Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division Field Operations Weekly Report August 30 September 5, 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. Region I- Calhoun (Northwest) BARTOW COUNTY On September 5th, Cpl. Byron Young, RFC Micheal Crawley, RFC Bart Hendrix and RFC Zack Hardy patrolled for dove activity. The Rangers located 1 baited dove field with 24 hunters. The officers located 1 subject hunting without a license and several with unplugged shotguns. Citations and warnings were issued for the violations. CHEROKEE COUNTY On September 1st, Cpl. Byron Young and Cpl. Brooks Varnell responded to a call for assistance in locating a missing 84 year old male. The male was last seen near the Etowah River in Canton. Just after 10:00 p.m. the 2 Rangers along with GSP Aviation, Cherokee County Fire / Rescue began searching by land, water and air. At approximately 1:15 a.m. the missing male was located and checked out by EMS. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) HART COUNTY On September 5th, RFC Brandon Pierce patrolled the county for any hunting activity due to it being the opening day of goose and dove season. Numerous hunting licenses and equipment were checked. As a result, five citations and warnings were issued. The violations consisted of failure to participate in migratory bird HIP program. On September 5th, Cpl. Craig Fulghum patrolled Hart County and Lake Hartwell for hunting and boating violations. During his patrol Cpl. Fulghum documented 7 violations. The violations consisted of hunting waterfowl without a federal duck stamp, Failure to obey regulatory marker, towing skier without an observer, and towing a skier between the hours of sunset and sunrise. MADISON COUNTY On September 4th, RFC Shane Sartor patrolled Madison County. While on patrol he observed a subject throw trash out of the driver's side window of a vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and the driver was issued a citation for littering. Region III- Thomson (East Central) OGLETHORPE COUNTY On Saturday September 5th CPL Julian Wilkins and RFC Phillip Nelson documented ten violations of hunting dove over bait, and HIP violations. WALTON COUNTY On September 5th LT. Sam O'Neal and RFC Tim Butler documented eleven violations of hunting dove over bait and hunting with an unplugged shotgun. WILKES COUNTY On the morning of September 5th, Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson patrolled portions of the county for goose hunting activity. Several violations were documented during the patrol including operating a vessel without personal flotation devices, operating a vessel without registration, and hunting without a Federal waterfowl stamp. Later in the day the rangers patrolled for dove hunting activity and addressed violations of hunting over bait, unlawful enticement of game, and failure to participate in the HIP program. WASHINGTON COUNTY On Labor Day Week end Sgt. Boswell, Cpl. Adams, Cpl. Paine and RFC Matherly patrolled Washington County for dove hunting activity. Thirteen fields were checked with over a 150 dove hunters. Citations and warning were given for hunting without a license, hunting without HIP permit, hunting from a public road and hunting with unplugged shotgun. On September 5th Cpl. Adams gave a safety speech to the Washington County Young Hunters Foundation before their annual kids dove hunt. Over 20 kids and their parents participated in a catered - lunch, skeet shoot and dove hunt. LAKE OCONEE During September 4-7, Rangers David Allen, Richard Tanner, John Harwell, and Derrell Worth patrolled Lake Oconee during the Labor Day weekend. Rangers cited vessel operators for 100' violation on a PWC, allowing underage person to operate a PWC, children not wearing a PFD while vessel in motion, light violations, and towing skiers w/out observers. WALTON COUNTY On September 6, Rangers David Allen and Jason Harrison cited an individual for hunting on a closed WMA dove field in Social Circle. On September 7, Rangers John Harwell and Jason Harrison checked a field in north Walton Co. The individuals were shooting a baited dove field and were cited for hunting over bait and unlawful enticement of game. GREENE COUNTY September 5-6, Rangers Derrell Worth and Dan Schay patrolled Greene County. Individuals were cited for hunting doves on a closed WMA, hunting w/unplugged shotgun. MORGAN COUNTY On September 5-6, Rangers David Allen and Jason Harrison patrolled Morgan County for hunting activity. One individual was cited for hunting w/unplugged shotgun. NEWTON COUNTY September 5, Rangers David Allen and Jason Harrison patrolled Newton County for dove activity. Several fields were checked. One individual was cited for hunting w/out a license. COLUMBIA COUNTY On September 5th, Cpl. Brian Hobbins apprehended two subjects for hunting waterfowl after legal hours. The subjects were hunting near Betty's Branch off the Savannah River. The subjects were cited for hunting waterfowl after hours as well as numerous boating violations. On September 6th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin, Cpl. Ryan Swain, and RFC Robert