Field operations weekly report, 2017 May 27

Field Operations
Weekly Report May 21 May 27, 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)
FLOYD COUNTY On May 22nd, Cpl. Ben Cunningham received multiple trail camera photos related to people turkey hunting on the property of others off Melson Road near the Alabama State line. One of the photos was a man and his young son with a gobbler that was suspected to have been killed on the property which was adjacent to man's hunting club. Cpl. Cunningham investigated the incident and conducted several interviews. He was able to identify the man and that he was a resident of Alabama. He contacted the man and on May 25th, Cpl. Cunningham meet with him at the entrance of the hunting club in Georgia. He admitted he was hunting without permission and that the gobbler had been killed on the adjacent property. The man also had not obtained the required non-resident hunting licenses. He was charged with hunting without permission, non-resident hunting without big game license, and non-resident hunting without hunting license. The case is pending in the Probate Court of Floyd County. On May 27th, Sgt. Mike Barr was patrolling at the Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area near Rome, Georgia. While checking the East Antioch Lake boat ramp, he noticed items floating in the water. A canoe had overturned whose occupants were a man and woman in their 60's. Neither had their life jacket on. The woman had her life jacket near her and used it to assist in swimming to shore. Another person saw the man struggling and dove in the water to assist. He was able to get a life jacket on the man and assist him to shore. Parks Officer Matt McDaris also arrived and assisted with getting items floating in the lake. The man said he lost $300 to $400 worth of fishing gear. This shows the importance of actually wearing a life jacket while boating.
Nearby fishermen and boaters assisted a couple who turned over in their canoe at Rocky Mountain PFA. They were OK once they got to shore.
On May 27th, Sgt. Mike Barr was patrolling at Rocky Mountain PFA. He saw two men in kayaks fishing on West Antioch Lake. He called them to shore to check their fishing licenses and safety equipment. Neither person had the required life jacket. Both were issued citations for operating a vessel without coast guard approved personal flotation devices (life jackets).

On May 27th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore and RFC Roger McConkey patrolled the Etowah River near Rome, Ga checking boaters and fishermen. They issued several citations for operating vessels without Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets), and issued warnings for fishing without a license and operating a vessel without registration numbers displayed. MURRAY COUNTY On May 21st and 22nd, DNR Law Enforcement Division Officers Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Casey Jones, RFC Roger McConkey, and RFC Mark Moyer assisted in a search and rescue at Fort Mountain State Park. Search teams from DNR Game Management, Parks, Murry County Sheriff's Office and surrounding counties assisted in the search. The incident is under investigation by the DNR Law Enforcement Division in cooperation with the Murry County Sheriff's Office.
55 people participated in a Search and Rescue Operation at Fort Mountain State Park. BARTOW COUNTY On May 26th Sgt. Jason Roberson, Cpl. Bart Hendrix and RFC Zack Hardy responded to Dock 11 on Allatoona Lake to a 911 call. A 55 year old female went missing from the dock around 10:00 p.m. The Wardens searched the dock and houseboats for several hours. The following 2 days Sgt. Roberson, Cpl.'s Byron Young and Ben Cunningham searched the water near Dock 11 with Sector Scan Sonar and the ROV. On May 28th the body of the missing female was recovered. On May 26th, Sgt. Jason Roberson and Cpl. Bart Hendrix stopped a vessel in the area of the Allatoona Dam for improper lights. The operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The operator was placed under arrest for BUI. On May 27th RFC Zack Hardy and Bartow County Deputy Jonathan Shirley stopped a vessel in the area of Red Top Mt. State Park on Allatoona Lake for a registration violation. The operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The operator was placed under arrest for BUI.

CHEROKEE COUNTY On May 27th Cpl. Bart Hendrix and RFC Mark Puig stopped a vessel in the area of the S turns area on Allatoona Lake for a rules of the road violation. The female operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The female was placed under arrest for BUI and also charged with violation of the rules of the road.
On May 27th, Cpl. Bart Hendrix and RFC Mark Puig stopped a vessel in the area of Little River on Allatoona Lake for a registration violation. During the stop the Wardens detected the odor of marijuana. The operator of the vessel was charged with VGCSA possession of marijuana less than one ounce and operating a vessel without a fire extinguisher.
On May 27th, Cpl. Bart Hendrix and RFC Mark Puig stopped a sailboat without lights in area of Gault's on Allatoona Lake. Four underage males were found to be in possession of alcohol. The males were charged with underage possession of alcohol.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HALL COUNTY On May 27 Sgt. Mike Burgamy and Cpl. Adam Loudermilk responded to a report of a body floating in Lake Lanier. The Game Wardens located the body and assisted the Hall County Sheriffs Office with removing it from the lake. The body was transported to the medical examiner's office for further investigation and to determine the cause of death.
On May 27th Game Warden RFC Eric Isom and Gwinnett County Police Officer Appleby patrolled Lake Lanier by vessel. The Officers conducted several boat and safety stops and documented the infractions. RFC Isom also responded to a boat fire with no injuries in Big Creek. The vessel was a total loss RFC Isom also made two arrest for boating under the influence during the patrol.
BARROW COUNTY On May 27th, Game Warden Chris Kernahan conducted an investigation concerning the commercial dumping of egregious litter in Barrow County. Game Warden Kernahan obtained felony arrest warrants for the subject who was responsible.
On May 27th, & 28th, Game Warden Chris Kernahan patrolled Fort Yargo State Park for Fishing, and Boating related activity. While he patrolled, Game Warden Kernahan documented violations that included Possession of Marijuana, Driving without a License, Criminal Trespass by Alcohol Violation on a State Park, and numerous fishing and boating violations.
RABUN COUNTY On Saturday May 27th, RFC Chad Chambers and Rabun County Deputy Tony Parrish patrolled Lake Burton. The two officers issued citations and warnings to boaters for various violations including: Riding personal watercraft without wearing a personal floatation device, operating vessel with improper lights and violating rules of the road. The officers also addressed several registration violations.
TOWNS COUNTY On May 27, 2017, Game Wardens RFC David Webb and CPL Anne Wiley worked boating safety patrol on Lake Chatuge. The Game Wardens stopped multiple vessels and issued one citation for operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's and warnings for operating a vessel with improper light, operating a vessel with unserviceable fire extinguisher and operating a PWC over idle speed within 100 feet of an object. Verbal guidance was given to those who were leaving docks without PFD's on kayaks and paddle boards.

