Field operations weekly report, 2013 May 19-25

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report May 19-25, 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 May 23rd, RFC Brooks Varnell was responding to an in progress complaint and was traveling north on I-75 near the crossing of the Etowah River. He noticed that traffic had stopped and discovered that a motorcycle rider had crashed on a bridge near the Etowah River. He immediately contacted the Georgia State Patrol and the Bartow County Sheriff's Office. Within minutes emergency crews were on scene. RFC Varnell assisted with closing down I-75 so a life flight helicopter could land and assist in the response.
On May 23rd, Sgt. Mike Barr and RFC Brooks Varnell responded to a complaint of a person illegally accessing the Pine Log WMA and camping near a trout stream behind closed gates. The complaint had been called in by the DNR fisheries trout distribution truck operator. Upon arrival, the Rangers discovered a man from Michigan who had been camping on the WMA since turkey season. He had caught his limit of trout, but was licensed. However, the Rangers discovered a large amount of personal use marijuana. The Rangers contacted the Bartow County Drug Task Force who assisted in the arrest and transport of the man to the Bartow County Jail.
LAKE ALLATOONA On May 24th, the DNR Allatoona Lake Rangers hosted a media event to update everyone on the new laws and for media to get some pre-holiday video footage. The DNR Rangers gave several demonstrations. One included RFC Bart Hendrix jumping in the water with a life jacket not properly attached. The life jacket immediately came off. Cpl. Lee Burns demonstrated how Rangers complete field sobriety exercises to check for impairment of a boat operator. Park Marine employees demonstrated the hazards of a PWC jumping the wake of another boat. The media included all major stations from Atlanta, a representative from a radio group of stations, and local papers. The response was an increase in boating awareness coverage over the Memorial Day Holiday period.

Cpl. Lee Burns demonstrating BUI field sobriety exercises and giving a media interview.
Shown is DNR RFC Bart Hendrix demonstrating how a life jacket will come off when entering the water if not properly attached.
On May 25th, RFC Barton Hendrix and Ranger Zack Hardy vessel patrolled Allatoona Lake. During the patrol, the rangers checked twelve vessels and two fishing licenses. Four citations were issued for violating rules of road, operating vessel with insufficient PFDs, and operating vessel without lights during hours of darkness. During the Memorial Day Holiday on Allatoona Lake, DNR Rangers Col. Eddie Henderson, Captain Johnny Johnson, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Byron Young, Cpl. Lee Burns, Cpl. Shawn Elmore, RFC Brooks Varnell and his K-9 "Rock", RFC Bart Hendrix, RFC Ben Cunningham, Ranger Zack Hardy, and Intern Walker Jardine patrolled numerous hours on the water. They were also assisted by the US Army Corp of Engineers Rangers also on water patrol. Together, they arrested three people found boating under the influences of alcohol, worked two PWC (personal water craft) crashes with injuries, assisted with a bass boat that capsized, responded to a missing 15 year old girl on Red Top Mountain State Park and worked numerous cases of people violating boating laws. The increased presence of all officers kept the waters safer for the boating public. No drownings or deaths occurred on Allatoona this Memorial Day holiday period. FANNIN COUNTY On Saturday, May 25th, Sgt. John Vanlandingham and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake. The officers issued four citations and five warnings for operating PWC without a PFD, towing a skier without an observer, violating a no wake zone, and registration issues.

On Sunday, May 26th, RFC Cody Jones and RFC Joe Hill were patrolling Blue Ridge Lake where they encountered violations such as, PWCs operating within 100 ft. of others above idle speed, registration issues, violating "no wake zones," PFDs, and violation of rules of the road. Eleven citations and eight warnings were issued for the violations.
On Monday, May 27th, Cpl. James Keener and RFC Cody Jones patrolled Blue Ridge Lake. The officers issued six citations and seven warnings for violations consisting of violating "no wake zones," registration issues, operating within 100 ft. of others above idle speed, children without PFDs, allowing child to ride on the gunwale, and operating PWC without PFDs.
MURRAY COUNTY On May 24th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Re Regulatory dam spillway. Several fishermen were checked and one subject was issued a warning for fishing without a license.
On May 25th, RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Re Regulatory Lake. RFC Hill checked several fishermen, and issued one citation for fishing without a license.
CARTERS LAKE On May 24th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Lake. The officers issued one citation for towing a skier without an observer or mirror and one warning for operating vessel with unserviceable fire extinguisher.
On May 25th, Cpl. Casey Jones and RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Lake. The officers checked numerous boats and issued citations and warnings for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness, fishing without a license, illegal consumption of alcohol on WMA, operating a vessel without CGA PFD's, operating vessel with expired registration, operating vessel without fire extinguisher, operating vessel without cutoff switch, operating vessel without registration, operating vessel without throwable device, and failure to obey regulatory markers.
WALKER COUNTY On May 24th, Cpl. Gentry, RFC Cunningham, Cpl. Elmore, Sgt. Galloway and a US Forest Service officer conducted a covert detail in Walker Co. on a popular trout stream. This detail was in response to complaints about people taking over their daily limit of trout. One subject was charged for taking and possessing over his daily limit of trout. Other charges on two men who left the scene are pending.

