Field operations weekly report [Apr. 6-12, 2014]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report April 6-12, 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)
RABUN COUNTY On April 7th, RFC Chad Chambers received an in-progress complaint of a turkey being shot from Claude Lane in Rabun County. RFC Chambers responded and met with the complainant at the scene. Feathers and a shot shell wadding were collected for evidence. The complainant advised that he had witnessed the suspect shoot the turkey from the road and had confronted him about it. The suspect left the scene with the turkey. The complainant also stated that the suspect was in a work vehicle which had his business name on the door. RFC Chambers and Deputy Kenneth Watts of the Rabun County Sheriff's Office searched the area for the suspect and located him on his way home. RFC Chambers explained options to the suspect and he eventually confessed to killing the turkey from the road, on private property and then hiding the carcass off Boykin Road near Lake Burton. The suspect took RFC Chambers to where the turkey carcass was located. The suspect was charged with Hunting from a vehicle; Hunting from a public road; Possession of illegally taken wildlife and given a warning for Hunting without permission. The gobbler was confiscated as evidence.
WHITE COUNTY On April 9th, RFC Anne Britt patrolled Unicoi State Park for fishing activity. Ranger Britt charged one person for non-resident fishing without a license at the beach dock. Ranger Britt investigated a; damage to property complaint at the visitor's center at Unicoi State Park. Damages were documented to the bath house and to a newly constructed concrete structure. Unicoi State Park staff also notified Ranger Britt about a male juvenile harassing three other boys. Ranger Britt was unable to document any findings on this complaint.
RFC Anne Britt also warned one person for fishing the delayed harvest stream on Smith Creek, using unlawful bait in an artificial stream, and possession of trout on the stream.
On April 12th, RFC Anne Britt cited two people for non-resident fishing without a license at Unicoi State Park beach area. RFC Britt also cited one person for fishing without a license at Unicoi Lake and warned one person fishing the delayed harvest stream on Smith Creek for using unlawful bait in an artificial stream and possession of trout on the stream.
UNION COUNTY On April 10th, RFC Dyer issued 3 warnings and 1 citation for fishing violations on the Nottely River.

DAWSON COUNTY On April 6th, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling Dawson Forest WMA. During his patrols he gave verbal guidance and issued written warnings for illegal use of the horse trails and not possessing a GORP pass.
On April 11th, Sgt. Lee Brown was patrolling Dawson Forest WMA at the Delayed Harvest Stream. Several fishermen were checked and Sgt. Brown issued warnings for fishing with illegal bait and possessing trout in a delayed harvest stream. Verbal guidance was given for not possessing a GORP.
On April 12th, RFC Barry Britt, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins, Cpl. Eric Sanders, Wildlife Tech David Shattuck, and Sgt. Lee Brown patrolled the Amicalola River on Dawson Forest WMA. During the patrol, 4 adults were charged with illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA.
LUMPKIN COUNTY On April 6th, Ranger Shane Brown patrolled Yahoola Creek Lake and encountered three subjects fishing from the dam. One subject tossed the fishing pole down and told the ranger that she wasn't fishing. The ranger told the subject he watched all three of them and that she needed a fishing license. Ranger Brown issued the subject a citation for fishing without a license.
On April 9th, Ranger Shane Brown was driving by Yahoola Creek Lake when he noticed a boat next to the bridge with four subjects on board. Ranger Brown stopped and called them to the bank for a safety check of the vessel. Only three PFD's were on board and one subject didn't have a fishing license. Citations and warnings were issued for insufficient PFD's and fishing without a license.
On April 11th, Sgt. Lee Brown, Cpl. Eddie Tompkins, Cpl. Adam Loudermilk, RFC Eric Isom with K-9 Colt, RFC Mitchell Crump, Ranger Shane Brown, and Wildlife Tech Frank Manning conducted a wildlife check point on Chestatee WMA. Officers issued citations and warnings for driving of suspended license, violation of the open container law, violation of forest service rules on a WMA, and fishing with trout license.
On April 12th, RFC Mitchell Crump and Ranger Shane Brown checked trout streams in Lumpkin County. While on patrol they encountered several violations and issued citations and warnings for the violations.
STEPHENS COUNTY On April 11th, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Stephens County by vehicle for fishing activity. One citation was issued for fishing without a license and one warning was issued for fishing without a trout license.
On April 12th, RFC Tim Vickery and Cpl. Bill Bunch patrolled Lake Hartwell on the Tugaloo River. Several boats and fishing licenses were checked. Two citations were issued for fishing without a license.

BARROW COUNTY On April 6th, at approximately 1800 hours Ranger First Class Mark Stephens was patrolling Fort Yargo State Park when he observed a suspicious individual. Officers with the Winder Police Department had been watching the individual for approximately 20 minutes when Officer Stephens entered the area. Winder Police department and Officer Stephens stopped the individual for an investigation. After an investigation of the individual he was arrested for Possession of cocaine and marijuana.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On April 12th Cpl. Mark Patterson and RFC Tim Butler patrolled several municipal lakes for boating and fishing activity. Violations encountered during the patrol, included fishing without license and interfering with the performance of a Ranger's duties.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On April 12th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and RFC Robert Timmerman responded to an abandoned vessel call off of the Savannah River. The vessel was located in the Savannah River half way submerged and adrift. The vessel was towed to a nearby island and secured. The vessel's owner was located and no one was reported missing. The owner of the vessel was advised to retrieve his vessel as soon as possible.
HANCOCK COUNTY On Tuesday, April 8, RFC Richard Tanner received fishing without permission complaint in Hancock County. RFC Tanner encountered 2 individuals fishing that stated they had permission from the landowner. When asked the name of the landowner, the individuals gave the name of an individual that hasn't owned the property since 1985. The individuals were both issued citations for fishing without permission.
GREENE COUNTY On Saturday, April 12, Cpl. Derrell Worth while patrolling properties for turkey hunting activity encountered two subjects hunting over bait. Both subjects were charged with hunting big game over bait.
NEWTON COUNTY On Saturday, April 12, while patrolling Lake Varner for fishing activity RFC Niki Spencer cited one subject for operating a vessel with no registration.
MORGAN COUNTY On Sunday, April 13, RFC Ricky Boles cited two subjects for fishing without a license while patrolling Hard Labor Creek State Park.
LAKE OCONEE On Saturday, April 12, while on lake patrol Cpl. David Allen cited two subjects for violating the no wake zone and cited one boater for towing a skier without an observer.

