Field operations weekly report [Mar. 7, 2015]

Department of Natural Resources
Law Enforcement Division
Field Operations
Weekly Report March 1 - 7, 2015
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)
HARALSON COUNTY On February 25th & 26th, RFC Daniel Gray assisted in Haralson County with the winter storm. Gray assisted the county with several wrecks, and also assisted with checking rural county roads for possible down trees or stranded motorist.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On March 1st, Ranger First Class Daniel Gray and Ranger Mark Puig patrolled Sweetwater Creek State Park. Several anglers were checked and many hikers as well.
PAULDING COUNTY On March 1st, Ranger First Class Daniel Gray and Ranger Mark Puig patrolled Paulding Wildlife Management Area focusing on efforts to combat illegal ATV riding through the area. The Rangers assisted a motorist with a flat tire and educated two individuals on Georgia's artifact collection laws.
FULTON COUNTY On February 28th, Ranger First Class Daniel Gray and Ranger Mark Puig attended the Next South Career Fair at the Biltmore in downtown Atlanta. Over 300 people from across the southeast attended the fair eager to work in the arena of conservation. The Rangers discussed job opportunities in the Law Enforcement Division including all of the other divisions as well.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
WHITE COUNTY On March 7th, RFC Anne Britt and UNG Intern Christian Ayoob checked two fishermen on Smith Creek fishing in the delayed harvest section. During the check the fishermen possessed valid permits, lawful equipment, current fishing and trout licenses, but were warned for being in possession of unlawful bait on the artificial stream. RFC Britt found they were both using scented power bait worms. The two fishermen were able to fish again after taking their bait back to their vehicle and keeping it out of their possession while fishing. Later during the day, RFC Britt and Intern Ayoob patrolled the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area for fishing activity. They located one adult male fishing the closed section of the river with his juvenile son. RFC Britt warned the fisherman and gave him directions to the open stream so they could continue fishing.
HABERSHAM COUNTY On March 7th, RFC Anne Britt responded to an in-progress fishing without permission complaint on the Soquee River off Highway 197 in Batesville. The landowner reported he had approached an adult male fishing on his property and he was in possession of one trout. Upon arrival, RFC Britt spoke with both individuals and cited the fisherman for fishing without permission. The fisherman was from out of town and was not familiar with the Soquee River. He did have the required fishing licenses. RFC Britt provided him with directions on the public access area on USFS property. The trout was turned over to the landowner.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
RICHMOND COUNTY On March 6-7, Cpl. Ben Payne, Joe Jackson and other DNR Law Enforcement Rangers attended the 27th Annual Cooking for Kids Event at Daniel Field in Augusta. The event raised money for Child Enrichment. Team Green and Grey competed in the cooking competition in 4 categories: Big Game, Small Game, Fish and Barbeque. They placed First Place in Big Game and Second Place in Fish. During the event Rangers answered questions on laws and regulations and handed out DNR information and Hunter Education materials. The event was a success raising $35,000.

