Field operations weekly report, 2013 April 28-May 4

Department of Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement Section
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 28-May 4, 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 30th, Cpl. Byron Young received a call from a hunter that advised while hunting a power line he saw several gobblers scratching in a freshly plowed up area across the property line. The hunter stated a pop up blind was within 5 yards of the turkeys. The hunter advised the turkeys stayed in the plowed area for 30 plus minutes continually feeding. The hunter advised that the area had to be baited. Cpl. Young foot patrolled the area and located whole corn in the plowed area, a second blind within 75 yards of the baited area was also located. The following morning May 1, Cpl. Young located two hunters hunting in the two blinds with decoys set-up in the plowed area. Both subjects were charged with hunting big game over bait.
FANNIN COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Cody Jones was patrolling Aska Road. While nearing the crest of a hill, a Ford Mustang passed RFC Jones' Law Enforcement vehicle. That stretch of Aska Road is a "no passing zone". Officer Jones conducted a traffic stop and upon running the driver's license, it was found that the driver's license was expired. The subject was issued a citation for passing in a no passing zone and driving on an expired license.
GILMER COUNTY On May 2nd, Sgt. John VanLandingham and RFC Cody Jones came upon a vehicle stopped in the middle of a public roadway. The passenger of the vehicle was standing in the roadway urinating. The vehicle and all occupants were searched. The passenger was cited for Violation of the Georgia open container law.
MURRAY COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Joe Hill patrolled Carters Re Regulation Lake. The officer checked several fishermen and issued one citation for fishing without a license.
POLK COUNTY On April 28th, RFC Chad Cox received a complaint about a subject shooting from the road in the western part of the county. RFC Cox contacted Sgt. Ricky Dempsey to assist with the complaint knowing he was closer to the location. Sgt. Dempsey responded and was able to locate the subjects that had shot from the road. The subjects had shot at a turkey and two adults and one juvenile were charged with hunting from a public road and hunting from a motor vehicle.
On April 30th, RFC Chad Cox conducted a one hour program on quail for the kindergarten classes at Eastside Elementary School. The students had been reading a story about a quail and RFC Cox was contacted by a teacher to speak.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
RABUN, TOWNS, AND UNION COUNTIES On May 3, Cpl. Dillard received a complaint about a hit and run suspect that just hit a vehicle near the Burton Fish Hatchery on Hwy 197 while Sgt. Seitz, Cpl. Dillard, and Cpl. Cook were moving a patrol boat to higher ground at the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery. Cpl. Dillard drove North on Hwy 197 to try to locate the vehicle and USFS Officer Jeff Angle was at the intersection on Hwy 197 and Hwy 76. The vehicle was a white Ford Expedition driven by one white female. USFS officer Angle attempted to stop the suspect vehicle as it drove through the stop sign at that intersection and traveled West of Hwy 76. USFS officer Angle and Cpl. Dillard attempted to stop the vehicle with their lights and siren, but the vehicle would not stop. The officers radioed the information to Rabun County dispatch that they were headed into Towns County. Cpl. Cook and Sgt. Seitz unhooked the patrol boat and followed a few miles behind Cpl. Dillard and USFS Angle. The chase entered into Towns County and Rabun County notified Towns County officers to assist. Cpl. Dillard relayed all the information about the chase such as locations, directions, speeds, and descriptions through GSP Gainesville which aided in the County officers in assisting in the chase. Towns County Officers entered into the chase and attempted to stop the suspect several times using a spike strip and multiple attempts of rolling road blocks, but the suspect evaded all the attempts to get her stopped. During this time the suspect called 911 in Towns County and advised she was suicidal and would not stop for the officers. When Sgt. Seitz and Cpl. Cook got into cell service in Towns County, they telephoned Union County dispatch to make sure they were aware of the chase that was heading their way. Sgt. Seitz provided chase info and locations as the chase approached Union County so Union County could get their officers prepared to assist in the chase if it made it that far. Cpl. Dillard, USFS Angle, and Towns County officers continued attempting to stop the suspect through the cities of Hiawassee and Young Harris with the suspect refusing to stop for the officers and becoming more aggressive. As the chase entered Union county, the suspect poured gasoline all over herself and told the dispatcher that she was going to light a cigarette to kill herself. The Union County officers had set up to intercept the suspect just East of Blairsville on Hwy 76. The suspect hit one of the Union County deputies while he was trying to stop her and the suspect slid off the highway into the ditch where she finally came to a stop. The officers removed the suspect from her car and safely took her into custody. She was covered in gas and had a cigarette in her hand at the time of her arrest! The suspect was arrested in Union County, treated at the hospital for being covered in gasoline, and transported to a hospital in Atlanta, GA for mental evaluation. When she is released from the hospital, she will be brought back to the Union County jail where she will face a long list charges in Rabun, Towns, and Union County.