On May 26th, Cpl. Gentry and Cpl. Elmore were called to assist in a search for a Tennessee man who was camping on private property in Walker Co. The subject had walked into the woods and had gotten lost. The subject had called Walker 911 and advised that he had been bitten by a snake before his cell phone went dead. Sgt. Galloway responded and requested the DNR Aviation unit for aerial observation of the search area. Gentry and Elmore assisted Walker Co. Rescue personnel in a foot search of the area where the subject was last seen. The subject was located by rescue personnel and was transported to a waiting ambulance for medical treatment.
On May 26th, Cpl. Gentry was notified by Walker 911 of an injured caver in Ellison's Cave on Pigeon Mtn. WMA. The 54 year old Pennsylvania man fell from a 40 foot cliff deep inside the cave while caving with friends. The Walker Co. Cave/Cliff Rescue Unit organized a rescue effort which lasted for over 24 hours and included cave rescue personnel from several states. Sgt. Galloway and Cpl. Elmore responded and assisted Gentry in providing perimeter security for incident location and transported equipment and personnel in 4 wheel drive vehicles up mountain roads to the cave entrance. The injured caver was transported to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga by a Life Force helicopter.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
FORSYTH COUNTY On May 24th, RFC Barry Britt charged one boat operator with operating his vessel at night without lights on Lake Lanier at Bald Ridge Creek.
On May 25th, RFC Barry Britt assisted in a search for a vessel involved in a hit and run boat incident in Hall County on Lake Lanier. RFC Britt searched marinas in Forsyth County. Later that evening, while patrolling Lake Lanier with Officer Chad Woodis of Gwinnett County Police Department, they checked several boats and issued three written warnings for violations of the 100' rule. He also assisted a disabled vessel at the mouth of Bald Ridge Creek. A Good Samaritan towed the disabled vessel back to the Mary Alice Park boat ramp.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On May 21st, RFC Mitchell Crump was patrolling Chestatee WMA. RFC Crump issued warnings for fishing without a license and fishing without a trout license.
LAKE LANIER On May 24th, RFC Mitchell Crump and Cpl. Eric Sanders issued a citation for operating a vessel without lights and a warning for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
On May 24th, later in the day RFC Crump and Cpl. Sanders issued warnings for allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD and for operating a vessel with improper registration displayed.

On May 25th, RFC Crump and Cpl. Sanders issued a warning for towing a skier without observer on a PWC and a citation for allowing an underage person to operate a PWC.
HALL COUNTY On May 24th. Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Eric Isom patrolled Lake Lanier for boating safety. During the patrol the Rangers documented 4 violations including one arrest for boating under the influence.
On May 25th Cpl. Jason Roberson patrolled Lake Lanier for boating safety. Numerous violations were documented including 2 arrests for boating under the influence.
WHITE COUNTY On May 24th, Sgt. Steve Seitz, RFC Anne Alexander, and WLT III Frank Manning patrolled the Chattahoochee River around Helen, GA for fishing activity. The officers issued citations and warnings for license violations and fishing after obtaining their daily limit of trout. Later this same date, the officers held a road check on Chattahoochee WMA with USFS officers Derrick Breedlove and Jeff Angle. The USFS officers issued several open container citations during the road check.
RABUN COUNTY On May 26th, Corporal Derek Dillard and USFS Officers Derrick Breedlove and Jeff Angel conducted a road check in the area of Wildcat Creek Road. Three male subjects passed thru the check in a passenger car and they were not wearing their seat belts and they had also been trout fishing on one of the native trout streams in the area. Corporal Dillard asked the subjects to show him their fishing license and creels and all three of them were over the limit. One subject had 10 native brook trout, another had 17 native brook trout, and the other subject had 18 native brook trout. All 45 trout were confiscated and the subjects were cited for possession of over the limit of trout and failing to wear their seatbelts.

