Field operations weekly report [Mar. 16-22, 2014]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 16-22, 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 March 22nd, Cpl. Byron Young and RFC Zack Hardy checked a baited hardwood creek bottom located by RFC Hardy several days before the start of turkey season. The officers located two hunters in a ground blind hunting 20 yards from crack corn scattered on the ground. The hunters were husband and wife. The husband was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and the wife was warned.
Ground blind baited with cracked corn for turkey in Bartow County.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Bart Hendrix, RFC Brooks Varnell, and Intern Taylor Lawrence checked a baited field off Highway 108 near Sam Nelson Rd. RFC Varnell dropped off RFC Hendrix and Intern Lawrence prior to daylight near the field. RFC Hendrix saw four hunters enter two pop-up type ground blinds in the field. The entire field was baited with cracked corn. A pipe feeder with whole corn was also located on the field's edge. After safe daylight, the officers checked the four hunters. One hunter admitted that he knew the area was baited. The hunters were issued three citations for hunting big game over bait and one warning for hunting big game over bait.

While on patrol on the opening weekend of turkey season, Cpl. Lee Burns ran into a local Cherokee County hunter, trapper and fishermen who harvested his first Eastern Wild Turkey on Allatoona WMA. Mr. Johnson's bird weighed twenty-two pounds, had a 9 inch beard, and had 1 1/8 inch spurs. Mr. Johnson roosted the tom and six hens the night before and returned in the morning. He then called and pulled the long beard away from the six hens. Mr. Johnson is a new trapper in the area and has been instrumental in reducing the number coyotes on his private hunting club, which joins Allatoona WMA. Cpl. Burns commented, "Mr. Johnson's (trapping) efforts in reducing predators in the area has contributed to his success this morning." Corey Johnson simply stated; "I'm hooked!"
Corey Johnson with his first "gobbler" taken on Allatoona WMA. GORDON COUNTY On March 16th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore patrolled the Resaca Battlefield Historic Site during a tour by the Georgia Battlefield Association. The tour was guided by Ed Bearrs, a well renowned military historian and Civil War expert. A large group attended the tour. The Battle of Resaca will be celebrating the 150 year anniversary in May, 2014.

Friends of Resaca Battlefield, National Parks Service Historian, Gordon County Historic Society and DNR representatives pictured with Ed Bearrs (in red/black hat.)
On March 21st, Cpl. Shawn Elmore received a call from Gordon County E911 in reference to an illegal burn in Fairmount. Cpl. Elmore responded and met with the Gordon County Fire Department Station #8 on Salacoa Rd. The owner of the property was tearing down an old trailer and was burning all of the building material to include lumber, insulation, and shingles. The owner was issued a citation for unlawful burning of egregious litter.
FLOYD COUNTY On March 17th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore spoke to two dual-enrollment classes at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. These students are enrolled in high school and college at the same time. Cpl. Elmore spoke about Conservation Ranger's job duties.

CHATTOOGA COUNTY On March 19th, RFC Roger McConkey assisted the Chattooga County Sheriff's Office and Summerville Police Department with a foot chase that occurred near the city limits of Summerville. RFC McConkey heard the call over the radio and responded to the nearby location. RFC McConkey caught the subject not far from the original scene and turned him over to the Summerville police officer who was in pursuit.
WALKER COUNTY On March 20th, RFC Roger McConkey responded to a complaint of illegal camping on Pigeon Mtn. WMA. When RFC McConkey arrived at the location, he found one unattended tent and camp fire that had caught the surrounding woods on fire. Georgia Forestry was called to put out the fire. The subjects were located on the next day and charged with illegal camping and entering a fee area without their Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass needed to use the WMA.
On March 23rd, RFC Roger McConkey and Cpl. Tommy Gentry responded to hunting without permission complaint. The complainant advised Cpl. Gentry that she had located an area where someone had been hunting on property where she was the only person who was allowed to hunt. RFC McConkey and Cpl. Gentry were able to locate the hunter and he was charged with hunting without permission.
CARROLL COUNTY On March 22nd, Corporal Eric Brown and Ranger Mark Puig patrolled Carroll County opening day of turkey season and found two hunters with two turkeys they had just killed. The Rangers investigated the area where the two hunters were and found bird seed and cracked corn. The hunters received citations and the turkeys were confiscated and will be used for educational purposes.

