Field operations weekly report [Dec. 14-20, 2014]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report December 14-20, 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.
For additional news and updates, "Like" the LE Division's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/gadnrle

Region I- Calhoun (Northwest)
BARTOW COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Byron Young participated in the "Shop with a Hero" event in Cartersville. Local Police Officers, Firemen, EMS, United States Military Service Members, and JROTC members from Adairsville High School served as a helper to a child. 300 children were given the opportunity to spend $150 each at Wal-Mart in Cartersville. A portion of the money was used on clothing, but the children were given the freedom to buy whatever they wanted.
COBB COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Zack Hardy received information that a large buck was possibly illegally harvested on private property without permission off Baker Road. RFC Hardy met with the complainant and was advised of the area where the deer was possibly harvested and then dragged back onto the neighboring property. RFC Hardy gathered evidence and information about the suspect. Later in the day RFC Hardy interviewed the suspect, the hunter confessed to shooting the buck through a chain link fence from the complainant's property while standing in his own back yard. The suspect advised that he cut the fence and dragged it back onto his property. The suspect was charged for hunting on lands of another without permission. The buck was seized as evidence and the meat was given to a needy family in the area.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
JACKSON COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Eric Isom and K9, Colt checked a landowners property. The officers located a vehicle on the property. RFC Isom deployed Colt to locate the subject. Colt located the poacher hunting on the ground without wearing fluorescent orange. He received citations for hunting without permission and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. At a later point in time, the Officers discovered that the subject was a convicted felon. The investigation continues on the subject and other possible offenders.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GLASCOCK COUNTY On December 20th, RFC Brian Adams apprehended 9 subjects for hunting waterfowl over bait and hunting without permission. The subjects were also cited for various license requirement violations.
On December 21, RFC Brian Adams apprehended one subject for hunting deer over bait and not wearing orange clothing. He was cited and released.
OCONEE COUNTY On December 19th Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Tim Butler checked a property where baited deer stands were located earlier in the week. Two hunters were checked with one violation of hunting big game over bait being documented.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On December 20th Sgt. Brian Carter apprehended three individuals night hunting after the subjects shot at a deer while being observed. Each of the individuals was charged with hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting deer at night.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On December 20th, Sgt. Bo Kelly and Ranger Matt Johnson checked 4 waterfowl hunters with several violations. The hunters were cited with hunting waterfowl over bait and 5 wood ducks were seized. Later that night, Ranger Johnson apprehended 2 subjects for spotlighting deer. Both subjects were convicted felons in possession of a firearm. They were arrested for possession of firearm by a convicted felon and transported to Baldwin County Jail. The subjects were also charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public road.
HEARD COUNTY On December 15th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen received information from Cpl. Mitch Oliver about an individual having an arrest warrant out for a theft by deception charge from the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The subject was alleged to be hosting a raccoon hunt in Heard County. The officers located the individual at the event and the subject was taken into custody for the outstanding warrant.
TALBOT COUNTY On December 20th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver and Cpl. Jeremy Bolen were attempting to locate a duck shoot when Cpl. Oliver heard 2 gunshots fired in a close proximity to his location. The gunshots were from a rifle and Cpl. Oliver stayed in the area to attempt to check the deer hunter. It was determined that the duck hunt was also taking place on the property, so Cpl. Bolen came to Cpl. Oliver's location. Eventually two deer hunters came from the woods and both denied having shot at a deer. The hunters were asked for their hunting license, but neither could produce a current license. After further questioning, one of the hunters admitted to killing a spike buck and leaving it in the woods. Talbot County is a QDM county. While questioning the second hunter, it was determined he was a convicted felon and was in possession of marijuana. The hunter who killed the illegal deer was charged with killing a non-quality buck in a QDM county and hunting without a license. He was issued a warning for hunting without a big game license. The second hunter was arrested and charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license.
WILKINSON COUNTY On December 14th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford responded to Wilkinson County in reference to a hunting-withoutpermission complaint that is still under investigation.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TERRELL COUNTY On December 19th, Cpl. Scott Carroll located an after-hours duck shoot. Cpl. Carroll discovered the hunters were juveniles, and in addition to the after-hours violation the group had not taken hunter safety courses, were without adult supervision and involved in several other violations. Cpl. Carroll contacted the group's parents, and requested their assistance in the matter in lieu of charging the group.
MITCHEL COUNTY On December 10th, Corporal Randy Davis investigated a hunting-without-permission complaint in Mitchell County. While checking the complaint, he encountered and cited a hunter for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange, hunting without a license, and without a big game license. The subject had permission to be on the property. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the subject was a convicted felon. The following day Corporal Davis met the hunter at his home, where he voluntarily turned over two rifles and a shotgun. A warrant was obtained on the subject for Possession of a firearm by a convicted Felon.