STEPHENS COUNTY On May 3rd, Cpl. Bill Bunch investigated a complaint of someone dumping raw sewage. Cpl. Bunch located the subject and issued a citation for illegal dumping.
On May 3rd, Cpl. Bill Bunch checked trout streams for fishing activity. During the patrol he issued a citation for fishing without a license and warning for fishing without a trout license.
FORSYTH COUNTY On April 30th, Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled Lake Lanier up the Chestatee River for boating and fishing activity. Several boats and fishermen were checked. A written warning was issued for operating a vessel without PFD's. The subject was escorted to War Hill Park.
On May 1st, Sgt. Lee Brown and Cpl. Loudermilk patrolled Lake Lanier for boating and fishing activity. Several boats and fishermen were checked throughout the afternoon. Written warnings were issued for operating a vessel without registration numbers displayed.
On May 2nd, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump provided in-service to the Forsyth County deputies that would be patrolling Lake Lanier. Boating safety laws and the new law changes were explained to the deputies.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On May 3rd, Cpl. Eric Sanders received a call from the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office about a subject that fell in Randy Poynter Lake. The subject's boat along with his dogs was stranded on the other side of the lake. Cpl. Sanders arrived at Randy Poynter Lake and located the subject on the dock wet and cold. Cpl. Sanders asked him what happen and the subject stated that one of his dogs knocked his fishing pole into the lake and he jumped in to retrieve the pole. His pants pocket caught onto the trolling motor handle and put the motor in gear. The subject found his fishing pole and the boat traveled across the lake. He swam to the other bank to get help. Cpl. Sanders took the subject out to get his boat and dogs. A written warning was issued for operating a vessel without registration.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GLASCOCK COUNTY RFC Brian Adams held three all day kid's fishing events for all the students in fifth grade, third grade and Kindergarten. Approximately 650 fish were caught, cleaned and sent home with the children. This was the 17th Annual Glascock County Kids Fishing Event. Other Rangers that assisted was RFC Grant Matherly, RFC Bobby Timmerman and Sgt. Doyte Chaffin.

