Department of Natural Resources 
Law Enforcement Division 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report December 7  December 13, 2014 
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 Division. 
 
 Region I- Calhoun (Northwest) 
BARTOW COUNTY On Saturday December 13th, Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Byron Young, and RFC Zack Hardy assisted the Allatoona Project Corps of Engineers with a sponsored youth hunt. The area hunted was known as the Coopers Furnace area of Corps land which had previously not been open to hunting. The area has an over population of deer and the young hunters helped in managing the deer herd. One hunter saw 12 deer during the morning hunt. All of the young hunters went to a safety and practice meeting prior to the hunt and practiced using their crossbows for the archery only hunt. The Corps of Engineers is considering a similar hunt next year. For more information, contact Corps Ranger Jake Albers at the Allatoona Project Corps of Engineers. 
All the young hunters and parents posed for a picture after lunch at the Corps main office. 
Corps Ranger Jake Albers with successful youth hunter Mike Porubiansky (left) and guide Dante Torelli. 
 
 Luke Loeding and his father enjoy lunch and hunting stories with Corps and DNR Rangers during the first sponsored youth hunt at Allatoona Corps of Engineers. 
Former hunter safety instructor James Smith (left) and local hunter Chris King with the "Outdoors With-out Limits" organization, enjoyed practice with crossbows preparing for the wheelchair bound hunt on Corps property. James was successful with the harvest of a doe at the special hunt while hunting within a portable blind overlooking a field. On December 13th, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Zack Hardy checked Georgia Power property off Hardin Bridge Rd. The officers patrolled a large swamp on the property and located two subjects hunting ducks over a small decoy spread. The two hunters were issued citations for hunting on lands of another without permission. CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 11th, RFC Bart Hendrix completed an investigation of illegal hunting in Ball Ground. RFC Hendrix was assisted by Ranger Mark Puig during the investigation of hunting without permission and hunting from a vehicle that occurred on December 6th. Several citations and warnings were issued at the conclusion of the investigation. 
 
 Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
FRANKLIN COUNTY On December 10th, Cpl. Josh Chambers and Cpl. Craig Fulghum responded to a complaint of road hunting in the Red Hill area. After an investigation of the incident one subject was arrested and transported to the Franklin County detention Center. The violations consisted of three separate road hunting incidents spread out over a month in the same location. The violations consisted of three counts of hunting from a public road, three counts of hunting from a vehicle, three counts of hunting without permission, three counts of Illegal sale of game, and two counts of failure to record deer harvest. A total of 14 violations were documented on the case. 
RABUN COUNTY On December 7th, Corporal Derek Dillard assisted the Rabun County Sheriff's Office with the chase of 2 fleeing subjects that were running from deputies in their truck in the area of Betty's Creek Road. They led the deputies on a chase from John Beck Dockins Road to Betty's Creek where Corporal Dillard joined in the chase. Eventually the fleeing truck's motor blew up and the driver fled on foot into some fields off Messer Creek Road. The passenger was immediately arrested. Corporal Dillard and some deputies were able to locate the man in a laurel thicket below the road with the assistance of a K-9 and he was arrested. He was fleeing because he had several warrants for his arrest. 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
RICHMOND COUNTY After a week long investigation, Corporal Micheal Crawley apprehended 2 subjects from Blythe that were involved in a night hunting incident. After a week of gathering evidence, Corporal Crawley was able to put together a night hunting case that happened approximately 3 weeks ago in the city limits of Blythe. The 2 subjects shot a spike deer from a pickup truck at night in a field belonging to the city of Blythe. They then dragged the deer back to a residence and cleaned it. Corporal Crawley charged one suspect with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting without permission. Corporal Crawley arrested a second suspect on December 12, 2014, and charged him with possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of a firearm by a first offender/convicted felon, hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting without permission. This subject was transported to Richmond County Jail for booking. 
BURKE COUNTY On December 8, RFC Jeff Billips assisted the Waynesboro Police Department in the apprehension of 3 suspects wanted for discharging a 12 gauge shotgun into a victim's door. These suspects were also wanted for the Friday night armed robbery, aggravated assault, home invasion and stolen vehicle of an elderly woman in Waynesboro. One of the male suspects was also wanted in Richmond County for armed robbery. RFC Billips assisted in the recovery of the shotgun that had been hidden by the suspects. 
CLARKE COUNTY On December 9th RFC Tim Butler found a man hunting deer without permission and without a license on a large industrial property. Both violations were addressed and the hunter was told to remove his stand from the property. 
 