PAULDING COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Wil Smith check a baited area in Paulding County where he had discovered corn near a ground blind four days earlier. A man and his wife were hunting in the blind. Cpl. Smith asked them about the corn and the man said there wasn't any corn. Cpl. Smith explained that there was corn on the day he found it and that fell within in the 10 day period. The man admitted to pouring the corn out a week prior to hunting the area. The man was issued a citation and his wife was issued a warning for hunting big game over bait.
FULTON COUNTY On March 22nd, Corporal Eric Brown and Ranger Mark Puig patrolled for turkey bait and wrote two citations for hunting turkey over bait. The Rangers found wheat seeds exposed on the food plot in front of the blind.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On March 19th, RFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Stan Elrod patrolled the county for any boating safety/fishing activity. The officers checked three individuals fishing around a local bridge. Upon making contact with the individuals, one subject was witnessed rolling something in their hands. After talking with the subject it was determined that the object was a marijuana cigarette. The subject was arrested and took to the Hart County Jail for booking. The subject was charged with VGCSA marijuana less than one ounce.

On March 20th, RFC Brandon Pierce was patrolling the county when he saw black smoke coming from around a residence. Upon investigation it was determined that the subject(s) had burned a piece of plastic. One subject was issued a warning consisting of unlawful burning of egregious litter. Guidance was given on what could and could not be burned and what steps a person needs to take in order to burn.
On March 22nd, Cpl. Craig Fulghum and Sgt. Greg Colson patrolled Lake Hartwell for illegal hunting/fishing activity. While checking fishing licenses Cpl. Fulghum smelled an odor of marijuana coming from two subjects. After gaining consent to search the vehicle of one of the subjects, a marijuana grinder was discovered under the driver's seat. One subject was charged with possession of drug related objects. The other subject had a warrant out of Hart County, and was arrested and transported to the Hart County Detention Center. During their patrol two subjects were also issued citations for fishing without a license.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On March 22nd, at approximately 9:00 p.m. Ranger First Class Tim Vickery received a call from Franklin County dispatch about two people stranded on a boat that had run out of gas near Harbor Light Marina. RFC Vickery responded and towed the boat to the gas dock at the marina, where it was secured until the next morning. A Hart County deputy transported the two individuals back to their home.
MADISON COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Shane Sartor checked a baited area for any turkey hunting activity. Ranger Sartor walked to the baited area and found two subjects hunting about 40 yards from the bait. Both subjects were issued citations for hunting big game (turkey) over bait.
On March 22nd, at 9:45 pm RFC Shane Sartor received a call from a land owner on the Madison/ Oglethorpe line. The landowner stated that he could see a light on his property off Hwy 22. The land owner and RFC Sartor crossed the pasture and located a subject in the creek bottom. RFC Sartor approached the subject who was in possession of a .22 rifle, a pellet rifle, and five rabbits. The subject was issued citations for hunting at night, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and issued a warning for hunting without permission.
STEPHENS COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Bill Bunch and Captain Thomas Barnard patrolled Lake Russell WMA for illegal turkey hunting activity. During their patrol two subjects were issued citations for transporting loaded firearms while on the WMA.
DAWSON COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Barry Britt issued a written warning to a hunter for hunting turkeys without a big game license on Dawson Forest WMA.

FORSYTH COUNTY On March 18th RFC Mitchell Crump and Ranger Shane Brown completed HIN inspections at GSP Post 37 in Cumming. A total of 24 vessels were inspected. On March 22nd, Ranger Shane Brown patrolled Lower Pool on the Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam. Ranger Brown issued written and verbal warnings for fishing without a license and fishing without a trout license. GWINNETT COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located an illegal dump site in a rural area in Gwinnett County. The area is known for illegal dumping and there are several active dump sites in the area. The investigation is ongoing.
Cpl. Eric Sanders looking for evidence in an illegal dump site.