WARREN COUNTY RFC Adams conducted an ATV safety class at Warren County Elementary School.
RFC Matherly conducted an ATV class at Warren County Elementary School.
LINCOLN COUNTY On May 4 Cpl. Brian Hobbins worked a boating accident on Clark's Hill Lake at the Cherokee Boat Ramp. There were no injuries.
COLUMBIA COUNTY Cpl. Brian Hobbins assisted with a Kid's Fishing Event put on by Kiokee Baptist Church. The event was held on Robert Pollard's property.
BURKE COUNTY On May 1, Corporal Ben Payne, Corporal Michael Crawley, K-9 Storm and RFC Jeff Billips assisted Burke County Sheriff's office with the apprehension of a fugitive felon. The felon was wanted in connection with the desecration and removal of dead persons from a cemetery. The grave sites included Confederate Civil War veterans and an infant child. The felon had eluded law enforcement for nearly two weeks when Burke County Sheriff's investigator Sean Cochran received a tip on a possible location. The Rangers and Deputies from Burke and Richmond Counties went to the residence and took the felon and homeowner into custody. The felon attempted to flee the residence out of a back door but saw Corporal Crawley and Storm. The felon retreated into the residence and was promptly arrested despite resisting deputies.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On May 4, RFC Phillip Nelson participated in Jakes Day at RSE Farms in Oglethorpe Co. with Archery Shooting, Boating Safety and Job Responsibilities of a Conservation Ranger.
WILKES COUNTY On Wednesday May 1st, Corporal Mark Patterson conducted a patrol of Wildlife Management Areas and a municipal lake in the county. During the course of this patrol, three subjects were found to be fishing without a license.
OCONEE COUNTY On Friday May 03, RFC Tim Butler issued a subject a warning for hunting turkey without permission.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On the morning of April 30th, Corporal Bubba Stanford brought the wildlife trailer to Eagle Ridge Elementary School. Corporal Stanford instructed several classes on wildlife identification as well as their habits.
On the afternoon of May 3rd, Corporal Josh Copelan conducted several programs at Eagle Ridge Elementary School. Students learned about local wildlife as well as what a DNR Conservation Rangers' job consists of.
BUTTS COUNTY While on patrol in Butts County on May 3rd, RFC Keith Page located a large pile of trash on Fill Bridge Road. After digging through the trash, RFC Page found the name of a woman that lived on High Falls Road in Lamar County. RFC Page then went to the residence and spoke to the woman who stated her son and his friend had taken the trash off, supposedly to the trash dump several days prior. RFC Page made contact with both young men who admitted to dumping the trash on Fill Bridge Road. After speaking with the young men, they both volunteered to clean all of their trash up as well as any other trash that was in that area. RFC Page allowed the boys to clean up the trash and issued them both written warnings for unlawful dumping.
JONES COUNTY On the morning of April 30th, Ranger Jeremy Reese spoke with several classes at Mattie Well's Elementary School. Ranger Reese brought wildlife study skins and informed the students about them.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the afternoon of May 4th, Corporals Bubba Stanford and Josh Copelan did several vessel inspections near the Twin Bridges area of Lake Sinclair. The officers also checked Cedar Creek WMA and the Sinclair Dam for activity and no violations were detected.
TROUP COUNTY Bassmaster held their Elite Series tournament with 100 anglers participating on West Point Lake May 2nd through May 5th. Sergeant Jim Bradfield, Sergeant Brent Railey, Corporal Mitch Oliver, Corporal Jeremy Bolen, Corporal Keith Waddell, Corporal Travis Sweat, RFC Josh Swain, and Ranger Russell Epps all participated in operating the fishing simulator and on boating safety patrol throughout the four day event. An estimated 14,000 people visited throughout the four days and several hundred kids and adults had the opportunity to use the fishing simulator. The tournament was won by Skeet Reese with a total four day weight of 46.6 pounds for 20 fish. Pictured below are some of the anglers boats on Day two at weigh in.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
GRADY COUNTY On May 3rd, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox conducted programs at Shiver Elementary School in Cairo, where the officers discussed boating and water safety issues.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
JENKINS COUNTY On Wednesday, May 1, 2013, Cpl. Wilcox was on vessel patrol on the Ogeechee River. He encountered one vessel that was putting out limb lines. A violation for fishing w/o a license was documented and the boat operator was given verbal guidance about his vessel being unregistered.
On Saturday, May 4, 2013, Cpl. Wilcox participated in a fund raising event for the Children's Miracle Network. The event was held at the Rite Aid pharmacy in Millen. Cpl. Wilcox took a patrol vessel to the event and conducted boating safety programs to people that attended.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On Sunday April 21st, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked boats taking out of the Savannah River at Tuckasee King Landing. His efforts led to twelve boats and five fishing license being checked. No violations were documented. Courtesy checks on a number of boats attempting to put on the water resulted in several boats having to return home to get proper safety equipment or registration information.
COOK COUNTY On Friday May 3, Cpl. Morty Wood assisted several law enforcement agencies in Cook County with the search for a murder suspect. Lenox Police had chased the suspect vehicle, but lost it. After approximately 2 hours of searching, Cpl. Wood located the suspect vehicle and immediately called for backup to his location North of Lenox. The vehicle was partially hidden in a wooded area at an old home place. After a brief search, a Department of Corrections K-9 trailed the suspect who was hidden in a pine tree. The suspect was arrested without further incident.