LINCOLN COUNTY On March 7th, Cpl. Ryan Swain apprehended two subjects for commercial dumping of waste and drug possession. The two subjects were arrested and released on bond.
On March 8th, Cpl. Ryan Swain performed a concentrated patrol of the Savannah and Little River on Clarks Hill Lake. Five subjects were cited for fishing without a license.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
TROUP COUNTY On March 7th, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen was checking fishing/boating activity around West Point Lake, when he noticed a boat pulling up to the dock after sunset. The boat failed to display navigational lights and a 7 year old passenger on board wasn't wearing the required personal flotation device. The boat operator was issued a citation for allowing underage person to ride in vessel without wearing a PFD and a written warning for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On March 3, Corporal Dan Stiles received a report of two missing boaters on the Ocmulgee River in Dodge County. Ranger First Class Allen Mills and Cpl. Stiles responded to the scene and began a search. Sergeant James McLaughlin, Corporal Kevin Joyce, and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne also responded. Approximately four hours into the search, the missing boaters were located and transported to a boat landing in Dodge County by Cpl. Stiles and RFC Mills. One subject was transported to the Dodge County Hospital. The other subject was checked by Emergency Medical Technicians and released at the scene. The subjects had gone for a boat ride the previous evening at approximately 5:30 p.m. and their vessel struck a log and eventually capsized and sank. The subjects spent the night standing on a log in flooded timber until Rangers located them the following day. The missing boater's companion, a Labrador puppy aptly named "River" was also rescued. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office, Georgia State Patrol, and volunteers also participated in the search.
LAURENS COUNTY On March 6-7, Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Clint Jarriel attended the annual Georgia Hunter Education Conference at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center (CEWC) in Mansfield, GA. The officers attended presentations by Department of Natural Resources personnel and volunteer members from the Georgia Hunter Education Association, Inc. Corporal Dan Stiles was presented with the Hunter Education Instructor of the Year award by the GA Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division and the Georgia Hunter Education Association, Inc. Cpl. Stiles received plaques naming him with the honor, an engraved flashlight, and received a $1,000 grant to be used to purchase equipment to enhance the Hunter Education program in his work section.
On March 7, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class Allen Mills participated in a Hull Identification Number inspection site (HIN). Two vessel owners were assisted with issues pertaining to boat registration.

On March 7, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class Allen Mills patrolled the Beaver Dam Wildlife Management Area during a quota hog hunt with dogs. While patrolling, the officers checked five individuals at the shooting range. Verbal guidance was given for not possessing the Georgia Outdoor Recreational Pass (G.O.R.P) to three individuals on the range.
On March 7, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class Allen Mills patrolled Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area for boating and fishing activity. The officers checked five vessels and thirteen anglers for license and regulation compliance. Violations for fishing without a license and fishing without a Wildlife Management Area license on a Public Fishing Area were documented.
BERRIEN COUNTY On March 3-7, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked several boaters and fishermen at Paradise PFA. Violations documented were: fishing w/o a license, operating a vessel w/o PFD'S and fishing on a PFA w/o a WMA license.
COOK On March 6th, Sgt. Morty Wood, Cpl. Tim Hutto and RFC Keith McDonald presented boating safety and hunting safety presentations for fifth graders at Reed Bingham State Park. There were 177 students in attendance.
EVANS On February 22, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Evans County Public Fishing Area. Several licenses and vessels were checked resulting in violations for operating a vessel without PFD's and allowing an underage child to ride in a vessel without wearing a PFD.
On Saturday March 7, RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled the Evans County Public Fishing Area. Several licenses were checked resulting in one violation for fishing on a PFA without a WMA license. There were several verbal warnings given for entering a designated fee area without a GORP license.
LOWNDES COUNTY On March 7th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree and Ranger Daniel North instructed at the annual youth turkey hunting school. The officers, along with several other local sportsmen, shared their knowledge of turkey hunting with the future hunters. Scouting, sign identification, turkey biology, calling, and safety were discussed at length throughout the day. An afternoon trip to the firing range for shotgun familiarization and patterning concluded the day's activities. Next weekend all students will be paired with a mentor/guide for a morning turkey hunt.

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
GLYNN COUNTY On March 5th, Cpl. Craig Smith, Sgt. Mark Carson, RFC Kate Hargrove, and Captain Doug Lewis presented a 4 hour block of training to the Georgia Sheriffs Association Chaplains. The training consisted of what the Law Enforcement Division did in certain emergency situations and also how the chaplains could help with the family in these situations.
On March 5-8, 2015 Sgt. Mark Carson, Captain Doug Lewis, Cpl. Craig Smith, Cpl. Randy Aspinwall, Cpl. Bobby White, RFC John Evans, and Ranger Jay Bright assisted with a VIP security detail on Sea Island. The officers were assigned to waterborne security around Sea Island.