Field Operations 
Weekly Report Oct 15  Oct 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) 
CHATTOOGA COUNTY On October 21st, at 10:30pm, Corporal Ben Cunningham and Game Warden Kalem Burns received a call from the Georgia State Patrol dispatch that a hunter had accidently harvested two antlerless deer on an antlered only hunting day in Chattooga County and wanted to know what he should do. The Game Wardens arrived at the location and talked with the individual who had actually harvested a four point buck and two does. The four point buck had been turned into a processor. The individual explained that the county he originally planned to hunt in South Georgia was an either sex day and thought that most counties were either sex on opening day. It was only after trying to turn the deer into a game processor that he realized that he had illegally harvested the deer. After checking his harvest in online, the individual thought that he would be caught and called the game wardens. Further investigation also revealed that the individual had filled out his deer harvest on another person's harvest record. The individual received a warning for possessing and harvesting antlerless deer and received a citation for manipulating the harvest records. Information on scheduled either sex harvest days can be located in the 2017-2018 seasons and hunting regulations, pages 22-23. 
FLOYD COUNTY On October 21st, at 8:30am, Corporal Ben Cunningham and Game Warden Kalem Burns were investigating an area they had previously located that was baited with corn for deer in Floyd County. As the Game Wardens approached edge of the food plot and baited area, they realized the tower stand at the end of the field was occupied. The game wardens approached the stand and announced themselves. A hunter emerged from the stand wearing camouflage but no fluorescent orange as required by law. The individual explained to the game wardens that he was not hunting but he was just taking pictures. After further conversation, the individual consented to a search of the stand and Game Warden Burns located a loaded crossbow in the stand. The individual quickly stated that he was just trying to manage the doe population. Corporal Cunningham explained that in the Northern Zone that you cannot hunt deer over bait. The individual received a citation for not wearing fluorescent orange while deer hunting and a citation for hunting big game over bait. 
On October 21st, the opening day of firearms deer season, Game Wardens Cpl. Ben Cunningham and Kalem Burns were checking a local deer processor near Rome, Georgia. They talked to a young hunter, Warner Sutton, age 13, that was proud to show his buck harvested. It is the second buck Warner has ever harvested. 
Warner Sutton, age 13, shows Game Warden Kalem Burns a buck he harvested on opening day of firearms season at a local processor near Rome, Georgia. 
 
 GORDON COUNTY On October 17th, Corporal Shawn Elmore received a call from a local hunter that said his Summit Viper tree stand had gotten stolen on his hunting club. The victim sent Cpl. Elmore trail camera photographs of the suspects, in which one photograph showed a suspect carrying the victim's tree stand. Over a two day period, Cpl. Elmore was able to identify the two suspects, interview them, and make an arrest. The two Chatsworth men were charged with theft by taking and taken to the Gordon County Jail on Friday October 20th. 
On October 21st, Corporal Shawn Elmore and Game Warden Nolan Callaway checked several stands on the east side of Gordon County where bait had been located earlier in the week. Two hunters were charged with hunting big game over bait. 
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) 
BARROW COUNTY On October 21st, Game Wardens Mark Stephens and Chris Kernahan responded to a complaint of illegal hunting on private property in Barrow County. Upon arrival, the Game Wardens determined that two subjects were hunting without permission, hunting without licenses, hunting without big game licenses, and hunting without fluorescent orange. Upon further investigation, the Game Wardens found one of the subjects to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, in possession of methamphetamine, and to be hunting under the influence. The subject was arrested, transported to jail by the Game Wardens, and arrest warrants were obtained. The other subject fled the scene, but was positively identified as another convicted felon who had used methamphetamine while hunting. Multiple arrest warrants were obtained for that subject as well. 
On October 22nd, Game Warden Chris Kernahan conducted multiple area checks on private property in Barrow County. During the area checks, Game Warden Kernahan found one subject to be hunting big game over bait, and hunting without fluorescent orange. He also found two subjects hunting without permission. The violations were addressed. 
On October 15th, Ranger First Class II Mark Stephens was patrolling Fort Yargo State park when he was approached by a park employee. The park official advised Officer Stephens of an individual using heroin in one of the bathrooms located on the park. After an investigation Officer Stephens arrested the individual for felony possession of a controlled substance. 
MADISON COUNTY On October 19th, RFC Shane Sartor was working a complaint when he encountered a subject hunting over bait with his daughter. During the inspection RFC Sartor also found that the subject had also failed to record two bucks that he had killed previously. The subject was issued two citations for failure to record harvest, one citation for unlawful enticement, and one warning for hunting without orange. 
On October 21st , RFC Shane Sartor responded to complaint of possible hunting without permission. Upon his arrival it was discovered that the subject was not across the property line but was from Tennessee. The subject was issued a citation for non-resident hunting without big game license, a warning for non-resident hunting without license, and a warning for hunting without fluorescent orange vest. Later in the evening RFC Sartor also issued a subject a citation for hunting big game over bait and a warning for hunting without fluorescent orange vest. 
 