 WARREN COUNTY On Friday night RFC Brian Adams, RFC Grant Matherly and CPL Crawley responded to a request from Warren County Sheriff Office to look for a missing female. Due to the temperature being 28 degrees and the female only having a light jacket on a helicopter with F.L.I.R. was called out to help with the search. At approximately 3 am the female was located. At this time it was determine that the female was the victim of domestic violence that night and that is why she fled into the woods. At this time the husband was taken into custody and turned over to the Warren County Sheriff Office. 
LINCOLN COUNTY On Friday RFC Brian Adams and RFC Bobby Timmerman were patrolling Clark's Hill Lake. During the patrol four subjects were observed running up ducks with their boat and shooting them. All four subjects were charged with hunting water fowl from a vessel and hunting with lead shot. Numerous other charges were made for resident and non-resident hunting without license, no Georgia waterfowl license, no federal water fowl stamps and operating vessel without personal floatation devices. 
On Saturday SGT Chaffin and RFC Adams responded to a complaint of three subjects on a golf cart riding the shore of Clark's Hill Lake shooting ducks with a 22 cal. rifle. The complainant stated that the bullets were ricocheting off the water toward his family and himself. When the three subjects (2 adults 1 juvenile) were located they stated that they were not hunting. RFC Adams found a fresh killed squirrel on the camps sites wood pile and a 22 cal. rifle on the seat of their golf cart. At this time the two adults admitted to riding the shore line and hunting squirrels. Both subjects were charged with hunting without a license. 
On Sunday RFC Adams and RFC Timmerman were patrolling Clark's Hill Lake for duck hunters. On one of the islands in Indian cove two subjects were observed walking the shore line. It was determined that the subjects were camping on the island and fishing for the weekend. While checking their license and fish both subjects were found to be in possession of marijuana. One of the subjects also had warrants out of Columbia County. Both subjects were charged with possession of marijuana and transported across the lake to a Columbia deputy. 
COLUMBIA COUNTY On Sunday morning RFC Adams and RFC Timmerman were patrolling Clark Hill's Lake for duck hunters. Five hunters were located hunting on Mistletoe State Park. The hunters were charged with hunting on a state park, no personal flotation devices and failure to observe regulatory maker. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
COWETA COUNTY On Wednesday, December 10th, Cpl. Keith Waddell and Chattahoochee Bend State Park Manager Tim Banks were checking hunters on the quota hunt. They determined that a hunter had shot a buck prior to shooting the required doe as specified in the hunt rules. The hunter was cited for the violation. 
PUTNAM COUNTY On the evening of December 7th, Sgt. Bo Kelly was patrolling Putnam County near Lake Oconee, when he noticed a pickup truck parked behind a closed business. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Kelly realized it was probably someone hunting. A short time later a hunter exited the woods and was confronted by Sgt. Kelly. After further investigation the subject was charged with hunting without wearing fluorescent orange and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and was transported to the Putnam County Jail. 
 
