Department of Natural Resources 
Law Enforcement Division 
Field Operations 
Weekly Report February 9-15, 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 February 9th, RFC Zack vessel patrolled Allatoona Lake for boating and fishing activity. RFC Hardy checked 4 boats and 8 fishing license, one person was cited for fishing without a license. CHEROKEE COUNTY On February 8th, Cpl. Byron Young patrolled Allatoona Lake for fishing activity. During his patrol Cpl. Young found one fisherman with an expired registration on his boat and one fisherman with a fishing license that had been expired for two weeks. Cpl. Young also checked two Allatoona fishermen that he has regularly seen for the last five years. The two fishermen had both caught a limit of crappie. Fishermen on Allatoona Lake should find that the crappie fishing will begin to get better as the water temperature warms during late winter and early spring. 
Anglers with 2 stringers full of crappie caught on the north end of Allatoona Lake 
 
 On February 15, Cpl. Lee Burns and Cpl. Byron Young held a HIN inspection at the Kellogg Creek boat ramp on Allatoona Lake. The officers inspected 16 vessels. COBB COUNTY On February 9th, Sgt. Mike Barr and RFC Brooks Varnell were on patrol checking fishermen along the Chattahooche River in Cobb County. While patrolling on National Park Service property, RFC Varnell saw a good buck. The older buck would not leave a couple of does indicating that he was still in another phase of the rut. This allowed Sgt. Mike Barr the opportunity to get close enough to get a picture. Cobb County deer hunting is allowed for bow hunters only and has an extended season through the end of January. No hunting is allowed on National Park Service property. 
Cobb County buck showing signs of a continued rut with two doe deer nearby. GORDON COUNTY On February 9th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Gordon County E911 in reference to an illegal dumping complaint on Orr Mill Rd in Ranger. Cpl. Elmore went to the area and located a dead hog that had been thrown off the side of the roadway. Cpl. Elmore located a cooler at the scene that had evidence of a possible suspect written on it. 
 
 Cpl. Elmore located the suspect on Friday February 14th and he admitted to dumping the hog. The Fairmount man was charged with littering. 
Dumped hog parts and cooler located at illegal dump site in Ranger. On February 7th, RFC Ben Cunningham patrolled the Farmersville Rd and Little Egypt Rd area checking small game hunters. RFC Cunningham checked one group of rabbit hunters that were having a good time in the outdoors. No violations were found. WALKER COUNTY On February 8th, RFC Ben Cunningham and RFC Roger McConkey patrolled John's Mtn. WMA for small game hunters. The Rangers located three hunters on the WMA. Only one squirrel was harvested by the local hunters. 
 
 Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
DAWSON COUNTY On February 15th, RFC Barry Britt, RFC Mitchell Crump, RFC Eric Isom, DNR Aviation, and Sgt. Lee Brown assisted Dawson County with a missing person case. Searches were conducted on private property, Amicalola Falls State Park, and Springer Mtn. RFC Britt, Sgt. Brown and RFC Isom along with K-9 Colt conducted a foot patrol into the shelter at the beginning of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mtn. at night on snow covered trails. RFC Crump flew with DNR Aviation and assisted from above by providing directions and warning of any hazards to the rangers on the ground. The subject was not located and the investigation is ongoing. 
DEKALB COUNTY On February 14th, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins were checking an area for illegal dumping activity in the Lithonia area when they came upon a subject in the back of an abandoned subdivision. While speaking with the subject the Rangers asked for consent to search the vehicle after their suspicions were raised by items seen in the vehicle. The subject refused and the Rangers asked for a K-9 with DeKalb PD to assist. After the K-9 alerted on the vehicle giving the officers the right to search the vehicle the Rangers located a glass pipe used for smoking methamphetamine and a plastic bag with methamphetamine in it. The subject was arrest and charged with Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act for possession of methamphetamine. 
FORSYTH COUNTY On February 9th, RFC Shane Brown and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins patrolled Lake Lanier. During the patrol the rangers completed 15 vessel inspections and checked 21 fishing license. One warning was issued for fishing without a license. 
GWINNETT COUNTY On February 15th Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins conducted HIN inspections at the Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville. A totaled of 24 vessels were inspected. 
HALL COUNTY On February 9th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and RFC Eric Isom patrolled Lake Lanier. A total of 10 boats were checked. Warnings were issued for fishing without a license and operating a vessel without registration. 
TOWNS On February 13th, Cpl. Jesse Cook assisted the Hiawassee Police Department with a noknock search warrant of a residence in reference to illegal drug activity. Officers detained three subjects during the search warrant and located a quantity of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and firearms. 
 