 Region III- Thomson (East Central) 
CLARKE COUNTY On October 21st RFC Tim Butler documented three violations of hunting big game over bait and one violation of hunting deer without fluorescent orange. 
OCONEE COUNTY On October 21st RFC Tim Butler documented one violation of hunting big game over bait. 
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On October 21st Sgt. Brian Carter, Cpl. Julian Wilkins, and RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled areas known to be baited. Violations documented were hunting over bait, unlawful enticement, and hunting without a license. 
WILKES COUNTY On October 21st Capt. Stan Elrod and Cpl. Mark Patterson documented three violations of hunting big game over bait. 
HANCOCK COUNTY On October 21st and 22nd Cpl. David Allen and Sgt. Matt Garthright cited numerous violations including Hunting Big Game Over Bait, Failure to record deer Harvest, Hunting w/o Fluorescent Orange, Non Resident Hunting w/o License, Non Resident Hunting w/o Big Game License, and Violation of QDM. 
GREENE COUNTY On October 21st, Cpl. Derrell Worth cited five subjects for hunting big game over bait, five subjects for hunting deer without fluorescent orange, two subjects for hunting water fowl without a Federal stamp, and one subject for failure to record deer harvest. Cpl. Derrell Worth also completed an investigation on a commercial dump site and cited a subject for violation of Georgia waste control laws. Cpl. Derrell Worth responded to a complaint off of Copeland Road reference to a doe that was killed from the roadway. The investigation yielded two citations for hunting from a public road and two citations for hunting from a motor vehicle. The doe was confiscated and given to a family in need. 
On October 22nd, Cpl. Derrell Worth responded to Copeland Road reference to hunting without permission complaint. The subject was located, interviewed, and cited for hunting without permission. The 8 point buck was confiscated and given to a family in need. 
NEWTON COUNTY On October 21st, Rgr Schay was patrolling Newton County for hunting activity. Violations of unlawful enticement of game, hunting big game over bait, and hunting deer without fluorescent orange were documented. Later that day, RFC Hays and Rgr Schay worked an investigation regarding a doe taken during buck only season. A violation of taking an antlerless deer was documented as a result of the investigation. 
On October 22nd, Rgr Schay worked a hunting without permission investigation. Violations of hunting without 
permission and hunting big game over bait were documented as a result of the investigation. 
Region IV- Macon (West Central) 
No activity to report. 
 
 Region V- Albany (Southwest) 
MITCHELL COUNTY While patrolling the Flint River WRD boat ramp on Hwy 37 in Baker County, Sgt. Bob Holley ran a GCIC check on the tag of a suspicious vehicle parked near the boat ramp property. The GCIC check revealed that the owner of the vehicle was a wanted person out of Collier County, Florida. A short time later Sgt. Holley and Cpl. Jon Penuel were able to locate two subjects fishing along the river. One of the two subjects was determined to be the wanted person and was arrested and taken to the Mitchell County Jail. The subject is awaiting extradition to Collier County, Florida for Felony possession of dangerous drugs: Cocaine and Failure to appear. 
WORTH COUNTY On the morning of October 21st, Game Warden Eric White investigated a possible hunting without permission, in Worth County. The complainant stated that a subject had possibly shot a 3 point buck and a 5 point buck on his property. After locating the area where the deer were shot, it was determined that the hunter was on his own property, but had taken an undersized deer. The hunter was charged with taking over the bag limit. 
Region VI- Metter (Southeast) 
JENKINS COUNTY On October 21st, Corporal Wilcox patrolled Jenkins County during opening day of deer season. Violations that were documented are hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange and hunting without a license. 
SCREVEN COUNTY On October 21st, Corporal Shaymus McNeely worked opening day of firearms deer season in Screven County. One hunter was investigated for hunting under the influence of alcohol and license violations were documented. 
MONTGOMERY COUNTY On October 21, 2017, Major Thomas Barnard, Corporal Kevin Joyce, and Ranger First Class Bobby Sanders responded to a shots fired call in the northern part of the county. Upon arrival, an investigation was conducted including an interview of a person possibly involved in the incident. After the investigation was completed it was determined that two individuals were involved in shooting a deer from the road. Both individuals were charged with hunting from the motor vehicle, hunting from a public road, and hunting deer at night. The deer was donated to a local family in need. 
APPLING COUNTY On October 21, 2017 Corporal Chase Altman conducted an information and education program at the Big Buck Contest in Alma, answering question about wildlife law as well as the new licenses changes and game check system. 
TREUTLEN COUNTY On October 21, 2017 Corporal Kevin Joyce and Ranger First Class Bobby Sanders were patrolling for hunting activity when a violation was documented for hunting without an orange vest. 
 