SEMINOLE COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Tony Cox responded to a citizen's complaint of a subject killing a deer at night. The suspect was interviewed and cited for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.
DECATUR COUNTY On December 14th, RFC Tony Cox was patrolling Lake Seminole when he encountered a subject whom possessed over limit of Crappie. The subject was cited for the infraction, and the forty-two Crappie were confiscated.
On December 18th, RFC Tony Cox was patrolling Lake Seminole for commercial fishing violations when he encountered a subject in possession of Crappie, Stripers, and Chain Pickerel which had been caught using gill nets. The subject was cited for taking game fish with commercial gear and the fish were confiscated.
Illegally taken game-fish CRISP COUNTY On December 18th, Cpl. Clint Martin and Ranger Jesses Harrison checked three adults and a juvenile hunting waterfowl. During an inspection of the hunting area it was determined that the hunters were hunting over bait and hunting without permission. The three adults were charged with hunting waterfowl over bait and hunting without permission.
On the night of December 19th, Cpl. Bob Holley observed the occupants of a vehicle hunting fields adjacent to the roadway. Two individuals exited the vehicle with weapons in an attempt to shoot hogs that were in a field. As Cpl. Holley pulled up behind them, one of the subjects threw a handgun through the passenger side window of their vehicle while the second subject threw a rifle underneath their vehicle. Both subjects were taken into custody, and the weapons recovered. Cpl. Clint Martin arrived on scene to assist, and after a brief investigation, both subjects were cited for hunting feral hogs from a motor vehicle, hunting from a public road and hunting without a license.
On December 20th, Cpl. Bob Holley observed the occupants of a vehicle hunting from a public road, then driving recklessly and at a high rate of speed. After a short distance Cpl. Holley was able to stop the suspect vehicle, after which the driver and passenger were taken into custody. A loaded pistol, a spotlight and several open containers of alcohol were recovered from the vehicle's interior. Cpl. Clint Martin arrived on scene, and after a brief investigation, the subjects were charged with D.U.I., open container violation and blinding wildlife with lights.
BROOKS COUNTY On December 17th, RFC Jon Penuel and CPL Greg Wade checked a group of duck hunters as they exited a large pond. The Rangers discovered the pond was baited and charged the subjects for hunting ducks over bait, along with hunting without license, possession of lead shot and hunting without Georgia waterfowl stamps.

WORTH COUNTY On the afternoon of December 18th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Sgt. David Ruddell spotted a group of pickup trucks parked the corner of a field. The Rangers investigated and found several individuals hunting a nearby peanut field. Cpl. Wade walked the field and determined that the field had been baited with peanut splits. The hunters were charged with hunting dove over bait and 80 dove were seized and donated to a needy family. On the morning of December 20th, Cpl. Greg Wade and Cpl. Robbie Griner located two separate groups of waterfowl hunters. While checking the hunter's licenses and limits, the Rangers found whole kernel corn had been placed in both ponds. The six hunters were cited for hunting ducks over bait. COLQUITT COUNTY December 20th Cpl. Greg Wade received a complaint of an illegally killed deer which was located at a deer processor. Wade investigated the complaint, identified the subjects involved and found the deer had been shot at night from a public road. The subjects were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting big game from a public road.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
BERRIEN COUNTY On the morning of Friday December 19th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and Sgt. Morty Wood located two subjects hunting ducks in southern Berrien County on the Withlacoochee River. The area was found to be baited with whole kernel corn. After an inspection of hunting licenses and the firearms that were being used, each of the hunters received citations for hunting waterfowl over bait.
On the evening of Saturday December 20th, Sgt. Morty Wood was patrolling for hunting activity in the Alapaha area. Approximately 15 minutes after legal shooting hours for migratory birds had ended, Sgt. Wood heard what was believed to be a duck roost shoot. After locating the roost shoot area, Sgt. Wood identified that there were two hunters taking part in the illegal shoot. After detaining the two suspects and inspecting their licenses and hunting equipment, they were both found to be 16 years old and in possession of two Wood Ducks. Warnings were issued for hunting waterfowl after hours and one was instructed that he also needed a Georgia Waterfowl license in addition to the licenses he had. The parents of both juveniles will be contacted.