UNION COUNTY On May 27th, Sgt. Steve Seitz and WLT III Frank Manning patrolled Cooper's Creek WMA and the Suches area for fishing and camping activity. The officers issued several citations and warnings for fishing without licenses and operating a vessel without personal floatation devices.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On May 19th, RFC Shane Sartor checked several people fishing from the bank at the Gumlog Creek Bridge. One person was issued a warning for fishing without license.
On May 19th, RFC Shane Sartor observed black smoke and was able to locate an illegal burn at a residence outside Lavonia. A citation was issued for unlawful burning of waste.
On May 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce, Sgt. Stan Elrod, and Cpl. Craig Fulghum conducted a HIN inspection at Tugaloo State Park for boats that had issues with their registration. A total of thirty (plus) boats were inspected and all issues with boat registration were resolved
STEPHEN COUNTY On May 25th, RFC Shane Sartor and Cpl. Bill Bunch worked boating safety patrol on Lake Hartwell with numerous boats being checked. A total of six violations were documented with four citations and two warnings being issued. The violations were fishing without a license and operating a vessel with no Personal floatation devices.
HART COUNTY On May 25th, Corporal Craig Fulghum along with an intern patrolled Lake Hartwell by patrol boat. During the patrol Fulghum issued citations for towing skier without an observer, Operating vessel with insufficient life jackets and fishing without a license.
On May 24th, RFC Brandon Pierce and an Intern with the Department patrolled Hartwell Lake for any boating safety/fishing activity. Numerous boats were checked for proper safety equipment and several fishing licenses were also inspected. As a result, a total of one violation was documented. The violation consisted of fishing without a license.
On May 25th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled Hartwell Lake for any boating safety/fishing activity. On this day numerous boats were checked for proper safety equipment and several fishing licenses were also inspected. As a result, citations were issued for a total of five violations. The violations consisted of failure to obey regulatory marker, allowing an underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing a PFD, towing skier without a PFD, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On May 25, Sgt. Boswell, Cpl. Ben Payne, and Cpl. Micheal Crawley patrolled Richmond County checking fishing licenses and boating activity. They patrolled the Savannah River by vessel checking Holiday boat traffic. Several boats were checked with only minor violations. At approximately 6 pm, Cpl. Payne received a phone call from Richmond County S.O. of an alligator in the roadway in downtown Augusta. The officers responded to find a 9 foot alligator along the side of the road. Do to the heavy crowd that had gathered and timing the officers decided to relocate the alligator. The alligator was relocated to a series of ponds located a mile from its capture. Pictured are Cpl. Crawley and Payne.

CLARKE COUNTY On Monday May 20, RFC Tim Butler checked several fishing areas throughout the county. RFC Butler issued five citations for fishing without license violations.
ELBERT COUNTY On Saturday May 25, Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and RFC Tim Butler patrolled Lake Richard B. Russell. During this patrol one subject was arrested for boating under the influence by RFC Butler, one subject was charged for towing a skier without an observer on a PWC and one subject was charged for fishing without a license.
On Saturday May 25, Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled Clarks Hill Lake. During this patrol one subject was arrested for boating under the influence and for child endangerment by RFC Phillip Nelson.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Thursday May, 22 Cpl. Julian Wilkins and RFC Phillip Nelson presented several boating safety programs at the Oglethorpe Co. primary school. The programs focused on boating and water safety.
WILKES COUNTY On Friday May 24, Capt. Mark Padgett, Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Mark Patterson, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, CPL. Ryan Swain, RFC Tim Butler and RFC Phillip Nelson responded to a call of a lost hiker on the Broad River WMA. The subject had went for a hike along the river and got lost and did not know how to get back to her car. When located, the subject was slightly dehydrated, but not injured in any other way.
NEWTON COUNTY On May 19 RFC Niki Spencer while patrolling the banks of the Yellow River for fishing activity issued citations to two subjects for fishing without a license.
MORGAN COUNTY On May 19 while patrolling Lake Oconee boat ramps for boating and fishing activity, RFC Ricky Boles issued citations to two fishermen for fishing without a license.
LAKE OCONEE During the Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, Capt. Mark Padgett, Sgt. John Harwell, Cpl. Derrell Worth, Cpl. David Allen, RFC Richard Tanner, RFC Niki Spencer, and RFC Ricky Boles patrolled Lake Oconee for Boating activity. During the course of the holiday, four subjects were arrested for Boating under the Influence (BUI) and four boats with passengers were assisted due to mechanical breakdowns. Numerous citations were issued for a broad range of violations, among these were failure to obey regulatory marker, allowing underage child to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD, operating PWC within 100' of object above idle speed, operating vessel with insufficient PFD's, operating vessel with no throw-able device, allowing child age 12-15 to unlawfully operate PWC, littering, allowing person to ride bow or gunwale, operating vessel with