 TATTNALL COUNTY On October 21, 2017 Ranger First Class Bobby Sanders was called to a complaint of deer dogs running deer off permitted property. After a brief investigation and contacting the owner of the dogs a violation for running deer with dogs on non-permitted property was documented. TOOMBS COUNTY On October 21, 2017 Ranger First Class Bobby Sanders was patrolling when a hunter was encountered that was hunting without an orange vest, the violation was documented. DODGE COUNTY On October 21st, Sergeant Chris Moore and Game Warden Allen Mills were conducting a night time hunting detail. At approximately 9:15pm, the officers observed a small pickup truck slowly moving down the dirt road shining a spot light out both the driver's and passenger's windows. As the officers pulled out onto the road, the vehicle stopped and fired one shot from the driver's window with a Remington 308 with suppressor and sub-sonic ammunition. The driver and passenger were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. 
Photo of Rem. 308, two Glock handguns, spotlight, and suppressor LAURENS COUNTY On October 15th, Corporal Dan Stiles assisted the Eastman Police Department with a call of a subject laying in the roadway with a bicycle. It was determined the subject was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested and transported to the Dodge County Law Enforcement Center. TELFAIR COUNTY On October 20th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne worked a suspected night hunting location. RFC Horne stopped one vehicle spotlighting. RFC Horne document 3 violations on one poacher for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road, and hunting from a motor vehicle. BEN HILL COUNTY On October 21st, Game Warden John A. Stokes patrolled for hunting violations. Four violations were found, two for hunting without fluorescent orange, one nonresident hunting without a hunting license and one nonresident hunting big without a nonresident big game license. 
 
 COOK COUNTY On October 15th, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey was patrolling Reed Bingham State Park when he observed a small child riding in a moving boat w/o wearing a life jacket. The boat operator was issued a warning. Later in the day, Cpl. Daughtrey checked a vessel with no life jackets on board. The violation was documented. 
On October 18th, Game Wardens Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and Ranger Chris Thompson were working a hunting without permission complaint that Cpl. Daughtrey had received in mid-September. A subject was caught on a trail camera in September wearing full camouflage and holding a high-powered rifle. The subject was hunting on a property that he did not have permission to be on. Cpl. Daughtrey and Ranger Thompson had been working the complaint for several hours a day trying to catch the poacher. The surveillance involved laying in the wooded area with the heat and mosquitos trying to catch the subject. On the 18th, after sitting in the woods for three hours, the game wardens watched as the poacher walked by their area of concealment carrying a rifle and dressed in full camo. The subject was quickly apprehended. Violations documented on the subject were hunting w/o permission, hunting without a license, hunting big game without a big game license, and hunting with an illegal weapon. Other charges are pending. Cpl. Daughtrey had been trying to catch this subject for three years. 
COFFEE COUNTY On October 20th, Corporal Tim Hutto and Ranger Chris Thompson worked a complaint of someone killing a buck with a high-powered rifle during primitive weapons season. The officers located the deer at a local deer processing facility and then questioned the hunter about the incident. It was determined that the eight-point buck was killed with a 7mm magnum rifle on October 19th. Violations were documented for hunting with an illegal weapon, hunting without a license, and hunting deer without fluorescent orange. The deer head was confiscated and the meat was donated to a local church. 
 