 WHITE On February 15th, RFC Anne Britt and Sgt Steve Seitz were on routine patrol when they located a subject fishing on the Chattahoochee River in Helen. Upon checking the subjects fishing license and identification the officers learned that the subject possessed both a Georgia driver's license and an Illinois driver's license. He provided the officer's with a Georgia fishing license. Officer's learned that the subject is actually a resident of Illinois, but had purchased a Georgia fishing license. The subject was issued a citation for Non-Resident fishing with a resident fishing license and a warning for fishing without a trout license. The subject's Georgia driver's license was confiscated. 
On February 15th, while patrolling the area around Richard B. Russell scenic highway, RFC Anne Britt and Sgt. Steve Seitz observed a subject moving a road closed sign and driving behind the sign. Richard Russell scenic highway is closed at this time due to hazardous road conditions from the winter storm that past over the last few days. Upon checking the status of the subject's driver's license it was learned that his license was suspended. The driver was arrested for driving on a suspended license. 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
OCONEE/CLARKE COUNTY On the 9th Sgt. Brian Carter and RFC Tim Butler patrolled municipal lakes in the area for fishing activity. One warning was written for fishing without a license. 
OCONEE, CLARKE, OGLETHORPE, ELBERT, AND WILKES COUNTIES During Winter Storm Pax Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, RFC Phillip Nelson, and RFC Tim Butler assisted local agencies with relief efforts. The Rangers utilized their four wheel drive patrol vehicles to assist with transporting local law enforcement personnel as well as doctors and nurses to area hospitals. 
WASHINGTON COUNTY On February 13, Corporal Micheal Crawley assisted Washington County EMA with tree removal for emergency calls and cleared way for power crews to work on getting electricity back up and running. Corporal Crawley also did welfare checks on heavy hit areas around the city of Sandersville. 
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On February 11th-14th, Captain Mark Padgett, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and Sgt. Matt Garthright manned a Regional Command Post for deployment of Rangers to respond to winter storm PAX. Several Reaction Teams were sent to various areas by need of call from local counties. The Thomson Region was being called Ground Zero due to 4 inches of ice and snow, power outages for over 200,000 residences, and falling trees. Rangers from all over the State were deployed to the Region. Counties in which Rangers were deployed were Lincoln, McDuffie, Columbia, Warren, Glascock, Jefferson, Johnson, Richmond, Burke, Oglethorpe, Washington, and Wilkes. 
 
 NEWTON COUNTY On February 11, RFC Niki Spencer and Sgt. John Harwell cited two subjects for hunting deer out of season. 
On February 9, Sgt. John Harwell and RFC Ricky Boles checked several fishermen and boats while patrolling Lake Varner. One fisherman was issued a citation for fishing without a license. 
WALTON COUNTY On February 15, Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. David Allen and RFC Ricky Boles inspected boats at the WRCC building in Social Circle. Twenty vessels were inspected during the course of the day. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On February 9th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen checked fishing activity along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus. Cpl. Bolen located 2 female subjects who were fishing without a license. Both of the individuals were given written warnings for fishing without a license, and they were instructed where they could go to purchase a fishing license. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
DOUGHERTY COUNTY On February 9th, Cpl. Robbie Griner was patrolling for fishing activity along the Muckafoonee Creek. While checking three fishermen, Griner discovered that two of the subjects did not have fishing license. In addition, one the subjects was found to be in possession of marijuana and synthetic marijuana (SPICE), packaged in small bags, and a set of digital scales. The suspect was arrested for felony possession of the drugs and for intent to distribute. 
 