improper lights, operating vessel with no registration, operating vessel while over capacity, and operating vessel with no fire extinguisher.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Cpl. Micheal Crawley and RFC Jeff Billips patrolled the Savannah River. They issued 8 citations and warning for no life jackets.
Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, RFC Leroy Ficklin, and RFC Bobby Timmerman taught a boating safety class.
CLARKS HILL LAKE Over the holiday weekend Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. Brian Hobbins, Cpl. Ryan Swain, RFC Leroy Ficklin, RFC Bobby Timmerman, and Ranger Brian Adams patrolled Clark's Hill Lake. Numerous citations and warnings were given for boating violations.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On May 21st, RFC Keith Page, RFC Freddie Hays, RFC Nicki Spencer and Sergeant Tim Kendrick responded to Lake Jackson to investigate a boating accident. After arriving at the scene, the Rangers found two bass boats that collided with each other. Page and Hays arrived first and helped first responders secure the victims and witnesses. After interviewing the driver of each vessel, the Rangers found that one of the drivers had been thrown from his vessel during the collision, but was pulled out of the water by the passenger that was onboard the same vessel. The heroic passenger later died of internal injuries. All four Rangers stayed most of the night working to secure the scene and remove the nearly sunken vessels from the water so that the DNR Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) could further investigate the accident. No one has been charged at this time; however the accident is still under investigation.
COWETA COUNTY On Saturday May 25th, Sergeant Brent Railey and Corporal Travis Sweat patrolled the Chattahoochee River from the Dog River Reservoir in Douglas County to Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Coweta County. They checked 6 boats, 10 fishing licenses and wrote 2 cases and 2 warnings. On the way back to the ramp they rescued two adults and a child under age 6 who were floating down the river on tubes without PFD's and were in the early stages of hypothermia due to the water and air temperature being lower than normal for the time of year.

HEARD COUNTY On May 25th, Sergeant Jim Bradfield picked up the mounted turkey pictured below. This four bearded gobbler was killed illegally during this past deer season and was recovered from a location in Valley, Alabama after a brief investigation by Sergeant Bradfield and Ranger Russell Epps. The hunter who killed the turkey was required by the court system, as part of his sentence, to pay to have the turkey mounted. Sergeant Bradfield took the turkey to Chattahoochee Taxidermy in Franklin to be mounted for display at one of the DNR local offices.
On May 25th, Sergeant Jim Bradfield checked a new retail bait minnow dealer located in Franklin and discovered that they did not have the required retail fish dealer's license. A commercial license application was provided to the owner and Sergeant Bradfield explained the application process. JASPER COUNTY On Friday, May 24th, RFC Freddie Hays and Major Walter Rabon were patrolling Lake Jackson by boat when they observed a vessel towing two individuals on a tube approximately thirty minutes after sunset. RFC Hays stopped the vessel to tell them it was illegal to tow a tube / skier after sunset. While talking, RFC Hays detected an odor of alcohol on the boat operator's breath. RFC Hays began questioning the twenty year old boat operator and asked him to put on a PFD and step into the DNR boat for field sobriety tests. After further investigation, the operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The operator's blood alcohol level was .043 grams, and the legal limit for a person under twenty one years old to be charged for operating a vessel, is .02

