bait.
TOOMBS COUNTY On April 13th, Sgt. Jon Barnard and RFC Debbie Brannen conducted HIN inspections at the Courthouse in Toombs County assisting 21 boat owners with registration issues.
On April 13th, Sgt. Jon Barnard and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Altamaha River from Morris Landing to Greys Landing. The rangers checked 8 vessels and 7 fishermen, documenting one case and three warnings for boating safety violations.
SCREVEN COUNTY On April 27th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely conducted a vessel patrol of the Savannah River between Johnson's landing and Miller Lake. Numerous boats and fisherman were checked. Citations were issued for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, and operating a vessel without registration displayed.
On April 28th, Cpl. Shaymus McNeely and Sgt. Don Dasher conducted a law enforcement patrol of Tuckahoe WMA. Officers checked lakes and Savannah River landings on the Spring Lake Tract and the main Tuckahoe tract. A citation for fishing without a license was issued at Barnes Lake.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On April 23rd, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Jason Miller travelled to Ft. Pulaski in Chatham County to assist Chatham County rangers, the DNR Aviation Unit, and Coastal Resources with the airlift of pallets of oyster shells across Hwy. 80 into the marsh as part of an oyster restoration project.
On April 23rd, Cpl. Jay Morgan cited one person for fishing without permission on the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock, which is now privately owned.

On April 24th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Cpl. Jay Morgan, and Ranger Trey Taylor received a call from Bryan County 911 stating that they had a deputy on the scene of some illegal dumping on Cross Swamp Rd. Upon arrival on scene, the rangers found that two hunting club members had found a truck-load of trash dumped on their club and contacted the Sheriff's Dept. The deputy had already identified the owner of the trash and tried to contact him. The stepson of the owner of the trash arrived on the scene with a friend to clean up the trash. They were told to dispose of the trash at a proper facility. The rangers obtained the names of the stepson and the owner of the trash in order to pass onto the timber company that owned the property in case they wanted to prosecute for trespass. Charges are pending on the owner of the trash for unlawful dumping.
On April 25th, Cpl. Jay Morgan travelled to Ft. Pulaski in Chatham County to assist with the continuation of the oyster restoration project.
On April 27th, Cpl. Phillip Scott, Cpl. Morgan, and RFC Jack Thain patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and Ossabaw Island areas. One boater was cited for operating a vessel without enough life jackets on board and two fishermen were cited for fishing upon the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock without permission.
CHATHAM COUNTY On April 21, Sgt. Cindy Miller patrolled the boat ramps in Chatham County early in the morning. At approximately one o'clock in the morning Sgt. Miller checked a boat with two recreational fishermen. The two fishermen had gigged flounder and sheepshead. The two were cited for fishing with illegal gear. You cannot gig sheepshead.
On April 21, Sgt. Miller patrolled the boat ramps in Chatham County later in the afternoon. She checked recreational boaters and fishermen. One boat came in with two adults and three children. The children were not wearing life jackets. The operator of the boat was cited for allowing an under aged person ride in a boat without wearing a life jacket.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On April 21, 2013, Ranger Kate Hargrove, RFC Randy Aspinwall, Cpl. Bobby White and Sgt. Wayne Hubbard conducted a vessel patrol in McIntosh County focused on detecting peeler crab trap violations. Several violations were detected for use of illegal gear and five illegal traps were confiscated.
LONG COUNTY On April 27th Cpl Bobby White and RFC Randy Aspinwall assisted with 2nd annual "Fishing for a Cure" pan fish tournament. The event hosted approximately 50 participants and raised $35,000.00 to assist three children from the community with medical expenses.