Field operations weekly report, 2017 December 2

Field Operations
Weekly Report November 26 - December 2, 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)
BARROW COUNTY On November 26th, Game Warden Chris Kernahan conducted an area check on private property in Barrow County. During the area check, he found multiple subjects hunting deer over bait. Game Warden Kernahan conducted an area check on private property in Barrow County. During the area check, he found one subject hunting without permission, hunting deer over bait, and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange. The violations were addressed.
On November 27th, Game Warden Chris Kernahan conducted an area check on private property in Barrow County. During the area check, he found one subject hunting deer over bait, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and hunting without hunter education. Upon further investigation, the subject was found to have taken a deer earlier in the season, and failed to record and report the harvest. During the investigation, an additional subject was found to have violated the recording and reporting requirements for deer. The violations were addressed.
On December 1st, Game Warden Kernahan conducted an area check on private property in Barrow County. During the area check, he found one subject hunting deer over bait. The violation was addressed.
JACKSON COUNTY On November 26th, Game Warden Cpl. Eric Isom while on patrol heard a shot coming from private property. Corporal Isom and his canine partner located a subject who just killed a six-point buck. The subject was not wearing orange and was hunting near a corn feeder. The violations were documented. The deer was seized and taken to a feed the hungry drop off location.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
MORGAN COUNTY On November 30th Ranger Dan Schay was dispatched to a hunting complaint in Morgan County. A violation of hunting deer without fluorescent orange was documented.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
MILLER COUNTY On November 27th, Game Wardens Tony Cox, David Jones, Steve Thomas, and Game Management personnel executed a search warrant for two captive deer. Two does were located on the property and confiscated. The subject was issued two citations for possession/transportation of game animals without a permit.
BAKER COUNTY On December 2nd,Corporal Jon Penuel responded to a complaint of illegal hunting on Elmodel WMA. Cpl. Penuel arrived and was able to locate the suspect, who was still on the property. The subject was hog hunting, but was not wearing the required fluorescent orange and was charged for hunting hogs without wearing fluorescent orange.

On December 2nd, Game Warden Steve Thomas located a dove shoot and while checking hunters Thomas located and cited a subject for over taking over the limit of doves.
GRADY COUNTY On December 2nd, Game Warden Steve Thomas responded to a complaint for hunting without permission. The subject was located and charged for hunting without permission and hunting big game over bait.
TIFT COUNTY On the evening of November 25th, Cpl. Greg Wade was working after hours duck hunting when he heard several shots coming from a powerline near his location. Cpl. Wade located a vehicle sitting behind a locked gate and began conducting surveillance. A short time later two individuals, armed with shotguns and wearing waders, approached the vehicle. Cpl. Wade made contact with the subjects and determined they were shooting ducks going two roost. Both subjects were charged with hunting waterfowl after-hours.
COLQUITT COUNTY On the morning of November 29th, Cpl. Greg Wade received information on two subjects possibly hunting ducks out of season. Cpl. Wade was able to locate one of the subjects' place of employment and phone number. After a brief investigation, it was determined that the subjects had indeed hunted and had taken 23 wood ducks. Both hunters were charged with hunting waterfowl out of season, taking over the daily bag limit and license violations.
BROOKS COUNTY On December 2nd, Cpl. Greg Wade began an investigation in reference to hunting without permission, in the city limits of Pavo. The complainant had images of two individuals hunting his property as well as social media post that appeared to be made on his property. After determining whom the individuals were, Cpl. Wade contacted Cpl. Jon Penuel to assist in locating the suspects. Evidence left on scene as well as covert cameras and social media post assisted the wardens in pursuing charges. Both subjects were questioned and charged with hunting without permission, hunting big game over bait, and failure to record deer harvest.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On November 22nd at approximately 7:30 pm Game Warden First Class Jordan Crawford received a call regarding possible illegal hunting in Effingham County. Warden Crawford responded to the scene and met an Effingham county deputy who had the truck in question stopped. The vehicle contained two freshly killed deer. After a brief investigation the driver turned out to be a convicted felon. Warden Crawford then called Game Warden First Class Jack Thain and his K9 Case to aid in the search. After a brief search of the area the suspect was hunting by K9 Case two guns were located. The suspect was arrested and charged with nine violations to include: possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (two counts), hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without obtaining a deer harvest record, interference with the performance of a Rangers duties, hunting after suspension of privileges, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and hunting without permission. Two deer were also confiscated and donated to the Hunter Feeding the Hungry Program.

On December 2nd, Ranger First Class Jason Miller was patrolling for hunting activity in Effingham County. RFC Miller came checked several deer dog hunters and cited one for not having permit numbers displayed on vehicle. Later, RFC Miller located two hunters with an 8 point buck in the back of the truck. RFC Miller investigated and determined that the deer had not been recorded and the two hunters did not have big game licenses. One subject was cited for hunting w/o big game license, and the other hunter was charged with hunting w/o big game license and recording and reporting requirements of game birds and animals. BULLOCH COUNTY On November 27th Game Warden First Class Jordan Crawford received a call about an in progress possible night deer hunting complaint off Old Happy Rd in Bulloch County. The complainant stated that a truck had driven by his house several times and had shot a deer across the road from his home. The complainant also stated that the truck had dropped off a passenger with hopes of recovering the deer. The complainant was able to give a detailed description of the truck. While in-route to the call Warden Crawford was alerted by dispatch that a Georgia State Patrol Trooper had made contact with the truck in question. Warden Crawford met the trooper and after a brief round of questioning, the driver admitted to shooting a deer at night. Two loaded rifles were found in the truck along with a spotlight. The driver also admitted to dropping off his friend to recover the deer. The passenger was soon found in the area of the scene by a Bulloch County Sheriff's Deputy. A dead doe deer was also found at the scene. Both men were charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a motor vehicle and hunting big game from a public road. The confiscated deer was donated to the Hunters Feeding the Hungry Program.
BULLOCH COUNTY On November 26th, Ranger First Class Jason Miller received information of illegal deer dogging near Brooklet. RFC Miller called RFC Jordan Crawford to assist in locating the subjects. After arriving on scene, the two Game Wardens were able to locate 6 hunters (4 adults and 2 juveniles). The adults were charged with deer dogging unpermitted property.