grams. The operator was charged with towing a tuber / skier after hours and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (under 21).
On Saturday, May 25th, RFC Freddie Hays and Sergeant Tim Kendrick were patrolling Lake Jackson at approximately 11:30 pm when they met a boat with improper lights. The boat's red and green bow light was reversed. When the Rangers pulled alongside of the vessel, they both noticed numerous empty beer cans in the boat. While questioning the boat operator about his bow light, RFC Hays detected a strong odor of alcohol. When RFC Hays asked the operator how much alcohol he had consumed, he said "two or three". RFC Hays asked the operator to put on a PFD and step into the DNR boat for field sobriety tests, however there were not any PFD's onboard the boat. RFC Hays gave him a PFD to put on. After conducting the field sobriety tests, the operator was asked to submit to a state administered breath test, and he refused. He was placed under arrest and transported to the Jasper County Jail. He was charged with operating a vessel with improper lights, operating a vessel without PFD's and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the evening of May 25th, Ranger First Class Kevin Godbee and Corporal Bubba Stanford stopped several vessels for various boating violations. On one of the stops the officers determined the operator was impaired and he was arrested for boating under the influence of alcohol and was transported to the Putnam County Jail.
Later that same evening, Ranger Jeremy Reese and Sergeant Bo Kelly stopped a vessel for operating without navigation lights. The operator was determined to be under the influence and was arrested and transported to the Putnam County Jail.
TROUP COUNTY On May 22nd, Sergeant Jim Bradfield and Sergeant Brent Railey presented several boating and water safety programs to the kindergarten classes at Rosemont Elementary School in LaGrange. Water and boating safety practices were discussed with the children. Sergeant Railey is pictured below presenting one of these programs.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
BAKER COUNTY On May 19th, Cpl. Randy Davis and Ranger Jace Heard stopped an overloaded vessel on the Flint River. The vessel operator displayed signs of impairment and after failing field sobriety exercises, was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence, child endangerment, operating an overloaded vessel, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
QUITMAN COUNTY 0n May 26th, while patrolling Lake Walter F. George Cpl. Scott Carroll and Cpl. Steve Robinson observed a personal watercraft operate within 100 feet of another vessel. The operator was cited for a violation of the 100 foot law. The owner of the 2nd vessel was cited for allowing an underage child to operate a moving vessel with a horse power greater than 30.
On May 26th, while patrolling Lake Walter F George Cpl. Scott Carroll and Cpl. Steve Robinson witnessed a vessel traveling at a high rate of speed pass under the Lake Walter F. George Causeway without yielding to the no-wake zone. Upon contact the operator was cited for failure to obey a regulatory marker.
STEWART COUNTY On May 22nd, Cpl. Steve Robinson located two subjects hunting alligators out of season. Cpl. Robinson found the two camped near a pond a short distance from Lake George. The suspects had killed one alligator and had three others in possession. They also had limb hooks set to catch more alligators. The two were charged with hunting alligator out of season and possession of alligators or parts thereof.
CLAY COUNTY On May 26th, while patrolling Lake Walter F. George in Clay County Sgt. Butch Potter and RFC Jim Atchley cited two personal watercraft operators for 100 foot law violations and issued four other boating safety warnings for various violations.
On May 25th, while patrolling Lake Walter F. George Cpl. Scott Carroll and RFC Jim Atchley observed a vessel travelling through a no wake zone above idle speed. Upon contact the operator was cited for failure to obey a regulatory marker and an unserviceable fire extinguisher.
On May 26th, rangers responded to a vessel fire on Lake Walter F. George. There were no injuries involved.

DOOLY COUNTY (Flint River) On May 25th, Sgt. Al Greer and RFC Clint Martin were conducting a vessel patrol and observed a PWC pass between their patrol boat and a pontoon boat which was at anchor. The PWC passed within 15 feet of the anchored vessel at a high rate of speed. A vessel stop was conducted and during the course of the stop it was determined that the operator was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for boating under the influence and for operating a PWC within 100 feet of an object at greater than idle speed.
CRISP COUNTY (Lake Blackshear) On May 25th, Cpl. Bob Holley and Ranger Chad Husley were conducting a vessel patrol when they observed a vessel being operated without lights. The vessel was stopped and the operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested for boating under the influence and for operating a vessel without lights.
On May 25th, Rangers Chad Hulsey and Jesse Harrison were conducting a vessel patrol when they observed a vessel being operated without lights. The operator of the vessel was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested for boating under the influence and for operating a vessel without lights.
On May 25th, Sgt. Al Greer and Ranger Clint Martin observed a vessel being operated without a stern light. During the vessel stop the operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested for boating under the influence and for operating a vessel with improper lights.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WILCOX COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. John A. Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley patrolled the Ocmulgee River. Eight violations were documented ranging from fishing w/o license to boating safety violations.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 25th, Cpl. Dan Stiles and RFC Rodney Horne conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Violations for operating a vessel without C.G.A P.F.D's and operating a vessel without registration were documented.
DODGE COUNTY On May 21st, RFC Allen Mills received a complaint from Cpl. James McLaughlin in reference to illegal fishing activity occurring at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. RFC Mills arrived on scene and discovered one adult male and three juveniles in a vessel near the boat ramp. After questioning the individual about being on a closed PFA, RFC Mills conducted a boating safety inspection and learned that the three juveniles had PFD's, but the adult only possessed a Type IV throwable device. A violation for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's was documented and verbal guidance was given for being present on a closed PFA.