Timmerman apprehended eight subjects for hunting doves over bait in Northern Columbia County. The subjects were cited and twenty doves were confiscated and given to a needy family. Region IV- Macon (West Central) CRAWFORD COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, while patrolling Crawford County for dove hunting activity, RFC David Fisher checked several dove hunters on multiple fields. After foot patrolling two separate dove fields, Fisher determined them to be illegally baited. Citations and warnings were issued for the offenses. HOUSTON COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, RFC Ronnie Beard and Cpl. Robert Stilwell patrolled Houston, Twiggs, Bleckley and Pulaski Counties for activity. Two fields were checked and 3 license violations were documented. Another field, not being hunted, was located and flagged because it was baited. JONES COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, RFC Jeremy Reese patrolled Jones County and checked 5 dove fields with a total of 36 hunters with no violations documented. MERIWETHER COUNTY During the week prior to dove season opening, RFC Kevin Godbee and Cpl. Keith Waddell flagged two dove fields as baited. On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Travis Sweat and Cpl. Keith Waddell checked Joe Kurz WMA. They issued cases and warnings for several different violations such as failure to sign in, driving around a closed gate, etc. PIKE COUNTY During the week prior to dove season opening, RFC Kevin Godbee located and flagged a dove field baited with bird seed. PUTNAM COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Lynn Stanford patrolled Putnam County for activity. One field was checked with 7 hunters and one warning was issued for hunting with an unplugged shotgun. While patrolling, Cpl. Stanford encountered someone burning household garbage and a citation was issued. SPALDING COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Travis Sweat and Cpl. Keith Waddell checked a field and found a hunter in possession of over 60 doves. He was cited for over the possession limit. On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Travis Sweat received information that a hunter had shot a red-tailed hawk while dove hunting. After a lengthy investigation, the hawk was located and the hunter was cited. TAYLOR COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield and Cpl. Josh Swain attended the Wounded Warrior Dove Hunt that was held at the Lowe's family farm in Taylor County. TROUP COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, RFC Russell Epps and Sgt. Brent Railey checked a field that was determined to be baited. The landowner and three hunters were issued written warnings and the field was flagged as baited. Region V- Albany (Southwest) MARION COUNTY On September 5th, Ranger Jesse Harrison and Cpl. Bob Holly cited eight dove hunters for hunting a baited clear cut. On September 5th, Ranger Jay Lewis cited two non-resident dove hunters hunting without a license. CLAY COUNTY On September 5th, Ranger Quinn Fogle, Cpl. Scott Carroll, and Sgt. Jim Atchley responded to a report of an injured boater near Gopher Island on Lake Walter F. George. While towing a skier, an anchor became un-secured from the bow of the vessel and struck one of the passengers in the temple area of his head. The passenger suffered a minor laceration to his head and was treated at the scene by Clay Co EMS. The subject was later transported by family members to a local medical center for further treatment. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) WARE COUNTY On August 30th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Ranger Daniel North conducted a patrol of the Dixon Memorial WMA shooting range due to reports of recent range violations. A group of individuals were target practicing and it was determined that four subjects did not possess the required licenses to utilize the range. Violations of entering a designated fee area without a Georgia outdoor recreational pass were documented. PIERCE COUNTY On September 5th, Corporal Jason Shipes met with several hunters prior to the noon opening time of dove season. Cpl. Shipes was asked to present a short hunting safety briefing with the group prior to them taking to the dove field. Cpl. Shipes spoke about basic safety precautions that can ensure that everyone on the field were safe and had an enjoyable hunt. On September 5th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree, Corporal Jason Shipes, Ranger First Class Sam Williams, Ranger Daniel North, and Ranger Judd Sears patrolled for dove hunting activity over most of the county. The officers located 6 dove hunts and compliance checked 63 hunters. These successful hunters had harvested 254 doves. One hunter was issued a warning for failure to participate in the harvest information program. APPLING COUNTY Sgt. Jon Barnard, Cpl. Chase Altman, and RFC Debbie Brannen patrolled Appling County and Jeff Davis County for dove hunting activity opening day of the season. Several fields were checked, including stopping by to visit and assist young hunters in the Adult/Child hunt