Field operations weekly report [Mar. 2-8, 2014]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 2-8, 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)
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
DAWSON COUNTY On March 7th, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling the Delayed Harvest Stream on Dawson Forest WMA. Sgt. Brown observed four subjects fishing. While checking the subjects it was determined that one was 15 years old and the other three were 16 years old. All of the subjects were fishing with illegal bait (treble hooks in a delayed harvest stream), none of the sixteen year olds had the proper licenses (fishing license, trout license and GORP), and two of the 16 year olds had keep three trout (it's illegal to possess trout in a delayed harvest stream.) Verbal guidance was given for all of the violations. Fishing regulations were given to the subjects and the trout laws on a Delayed Harvest Stream were explained. Sgt. Brown also explained how the subjects could purchase the proper licenses online or by phone.
On March 2nd, Ranger Shane Brown and RFC Mitchell Crump were patrolling Amicalola Falls State Park. The rangers observed someone fishing in a closed trout stream. Ranger Brown issued a written warning for the infraction.
On March 7th, Ranger Shane Brown received a call from GSP dispatch at 0700 hours stating that the US Air Force had picked up a distress beacon on the Chattahoochee National Forest. Ranger Brown got GPS coordinates from the Air Force. The coordinates were on the Amicalola Falls State Park border with the Chattahoochee National Forest. Ranger Brown searched the adjacent trails as well as patrolled several of the US Forest Service roads in the area. Ranger Brown was unable to locate the beacon and the Air Force advised him that the beacon was deactivated around 1000 hours.
FORSYTH COUNTY On March 5th, Wildlife Technician III David Shattuck assisted the rangers in Sgt. Lee Brown's work unit by answering a complaint of a deer being shot. Wildlife Technician III Shattuck responded to the location and met with two Forsyth County Deputies. The officers conducted an investigation that resulted in a subject being charged with hunting deer out of season. The subject shot the small buck while hunting out of a deer stand. The deer was confiscated and donated to a needy family.
On March 8th, Ranger Shane Brown was checking fisherman at Six Mile Park on Lake Lanier. Ranger Brown issued two written warnings for fishing without a license.

GWINNETT COUNTY On March 1st, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins was checking fishing license within Tribble Mill Park when a subject threw a beer bottle into the lake as he approaching. The subject was also found to be a non-resident without a valid fishing license. Cpl. Tompkins issued the subject citations/warnings for littering and non-resident fishing without a license.
On March 4th, Cpl. Sanders received a call from Gwinnett Animal Control about some traps found at Freeman Mill Park. They also advised that one of the traps had an Opossum caught. Upon Cpl. Sanders arrival, he was informed that the trapper had arrived to work his traps. Cpl. Sanders found out that the subject was trapping on County Park Property and the subject also did not have written permission to trap on the other piece of property. Subject was charged with Trapping on Lands of Another without Written Permission.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On March 1st, RFC Mitchell Crump and Ranger Shane Brown checked boats and fishing license at Yahoola Reservoir. The rangers issued multiple warnings and citations for boating without PFD's and fishing without license.
On March 2nd, RFC Mitchell Crump and Ranger Shane Brown Worked the Yahoola Reservoir. The rangers made 12 safety inspections on boats operating on the reservoir. The rangers issued several citations and warnings for safety violations and fishing without license violations.
STEPHENS COUNTY On March 2nd, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Stephens County by vehicle. Citations were issued for non-resident fishing without a license, fishing without a license, and operating a vessel without registration.
HART COUNTY On March 2nd, RFC Brandon Pierce completed an investigation of an unlawful dumping case that was found the previous month. A total of one citation of unlawful dumping of egregious litter was issued to the subject for the violation.
On March 7th, RFC Brandon Pierce conducted an Information and Education program at North Hart Elementary School. Approximately 13 students attended the program consisting of firearm safety, as well as, general safety during recreation.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On March 8th, RFC Brandon Pierce, Cpl. Craig Fulghum, and Sgt. Stan Elrod conducted a HIN inspection on boats with registration issues at Tugaloo State Park. Numerous boats were inspected and all registration issues were resolved.