LUMPKIN COUNTY On March 20th, RFC Mitchell Crump conducted an On-Line Hunter Education Class in Lumpkin County. During this class a total of 9 students were certified in Hunter Education. On March 22nd, Sgt. Lee Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump assisted Ranger Shane Brown in the apprehension of a subject hunting turkeys over bait. The rangers located one subject hunting an area baited with corn. Ranger Brown issued the subject a citation for hunting turkeys over bait.
Ranger Shane Brown collecting a bait sample. On March 22nd, RFC Mitchell Crump and Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled trout streams in Lumpkin County. They checked several people fishing in trout streams. During the patrol RFC Mitchell Crump issued warnings and citations fishing in closed trout stream, fishing without a license and trout license.

On March 22nd, RFC Mitchell Crump and Sgt. Lee Brown checked Yaholla reservoir in Dahlonega for boating and fishing violations. The rangers issued a written warning for allowing an underage person to ride in moving vessel without a PFD.
ROCKDALE COUNTY On March 17th Cpl. Eddie Tompkins conducted HIN inspections at the Conyers Horse Park. A totaled of 16 vessels were inspected.
HALL COUNTY On March 18th, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins were traveling through Flowery Branch. They observed a vehicle pass them and the vehicle in front of them in a no passing zone. The officers stopped the vehicle for the violation. While speaking with the driver it was determined that the vehicle had expired insurance, and the driver was in possession of meth. The incident was turned over to Flowery Branch PD where she was charged with passing in a no passing zone, expired insurance, and Violation of the Georgia Controlled Substance Act.
On March 21st, Ranger Kevin Goss conducted a one hour I&E program at Sardis Elementary in Gainesville. Ranger Goss taught fourteen, 4th and 5th graders about the different regions in Georgia and what types of animals can be found within each region. He also answered many questions about hunting and fishing that the students had.
On March 22nd, Corporal Jason Roberson and Sgt. Mike Burgamy checked a property that was baited for turkey. They located one subject hunting over bait and spooked a turkey that was heading to the hunter which prevented him from illegally killing the turkey. Investigation revealed that another club member had baited the area. The hunter was issued a warning for hunting big game over bait.
BARROW COUNTY On March 21st, at approximately 2310 hours Ranger First Class Mark Stephens responded to Fort Yargo State Park to try and locate a missing autistic child last seen near his parent's campsite. Officer Stephens was part of a collective effort with other law enforcement agencies in locating the child. At approximately 2400 hours the child was located unharmed and returned to his parents
On March 22nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located two subjects hunting for turkey on Rockdale County Property. The hunters were just a few yards over the property line by mistake. The rangers gave both subjects verbal warnings.
On March 22nd, Cpl. Eric Sanders and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located a subject burning carpet in a backyard. The subject was burning yard debris and decided to burn some old carpet he needed to discard. The rangers issued a warning and the fire was extinguished.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GREENE COUNTY During patrol, Cpl. Derrell Worth citied two subjects for violation of Georgia Waste Control Laws.
On March 22, CPL. David Allen cited one subject for hunting big game over bait and placing bait on a WMA.
HANCOCK COUNTY On March 22 and 23, Sgt. John Harwell and Cpl. Derrell Worth cited 4 subjects hunting turkeys over bait, one subject for unlawful enticement of turkeys; one hunting without license; one hunting without big game license. They also cited two subjects for fishing without license.
On March 22, Cpl. Worth and Sgt. Harwell were coming back from working turkey hunting, when a pedestrian standing on the side of Carrs Station Rd/ Brookings Rd. waved them down. He said his friend had got caught up in a spillway-overflow drain. The victim was trying to remove debris from the spillway drain with a rake. He was wearing waders and was in the water while trying to remove debris. He was sucked into the spillway after removing the top of the drain. The drain was approximately 8-9 inches underwater. Hancock County Fire and Rescue and EMS responded as well. The victim is deceased. These spillway drains produce a violent undertow. It will knock you off of your feet. Please use appropriate safety measures if you have to clean your spillway overflow.
WALTON COUNTY On March 22, RFC Ricky Boles cited two subjects for hunting big game over bait. The hunters were hunting turkeys over corn . On March 22, RFC Richard Tanner, RFC Niki Spencer, and Tech 4 Kevin VonSeggern cited two hunters for hunting big over bait.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On March 22, Sgt. Max Boswell and RFC Grant Matherly checked three baited turkey blinds on Middle Ground Road. Two subjects were hunting in two of the three blinds. They were cited for hunting big game over bait.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended two adults and one juvenile for hunting turkeys over a baited area. The two adults were cited for Hunting Big Game over Bait.