Region IV- Macon (West Central) Region V- Albany (Southwest)
RANDOLPH COUNTY On April 11th, Ranger Quinn Fogle and RFC Jim Atchley responded to a complaint of hunting without permission. One hunter was charged with hunting without permission, hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license. DOUGHERTY COUNTY On April 11th, Chehaw Park in Albany hosted its annual Native American Arts Festival. The festival presented students with an opportunity to learn about Native American history and the Colonial lifestyle. Ranger Eric White guided a 1st grade class from Doerun Elementary School during their visit.
QUITMAN COUNTY While conducting a patrol on Lake W.F. George on the night of April 12th, Ranger Quinn Fogle and RFC Jim Atchley responded to a boat incident and located a vessel which had collided with trees along the shoreline. The rangers administered first aid on the scene and transported the occupants to a boat ramp for EMS evaluation. The Rangers returned to the scene on Sunday morning to assist in recovering the vessel. The incident is still under investigation.

CLAY COUNTY April 11-12, Ranger Quinn Fogle and RFC Jim Atchley conducted patrols on Lake W.F. George for fishing and boating activity. Eight boating safety violations were documented along with one for possession over daily creel limit.
Ranger Quinn Fogle conducting night time boating operations GRADY COUNTY On April 6th, Cpl. Mike Binion cited a turkey hunter for hunting without a nonresident license and hunting without a big game license. On April 11th, Cpl. Mike Binion spotted black smoke billowing near a residence and stopped to check it out. He cited a male subject for unlawful burning of wire. On April 12th, Cpl. Mike Binion checked an adult and two 16 year old turkey hunters as they exited the woods with a harvested bird. None of the three had a current hunting license. The adult was cited for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license. The two juveniles were given verbal guidance and advised to purchase a license. Cpl. Binion later cited two subjects for fishing without a license in a nearby creek.

DECATUR COUNTY On April 6th, RFC Tony Cox and Ranger Steve Thomas cited three turkey hunters for hunting big game over bait.
On April 11th, Sgt. Rick Sellars encountered two turkey hunters on Lake Seminole WMA. One of the hunters was cited for hunting without a nonresident big game license. Sgt. Sellars later cited a vessel operator on Spring Creek for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's.
On April 12th, Cpl. Mike Binion and Cpl. Randy Davis conducted a vessel patrol on the Flint River. The officers cited two subjects for fishing without a license and one vessel operator for a PFD violation.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WHEELER COUNTY On April 12th, 2014 RFC Rodney Horne, Cpl. Dan Stiles, Cpl. Kevin Joyce, Cpl. Mike Wilcox, RFC Kate Hargrove, Sgt. James McLaughlin, and Captain Scott Klingel responded to a boating incident and drowning at Little Ocmulgee State Park. The incident is under investigation.
COOK COUNTY During the first week in April, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey received a complaint from the City of Lenox in reference to an alligator in the water treatment plant pond.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
MCINTOSH COUNTY On April 11th, Sgt. Damon Winters and Ranger Jay Bright assisted McIntosh County Sheriff's Office with a search for three wanted fugitives that ran from Glynn County in a vehicle and wrecked off I95 in McIntosh County. Other agencies involved were Glynn County Police, Darien Police, GSP, and the Department of Corrections K-9 team. After an extensive search of a wooded area off I95 two of the suspects were taken into custody and the third is still at large but has been identified and warrants have been secured for his arrest.
On April 12th, Sgt. Damon Winters responded to a call at Blue-n-Haul Marina about a boater that had sunk his truck, boat and trailer at the boat ramp. Citizens at the ramp were able to get the boaters girlfriend out of the vehicle before it sunk. Both subjects were checked and released at the scene by McIntosh EMS. Unfortunately the family pet was lost in the incident. The vehicle and boat was recovered Sunday at about 1:00 PM.
On April 12th and 13th, Sgt. Damon Winters and RFC Kate Hargrove worked the Blessing of the Fleet Festival in Darien. They officiated the rubber duck race sponsored by the McIntosh County Rotary Club and worked the blessing of the shrimp boat fleet.

On April 12th, RFC Kate Hargrove responded to a fatality boat incident at Little Olcmulgee State Park in McCrae. RFC Hargrove is a member of the C.I.R.T. unit which works serious injury boat incidents. The incident involved one vessel with two boaters onboard. Unfortunately one boater drowned while the other was rescued at the scene. The incident is still under investigation.
WAYNE COUNTY On April 12th, Cpl. Randy Aspinwall was called to Lake Grace in Wayne County in reference to a boat incident involving a 17 y/o female. The boater was thrown from the vessel suffering from laceration to the neck and arm. She was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released. The incident is still under investigation.

CHATHAM/LONG COUNTY
On April 6th and 7th, Rangers Jordan Crawford and Kate Hargrove assisted in the capture of injured birds of prey. A barred owl from Chatham County and an osprey from Long County where transported to raptor centers for rehabilitation.