Field operations weekly report [Jan. 22-28, 2017]

Field Operations
Weekly Report January 22 January 28, 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)
CLARKE COUNTY On January 24, RFC Tim Butler was a guest speaker for a wildlife class at the University of Georgia. The class was sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation to encourage college students to hunt.
ELBERT COUNTY On January 28, Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Julian Wilkins documented two violations of hunting on a WMA without a WMA license.
OCONEE COUNTY On January 23, RFC Tim Butler completed an investigation related to two men hunting without permission. Violations documented were hunting without permission, hunting without a license, and hunting with a silencer without landowner permission.
On January 23, RFC Tim Butler and RFC Phillip Nelson investigated a complaint of a man who had been hunting raccoons while his privileges were suspended for hunting deer at night. On January 24, RFC Butler obtained an arrest warrant on the suspect for hunting while privileges are suspended.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BIBB COUNTY On January 25th, Sgt. Jim Bradfield, Cpl. Jeremy Bolen, and Intern Shanya Kadian attended the Water Well Standards Advisory Council meeting at the Secretary of State's office in Macon. The officers provided a law enforcement presence where a licensed well driller was getting his permit revoked for various violations.
HARRIS COUNTY On January 28th, Cpl. Mitch Oliver checked multiple waterfowl hunters at Big Lazer Creek PFA. One hunter that Cpl. Oliver checked was hunting from a kayak and did not have a life jacket on board. After checking the hunter's license, it was also determined that the hunter did not have a valid Georgia waterfowl license. The hunter was issued a citation for the life jacket violation and a written warning for the license violation.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On January 28th RFC Jordan Crawford and RFC Jason Miller patrolled several Savannah River landings in Effingham County for waterfowl hunting activity. During the patrol several hunters were checked. Two violations for operating a vessel without Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices were documented.

BULLOCH COUNTY On January 29th, Ranger First Class Jason Miller and Ranger First Class Jordan Crawford were patrolling the Ogeechee River area of Bulloch and Effingham Counties for illegal duck hunting activities. The Game Wardens cited four individuals for hunting waterfowl after legal hours. BEN HILL COUNTY On January 28th, Game Warden John A. Stokes patrolled for duck shoots. A shoot was located with six hunters. One violator was found and a violation was documented for hunting without a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. LAURENS COUNTY On January 27th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Sergeant James McLaughlin patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. One angler was checked for creel and license compliance. One violation was documented for fishing without a Wildlife Management Area License on a Public Fishing Area (PFA). WHEELER COUNTY On January 28th, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne patrolled for waterfowl roost shoots in Wheeler County. Sergeant McLaughlin and RFC Horne located a waterfowl roost shoot. Three poachers were located hunting waterfowl after legal hours. Nine violations were documented on these three poachers and the violations documented were three for hunting waterfowl after legal hours, three for hunting waterfowl without a Georgia waterfowl license, and three for hunting waterfowl without a Federal Waterfowl Stamp. CLINCH COUNTY On January 28th, Corporal Jason Shipes of Clinch County was recognized by Safari Club International at their annual Atlanta-area banquet for being selected as the 2016 Investigative Ranger of the Year. Cpl. Shipes was presented a plaque and a Buck knife as a token of SFI's appreciation for his efforts to bring poachers to justice.
Captain Scott Klingel looks on as Cpl. Jason Shipes is awarded a plaque and Buck knife from Safari Club International for 2016 Investigative Ranger of the Year

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LIBERTY COUNTY On Jan. 25th, Cpl. Jay Morgan and Sgt. Scott conducted a Joint Enforcement Agreement patrol in the St. Catherine's Sound area checking nearby reefs and sport fishing boats returning from offshore. Several fishermen were checked as it was a nice day with calm water offshore. One boater was cited for not having enough personal flotation devices in the vessel.
BRANTLEY COUNTY On January 28th, Corporal Kate Hargrove presented an information and education program for Oak Hill Baptist Church in Hoboken.
GLYNN COUNTY On January 27 & 28th, Game Wardens from Region 7 Law Enforcement assisted the Non-Game section with the annual Weekend for Wildlife. The Game Wardens provided the boat trips ranging from Savannah to St. Mary's to Georgia's Barrier Islands and diverse salt marsh.