Murder Suspect Vehicle
APPLING COUNTY On the 30th, Cpl. Altman responded to a complaint of illegal hunting at a blueberry farm. After arriving on scene and investigating, Cpl. Altman found that the workers were shooting at Cedar Wax Wings, in an attempt to keep them from destroying crops. The officer spoke with the owner and warned him and the workers of the bird's federal protection. Cpl. Altman then spoke with an agent of the USFW Services, and the owner was then able to get a deprivation permit to protect his crops. While patrolling creeks along the south end of the county, Cpl. Altman responded to an automobile accident with the Sheriff's Office. One car had run off into a ditch with water in it. No injuries occurred. EVANS COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Debbie Brannen and Sgt. Jon Barnard patrolled areas along the Canoochee River. Approximately 15 licenses and 3 boats were checked. Two violations for fishing without permission and one violation for fishing without a license were documented.

DODGE COUNTY On May 4th, RFC Allen Mills was conducting an area check at the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. RFC Mills checked three angler's licenses and creels. He also conducted one boating safety inspection. Violations for operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher and operating a vessel without coast guard approved PFDs were documented.
LAURENS COUNTY On April 28th, Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted a foot and vessel patrol at the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Three vessels were checked for boating safety equipment and registration compliance. Eleven anglers were checked for license requirements and creel. Verbal guidance was given to one angler for fishing with expired license. No other violations were detected.
WHEELER COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Rodney Horne was working a landing detail on the Oconee River checking illegal fishing and boating safety violations. RFC Rodney Horne documented 3 violations for operating a vessel at night without navigation lights, operating a vessel with insufficient personal flotation devices, and for fishing without a license on person.
On May 3rd RFC Rodney Horne received a call from a Deputy in Laurens County about a non-resident in possession of a wild turkey without a license. After an interrogation, RFC Rodney Horne documented violations for a non-resident hunting without a license, nonresident hunting without a big game license, and possession of big game without a big game license.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On May 2nd, Ranger Jason Miller travelled to Chatham County to assist the Chatham rangers and the U.S. Marshalls Service in the search for and capture of an escapee from the Coastal Correction Facility, who was camping out on a marsh island near Skidaway Island.
On May 4th, Cpl. Phillip Scott and Ranger Jason Miller travelled to Chatham County to assist the Chatham rangers with the inspections of commercial shrimp boats for compliance of the laws regarding Turtle Excluder Devices and By-catch Reduction Devices.

LIBERTY COUNTY On May 1st, RFC Jack Thain and Ranger Jason Miller cited a man for trapping without permission and for trapping out of season on Peacock Canal. The rangers had found the traps two weeks earlier, had set up a trail-camera which caught pictures of two men working the traps, and checked the traps several times over the next two weeks. The rangers were able to track down the suspects who were a local man who lived next to the canal and his 17-year old nephew.
Pictured: 1 Baited leg-hold trap set CHATAHM COUNTY On May 2, Sgt. Miller received a call from the Manager of Wormsloe Historic Site who had a subject illegally camping on Wormsloe. He said when the subject was approached he jumped into a canoe and paddled to Long Island. I asked him to describe the subject. Sgt. Miller remembered a BOLO from a month ago and believed this was the same subject, an escapee from Coastal Prison. Once the manager was shown a picture of the escapee, he confirmed that it was indeed him. Sgt. Miller responded to the area with Ranger Jason Miller. The two Rangers met two Park Rangers at the entrance to Long Island. All of the Rangers waited for the Fugitive Squad from the US Marshals to arrive before entering the Island. The Savannah Marine Patrol directed by the Savannah Aviation Unit apprehended the subject as the Rangers and Marshals entered the Island.

GLYNN COUNTY On May 1st, RFC John Evans presented a program on venomous snakes to Glynn County employees. There were about 40 employees in attendance.
WAYNE COUNTY On May 2nd, RFC Evans presented a program on Georgia's mammals and reptiles to the kindergarten classes at Jesup Elementary. There were 6 classes totaling over 120 kids in attendance.