On December 1st, Ranger First Class Jason Miller was working night hunting complaints. A complaint came in of a nearby suspicious vehicle that was believed to be night hunting. RFC Jason Miller was only a few miles away and responded to the area and located the described vehicle. Three subjects were at the vehicle, a female and two males. The suspects stated that they were working on the truck because it had broken down. While talking to the subjects, RFC Miller noticed a pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamines in plain view. Two Bulloch County deputies responded to RFC Miller's location to assist in the investigation. During the search of the subjects and vehicle, a small amount of marijuana was located, along with another methamphetamine pipe, scales, large amount of money, a $20 bill that was neatly folded containing crushed methamphetamine, and a bag containing a large amount of methamphetamine (ice). The three subjects were arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of drug related objects, and obstruction. The vehicle was towed and all three subjects were transported to the Bulloch County Jail. It was determined that two of the subjects were also on probation in Screven County. The investigation was then turned over to the Bulloch County Drug Suppression Team for further investigation.
On December 2nd, Ranger First Class Jason Miller was patrolling for hunting violations in Bulloch County. RFC Miller came across a vehicle that was partially parked in the roadway and appeared to be looking for deer dogs. RFC Miller stopped with the vehicle and the driver admitted to looking for a hunting dog. After questioning, the hunter admitted that he had dogs on unpermitted property. RFC Miller looked in the back of the truck and noticed a buck deer inside of the dog box. RFC Miller asked about the deer and the hunter admitted to killing it earlier and hadn't recorded it on his deer harvest. RFC Miller noticed fresh trash located directly under the driver door that the hunter admitted to dropping from the vehicle. Also, there were no permit numbers located on the truck. RFC Miller cited the hunter for failure to keep deer dogs on permitted property, littering, recording and reporting requirements of game birds and animals, and not having permit numbers displayed on vehicle.
TELFAIR COUNTY On December 2nd, Sergeant James McLaughlin assisted Lumber City Police Department and other agencies with an officer involved shooting situation. The police officer attempted to arrest a subject but the person resisted and the officer shot the subject. Assisting officers arrived on the scene to help with crowd control and evidence preservation.
TOOMBS COUNTY On the night of November 28th Sergeant Jon Barnard and Ranger First Class Bobby Sanders were working in an area where several complaints were made involving individuals shining and shooting deer from the roadway. The Game Wardens witnessed an individual shine a pecan orchard with the headlights of a vehicle and then a smaller hand-held light. A traffic stop ensued and one individual was charged for the violations of hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle, and hunting from a public roadway.

TATTNALL COUNTY On December 2nd Ranger First Class Clint Jarriel and Corporal Chase Altman worked the area of Cox Rd. The two game wardens observed a vehicle drive into the field where they were sitting. The vehicle drove around shining the field with the headlights and also an attached light bar. After a few minutes, the vehicle stopped and a light was shined from the cab of the vehicle. The two game wardens stopped the vehicle and after talking with the subjects for a while it was determined that they were hunting deer at night. The subjects were charged with hunting deer at night and hunting from a vehicle.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On Sunday November 26th, 2017, Collin (left) and Will (right) along with their dad Jonathan Seagraves (not pictured here) caught these fish near St Catherine's Sound.
On Monday November 27, 2017, Game Wardens Cpl. Bill Bryson and Sgt. Scott patrolled the salt waters of Bryan and Chatham County checking fishermen. The fishing was very good and most anglers had their limit or close. One boat of fishermen were cited for not having a fishing license and for having a red drum well over the size limit. The over-sized drum was also seized. This same afternoon Game Wardens Cpl. Morgan, RFC Toney and Ranger Morris found two separate boats with undersized sea trout. The four undersized trout were seized and the fishermen were cited for the offense. LIBERTY COUNTY On Sunday November 26, 2017 Game Wardens RFC Toney, Cpl. Morgan, and Sgt. Scott patrolled the salt waters in and around St. Catherine's Sound. Several boaters and anglers were checked. One angler was found to have many red drum, black drum, trout, and flounder on board. The fisherman had two red drum well over the limit and was cited for the offense.

On Nov. 27th, Game Wardens Kiel Toney, Tim Morris, and Jay Morgan were checking fishermen and boaters in the area of St. Catherine's Sound and Medway River. One boat had three fishermen who had three undersized seatrout. The fish were confiscated and a citation was issued to the boat owner for possession of undersized fish. Another fisherman was found to have two undersized seatrout of which one was alive and was released back into the water. The other fish were confiscated. The fisherman was cited for possession of undersized fish, fishing with an expired license, and for operating a vessel with an expired fire extinguisher.