Field Operation Weekly Report April 16 April 22, 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 April 22nd, Sgt. Mike Barr and RFC Roger McConkey were on early patrol in Chattooga County. They checked several hunters on Halls Valley Road that had a successful turkey hunt. John Graham had harvested a 21 pound gobbler with 1 inch spurs. The Game Wardens assisted John with calling in his harvest to the Go Outdoors system and obtaining his confirmation number for the harvest. All turkey harvest should be recorded before removing the bird from the site of the kill. For more information, go to www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com or call Go Outdoors at 1-800-366-2661. John Graham shows the beard and spurs from an older 21 pound gobbler in Chattooga Co. Retired DNR employee Bill Williams assist in cleaning a harvested gobbler inChattooga Co. FLOYD COUNTY On April 17th, RFC Roger McConkey was patrolling Floyd County at known fishing and boating locations. While at the Lock and Dam Park off Blacks Bluff Road, RFC McConkey checked a fisherman who was found not to have a Georgia resident fishing license required to fish in the Coosa River. While checking the computer system for a fishing license and identification, RFC McConkey discovered that the individual was providing his brother's name and date of birth to the officer. Checking further, the fisherman was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. The man was arrested and taken to the Floyd County Jail for the active warrant and issued a citation for fishing without a license. On April 17th, RFC Roger McConkey initiated a traffic stop for public safety on Highway 27. The driver of the vehicle was observed driving at an excessive speed, cutting off other drivers, tailgating another vehicle, flashing lights at another vehicle, and passing two vehicles in the center turning lane. After stopping the vehicle, it was found that the driver had previously been issued warnings by the Georgia State Patrol on two different occasions for two of the same violations observed on this date. The driver was issued a citation for the illegal passing in the turning lane. On April 20th, Sgt. Mike Barr was on foot patrol on Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area (PFA). He called a bass boat to shore with three fisherman on West Antioch Lake. The men had proper fishing licenses but did not have any wearable life jackets as required by law. The operator was issued a citation for operating a vessel without life jackets. The fishermen were issued loaner life jackets by Sgt. Barr so they could continue to fish. On April 21st, RFC Roger McConkey assisted with the "Renew Our Rivers" volunteer clean up in Floyd County. Numerous volunteers picked up litter and illegally dumped items in the areas of Scenic Road, Little Texas Valley Road, Highway 27, and along Armuchee Creek. RFC McConkey provided assistance with traffic and safety along the roadways during the volunteer cleanup. Illegal Dumping on Scenic Road in Floyd County. On April 22nd, Sgt. Mike Barr was patrolling the Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area. He ran into a bass tournament weigh in at the West Antioch boat ramp. The tournament included 9 fishermen. All fisherman had caught bass. The winner of the tournament had both the largest fish and the most pounds of fish. His largest bass was 8 pounds. All fish was returned to the lake after the weigh in. Claude Shifflett of Canton, Ga. caught an 8 pound bass during a tournament at Rocky Mountain PFA. GORDON COUNTY On April 1st, Cpl. Shawn Elmore traveled from Gordon County to the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth, Ga. to teach at the DNR academy. He assisted new cadets with training for courtroom demeanor and testimony to prepare new officers for prosecuting cases once they are assigned to areas around the state. On April 20th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and Cpl. Ben Cunningham attended a Governor's Office of Highway Safety Mountain Traffic Enforcement Network meeting hosted by the Calhoun Police Department. Later that evening, they assisted with a road check at Sugar Valley Road that included officers from all over northwest Georgia. Several drug cases, driving under the influence (DUI), and license violation arrests were made. All charges were completed by the Calhoun Police Department. Cpl. Elmore was able to assist by performing a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) evaluation on a suspected drugged driver that was arrested for DUI-drugs. FANNIN COUNTY On April 22nd Game Wardens Cpl. Casey Jones, RFC Mark Moyer, RFC Cody Jones, and U.S. Forest Service Officer Mike Tipton conducted a surveillance detail along the delayed harvest section of the Toccoa River. Three Officers were positioned to surveil high complaint areas while the forth Officer was positioned to respond to detected violations. The Officers issued 6 citations and 7 warnings for using unlawful bait, illegal hooks, license violations, and possession of Marijuana. Region II- Gainesville (Northeast) RABUN COUNTY On April 21st, Game Warden Beth Gilbert was notified by a property owner's neighbor that a man was fishing along a creek on private property adjacent to USFS property. The property was posted and the owner had previously filed numerous complaints of people fishing on his property without his permission. Game Warden Gilbert responded to the area and cited the adult male for fishing without permission. On April 22nd, Game Warden Beth Gilbert was notified by Tallulah Gorge State Park staff that several people were seen accessing the gorge floor without permits. Permits were not issued on this date due to aesthetic water releases raising the water level on the gorge floor causing unsafe conditions for gorge floor hikers. Game Warden Gilbert located two men ascending a trail from the gorge floor, who admitted to accessing the closed trail without permits. The two adult males were issued citations for the park rule violation. WHITE COUNTY On April 16th, Game Warden Cpl. Anne Wiley checked fisherman at Unicoi Lake when she found an adult male fishing and assisting his minor children. Cpl. Wiley spoke to the adult male and