On May 28, 2017, Game Wardens RFC David Webb and Major Thomas Barnard worked boating safety patrol on Lake Chatuge. The Game Wardens stopped multiple vessels and issued warnings for towing a skier with PWC without an observer, operating a vessel with improper registration, operating a PWC over idle speed within 100 feet of an object and operating a vessel without registration. Verbal guidance was given to those who were leaving docks without PFD's on kayaks and paddleboards.
On May 29, 2017, Game Wardens RFC David Webb and SGT Steve Seitz worked boating safety patrol on Lake Chatuge. The Game Wardens stopped multiple vessels and issued warnings for allowing child age 12-15 to unlawfully operate a PWC and towing a skier without a mirror or observer.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On May 21st RFC Tim Butler checked several local fishing areas. Violations documented were fishing without a license.
COLUMBIA COUNTY On May 27th, Sgt. Doyte Chaffin and RFC Robert Timmerman responded to a boating incident on Clarks Hill Lake. The incident occurred in Columbia County on Keg Creek at Wildwood Park. Game Wardens found that a subject was operating a PWC at the incident location. The subject stated that he struck a wake and fell off the PWC, breaking his left ankle after impacting the water. The subject was taken to Doctors Hospital for further treatment. No further action was taken.
On May 29th, Cpl. Brian Adams and Game Warden Michael Madden conducted a concentrated patrol of the lower end of Clarks Hill Lake. Game Wardens stopped approximately ten vessels during patrol. Game Wardens documented the following violations; operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's on board, fishing without a license, improper vessel registration, and allowing underage children to ride in a moving vessel without a PFD.
LINCOLN COUNTY On May 27th and 28th, Cpl. Ryan Swain and Game Warden Michael Madden conducted a concentrated patrol of the upper end of Clarks Hill Lake. Game Wardens stopped approximately forty-four vessels during the weekend patrol. Game Wardens documented the following violations; operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's on board, improper vessel registration, allowing underage children to ride in a moving vessel without a PFD, operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness, and failure to meet boating education requirements.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On May 27, Cpl. Tony Cox and RFC Steve Thomas received a call from dispatch in reference to an intoxicated boat operator on Lake Seminole. The vessel was located and the operator was charged for BUI.
CRISP COUNTY On May 27, Game Wardens Al Greer and Clint Martin observed a vessel traveling above idle speed in an idle speed/no wake zone on Lake Blackshear. A vessel stop was conducted, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence. The operator was charged with failure to obey regulatory marker and boating under the influence.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On May 27th Ranger First Class Jordan Crawford and Ranger First Class Jason Miller patrolled the Savannah River in Effingham County looking for boating activity. During the patrol one violation for allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a PFD was documented.
SCREVEN COUNTY On May 27, Corporal Shaymus McNeely and Corporal Mike Wilcox conducted a patrol of the Savannah River. During the patrol one suspect was investigated and subsequently arrested for boating under the influence.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 27th, Corporal Dan Stiles, Ranger First Class Rodney Horne, and Ranger First Class Allen Mills conducted a vessel patrol on the Oconee River. Twenty two vessels were checked for registration and boating safety equipment compliance. Six citations were issued for operating a vessel without registration.
WHEELER COUNTY On May 26th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne patrolled Little Ocmulgee State Park and Lake for fishing activity, boating safety violations, and illegal activity on the state park. No violations were observed.
COOK COUNTY On May 21, 2017, at approximately 10:00P.M., Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey received a call from the manager at Reed Bingham State Park in reference to a vehicle with a boat trailer that was still parked near the Cook County boat ramp. There was concern that someone may have been stranded or injured up the river. Boats have to be off the water before dark at the state park. After launching a boat on the lake, Cpl. Daughtrey intercepted a boat leaving one of the islands at the park. Two subjects had decided to camp on one of the islands at the state park. The subjects had not made any type of reservation to camp at the park. Violations documented were fishing w/o a license, operating a vessel after hours on a state park, consumption of alcohol on a state park, operating a vessel w/o proper lights, operating a vessel w/o PFD'S, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana. One of the subjects was found to have an active warrant out of Lanier County. He was transported to the Cook County Jail by the Cook County Sheriff's Dept.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.