Field operations weekly report, 2018 October 6

Field Operations
Weekly Report September 30 October 6, 2018
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)
POLK COUNTY On October 2nd, Corporal Chad Cox presented a Firearm and ATV Safety Class at VanWert Elementary School. The game warden along with Sheriff Deputy Rachael Haddrix was able to teach every fifth grader. The two officers used safe guns, ATV's and other items to aid in their teaching.
FLOYD COUNTY On October 4th, Corporal Chad Cox patrolled Rocky Mountain PFA. The game warden was able to check several boats and fishermen. He issued one citation for operating a vessel without any PFD's and a warning for operating a vessel without registration.
CARROLL COUNTY On October 6th, Corporal Chad Cox and GWFC Daniel Gray was checking a complaint of a deserted pontoon boat that was floating in Lake Buckhorn when they located a male and female leaving the boat. After identifying the two subjects it was determined the male had a warrant on him. He was taken into custody and transported to Carroll County Jail by Carroll County Deputies.
BARTOW COUNTY On September 30, Warden Zack Hardy was patrolling southwestern Bartow County and located 2 vehicles parked on private property. Warden Hardy called Cpl. Byron Young and Warden Frank Pucci to assist in locating the hunters. After several minutes of searching the property 3 archery hunters were located. The hunters were issued citations for hunting without permission.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On October 6, Warden Frank Pucci and Cpl. Bart Hendrix were patrolling Allatoona Lake for boating, fishing, and hunting activity. The Game Wardens stopped a boat to check the occupant's fishing licenses and safety equipment. Warden Pucci spoke with the operator and detected an odor of alcohol. After conducting field sobriety tests the operator was found to be under the influence of alcohol and arrested for operating vessel under the influence.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BARROW COUNTY On September 30th, GWFC Chris Kernahan initiated an investigation in Barrow Co. concerning a subject that harvested multiple deer, and failed to game-check each of them. Additionally, GWFC Kernahan determined that the subject hunted without licenses. Later that date, Cpl. Eric Isom, GWFC Kernahan, & K9 Colt made contact with the subject at his residence. GWFC Kernahan addressed the violations, and seized the antlers. That evening, GWFC Kernahan patrolled for hunting activity. He made contact with several hunters. During one of the contacts, a hunter showed pictures of another hunter who had harvested four bucks, and two does total, during the previous two deer seasons. GWFC Kernahan recalled checking that hunter the previous morning. According to him, he had not harvested any deer the previous two seasons. GWFC Kernahan proceeded to make contact with that hunter at his residence, and confronted him with the evidence. The hunter admitted to harvesting the four bucks, and two does during the previous two seasons. He also admitted that he failed to game check any of the deer, in a blatant attempt to circumvent the tagging system. GWFC Kernahan addressed the recording and reporting requirement violations, and seized the antlers.

Region III- Thomson (East Central)
No activity to report.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WARE COUNTY On October 1st, Corporal Mark Pool patrolled Dixon Memorial Wildlife Management Area for hunting activity. Cpl. Pool located a truck that had driven past a no vehicle access sign. Cpl. Pool walked the hunter up and determined that the hunter had placed deer bait on the WMA and was hunting over it. Violations for driving over or around a device to prevent access and placing bait/ wildlife food on a WMA were documented.
ECHOLS COUNTY On October 5th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Game Warden Daniel North were patrolling the north portion of Echols County for bear hunting activity when they encountered a small group of hunters using dogs to run bear. Upon checking the hunters, it was found that one of the individuals did not possess a valid hunting license or big game license. The violations of non-resident hunting without a license and non-resident hunting big game without a big game license were documented.
CHARLTON COUNTY On October 6th, Game Warden First Sam Williams was patrolling along the eastern edge of the Okefenokee Swamp for bear hunting activity when a group of bear dog hunters were encountered. While checking for the required licenses of each hunter, the officer discovered that one of the subjects was not in possession of any of the required licenses. The violator received citations for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.
WHEELER COUNTY On October 4th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne responded to a fishing without permission compliant. Two suspects attempted to flee on foot with the fish and one rod in hand while the other suspect had attempted to disassemble and hide his reel in his pants pocket and sock. A brief investigation led to the arrest of two suspects fishing without permission. The driver who was attempting to pick up the two fleeing poachers was arrested for driving on a suspended driver's license.
LAURENS COUNTY On October 5th, Corporal Dan Stiles responded to a complaint from an archery hunter who stated that subjects were shooting towards him while he was hunting. Cpl. Stiles located one of two subjects who were sighting in a rifle and placed their target on neighboring property without permission. After meeting with the person shooting and the complainant a resolution to the issue was obtained.

On October 6th, Corporal Dan Stiles responded to a complaint of subjects riding all- terrain vehicles (ATV's) on the River Bend Wildlife Management Area during a firearms big game hunt for disabled hunters. Cpl. Stiles located the two persons riding ATV's that were not participating in or assisting disabled hunters. Two violations for illegal use of an ATV on a WMA were documented.
In the evening of October 6th, Corporal Dan Stiles attended the 2nd Annual Hunting for the Cure Pig and Oyster Roast in Dublin, GA. Cpl. Stiles provided information and met with visitors during the event. Several hundred people attended the event to raise money for benefit of children with cancer.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.