made sure he was aware that he needed a fishing license if he was going to fish while assisting his children. Cpl. Wiley later observed the same adult male still fishing while assisting his children and she asked him to explain why he was still fishing. The adult male said he could not get a fishing license due to his license being revoked for violation of child support services and he just wanted his kids to be able to catch fish. Cpl. Wiley issued the adult male a warning for fishing without a license On April 22nd, Game Warden Beth Gilbert patrolled the delayed harvest section of Smith Creek at Unicoi State Park when she located an adult male and his minor son fishing from the bridge over the creek. Game Warden Beth Gilbert checked the adult for valid fishing licenses when she saw treble hooks and salmon eggs in the angler's tackle box. Game Warden Gilbert issued the adult two written warnings for possession of prohibited gear and bait on a delayed harvest stream. BARROW COUNTY On April 17th, Game Warden Chris Kernahan patrolled Fort Yargo State Park for fishing and boating activity. While on patrol, he made contact with multiple subjects who were found to be fishing without a license, and in possession of marijuana. The violations were documented. On April 22nd, Game Warden Chris Kernahan patrolled Fort Yargo State Park for fishing and boating activity. While on patrol, he made contact with multiple subjects who were found to be in possession of marijuana. The violations were documented. On April 23rd, Game Warden Chris Kernahan patrolled Fort Yargo State Park for fishing and boating activity. While on patrol, he made contact with a subject who was found to be in possession of marijuana. The violation was addressed. JACKSON COUNTY On April 21st, Game Wardens Eric Isom, along with K-9 Colt, and Kevin Goss responded to an agency assist call from Jackson County Sheriff's Office in reference to a fleeing shooting subject. The suspect was located and taken into custody. Game Warden Isom also utilized Colt to recover the gun that the suspect attempted to hide. Region III- Thomson (East Central) No Activity to Report. Region IV- Macon (West Central) BIBB COUNTY On April 21st, RFC David Fisher was patrolling for fishing activity when he observed flames coming from the underside of a jeep that was driving in front of him. RFC Fisher signaled for the driver to pull over and immediately yelled to the driver to exit the vehicle. The officer was able to extinguish the flames safely and the jeep was later towed back to the driver's residence. Region V- Albany (Southwest) LEE COUNTY On April 22nd, Game Wardens Al Greer and Jesse Harrison responded to a hunting without permission complaint in Lee County. The complainant said he heard 2 shots come from the property. After he heard the shots he located an ATV on the property. The subject hunting without permission left the ATV and was later stopped in the area by a Lee County Sheriff's Deputy. The subject was arrested for outstanding warrants related to another investigation conducted by the Department of Natural Resources. A search of the area was conducted and the subject was cited for hunting turkeys without permission. Region VI- Metter (Southeast) DODGE COUNTY On April 22nd, Corporal Dan Stiles received an injured immature hawk from some concerned citizens. Corporal Stiles cared for the raptor until he was able to deliver it to a licensed rehabilitator the following morning. LAURENS COUNTY On April 17th, Corporal Dan Stiles taught the Hunting and Firearms Safety segment of the Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (CHAMPS) program to thirty two fifth grade students at the Trinity Christian Academy in Dublin, GA. TELFAIR COUNTY On April 22nd, Game Wardens Lamar Burns and Corporal Dan Stiles conduct a boat patrol on the Ocmulgee River. Ten vessels and twelve anglers were checked for compliance, no violations were documented. WHEELER COUNTY On April 22nd, Game Wardens Lamar Burns and Corporal Dan Stiles conducted a state park patrol at Little Ocmulgee State Park. The wardens assisted one boater and conducted two license checks. SCREVEN COUNTY On April 22, Corporal Shaymus McNeely and Ranger First Class Jordan Crawford worked boating and fishing activity on the Savannah River. The Wardens checked the creels of approximately twenty anglers and checked several boats. One suspect was investigated for operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol. Citations were issued for operating a vessel without PFDs and fishing without a license. Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal) CAMDEN COUNTY On April 20th, Game Warden Cpl. John Evans responded to a boating Incident at the Meeting Street boat ramp in St. Mary's. The 24 year old operator struck the corner of the dock at a high rate of speed causing significant damage to the 17 ft vessel. There was no damage to the dock. The operator and passenger refused treatment by EMS on scene. After interviewing the operator, he was arrested for BUI and had a BAC of .172. GLYNN COUNTY On April 21, Cpl. Kate Hargrove patrolled boating access points along the Altamaha River in Glynn County. Violations were documented for operation of vessels with improper lights and operation above idle speed with 100 feet of bridges. On April 22, Cpl. Kate Hargrove checked recreational fishing activity at public fishing piers in Glynn County. Violations were documented for possession of undersize crabs and fishing without license. BRYAN/LIBERTY COUNTY On April 16, 2017, Game Wardens Toney and Morris patrolled King's Ferry boat ramp. Multiple anglers and boaters were checked for compliance with state laws. Several boating violations were documented, such as not having life jackets and other safety laws. On April 21, 2017, Game Warden Tim Morris patrolled Groveland boat ramp on the Canoochee River. Several anglers were check for possible violations. Three anglers were cited for fishing without a license. On April 22, 2017, Game Warden Tim Morris participated in the Hit `Esc' event at Bass Pro Shops of Savannah. Game Warden Morris also patrolled Fort McAllister State Park. Five individuals were cited for consuming alcohol in a public use area of the park.