ATKINSON COUNTY On December 8th, RFC Tim Hutto received a hunting without permission complaint on Hwy 441 in Pearson. After working the complaint for almost two weeks, on December 20th, RFC Hutto was able to finish the complaint after locating the individuals involved. Two violations of hunting without permission were documented.
WARE COUNTY On December 10th, Ranger Sam Williams responded to an in-progress night hunting complaint near the Dixie Union area. The Ware County Sheriff's Office received the call through 911 and was able to locate and stop the vehicle involved within a couple of miles of where the individuals had shot at a deer. Ranger Williams arrived at the scene and observed a .270 caliber rifle and a .22 caliber rifle in the suspect's vehicle. Ranger Williams returned to the location where the shot had been fired and located foot prints where one of the individuals had crossed a field in an attempt to locate the deer. Ranger Williams followed the foot prints, but was unable to locate any sign that a deer had been hit. Interviews were conducted with the three individuals involved and they admitted to riding around looking for a deer to shoot. All three were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting big game from a public road.
BACON COUNTY On December 19th, RFC Mark Pool and Ranger Sam Williams assisted the Alma Police Department, Bacon County Sheriff's Department, and the Georgia State Patrol with a multi-agency road check that resulted in one illegal drug case, several seat belt violations and license infractions. The road check was coordinated by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.
CHARLTON COUNTY On December 20th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Ranger Sam Williams were conducting night deer hunting surveillance in the southern portion of the county. During the detail, a truck drove by Ranger Williams' location and a spot light was shined out the driver's side window into a nearby clear-cut. A vehicle stop was conducted and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun and loaded .22 magnum rifle were discovered in the vehicle. The rechargeable spotlight used was found between the seats under the console. All three occupants were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting big game from a public road.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 16th, Corporal Dan Stiles completed an investigation that began on November 30th with a complaint of hunting without permission. Violations documented were hunting without permission, hunting big game without a big game license, and hunting without a license. One set of antlers was also confiscated during the investigation.
On December 20th, Ranger First Class Rodney Horne was patrolling a hunting area in Laurens County. While on patrol, RFC Horne encountered a hunter coming out of his deer stand without wearing a fluorescent orange vest. A violation for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange was documented.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LONG COUNTY On December 14, Ranger Gibbs located a duck shoot at a small pond with 4 hunters. None of the hunters had a plug in their shotguns. Gibbs asked the hunters if the pond they were hunting was baited and received one response of "No", and another response of "Not that I know of." Upon searching the pond for bait, Gibbs located several pieces of corn in the water. Violations were addressed for hunting over bait, hunting with an unplugged gun, hunting without a federal waterfowl stamp, and hunting without a Georgia waterfowl license.
On December 15 Ranger Gibbs was listening for after-hours waterfowl activity. At 6:50pm (Twenty seven minutes after legal shooting hours), Gibbs heard shots coming from Townsend WMA. Sgt. Winters, Cpl. Aspinwall, and Gibbs were able to locate 3 vehicles occupied by a total of 6 hunters wearing waders and rubber boots. While talking with the hunters, one subject hid 6 wood ducks in the woods, which were later found along with a shotgun after a brief search of the area. Violations were addressed for hunting waterfowl after hours, illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA, and failure to allow inspection.
BRYAN COUNTY On Dec. 14th, RFC Kiel Toney and Cpl. Bill Bryson conducted a saltwater patrol around the Ossabaw Island area. Several recreational fishermen were checked and one commercial crabber was cited for commercial fishing without a commercial license. LIBERTY COUNTY On Dec. 14th, Cpl. Jay Morgan found a car parked on the Liberty County Development Authority property off Hwy. 17 just south of Midway. After contacting RFC Jack Thain to assist, they found two deer hunters returning to their car. Both hunters were cited from hunting without permission and for hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange clothing. Later that day, the rangers conducted a saltwater patrol in the areas of St. Catherine's and Sapelo Sounds, checking inshore and offshore fishermen. On Dec. 17th, Ranger Jason Miller received a complaint from a landowner about deer-hunting dogs on his property off of Old Hines Rd. After checking the area, Ranger Miller found three hunting dogs and contacted and met with the owner of the dogs from an adjoining deer-dogging club. The deer-dog owner was cited for failure to keep deer-hunting dogs on permitted property and for failure to mark deer-hunting dogs with a permit number.

MCINTOSH COUNTY On Dec. 16th, Ranger Jason Miller patrolled the Sapelo Sound area and caught a commercial shrimp boat commercial shrimping in closed waters inside the sound before daylight. The shrimp boat was escorted to their seafood dock where all three crew members were cited for commercial fishing in closed waters. And three days later, on Dec. 19th, RFC Kate Hargrove caught the same shrimp boat again for commercial fishing in closed waters in the same area. This shrimp boat had been previously caught by Ranger Miller and Cpl. Jay Morgan in October, 2013 for the same violation.