 WILKINSON COUNTY On the morning December 10th, Ranger Matt Johnson was patrolling for waterfowl hunting activity near a baited pond that other officers had discovered approximately a week earlier. Shortly after daylight, numerous shots were heard and Ranger Johnson approached the area by foot. A total of 4 hunters were located and all were charge with hunting waterfowl over bait, hunting without federal waterfowl stamp and 1 hunter was charged with hunting without a license. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
BROOKS COUNTY On December 12th, RFC Jon Penuel received a call from a landowner concerning a subject trespassing on his property. When the officer arrived on scene, he located a vehicle parked on the edge of the complainant's field. After a short search the suspect was located and cited for hunting without permission. THOMAS COUNTY On December 8th, Ranger Eric White was notified by the Sheriff's Office that a deputy was investigating a night deer hunting complaint. Ranger White responded to the deputy's location and upon arrival, recognized the suspect's vehicle as one from a night deer hunting arrest made on December 6th. After a brief interview of the two suspects, White located a .22 magnum rifle, a hand-held spotlight light hidden in the bushes and blood from a deer that the suspects had shot. Both subjects were charged with hunting deer at night (the 3rd offense for one of the subjects), hunting big game from a road, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting without permission. The Ranger tracked the wounded deer for a considerable distance but was unable to locate and retrieve it. 
COLQUITT COUNTY On December 13th, Corporal Robbie Griner and Ranger Eric White located a dove shoot in the Doerun area. While the officers were checking the hunters, they discovered wheat and split peanuts had been placed on the field. Thirteen subjects were charged with hunting over bait and the illegally taken dove were confiscated and donated to the Albany Mission. 
Colquitt County dove bait 
 
 MACON COUNTY On December 11th, Ranger Jesse Harrison received a call from a GSP Trooper who had stopped a truck that contained a buck with its head removed. Ranger Harrison met with the Trooper and the driver of the truck. It was determined that the buck had been taken in in Macon County and did not meet the county QDM antler restriction of a minimum 15 inch antler outside spread. The 11 point buck was confiscated as evidence and the subject was issued citations for failure to record deer harvest and taking an undersized antlered deer in a QDM antler restriction county. The meat was donated to hunters for the hungry program. LAKE SEMINOLE On December 13th, Sgt. Rick Sellars and RFC Tony Cox conducted a waterfowl patrol on the lake. The officers encountered and cited hunters for the following; 1 taking over the limit of Blue Bills, 2 hunting without license, 2 without Georgia Waterfowl License, 1 without Federal Duck Stamp, and 2 hunting from a vessel under power. Five ducks were confiscated during this patrol. 
RFC Tony Cox with confiscated ducks. DECATUR COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Tony Cox was conducting a patrol when he encountered a deer hunter with a 6 point buck. The hunter was cited for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without fluorescent orange, and failure to record deer harvest. The deer was confiscated. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
LAURENS COUNTY On December 13, Ranger First Class Rodney Horne was patrolling for waterfowl hunting activity along the Oconee River. RFC Horne checked a vessel on the Oconee River with three hunters hunting ducks. A total of four violations were documented for hunting without a federal migratory bird stamp, failure to sign a federal migratory bird stamp, and hunting without a license on person. WILCOX COUNTY On December 7, Corporal John A Stokes conducted a waterfowl patrol along the Ocmulgee River near Half Moon boat landing. Seven waterfowl hunters were checked for license and bag limit compliance. One violation was documented for operating a vessel with insufficient personnel floatation device (PFD). 
 