HALL COUNTY On March 2nd, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, Cpl. Jason Roberson, and Ranger Kevin Goss patrolled Lake Lanier. During the patrol they checked 25 fishing license and 12 boats. A citation was issued for possession of drug related objects (marijuana pipe), and a warning was issued for operating a vessel without registration.
JACKSON COUNTY On March 8th, RFC Eric Isom taught a hunter education class. Approximately 30 people were certified.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
MCDUFFIE COUNTY On March 4th and 5th, Region 3 Rangers met at the McDuffie Library for yearly in-service training. The topic for the training was advanced report writing. This training was given to assist Rangers in their documentation and writing skills.
NEWTON COUNTY While patrolling the lakes and rivers for fishing activity on March 2, RFC Niki Spencer cited one subject for fishing without a license.
HANCOCK COUNTY On March 8, Cpl. David Allen taught a hunter safety course at a local hunting camp. Thirteen students attended and were certified.
GREENE COUNTY On March 8, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Ricky Boles patrolled Lake Oconee and the Oconee River for fishing and boating activity. One fisherman was cited for fishing without a license, a boat operator cited for insufficient PFD's, and another boat operator cited for no registration.

WALTON COUNTY On February 28, RFC Ricky Boles and RFC Niki Spencer attended career day at Social Circle Elementary School. Students learned what it took to become a State Ranger and the many duties that accompany the job. The students also got to study animal skins from a variety of animals, mostly furbearers. Approximately 370 students attended the career day.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
MONROE COUNTY On March 8th, Sergeant Tim Kendrick and RFC Keith Page patrolled Lake Juliette by boat to check fishing licenses and safety equipment on boats. Throughout the day, RFC Page issued three citations and one warning for fishing without license. Later in the evening, the rangers located a vessel in the back of a cove that was occupied by two men fishing for crappie. As the rangers approached the vessel, RFC Page could smell the odor of burnt marijuana. RFC Page asked the owner of the boat if there was any marijuana onboard and the owner denied possessing any illegal drugs. As RFC Page was talking to the boat owner, he noticed a half smoked marijuana cigarette on the floor of the boat beside the boat owner. The boat owner then admitted to smoking the marijuana just prior to our arrival. RFC Page charged the man with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On March 2nd, RFC Tony Cox, Cpl. Randy Davis, and Sgt. Rick Sellars responded to a drowning on Spring Creek. Two male subjects had been fishing from the creek bank, when one fell in and was unable to swim to shore. RFC Cox and a deputy located and retrieved the victim's body. BAKER COUNTY On March 4th, Corporal Randy Davis, Ranger Steve Thomas, Deputy Ronald McMillan, and Probation Officers Bruce Wilson and Autumn Williams executed two arrest warrants for a husband and wife for possession of a firearm by convicted felon. The couple was also charged with hunting big game from a public road, hunting from a vehicle and hunting without permission. The arrest stemmed from an investigation by Corporal Randy Davis and Ranger First Class Tony Cox. BROOKS COUNTY On March 4th, RFC Jon Penuel heard a vehicle approaching him while he was patrolling on foot. The vehicle entered the property and parked, however no one got out of the vehicle. Penuel watched for a long period of time and thought it to be suspicious that no one ever exited the vehicle. Penuel then made contact with the Brooks County Sheriffs' Office and requested assistance. The occupant was found to be smoking marijuana and after an interview, information was obtained concerning the location of a known felon suspect. Penuel and the deputies drove to the location and apprehended the wanted subject as he attempted to flee the area. EARLY COUNTY On March 8th, Ranger Steve Thomas conducted an educational program for the Early County 4-H at Cohelee Creek Park. Ranger Thomas discussed environmental concerns and boating safety regulations with the group.
Early County 4-H Program Environmental Project