MCDUFFIE COUNTY On March 23rd, RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended one subject for hunting turkeys over a baited area. The subject was given a written warning for Hunting Big Game over Bait.
OCONEE COUNTY On March 22 RFC Tim Butler issued two citations for hunting turkey over bait. Additional citations were issued for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.
CLARKE COUNTY On March 22 RFC Tim Butler issued several warnings and citations for operating a vessel without personal flotation devices and fishing without a license.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On March 22, RFC Phillip Nelson checked an area known to be baited for turkey. One individual was charged for hunting big game over bait. RFC Nelson also issued citations and warnings to the same subject for numerous trapping violations to include trapping without a license and failure to check traps every 24 hours.
WILKES COUNTY On March 22nd Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson checked several locations known to be baited for turkey. Two individuals were charged for hunting big game over bait. Later in the day while patrolling the Fishing Creek WMA, one instance of hunting from a WMA road was documented.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On Saturday, March 22nd, Cpl Josh Copelan checked a hunting club that was baited for turkey. Three hunters were checked and cited for hunting turkey over bait. No birds were harvested.
HARRIS COUNTY On March 20th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen and Sgt. Jim Bradfield attended the annual Lake Harding Homeowner's Association meeting. The officers answered general questions about boating laws and regulations in Georgia.

HEARD COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Russell Epps and Sgt. Jim Bradfield checked a property in south Heard County where RFC Epps had previously located turkey bait. No one was hunting the baited site, but the officers did locate a truck on the property. After checking for a hunting license through DNR's license database, it was determined that the registered owner of the vehicle did not have a hunting license. The vehicle owner returned to his vehicle after a brief wait but he did not have a gun or turkey calls. The officers explained that they were going to call for DNR's K9 to assist in finding anything the hunter may have hidden. After hearing this, the hunter took the two officers to where he had hidden his gun, turkey call and hunting mask. The hunter was charged with hunting without a big game license and interference with the performance of a Rangers duties.
JASPER COUNTY On March 17th, 18th, and 19th, RFC Freddie Hays taught three water safety classes to 75 fifth grade students at Washington Park Elementary School. On the morning of March 22nd, RFC Freddie Hays and Sgt. Tim Kendrick located a turkey hunter that was hunting near a feeder with corn in it. RFC Hays checked the subject's shotgun and found it loaded with five rounds of three and a half inch turkey loads. The subject was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait and issued a written warning for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.