on the temporary WMA on the south end of the county. Numerous hunters were checked in the two counties, with a few minor violations for not having participated in the HIP Program, and not having a hunting license on person. TATTNALL COUNTY On September 5, 2015 CPL Kevin Joyce and RFC Clint Jarriel patrolled Tattnall/Evans Counties for dove hunting activity. Numerous fields and hunters were checked on State owned property as well as private land. It was a very productive and safe opening day with only minor issues needing to be addressed. BERRIEN COUNTY On September 5th, Sgt. Chris Moore and Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked a dove shoot in which one violation of hunting w/o a license was documented. Later that evening a patrol of Paradise PFA was conducted. Two subjects were caught with over the limit of bream. The violations were documented. COFFEE COUNTY On September 6th, Cpl. Tim Hutto checked a dove shoot in the Bridgetown area. Two subjects were found to be over the daily limit and one was hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Citations and warnings were issued for the offenses and thirty eight dove were confiscated. BULLOCH COUNTY On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Eddie Akins checked on a complaint of someone holding a fawn deer. The possession of the deer was confirmed. The small deer was seized and removed from the area. A violation of holding a game animal without a permit was documented. On Saturday, September 5th, Cpl. Eddie Akins and Cpl. Mike Wilcox patrolled the Bulloch and Jenkins County line area for dove hunting activity. Their efforts resulted in one dove shoot with eight hunters being checked. No violations were documented EFFINGHAM COUNTY On September 5th 2015, Captain Scott Klingel, Corporal Shaymus McNeely, Ranger Randell Meeks, and Ranger Jordan Crawford checked a dove shoot off of Old Louisville Rd in Effingham County. As the Rangers conducted a license check they noticed that the field was baited with wheat seed. A total of 16 violations for hunting over bait were documented and 60 doves were confiscated. LAURENS COUNTY On September 5th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne patrolled the public dove fields at the River Bend Wildlife Management Area. Many hunters were checked for license compliance and daily bag limit of doves. One violation was documented for failure to participate in the Hunter Information Program (HIP). BENHILL/ LAURENS COUNTIES On September 5th, officers A. Mills, D. Stiles, R Horne, J. McLaughlin, and J Stokes patrolled multiple counties looking/listening for dove hunting activity. The officers checked 105 hunters on 8 fields resulting in 6 violations being documented. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) BRANTLEY COUNTY On September 5th, Ranger Colte Shaske was patrolling Brantley County for hunting activity. Ranger Shaske found multiple trucks parked on the side of a dirt road and were trying to track their hunting dogs. Upon investigation, the suspects were found to be training fox dogs on their hunting club. Two of the three men were cited for training dogs without a hunting license. On September 5th, RFC David Brady and Cpl. Chris Ridley were patrolling for dove hunting activity in West Brantley. The Rangers located a field that was being hunted by several adults and juveniles. After a short investigation the plowed field was found to be baited with cracked corn, peanuts and wheat seed. One subject was charged with unlawful enticement of game. GLYNN COUNTY On September 3rd, RFC John Evans and RGR Colte Shaske were working an illegal crabbing complaint in Terry Creek. The rangers observed two men that have recently had numerous violations, checking crab traps in the river. The men were later checked at the Sidney Lanier boat ramp and found to be in possession of 17 undersized crabs. The two were issued citations and the crabs were returned to the river. This is the fourth time the two have been caught over the last ten weeks. On September 5th, around 0130 hours RFC John Evans observed two boats coming to Altamaha Park boat ramp without running lights. Evans made contact with both operators, whom had been drinking. While conducting field sobriety exercises on the first operator the other suspect took off into the woods on foot. Evans completed the screening and arrested the first operator for boating under the influence, Operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness, and Violation of 100' law. The suspect was transported to the Glynn County Detention Center. RFC Evans and RGR Jay Bright attempted to find the other subject briefly but were unsuccessful. CAMDEN COUNTY On September 6th, RFC David Brady and Ranger Colte Shaske responded to a call for assistance from the United States Coast Guard regarding a commercial fishing boat that had capsized in the area of St. Andrews Sound and Little Cumberland Island. After a lengthy investigation by the Rangers the vessel was located at the bottom of the sound and the occupants, whom had been picked up by a Good Samaritan, were transported to the Jekyll Island boat ramp.