On May 25th, Sgt. David Reckley, Cpl. John A. Stokes, Cpl. James McLaughlin, Cpl. Dan Stiles, and RFC Rodney Horne conducted a HIN / Vessel inspection site at the Dodge County PFA. Twenty five vessels were inspected and registration issues resolved. CHARLTON COUNTY On May 19th, Cpl. Jason Shipes, Cpl. Josh Chambers, and Sgt. Patrick Dupree were checking popular fishing areas along the east side of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Two fishermen were encountered at Suwannee Canal and one did not have a fishing license. A citation for the violation was issued.
Cpl. Josh Chambers & Cpl. Jason Shipes inspects creel at Suwannee Canal.

PIERCE COUNTY On May 25th, RFC Mark Pool & Sgt. Patrick Dupree patrolled public landings along the Satilla River. At the FFA Camp landing and GA 121 Bridge, RFC Pool documented boating violations including operating vessel with improper PFDs and registration.
RFC Mark Pool distributing literature at the Satilla River about new boating law changes. APPLING COUNTY For the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Cpl. Altman assisted Rangers on Lake Sinclair. These patrols resulted in 4 BUI's, and numerous citations and warnings for boating safety violations. Cpl. Altman and Cpl. Joyce patrolled the Altamaha River on the 27th for boating and fishing activity. Over 15 vessels were checked, resulting in a total of 6 citations and warnings being handed out. They included fishing w/o a license, operating a vessel w/o registration, and fishing w/o license on person.

EVANS COUNTY On May 20th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked a landowner complaint area along Canoochee River. Two violations were documented for fishing without permission and possession of illegal size fish.
On May 22nd, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity on the Canoochee River. Violations for fishing without licenses and operating a vessel with expired registration were addressed.
On May 26th, RFC Debbie Brannen checked fishing and boating activity on the Canoochee River. Violations for fishing without a license and possession of illegal size fish were documented.
TATTNALL COUNTY On May 26th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Sgt. Jon Barnard patrolled the Ohoopee River for fishing and boating activity. One violation for fishing without a license was documented.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY May 21st, RFC John Evans provided the LaserShot program to the kids at the Hoboken Elementary School for their Field Day. There were 200 kids that participated.
May 25th, RFC John Evans, CPL Craig Smith, and Wildlife Tech. Hal Wiggins patrolled the Satilla River in Brantley County for the Holiday weekend. Several subjects were cited for life jacket violations, 100' rule violations, and one was arrested for B.U.I. While on patrol, these rangers came upon a swamped vessel whose occupants had to swim to the bank. Occupants were transported to a nearby boat ramp and assistance was given to help bail out the vessel. The vessel operator was cited for insufficient number of PFDs.
CAMDEN COUNTY May 23rd, RFC John Evans investigated a hit and run boating incident. The Little Cumberland Island Loggerhead II boat had been struck the evening before and the suspect fled the scene. RFC Evans made contact with a local marina that had pulled out a boat matching the description of the suspect vessel that morning. RFC Evans and a witness went to the marina and identified the boat. RFC Evans made contact with the owner and operator who admitted to hitting the boat and leaving. Charges are pending further investigation and damage assessment.
On May 24th, RFC David Brady observed a personal watercraft being operated well after sunset on the North River in the area of Meeting Street boat ramp in St. Mary's. Upon stopping the suspect for the violation, Brady could smell the strong odor of alcohol coming from the man. After investigating further, the man was arrested and charged with Boating under the Influence and Operating PWC during hours of darkness and transported to the Camden County Jail.