 LANIER COUNTY On October 21st, Corporal Tim Hutto and Ranger Chris Thompson patrolled the Lola Tract WMA on highway 84 in Stockton for deer hunting activity. The officers checked several deer archery hunters as well as fishermen resulting in numerous violations being documented for hunting without a big game license and fishing without a license. 
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) 
BRYAN COUNTY On the afternoon of Oct. 15th, Game Wardens Kiel Toney and Tim Morris responded to a call about someone possibly being under the influence at the Richmond Hill WMA shooting range. Upon arrival at the range, they found that the man was under the influence. He was arrested and blew an alcohol reading of 0.17. The man was cited for being under the influence on a WMA and for discharging a firearm while under the influence. 
LIBERTY COUNTY On Oct. 15th, Game Wardens Kiel Toney, Tim Morris and Jay Morgan conducted a Marine Mammal patrol from St. Catherine's Sound to Sapelo Sound checking fishermen and advising them about the laws making it illegal to feed or pet dolphins. 
On Oct. 16th, Game Wardens Toney, Morris, and Morgan conducted an offshore patrol from Sapelo Sound to Ossabaw Sound. No violations were found. 
On Oct. 17th, Game Warden Morgan received a call from a landowner off of Ft. Morris Rd. about seeing a man in camouflage on a golf cart coming off her property. The landowner then found a tree stand and corn on the property. On Oct. 21st, Game Wardens Morgan and Jack Thain with his K-9 dog checked the area and found the stand but no one at the scene. After a phone call, it was determined that the stand belonged to a man who had permission to hunt hogs on the property. 
On Oct. 21st, Game Warden Jay Morgan was checking deer-dogging clubs when he checked a club near Gumbranch, GA. He cited one deer-dog owner for not having the deer-dogging permit number on his dogs. 
LONG COUNTY On October 21 Major Thomas Barnard and Game Warden Patrick Gibbs patrolled North Townsend WMA, South Townsend WMA, and multiple deer dogging clubs throughout the County. A total of 19 hunting license were checked. Violations were addressed for: Hunting on a closed WMA, Possession of a loaded gun on a WMA road, Failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property, and Failure to record deer harvest. 
On October 22 Game Warden Patrick Gibbs checked 12 hunters coming out of North Townsend WMA. 1 violation was addressed for: Failure to record deer harvest. Gibbs also responded to an in progress complaint of deer dogs on unpermitted property. Gibbs located an unmarked hunting dog running deer on unpermitted property and addressed the violations accordingly. 
MCINTOSH COUNTY On October 21 Game Warden Jay Bright patrolled South Townsend WMA and multiple hunting clubs throughout the County. 3 Violations were addressed for Hunting on a closed WMA. 
WAYNE COUNTY On October 15 Corporal Bobby White located 3 subjects shooting dove in a corn field. Upon checking the hunter's license, White observed multiple piles of bird seed throughout the field. 3 violations were addressed for Hunting over bait. The field was marked as being baited. 
 
 On October 20 Corporal Randy Aspinwall was watching a field for night deer hunting activity. He observed two different vehicles drive by shinning the field with lights. Neither of the two vehicles had a firearm inside. 4 violations were addressed for blinding wildlife 
On October 21 Corporal Randy Aspinwall responded to a hunting without permission complaint. Aspinwall located the hunter and addressed the violation accordingly. On this same day Aspinwall addressed 2 violations related to deer dogging. 
GLYNN COUNTY On October 15, RFC David Brady concluded an investigation involving an 8 point buck that had been killed with a rifle during bow season. The investigation yielded one suspect being charged with hunting with illegal weapon and one suspect being charged with driving while license suspended. The eight point buck was seized as evidence. On October 15, Corporal Kate Hargrove was on patrol on Altama Plantation WMA when she heard the discharge of numerous firearms rounds followed by a loud explosion. Corporal Hargrove was able to locate three individuals target shooting and using tannerite. Corporal Hargrove issued citations for violation of WMA rules. WMA users are reminded that target practice must be conducted at authorized shooting ranges. 
On October 20th, Cpl. John Evans was working a complaint just after dark when he observed a vehicle approaching the clear cut he was watching. As soon as the vehicle entered the cut area a spotlight came on. They shined the cut for about a quarter mile before Cpl. Evans stopped them. It was a Honda side by side ATV with 4 people in it. They had a 30-30 rifle and a .38 pistol. All four were cited for Hunting deer at night, Hunting from a public road, and Hunting from a vehicle. 
CAMDEN On October 21st, Game Wardens Josh Cockrell and John Evans were checking dog hunters on Haynor Rd. They observed a truck they had seen earlier suspected of illegal dumping. The wardens made contact with the female driver and male passenger. When asked for ID, the passenger could not produce any. He gave a false name and date of birth. After further investigation, Warden Cockrell figured out the man's real first name. After being confronted again, he gave his real name and said that he was wanted in Brantley County. Warden Cockrell searched the man and found drug paraphernalia which led to the discovery of crystal methamphetamine hidden in the passenger seat cover. The man was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine and giving a false name. He was transported the Camden County jail for booking; he will answer to the warrants in Brantley County at a later date.