Field Operations 
Weekly Report January 15  January 21, 2017 
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- Acworth (Northwest) 
No activity to report. 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
No activity to report. 
Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
NEWTON COUNTY On January 15, Ranger Schay and Sgt. Garthright completed an illegal hunting investigation. A violation of taking over the bag limit was documented. 
On January 16, Ranger Schay was patrolling Newton County for hunting and fishing activity and a violation of hunting with an unplugged shotgun was documented. 
On January 21, Ranger Schay was patrolling Newton County for hunting and fishing activity and a violation of fishing without a license was documented. 
On January 18, Ranger Jason Harrison Patrolled Lake Varner for Fishing Activity. A warning was written for fishing without a license. 
HANCOCK COUNTY On January 15, Cpl. David Allen was checking duck hunters at the Hancock/Putnam county line. Cpl. Allen saw a vessel coming from above the highway 16 bridge, which is closed to hunting. After talking with the hunters, it was determined they hunted in a closed area. The three hunters were cited for hunting on a closed WMA and not having on their PFD's in a hazardous area. 
On January 16, Cpl. David Allen cited a fisherman fishing at Wallace Dam for not wearing a PFD in a hazardous area. 
On January 21, Cpl. David Allen checked two fishermen at the Hancock/Putnam county line. After further investigation, Cpl. Allen cited one of the fishermen for fishing without a license. 
MORGAN COUNTY On January 18, Ranger Jason Harrison Patrolled Hard Labor Creek State Park for fishing activity. A warning was written for fishing without a license. 
ELBERT COUNTY On January 16, Cpl. Julian Wilkins responded to a hunting incident in Elbert County. Three subjects were hunting pen raised quail and stopped to take a break. One subject rested the barrel of his 20 gauge shotgun on the toe of his left boot. Somehow the shotgun discharged taking off approximately half of his second toe and damaging his middle toe. 
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On January 21, RFC Phillip Nelson was patrolling Oglethorpe County for hunting activity. During this patrol he located three subjects hunting feral hogs with dogs. Violations documented during this patrol were hunting without permission. 
WILKES COUNTY On January 21, Cpl. Mark Patterson completed an investigation that began on December 30th. One violation of hunting without permission was documented. 
 
 Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
BIBB COUNTY On January 18th, Game Wardens Cpl. Josh Swain, RFC David Fisher, and Sgt. Jim Bradfield, along with LED intern Shayna Kadian conducted an educational program at the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon, Georgia. Over 100 students attended the event and had the opportunity to use the fishing simulator and laser shot (hunting simulator) with assistance from LED associates. 
Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
No activity to report. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
WILCOX COUNTY On January 18th, Corporal John A Stokes and Ranger Lamar Burns investigated a case around the Five -Points area about a suspect shooting at hogs from a public road. A suspect was interviewed by Ranger Burns and stated he saw some hogs in a field and stepped out in the road and shot at them with an AR-15 rifle. The violator was charged for hunting from a public road. 
APPLING COUNTY Corporal Chase Altman was on patrol for duck hunting activity on the morning of January 21st when two hunters were heard on a creek nearby. Corporal Altman checked both hunters and one warning was issued for not having a federal duck stamp. 
That same morning, one vessel was checked by Corporal Altman that had been fishing on the Altamaha River. One warning was given for not having a fishing license. 
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On the morning of January 20th, Corporal Chase Altman and Ranger Cameron Dyal were patrolling Jeff Davis boat ramps. Two vessels were checked at Burkett's Ferry landing, resulting in one warning being issued for being one wearable PFD short on the vessel, having a throwable device instead. 
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
LIBERTY COUNTY On Jan. 15th, Cpl. Bill Bryson, RFC Jack Thain, and Cpl. Jay Morgan conducted a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol in the St. Catherine's Sound area checking sport fishing boats returning from offshore. One boat was found to have a red drum on board which is illegal to possess in federal waters. The fisherman's and boat captain's information was obtained to be turned over to National Marine Fisheries Service. 
On the afternoon of Thursday January 19, 2017, Game Wardens Morgan and Morris checked into a report of a sunken vessel almost a mile off the beach of St. Catherine's Island. The Game Wardens found the vessel as reported, just a small portion of the vessel exposed. No information could be obtained from the vessel as all of it was under water except the bow. The Game Wardens checked with the manager of St. Catherine's Island and a vessel recovery company. Neither were aware of the vessel. It is possible that the vessel was already abandoned and mostly under water and could have shifted to where it is at now. The Game Wardens notified the USCG. It is unknown if the USCG will take any action. Photos of what was exposed of the vessel are seen below.