May 25th, RFC John Evans and SGT Chris Hodge investigated a hog trapping complaint along the I-95 right of way in Camden County. They made contact with two mowing contractors and their supervisor who admitted to cutting the fences along the interstate and setting the hog traps on private property. The suspects had caught 14 hogs and transported 13 of them alive, some of which was across state lines. They were also holding 4 of the hogs at their workplace in Brunswick. Charges are pending further investigation and contact with property owners.
GLYNN COUNTY May 20th, RFC John Evans responded to Glynn County PD officer who had a truck stopped that had an alligator in the bed. The suspect had caught a four foot gator and attempted to tie its mouth shut. RFC Evans caught the alligator and taped its mouth. The alligator was released in the Altamaha River and the suspect was cited for Possession of an Alligator.
May 24th, CPL Craig Smith dealt with mental subject that was trying to walk into traffic around the Exit 29 area off of I-95. CPL Smith detained the subject until Glynn County Police Department could arrive.
May 27th, Sgt. Mark Carson, Cpl. Chris Ridley, and RFC John Evans patrolled St. Simon's sound and Turtle River for the Holiday weekend. Several subjects were cited for life jacket violations, 100' rule violations, and one subject was arrested for B.U.I.
May 25th, RFC John Evans, CPL Craig Smith, and Wildlife Tech. Hal Wiggins patrolled the Altamaha River around Altamaha Park after dark. Several subjects were cited for light violations. While on patrol, these Rangers came upon a family that had been left on the sandbar. The vessel that was supposed to return to pick them up had been delayed and they could not contact them. Their vessel showed up just before the Rangers were about to start transporting the subjects back to the boat ramp.
BRYAN COUNTY On May 19th, Cpl. Phillip Scott patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA on Dunham Marsh Rd. and found a juvenile illegally operating an ATV on the WMA by operating off-road and without a driver's license. The ATV was towed and the juvenile was turned over to his parents.

On May 19th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the campground at Ft. McAllister State Park. They checked a group of campers with a 12-foot tiger shark caught by Tim Wainwright.
On May20th, Cpl. Scott and Ranger Miller found two persons fishing at the old Bryan Fisherman's Co-op dock which is now privately owned. Both persons were cited for fishing without a license and fishing without permission. On May 23rd, Ranger Jason Miller responded to a complaint of someone trapping hogs along Interstate 95. Ranger Miller found a location just off I-95 at the Egypt Island tract of the Richmond Hill WMA where corn was placed and where a hog-trap had been placed but already removed. As result of an investigation by Sgt. Chris Hodge and RFC John Evans in Glynn County, charges are pending on individuals for illegally trapping hogs in Bryan and Glynn counties. On May25th, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled from St. Catherine's Sound to the mouth of the Ogeechee River, checking numerous holiday-weekend boaters and fishermen. No violations were found. On May 25th, Cpl. Jay Morgan patrolled the Ogeechee River from Ft. McAllister upriver to King's Ferry ramp at Hwy. 17. He towed in one boat that was disabled below King's Ferry. He cited one boater for not having enough life jackets on board. Another boater was cited for failure to display an anchor light after dark and for operating a vessel without enough life jackets on board.

LIBERTY COUNTY On May 22nd, Ranger Jason Miller and Cpl. Bill Bryson investigated a complaint of someone in possession of an illegal size spot-tail bass (red drum). After interviewing the suspect, the suspect admitted to taking a 44-inch spot-tail bass. The legal slot-size limit is 14 23 inches. The suspect gave the fish fillets to the rangers. Charges are pending.
On May 24th, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound and North Newport River areas. On boater was cited for operating a vessel with an expired registration.
MCINTOSH COUNTY On May 25, 2013 while on vessel patrol in McIntosh Co., Sgt. Wayne Hubbard checked a commercial bait shrimp boat being operated by two unlicensed fishermen. Citations were written for Commercial Bait Shrimping without a License.
On May 25, 2013, Ranger Kate Hargrove and Sgt. Wayne Hubbard were performing a HIN inspection on two personal watercraft which had been purchased from an online classified ad. One of the PWC's was missing the HIN plate and when the existing Florida registration numbers were checked the registration came back on a 39 foot vessel. A secondary HIN was found and the PWC was determined to be stolen out of Pasco County Florida. The vessel and case were turned over to a McIntosh County investigator.