Field operations weekly report [Mar. 19-25, 2017]

Field Operations
Weekly Report March 19 March 25, 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)
GWINNETT COUNTY On the morning of March 25th, Sgt. Mike Burgamy, and Ranger Chris Kernahan patrolled the Barrow/Gwinnett County line for turkey hunting related activity. While on patrol, they received an in progress complaint of hunting without permission in Gwinnett County. They responded to the scene, and located a subject hunting turkeys over bait, and without permission. Additionally, the subject was found to be a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The violations were addressed.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
BURKE COUNTY On March 25, Corporal Jeff Billips cited one turkey hunter for hunting big game over bait. Cpl. Billips patrolled Yuchi WMA for turkey hunters and issued a warning for violation of range rules at the shooting range. Cpl. Billips and RFC Grant Matherly patrolled Di-Lane Plantation and Alexander WMA's for turkey hunting activity. Cpl. Billips and RFC Matherly patrolled the Ogeechee River for boating and fishing activity.
JEFFERSON COUNTY On March 25, Sgt. Boswell and RFC Matherly checked one subject turkey hunting off US HWY. 1 just south of Wrens. The subject was found to be hunting turkey over bait. The subject was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
ELBERT COUNTY On March 25th RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled Elbert County along the Broad River. Violations documented during the patrol were hunting with an unplugged shotgun, hunting without a big game license, and hunting without a license.
On Saturday March 25th Cpl. Julian Wilkins patrolled for turkey hunting activity. Cpl. Wilkins issued four citations for hunting big game over bait and one citation for hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On March 25th RFC Phillip Nelson patrolled Oglethorpe County for turkey hunting activity along the Broad River. Several violations were documented including: operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's, operating a vessel without registration, and fishing without a license.
On March 25th Lt. Wayne Hubbard and RFC Tim Butler checked areas known to be baited for turkey. Two violations of hunting big game over bait were documented.
WILKES COUNTY On March 25th Sgt. Brian Carter and Cpl. Mark Patterson checked areas known to be baited for turkey. Three violations of hunting big game over bait were documented. The Game Wardens also responded to an in progress complaint of hunting without permission and were able to make contact with the subject resulting in the documentation of that offense.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
BERRIEN COUNTY On Thursday March 23, 2017 Sgt. Morty Wood was assisting Berrien County S.O. with a burglary investigation of a cabin on the Alapaha River in Northern Berrien County. The burglary occurred late on Wednesday 3/22/17. After the scene was processed Sgt. Wood went to an area on HWY 129 north to again look at some foot prints at a gate that he thought were related to the burglary. As he approached the area Sgt. Wood observed a white male run into the woods behind another gate and saw the white male lying behind brush there. Sgt. Wood immediately arrested the suspect and located several knives and a used syringe on the suspect and later a small quantity of Methamphetamine was found on the suspect. After questioning the suspect Sgt. Wood learned that there was another male in the woods across the road and that they were attempting to get the rest of the stolen items and guns. Deputies were notified and Cpl. Tim Hutto and K-9 Titan came to the area and tracking efforts were made. Titan located approximately 6 different bags and suitcases stuffed with stolen goods and one firearm that had been stolen. The last suspect in the woods was located on a dirt road near the cabin and arrested by deputies without incident. All evidence was turned over to the S.O. investigator and they will continue the investigation.

Corporal Tim Hutto and K-9 Titan with evidence found while looking for stolen items from the burglary.

Berrien County Sheriff Ray Paulk with items recovered from the burglary.

TOOMBS COUNTY On March 25, Sergeant Jon Barnard and Corporal Kevin Joyce responded to a hunting without permission complaint. Upon arrival Sgt. Barnard and Cpl. Joyce located an individual that was believed to be turkey hunting. Cpl. Joyce utilized K-9 Briar to track the recent steps of the hunter to confirm his whereabouts on the property. After a brief investigation, and making contact with the property owner, the subject in question was charged with hunting without permission and released on scene.
On the evening of March 19, Game Warden First Class Bobby Sanders was patrolling boat landings for fishing and boating activity. While at the landing beneath the U.S. Hwy. 1 Bridge RFC Sanders encountered three individuals fishing for catfish on the bank of the Altamaha River. One of the individuals did not possesses a valid fishing license the violation was documented also RFC Sanders helped the man purchase a fishing license using the app on his smart phone.
TELFAIR COUNTY On March 25th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne patrolled for turkey hunting activity. One person was located hunting on a baited piece of property. The poacher had three violations documented for hunting big game over bait, hunting with an unplugged gun, and for hunting with illegal ammunition.
LAURENS COUNTY On March 25th, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Corporal Dan Stiles patrolled for turkey hunting activity. Two hunters were located and checked for license compliance. The two hunters were located hunting adjacent to a small clearing that was heavily baited with cracked corn. Two citations for hunting big game (turkey) over bait were issued to the two hunters for the violations.
On March 25th, Corporal Dan Stiles patrolled the River Bend Wildlife Management Area (WMA) during a quota hunt for turkeys. No violations were detected.
On March 21st, Sergeant Jon Barnard, Corporal Kevin Joyce, and Game Warden Allen Mills responded to a possible drowning in Laurens County near Buckeye Landing. Two fishermen discovered a vehicle submerged in the water down river of the landing and a first responder placed his hand inside the vehicle and believed he felt a victim. The vehicle was removed from the river and no one was in the car. It was determined that the vehicle was stolen from an elderly female and intentionally driven into the river.
Cpl. Joyce assisting Investigator with stolen vehicle case.
SCREVEN COUNTY On March 25, Corporal Shaymus and Sergeant Chris Moore patrolled Screven County for Turkey hunting activity. While checking an area known to be baited with cracked corn the officers caught three poachers hunting turkeys. Citations were issued for hunting big game over bait.

CANDLER COUNTY On March 25, Rgr. Randell Meeks and Capt. Scott Klingel patrolled areas in Candler and Emanuel Counties that were baited for turkeys, resulting in one poacher being charged for hunting over bait. The officers responded to a hunting without permission complaint and patrolled that property by foot to look for any poachers. BULLOCH COUNTY On March 19th, Ranger First Class Jason Miller and Corporal Mike Wilcox were patrolling boat ramps along the Ogeechee River. One boater was cited for exceeding maximum horsepower limit on Ogeechee River and operating vessel w/o registration. Another boater was cited for operating vessel w/o registration and operating vessel above idle speed within 100' of an object. On March 25th, Ranger First Class Jason Miller was patrolling Bulloch County for turkey hunting violations. RFC Miller received a complaint of hunting w/o permission near Stilson. RFC Miller arrived and discovered that the land manager and another hunter were hunting on their property when they heard a shot nearby. The two hunters stated that they located the trespassers on their property, and they had killed two gobblers with one shot. The two suspects were confronted and by the land manager and were identified. The two suspects then left the area. RFC Miller located the kill site and gathered the appropriate evidence. Ranger First Class Jordan Crawford and Sergeant Brian Hobbins arrived to help RFC Miller locate the two suspects. The two men finally admitted to the trespassing. One of the subjects was cited for hunting without permission and hunting without a hunting license. The other was cited for hunting without permission and hunting without a big game license. The two turkeys were also confiscated and donated to a local needy family.
Rangers Miller and Crawford with illegally killed turkeys

Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.