Field operations weekly report, 2017 August 26

Field Operations
Weekly Report August 20 August 26, 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 Sgt. Mike Barr was patrolling Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area (PFA) and checked a family fishing from the bank. One of the women fisherpersons showed him a picture of a bass she had caught in East Antioch Lake at Rocky Mountain PFA in the early spring. The fish was released unharmed back to the lake.
Sheila Peterson shows a bass she caught in early spring in East Antioch Lake at Rocky Mountain PFA. The bass was returned to the water unharmed. GORDON COUNTY On August 21st, Game Warden RFC Roger McConkey responded to a complaint of a person holding two deer in a dog pen in Gordon County. The fawns had originally been held by a neighbor and turned over to the person currently holding the wildlife. Game Management Tech David Gregory assisted RFC McConkey the following day to get an assessment on the health of the animals and assisted in getting them to an appropriate place. Fawn deer are often left alone for periods of time and if found, should not be disturbed. WALKER COUNTY On August 26th, Cpl. Shawn Elmore responded to Walker County near Cloudland Canyon State Park regarding a missing 11 year old girl. The girl was from Germany and spoke little English. She had been hiking with her mom and became separated on a wooded trail. Search and rescue teams from the New Salem Fire Department and the Walker County Sheriff's Office conducted the search with Cpl. Elmore at the Command Center. The girl was found, was somewhat dehydrated, but in overall good condition.

Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
JACKSON COUNTY On August 23rd, Game Warden Eric Isom and his K9 partner Colt were requested to assist Jefferson PD in locating a firearm that was used in a shooting three day earlier. Investigators believed the suspect hidden the firearm in a wooded area near the scene of the incident.
Later that day Cpl Isom and Colt assisted Jackson County Sheriff Department in locating a wanted subject who ran on foot from a traffic stop. The subject was located hiding in the in the attic insulation of a residence that he broke into.
RABUN COUNTY On August 20th, while patrolling Lake Burton, Game Warden Tommy Crabb, responded to a boating incident which involved an unconscious five year old child that was on a boat. The child had been swimming behind or beside the running boat for a little while. The child boarded the boat and was sitting on the back deck. One of the occupants noticed the child slumped over a few minutes later. She and another occupant were nurses and checked her out. The child was unconscious but, had a strong pulse and heartbeat. The nurses began CPR and called 911. The boat operator docked the vessel at anchorage marina. The child regained consciousness. The child was checked out by EMS and it was determined to have the child airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The child was admitted to the Hospital and determined the cause of the incident to be carbon monoxide poisoning. The child recovered and was released later that same evening.
On August 21st, Game Wardens Tommy Crabb and Tim Butler patrolled Lake Burton for boating safety violations. The game wardens wrote citations for allowing underage child to ride in moving vessel w/out wearing a PFD and failure to obey regulatory markers. One warning was issued to one adult for insufficient PFD's. Verbal guidance was given to two paddle boarders and three kayakers who were operating a vessel without PFD's. On August 26th, while on foot patrol at Tallulah Gorge State Park, Ranger Beth Gilbert issued 4 citations and 2 written warnings to 6 adults for accessing the gorge floor without permits.
TOWNS COUNTY On August 20th, Game Wardens Kevin Dyer and Anne Wiley patrolled Lake Chatuge for boating safety violations. Two adults were warned for operating a vessel without PFD's and were loaned four PFD's to continue to use for their safety. Another adult was warned for allowing another to ride on the bow of the vessel.
On August 21st, Game Wardens Anne Wiley and Matt Johnson patrolled Lake Chatuge for boating safety violations. One adult was issued a citation for towing a skier without an observer. Other boaters were issued warnings for not having a fire extinguisher on board, operating vessel without registration, allowing children to ride in moving vessel without wearing PFD's and operating vessel (kayak) without PFD's.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
COLUMBIA COUNTY On August 26th, Cpl. Brian Adams and Game Warden Michael Madden conducted a vessel patrol of Clarks Hill Lake. Game Wardens stopped approximately eight vessels during patrol. Game Wardens documented the following violation; Reckless operation of a vessel.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
SUMTER COUNTY On August 22nd, Game Warden Clint Martin responded to a hunting out of season complaint. Martin interviewed the three subjects involved who admitted to hunting doves out of season and killing a white egret. The three subjects were issued citations for hunting out of season, hunting with unplugged shotgun and illegal taking/possession of non-game species. DECATUR COUNTY On August 26th, Sgt. Bob Holley, Cpl. Tony Cox, Warden Steve Thomas, and Warden David Jones responded to a boating incident that occurred on Lake Seminole. During the investigation it was determined the vessel operator had lodged his vessel on a stump, thereby fracturing the hull and allowing it to take on water. No injuries were reported. SEMINOLE COUNTY On August 26th, Sgt. Bob Holley and G.W. Steve Thomas were conducting a vessel patrol on Lake Seminole patrolling for alligator hunting activity. The officers observed a vessel hunting alligators without the required navigation lights south of Trails End and east of the Florida State Line. A check of the hunters revealed that they were in possession Florida alligator hunting permits. The five hunters were each cited for hunting alligators in Georgia waters. The operator was cited for operating a vessel without lights. They were then escorted to Florida waters. STEWART COUNTY On August 26th, Cpl. Steve Robinson assisted Sumter Fire and Rescue with search and rescue training on Hannahatchee WMA.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
BERRIEN COUNTY While on patrol for alligator hunting activity during the early morning hours on Sunday August 20th, Sergeant Morty Wood checked a group pf successful alligator hunters at Rays Mill Pond near Ray City. No violations were observed.
On 8-19-2017, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked a subject at Paradise PFA. The person was found to be fishing w/o a license. The violation was documented.

COOK COUNTY On 8-20-2017, Cpl. Daughtrey checked three persons fishing at Hester Bridge. No one had a fishing license. The violations were documented. COFFEE COUNTY On 8-24-2017, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey and Ranger Chris Thompson responded to a 750,000 gallon sewage spill in Douglas on the 17 mile creek. Fortunately the creek was almost dry, so most of the sewage soaked into the ground. No fish were killed. DODGE COUNTY On August 20th, Game Wardens Dan Stiles and John Stokes patrolled the Dodge County Public Fishing Area. Four anglers were checked for fishing licenses and creel limit compliance. One violation for fishing without a license was documented. IRWIN COUNTY On August 23rd, Corporal Dan Stiles and Sergeant James McLaughlin responded to a report from the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) of an unpermitted open burn and the possible burning of tires. The officers met personnel from the GFC at the scene and investigated. It was found that several tires and other debris had been burned illegally. The violator was charged with Burning of Egregious Litter.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRANTLEY COUNTY On August 23rd, RFC Colte Shaske and SGT Chris Ridley responded to a boating incident on the Satilla River. Rangers received information that a vessel struck a tree and was the subject unconscious. Upon arrival, Rangers and Deputies found the subject deceased. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is investigating this incident.

REGION VII On August 21, the Law Enforcement Divisions Honor Guard presented the colors for the annual Peace Officers Association of Georgia Convention in Savannah.