Field operations weekly report, 2017 September 2

Field Operations
Weekly Report August 27 September 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)
FLOYD COUNTY On September 2nd, at approximately 0900 hours, Corporal Ben Cunningham and Game Warden Kalem Burns were patrolling the very crowded Berry College Dove Field on the opening day of dove season when shots were heard coming from the far end of the field. After arriving to the suspected area, several hunters pointed the Game Wardens to the subjects who had fired 3 rounds. After identifying the subjects and interviewing them, the subjects admitted to hunting doves and that they did not know that the season started at 1200 hrs. Both individuals were cited for hunting on a closed WMA.
On September 2nd, Corporal Ben Cunningham, Game Warden First Class Roger MacConkey, and Game Warden Kalem Burns received a call from Floyd County 911 around 1215 hours in reference to two overdue canoers. The subject and his girlfriend put in at Macedonia boat ramp in Bartow County on 28th of August and planned to take out at Dixon Landing on the 30th of August. The subject's family contacted 911 on the 2nd of September, stating the pair had still not returned from their trip. Cpl. Byron Young located the subject's truck at the Macedonia boat ramp and DNR Aviation was contacted to help locate the canoers. After flying the Etowah River, Aviation spotted two canoes which fit the description of the subjects and was able to direct Cpl. Cunningham to their location. Cpl. Cunningham confirmed the canoers were the missing subjects. Cpl. Cunningham found the subjects in good health and without distress. Subjects stated they planned to continue to float the river and arrive at Dixon Landing sometime later that day. Cpl. Cunningham contacted the mother and she was advised that the subjects were OK and planned on returning home that day.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
No activity to report.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
WALTON COUNTY On September 2, Lt. Sam O'Neal and RFC Ricky Boles encountered four hunters dove hunting on a field planted with millet and sunflower. Upon inspection it was found that bird seed (millet, sunflower, sorghum and cracked corn) had been added to a plowed area of the field. All four subjects were charged for hunting over bait and thirteen doves were confiscated.
On August 31st Game Wardens Jason Harrison and Tim Butler posted three dove fields that were discovered to have been baited.
On September 2nd Game Warden Tim Butler documented seven violations of hunting dove over bait.
On September 3rd, Cpl. Derrell Worth and RFC Ricky Boles were working a without permission complaint in Walton County. As the two Game Wardens entered the field, they located an adult subject hunting Doves without permission. As the subject was approached, he attempted to hide his shotguns. The subject was not licensed to hunt above species and it was later determined that the subject was a convicted felon.
OCONEE COUNTY On September 2nd Game Warden Tim Butler checked several dove hunters. One hunter was cited for taking over the daily bag limit of dove. License violations were addressed with other hunters.
MORGAN COUNTY On September 4, RFC Ricky Boles observed three trucks pulling out of a gate entrance to a dove field. The hunters were checked and the dove field was found to have been baited with sunflower and millet. One individual admitted to baiting the field. He was charged with unlawful enticement of game.

LAKE OCONEE Between September 2nd and 4th, Sgt. Matt Garthright, Cpl. David Allen, Cpl. Derrell Worth, and Ranger Jason Harrison Patrolled Lake Oconee for Boating Activity. Several Violations were documented including: Towing Skier w/o PFD, Allowing Underage Child in Moving Vessel w/o PFD, Allowing Child 12-15 to Unlawfully Operate Vessel (PWC), Towing Skier After Hours, and Allowing Person to Ride Bow/ Gunwale.
GREENE COUNTY On September 3rd and 4th, Cpl. Derrell Worth cited two subjects for hunting on a closed WMA (Oconee Wildlife Management Area).
NEWTON COUNTY On August 28th, Rgr Schay was on foot patrol on private property due to an ongoing hunting without permission complaint. While on patrol, one subject was apprehended hunting without permission. During the course of the investigation it was found that this subject was a convicted felon. An additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon was made following the arrest.
On September 4th, Ranger Schay and Sgt Garthright were on patrol for dove hunting activity. One violation of hunting over bait was documented.
WILKES COUNTY On August 27th, Cpl. Mark Patterson conducted a foot patrol on a fishing without permission complaint. Two subjects were located and charged for the violation. A patrol of public boat ramps in the county resulted in the documentation of violations of operating a vessel without personal flotation devices and operating a vessel without registration.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
On August 28th, Cpl. Tony Cox, Wardens Steve Thomas and David Jones responded to a boating incident on Lake Seminole in the area of Jack Wingate's Landing. The investigation revealed that three hunters were leaving Wingate's Landing in an airboat alligator hunting. The operator, whom had limited experience operating an airboat, improperly brought the vessel off plane causing water to roll over the transom. The vessel, which was also overloaded with hunting equipment, filled and sank in 4 feet of water. The three hunters swam to shore with no injuries.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
No activity to report.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
BRYAN COUNTY On the morning of August 28. 2017, Game Wardens Cpl. Bill Bryson and Cpl. Buster Cooper responded to a plane crash that occurred in North Bryan County near the Bulloch and Effingham County lines and close to the Ogeechee River. Cpl.'s Bryson and Cooper responded with an ATV and a Jon boat to assist the other responding agencies, not knowing where the plane crashed. When they arrived near the area, the crash site had been located. The two Game Wardens remained on scene, assisting, until the three deceased persons were able to be removed from the plane.

On Saturday September 2, 2017, Game Wardens Cpl. Bryson and Sgt. Scott checked dove hunters on the RH WMA. Due to the recent rainfall there was plenty of water on the field but also plenty of food to attract doves. There were several hunting groups in the field and a few doves had been taken. The dove activity began to increase later in the afternoon. On August 29th 2017, Cpl. Morgan received a complaint of a boat that had been left on a WMA road in Bryan County. Cpl. Morgan and Ranger Tim Morris responded to the WMA and found the boat to be stolen. The thieves had removed a 225 HP motor but left it on the ground but stole all of the electronic equipment on board. The boat owner was located and the investigation turned over to Bryan County Detectives. The investigation is ongoing.
On August 31st, 2017, RFC Jack Thain and K-9 Case along with three other K-9 officers and K-9's were recognized at the DNR LED K-9 graduation held at the GPSTC. RFC Thain and Case are assigned to Region VII and primarily work in Bryan and Liberty Counties. Case is trained to find hidden wildlife and articles as well as tracking. Pictured below from left to right is; RFC Thain and K-9 Case, Cpl. G. Wade and K-9 Trig, Cpl. B. Varnell and K-9 Taz, and RFC K. Page with K-9 Rio.

LIBERTY COUNTY On Aug. 30th, Sgt. Cindy Miller, Cpl. Jay Morgan, Ranger Doug Chambers, and Ranger Tim Morris conducted an vessel patrol offshore of St. Catherine's Island checking commercial shrimp trawlers and offshore fishermen. No violations were found. WAYNE COUNTY On September 2 Captain Bob Lynn and Cpl Randy Aspinwall checked dove hunters throughout Wayne County. 3 subjects were cited for hunting over bait (wild bird seed).