On March 22nd, RFC Freddie Hays patrolled Marben Farm Public Fishing Area (PFA) and documented several violations for fishing without a license and illegal consumption of alcohol on a PFA.
On March 22nd, RFC Freddie Hays was patrolling Smith's Mill Road along the Ocmulgee River when he located two subjects that were trespassing and consuming alcoholic beverages. RFC Hays told the subjects they were on private property and the owner did not want anyone on the property due to littering along the river. RFC Hays then returned to his patrol vehicle and waited for the subjects to come to their vehicle. Neither of the subjects returned to their vehicle with the alcohol containers that they had been drinking from. Both subjects were issued citations for littering. RFC Hays determined neither subject was sober enough to drive. The subjects were allowed to call someone to pick them up and drive the vehicle.
On March 22nd, RFC Keith Page and K9 Drake checked the turkey hunting activity near John Tillman Road. RFC Page and Drake checked a piece of private property that was baited with corn. The rangers first located a vehicle and followed ATV tracks deeper into the woods. Once RFC Page and Drake located the ATV, Drake was instructed to track the hunter. K9 Drake led RFC Page directly to the hunter, who was found to be hunting too close to a feeder that was spreading corn on the ground. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait.
JONES COUNTY On Saturday, March 22, RFC Jeremy Reese and Cpl. Lynn Stanford checked a private piece of property that was baited with birdseed. Four hunters were cited for hunting turkey over bait. One of the hunters was cited for hunting with an electronic call, and the call was confiscated. One large tom turkey with four beards was seized, as it was taken over bait.

MERIWETHER COUNTY On Saturday March 22nd, Sgt. Brent Railey dropped Cpl. Keith Waddell off on a known baited area in Meriwether County. Cpl. Waddell checked the baited area and found a hunter near one of the feeders that was baited with cracked corn. Cpl. Waddell also quickly determined that the hunter was hunting on the property without permission. Cpl. Waddell checked the rest of the property and was able to speak with the landowner, who did not wish to press charges for hunting without permission. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait and taken back to his hunting property by the rangers.
On Saturday March 22nd, Cpl. Keith Waddell and Sgt. Brent Railey attended the annual appreciation lunch at Cedar Rock Outdoors in Woodbury. They used the Laser Shot to introduce prospective hunters of all ages to firearm safety and "virtual" turkey hunting.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On March 20th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen presented an Information and Education program at a Georgia Power safety meeting. The program was about gun/hunting safety.
SPALDING COUNTY On Tuesday, March 18th, Cpl. Travis Sweat and Sgt. Brent Railey conducted a hunter education course in Griffin. Six students were certified.
TALBOT COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen checked a baited turkey blind, which was on private property. Cpl. Bolen located a hunter sitting in the blind calling turkeys to the area. The subject was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
On March 22nd, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen located a truck parked on private property. Cpl. Bolen was unable to locate a hunting license through the database on the individual who owned the truck. Cpl. Bolen noticed footprints leaving the area. Cpl. Bolen noticed a food plot with turkey decoys in it. Cpl. Bolen also noticed a group of birds get up from the area in the food plot. Cpl. Bolen walked over to the area and located two subjects sitting in a ground blind on the food plot. After checking the area, Cpl. Bolen noticed that the area had been baited in front of the ground blind. The two subjects were issued citations for hunting big game over bait.
WILKINSON COUNTY On Saturday, March 22nd, RGR Matt Johnson and Sgt. Bo Kelly checked private property that was baited with birdseed. Two hunters were apprehended for hunting over bait and hunting without license. Both hunters were cited for hunting turkey over bait. Additionally, one tom turkey was seized that had been taken over bait.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TURNER COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Chad Hulsey located three subjects hunting turkeys over bait. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait, hunting without a license and hunting without big game license. RFC Chad Hulsey located a subject that had illegally killed two hen turkeys, the subject was cited for hunting out of season and the hens were seized.
Ranger Chad Hulsey with illegally taken turkeys MACON COUNTY On 03/22/14 Ranger Jesse Harrison encountered and cited two non-residents for fishing in Whitewater Creek without licenses. CRISP COUNTY On March 22nd, CPL Bob Holley and CPL Clint Martin conducted a vessel patrol of Lake Blackshear. During the patrol citations were issued for allowing an underage child on a moving vessel without wearing a PFD and for failure to display vessel registration. DECATUR COUNTY On March 21st, RFC Tony Cox was patrolling Silver Lake WMA when he encountered a subject fishing in the Panic Pond. This pond is a trophy bass pond that is only open Saturday thru Monday. The subject was cited for fishing on a closed WMA and fishing without a license.