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On March 2nd Cpl. Dan Stiles and RFC Rodney Horne conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Fifteen vessels were stopped and checked for registration and boating safety equipment. One violation for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and one violation for operating a vessel with improper registration were documented. Verbal guidance was given for other minor violations and vessel owners instructed on boating safety and registration requirements.
On March 5th Cpl. Dan Stiles presented an Information and Education program to 110 students at West Laurens High School at the request of the GA Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Cpl. Stiles utilized the Law Enforcement Division PowerPoint presentation, spoke about career opportunities, showed students equipment used by Rangers, and answered questions from the groups.
On March 7th Cpl. Dan Stiles conducted a Hunter Development program at the Poplar Springs North Baptist Church in Dudley, GA. Cpl. Stiles utilized the Laser Shot shooting simulator at a wild game supper sponsored by the church. Thirty six youths participated in the event.
BERRIEN COUNTY On March 2nd, Cpl. Morty Wood patrolled Paradise PFA. 8 cases and warnings were issued for violations of: Fishing without a license, non-resident fishing without a license, and Fishing on a PFA without a WMA license.
On March 8th, Cpl. Morty Wood observed 2 white males fighting in the middle of a road at a red light in Nashville. Cpl. Wood separated the two subjects and found that one of the subjects had run into the rear of the other on purpose. The subjects were turned over to Nashville P.D. officers and arrested for disorderly conduct.
COOK COUNTY On March 2nd, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked two subjects fishing from a small Jon boat in the Little River on the Cook/Colquitt line. One subject was cited for operating a vessel without PFD's. The person was also warned for operating a vessel with expired registration.
On March 9th, Cpl. Daughtrey responded to a fishing without permission complaint on Arthur Rentz Road. Per the landowner's request, two subjects were warned for fishing w/o permission.

CLINCH COUNTY On March 7th, the southernmost work unit in Region VI presented Stephen Foster State Park Manager Bryan Gray with a certificate of appreciation for his assistance during the Southern Zone Black Bear Enforcement Efforts during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In attendance during the presentation were Captain Scott Klingel, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Josh Chambers, Cpl. Jason Shipes, RFC Mark Pool, Ranger Sam Williams and Ranger Daniel North.
CHARLTON COUNTY On March 8th, Cpl. Jason Shipes conducted a vessel patrol inside the Okefenokee Swamp. Several boaters and fishermen were located along the Suwannee River Sill and Billy's Lake. Cpl. Shipes encountered one operator experiencing motor trouble and was able to assist him with returning to the landing safely. No violations were found during this patrol.
Cpl. Shipes' office view for the day!

LOWNDES COUNTY On March 8th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree, Cpl. Josh Chambers, and Ranger Daniel North participated in National Wild Turkey Federation Save the Habitat-Save the Heritage event. Approximately a dozen kids were selected to participate in a turkey hunting school. The kids and the instructors travelled to the Withlacoochee River swamp at dawn so they could hear gobbling from the roost. While in the woods they the kids were instructed on locating and reading turkey sign and preparing and setting up for the hunt. After returning to the classroom at Cass Burch's auto dealership in Valdosta, the kids were treated to breakfast. Classroom instruction began with information on turkey biology followed by various turkey hunting experts covering topics such as proper calling and scouting techniques. After a pizza lunch, the students were allowed to fire their shotgun gauge of choice at the gun range. This upcoming Saturday (March 15th) the students and their guides will get to test their newly-learned skills on a real gobbler.
Cpl. Josh Chambers sharing his turkey hunting expertise with students of the NWTF Save the Habitat-Save the Heritage Kid's Turkey Hunting School.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On March 2nd, Sgt. Phillip Scott received a complaint about someone who had set up a campsite on the Richmond Hill WMA tract next to Waterford Landing Golf Course. Ranger Jason Miller and Cpl. Jay Morgan met Sgt. Scott at the scene and found where someone had cleared a site for a tent and an outdoor latrine on the WMA. On March 8th, Sgt. Scott, Cpl. Bill Bryson, and RFC Jack Thain met with a gentleman who claimed that the property was part of Rayonier Paper Co. land that he was leasing as a hunting club. The rangers showed the gentleman where the WMA property boundaries are located and the man agreed to clean up the campsite. While in the area, RFC Thain cited a separate person who had disposed of some litter on the Rayonier property.
On March 8th, Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a dockside inspection at Ft. McAllister boat ramp for boats returning from offshore fishing. While checking a boat, the ranger found three females who were 19 years old and had been drinking alcoholic beverages. RFC Jack Thain and Sgt. Phillip Scott arrived to assist. All three females were cited for underage drinking and the boat operator was cited for not having enough life jackets on board. Cpl. Morgan later cited another man for operating a kayak without enough life jackets on board and for allowing two children under the age of 13 to ride on the kayak without wearing life jackets.
LIBERTY COUNTY On March 2nd, Ranger Jason Miller and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol in St. Catherine's Sound checking for boats returning from offshore reefs in Federal waters. Several fishing boats and regular boaters were checked but no violations were found.

REGION ACTIVITY On March 4th, Firearm Instructors in Region VII conducted a firearms training and qualification course for DNR Law Enforcement Retiree's. These retired officers were all from South East Georgia.