 DECATUR/MILLER COUNTIES On February 11th, RFC Tony Cox and Cpl. Randy Davis completed an investigation on a deer hunter that had been reported to have taken over the limit of antlered deer. After being confronted with the evidence, the suspect confessed to unlawfully killing 6 antlered deer this season. All of the deer were killed on public land, which consisted of Silver Lake WMA and Lake Seminole WMA in Decatur County, and Mayhaw WMA in Miller County. The suspect also confessed to killing a bobcat out of season on Silver Lake WMA. A total of 19 hunting violations were detected during this investigation. Warrants have been taken in both counties for multiple counts of taking over the limit of antlered deer, hunting after taking the season limit, failure to report kill of big game on a WMA, and hunting/taking a bobcat out of season. This subject was also cited during the previous season for taking an antlerless deer out of season on Silver Lake WMA. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
LANIER COUNTY On February 15th, Sgt. Damon Winters and RFC Keith McDonald conducted a HIN detail in Lakeland. Over thirty vessels were inspected along with boating hand books distributed to the vessel owners. 
COFFEE COUNTY On February 12th, RFC Hilton traveled to Jenkins and Emanuel Counties to assist in the relief effort of last week's winter storm. Also on the 14th, RFC Hilton initiated a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle. While performing a routine license inspection, it was discovered the suspect was on probation and driving with a suspended license. RFC Hilton notified Coffee County Sherriff's Office and the suspect was turned over to a deputy and placed under arrest for the violation. 
EMANUEL, JENKINS, AND SCREVEN COUNTIES On Wednesday, February 12th, a winter storm moved through the Southeast. The storm impacted the entire CSRA. Damage to homes, property and power-lines was widespread. Rangers from across the Metter region deployed to the storm affected area and conducted 24 hour patrols during the declared state of emergency. Rangers assisted agencies in Jenkins County, Burke County, Screven County, Emanuel County, and some Northern portions of Bulloch County with road hazards, locating and reporting downed powerlines, and answering calls of service for local authorities. Rangers continue to provide traffic control to allow power crews to work safely. 
EFFINGHAM On Sunday February 09th, Cpl. Eddie Akins investigated a complaint of out of season duck hunting near Meldrum on the Ogeechee River near the area where the train trestle crosses the river. Cpl. Akins' efforts resulted in two people each being charged with hunting out of season and hunting without a license. 
 
 EVANS COUNTY On Saturday February 15th, Ranger Brannen patrolled the Evans County Public Fishing Area for activity. Violations for fishing without a license, fishing without a WMA license, fishing after hours, and no GORP license were addressed. 
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
GLYNN COUNTY On February 9th, RFC John Evans was patrolling the Sansavilla and Clayhole Swamp WMAs. At around midnight he saw two vehicles he suspected were illegally hog hunting with dogs on the WMAs. He followed them into Wayne County and into another entrance into Sansavilla WMA. The suspects went in to the middle of that block of woods and turned two hog dogs out. RFC Evans initiated the stop and found four men and three small children. One of the men had two live hogs in a cage on top of his dog box. All four men were cited for Hunting Hogs with the Use of Dogs on a WMA and for Hunting after Legal Hours. Two of the men were also cited for Hunting without a License and Hunting without a WMA License. The suspect with the live hogs was cited for Transporting Live Feral Hogs. 
BRANTLEY COUNTY On February 12th, Cpl. Craig Smith and Sgt. Chris Hodge responded to a complaint of Illegal Dumping on the Little Satilla River in Brantley County. Upon arrival the officers found a large pile of house hold trash and construction material. After a 3 day investigation the officers were able to find the subjects responsibly for dumping the materials. The three subjects were cited for Illegal Dumping and decided to clean the debris from the bank of the River. 
CAMDEN COUNTY On February 10th, Cpl. Chris Ridley, RFC John Evans, RGR Colte Shaske, and Wildlife Technician Hal Wiggins performed a JEA patrol of SFC Reef, G Reef, A Reef, and F Reef. While at G Reef, a boat with 2 people on board was checked for illegal fish. Upon inspection, multiple violations were found including possession of prohibited fish and exceeding the daily bag limit. 13 Black Sea Bass and 2 Redfish were confiscated and the case was turned over to the National Marine Fisheries Service. 
BRYAN COUNTY On Feb. 14th, Ranger Jason Miller, RFC Jack Thain, and Sgt. Phillip Scott patrolled the St. Catherine's Sound area. Several fishermen were checked and one boater was cited for not having enough life jackets on board. 
On Feb. 15th, Ranger Jason Miller and Cpl. Chris Moore patrolled the Ogeechee River reference a complaint about illegal hog hunters. The rangers found four out-of-state hunters, one of which was a hunting guide, who did not have permission to hunt in the 
 
 privately-owned marsh. All four were cited for hunting without permission and one was also cited for hunting without a non-resident hunting license. 
OFFHSORE/JOINT ENFORCEMENT AGREEMENT On morning of Feb. 9th, RFC Jack Thain, Cpl. Bill Bryson, and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a Right whale patrol offshore of Ossabaw and St. Catherine's Islands. No migrating Right whales were sighted. 
On the afternoon of Feb. 9th, RFC Thain, Cpl. Bryson, and Cpl. Morgan conducted a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol at the St. Catherine's Sound and channel area, checking several sport fishermen returning from offshore reefs. No violations were found. 
On Feb. 10th, RFC Thain, Cpl. Bryson, and Cpl. Morgan conducted an offshore patrol to Grays Reef located 19 miles offshore of Sapelo Island. No violations were found