 TELFAIR COUNTY On December 13, Ranger First Class Allen Mills checked a dove shoot near McRae. RFC Mills observed seven individuals hunting a sunflower field. As RFC Mills was checking hunters for license and bag limit compliance, he noticed fresh wheat seed scattered along the ground. After conducting a brief interview with the landowner, one violation for unlawful enticement of game, five violations for hunting over bait, and one violation for hunting without a license on person were documented. 
On December 13, Ranger First Class Allen Mills was conducting a routine patrol at the Horse Creek Wildlife Management Area during an either sex sign-in deer hunt. RFC Mills checked twenty-one hunters for license and regulation compliance. One violation for taking over the season limit of antlered deer (second small buck deer) was documented. 
IRWIN COUNTY On December 11, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class Joe Hilton responded to a landowner complaint of someone hunting waterfowl on her property without permission. After arriving on scene, RFC Hilton was able to locate some spent shotgun shells at the pond. After talking with the landowner, RFC Hilton made contact with the individuals that were responsible for the illegal hunting. RFC Hilton and Sgt. McLaughlin met with the individuals and they admitted to shooting ducks in the pond. Violations were documented for hunting without permission on the five individuals. 
ECHOLS COUNTY On December 7th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree encountered a hunter on Register Road standing in the bed of his truck with a loaded weapon in his hands while participating in a deer-dog hunt. The hunter was charged with hunting big game from a public road. 
On December 12th, an individual reported trash had been strewn down the county road near his residence. Ranger Daniel North conducted a brief investigation and was able to locate the original owner of the trash. Contact was made with the owner and it was determined that the trash had been properly disposed of but that the few pieces of trash that were found on the dirt road had fallen from the commercial garbage truck while collecting trash at area residences. No violations were issued to the original owner of the trash. 
WARE COUNTY On December 12th, Cpl. Jason Shipes was patrolling for after-hours duck hunting activity in northeast Clinch County. While in the area, Cpl. Shipes heard what sounded like an active deer dog hunt close to his location, but across the county line in Ware County. Cpl. Shipes decided to check the activity and found several subjects hunting deer with dogs. One of the hunters was observed standing in the roadway with a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game from a public road. 
CANDLER COUNTY On the morning of December 13, Cpl. Mike Wilcox and Sgt. Don Dasher were patrolling Candler County for waterfowl hunting. Later in the morning the officers were able to hear shooting a long distance away from their location. The officers were able to locate a dove shoot in the southern part of the county. When the officers entered the field they noticed the field was baited with sorghum, soybeans, and wheat seed. A total of six violations for hunting over bait were documented. 
BULLOCH COUNTY On Saturday, December 13th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked landings on the Ogeechee River for boating and duck hunting activity. His efforts resulted in ten licenses being checked, four boats being checked and two violations being documented. The violations were for operating a vessel without PFDs. 
 
 ATKINSON COUNTY On December 13th, RFC Tim Hutto noticed a Ford Ranger pickup truck parked in the ditch on Highway 64 in Axson. RFC Hutto stopped down the road from the truck and watched the driver unload trash out of the bed of the truck. A few moments later, the subject left the scene and RFC Hutto initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The subject was questioned and given a citation for littering. 
APPLING COUNTY Cpl. Altman responded to a complaint of night deer hunting. Upon arrival, evidence was collected, ranging from shot shells, blood, tire tracks, and corn. During the investigation two individuals were interviewed in reference to their involvement with the illegal activity. Upon completing the investigation Cpl. Altman charged two individuals with hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. 
Cpl. Altman was working a complaint in reference to possible illegal hunting activity. Cpl. Altman was positioned at the edge of a public road, while observing a truck parked down from him. A short time later Cpl. Altman heard a shot from the direction of the vehicle. Cpl. Altman initiated a vehicle stop of the vehicle and the driver was interviewed. The driver stated to have shot at a deer standing in the public roadway, behind Cpl. Altman's position. The subject was charged with hunting from a vehicle and hunting from a public road. 
TOOMBS COUNTY On December 13th, Sgt. Jon Barnard, Cpl. Chase Altman and RFC Debbie Brannen held a HIN inspection at the Toombs County Forestry. They assisted three individuals with boat registration issues. 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On December 12th, Sgt. Jon Barnard was working a night deer hunting complaint on South Old River Road, when he observed a truck approach his location. The truck slowed down and a light was shined from the driver's side of the truck into the area he was watching. The truck turned sideways in the road using the headlights to shine the area. The truck continued down South Old River Road with Sgt. Barnard following the truck. The driver continued to shine a light into fields along S. Old River Rd. until Sgt. Barnard activated his emergency blue lights. The truck was occupied by four people, who had two loaded rifles, a .300 win mag and a 22-250. The individuals were issued a total of six cases and six warnings for hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road. 
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
No activity to report.