GRADY COUNTY On March 22nd, Sgt. Rick Sellars and Cpl. Mike Binion were on patrol when they encountered an adult and two juveniles hunting turkeys over bait. The adult was cited for hunting big game over bait.
BROOKS COUNTY On March 22nd, Rangers Jon Penuel, Chris Carlisle, Eric White and Sgt. David Ruddell worked a concentrated detail to address several locations baited for turkeys. Just after sunrise, Sgt. Ruddell approached one of these sites and noticed several decoys had been placed there. As the officer was surveying the location, a gobbler ran across the field toward the decoys and was shot by a subject sitting in a nearby blind. Sgt. Ruddell cited the man for hunting big game over bait and confiscated the illegally taken bird. The officer also made a note on the suspect's license to document the confiscated bird against the hunter's season limit of three gobblers.
RFC Penuel was patrolling a property that had two baited areas in close proximity to one another. Penuel chose to watch an area where he had located evidence that a turkey had been killed very recently and out of season. Around mid-morning he heard three shots nearby and located two hunters exiting the area with two freshly killed turkeys. While addressing the violations with the subjects, he observed evidence that connected one of them to the turkey killed prior to season. The two subjects were each charged for hunting big game over bait and the two gobblers were confiscated. The subject that killed the turkey prior to season received an additional charge for hunting big game over bait, hunting out of season and this bird was confiscated from his residence.
At approximately 11:30, Sgt. Ruddell and Ranger Chris Carlisle passed a property known to be baited and observed that a truck was parked there with an empty ATV trailer behind it. Ranger Carlisle entered the woods on foot and soon located two suspects hunting the baited area. Upon checking the two men, Carlisle noticed that one suspect's license had a note and Sgt. Ruddell's signature at the bottom, documenting his violations from earlier that morning at a different property. The two subjects were charged for hunting big game over bait, the second such charge that morning for the one individual. .

Law Enforcement Division Rangers with confiscated wild turkeys that they donated to the Georgia Sherriff's Boys' Ranch.
TIFT COUNTY On the morning of March 22nd, Cpl. Greg Wade responded to an "in progress" complaint. A hunter, accompanied by his child, was calling a group of turkeys when he observed a truck pull into his field and then speed across it toward the turkeys before two subjects jumped out and began running and shooting at the birds. The complainant provided a tag number from the vehicle, which Cpl. Wade used to locate the two subjects a short time later. Each violator was charged for hunting without permission and for several license violations.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WHEELER COUNTY On Saturday, March 22, 2014 RFC Rodney Horne patrolled Wheeler County for turkey hunting activity. RFC Rodney Horne checked two turkey hunters. Two citations were issued for hunting with unplugged shotgun and non-resident hunting big game without a non-resident big game license.
On March 22nd Cpl. Kevin Joyce and K-9 Briar conducted foot patrol in an area that Joyce had previously located possible turkey bait. During the patrol one hunter was located and a violation for hunting big game over bait was documented.
IRWIN COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. John A. Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley checked a baited turkey site and found two hunters hunting over a feeder with corn. Citations were issued for big game over bait and hunting without a license.

WILCOX COUNTY On March 22, Cpl. John A. Stokes and Sgt. David Reckley investigated a baited turkey site with evidence of a turkey being killed at the location. A subject was interviewed that hunted in the area and confessed to killing the turkey over the baited site that morning. A citation was issued for hunting big game over bait.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On March 22nd, Ranger Gibbs and SGT Barnard patrolled Bullard Creek WMA and private property throughout the county for compliance with state laws and regulations. Their efforts resulted in detecting and addressing violations for hunting over bait, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, and operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
APPLING COUNTY Cpl. Altman worked a hunting club known to be baited for turkey with bird seed on opening morning. Two hunters were checked, resulting in one violation for hunting big game over bait, and one violation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
BULLOCH COUNTY On Saturday, March 22nd, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Sgt. Don Dasher checked Oliver Bridge Management Area for turkey hunting activity. Their efforts resulted in two hunters being checked and one violation being documented. The violation was for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
JENKINS COUNTY On Saturday March 22, 2014, Corporal Mike Wilcox, Corporal Shaymus McNeely, and Sergeant Don Dasher worked in Jenkins County for opening day of turkey season. Several bait sites were located prior to the season. The officers spread out in different bait locations. The officers addressed several violations. Four violations were documented for hunting turkeys over bait. One violation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun was documented. One violation for failure to have license on person was documented
ATKINSON COUNTY On March 23rd, RFC Tim Hutto checked areas along the Satilla River for boating, fishing, and turkey hunting activity. During the patrol, RFC Hutto documented seven violations for operating a vessel without life jackets, fishing without licenses, and operating a vessel without registration.
On Saturday March 22nd, Cpl. Morty Wood patrolled Southern Atkinson County for turkey hunters. During his patrol Cpl. Wood checked 9 hunters. Cpl. Wood issued 5 cases and warnings for violations of hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without license on person, hunting without hunter safety certification, and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Cpl. Wood also gave a verbal warning to a 15 year old that was found to be hunting with an unplugged shotgun.

COFFEE COUNTY On March 22nd, RFC Tim Hutto and K-9 Gauge checked areas along the Seventeen Mile River for turkey hunting activity. Two hunters were located hunting turkeys over bait and one subject was found hunting without a license.
On March 22nd, RFC Hilton was on patrol checking areas that he had previously located that were baited for turkeys. RFC Hilton was checking one of the baited areas, which was baited with cracked and whole corn, when he made contact with two subjects hunting turkeys in the baited area. RFC Hilton issued both violators a citation for hunting big game over bait.
COOK COUNTY On March 18, Corporal Morty Wood received a complaint of illegal dumping in the Sunshin acres mobile home park on Caulie Harris Road. Cpl. Wood responded to the area and met with the complainant. The complainant showed Cpl. Wood where a bag of trash was dumped in bushes behind one of the mobile homes. Cpl. Wood located a name and address in the bag of trash. It was the address of the mobile home that it was behind. Cpl. Wood talked with the female resident and explained to her the situation. The suspect immediately went and cleaned the bag of trash up and placed it in a receptacle on the property. The suspect was issued a warning for illegal dumping.
CHARLTON COUNTY On March 22nd, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Ranger Sam Williams were checking boating and fishing activity at Trader's Hill boat landing. Upon arrival, two subjects were observed fishing. A check of their fishing licenses revealed that neither subject was in possession of a valid Georgia fishing license. One citation and one written warning were issued to the subjects for non-resident fishing without a license.
ECHOLS COUNTY On March 22nd, Sgt. Patrick Dupree received a call from a citizen that an alligator had been shot and left on Will Rewis Road right-of-way. Sgt. Dupree located the alligator and some evidence of the poaching incident. If anyone has any additional information about this please call 1-800-241-4113. Callers can remain anonymous.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On March 20th, Cpl. Jay Morgan presented a Hunter Education class in Richmond Hill, certifying 20 students. On March 22nd, Ranger Jason Miller and Sgt. Phillip Scott checked an area baited for turkeys off of Bryan Co-op Rd. Two turkey hunters were cited for hunting over bait. Later that day, Ranger Miller cited two persons for violations of range rules at the Richmond Hill WMA shooting range. LIBERTY COUNTY On March 22nd, Cpl. Bill Bryson, RFC Jack Thain, and Ranger Jordan Crawford checked an area baited for turkeys off of Retreat Rd. Two hunters were both cited for hunting turkeys over bait and one was also cited for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. CHATHAM COUNTY March 16th DNR Rangers assisted Chatham County with enforcement efforts on the Savannah River on Saint Patrick's Day.
March 22nd, Corporal Chris Moore, Corporal Buster Cooper, and Sergeant Cindy Miller executed an arrest warrant in Thunderbolt, GA. The arrest was for the unlawful harvest of shellfish and concealment of the taking.