Field operations weekly report, 2018 November 3

Field Operations
Weekly Report October 28 November 3, 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)
CHEROKEE COUNTY On October 28th, Cpl. Byron Young responded to a complaint in reference to hunting without permission in Cherokee County located off of Bell's Ferry Road. Cpl. Young met with Cherokee County Sheriff's Office deputies and was able to locate two hunters. It was then discovered that one of the hunters had killed an antlerless deer during buck-only dates. Upon further investigation, Cpl. Young found several additional violations present. Neither hunter was wearing their hunter safety orange, had permission to be on the property and one hunter had no license. Citations and warnings were issued for hunting without permission, taking an antlerless deer, hunting without orange, hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license. The antlerless deer was confiscated and donated to a family in need.
On October 28th, GWFC Mark Puig and SGT Jason Roberson responded to a hunting without permission complaint in Ball Ground. After further investigation the Game Wardens found three suspects hunting without permission. This case is still under investigation but one suspect has been caught in the same area three times in the last year; two of those by GWFC Puig and SGT Roberson.
DOUGLAS COUNTY On November 3rd, Cpl. Chad Cox and Game Warden Garrett Pownall was checking a piece of property in the southern part of the county. The property owner had filed an affidavit with our department and been having problems with people hunting without permission. The two game wardens located two hunters on the property. One was cited for hunting without permission and hunting without orange. The other hunter was cited for hunting without permission and hunting without a license. The hunter had killed an 8-point buck and it was confiscated by the game wardens and given to a needy family.
POLK COUNTY On October 28th, GWFC Daniel Gray and Game Warden Ryan Shorter worked a night deer hunting complaint in Polk County. During the patrol game wardens stopped a vehicle who were spotlighting deer. One individual was charged with blinding wildlife with a light and giving false name to a police officer.
HARALSON COUNTY On November 3rd, GWFC Daniel Gray and Game Warden Ryan Shorter were conducting a routine patrol when they encountered a deer hunter who was hunting without a license. The individual was cited for hunting without a license and hunting without a big game license.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BARROW COUNTY On October 28th, GWFC Chris Kernahan patrolled Barrow Co. for hunting activity. While on patrol, he made contact with a subject who exited a wooded area wearing full camouflage attire. The subject stated he had not been hunting, but through further investigation, GWFC Kernahan found that the subject deliberately hid a loaded 40-caliber pistol, compound bow with arrows, metallic marijuana smoking pipe, and other miscellaneous hunting related items in the wooded area where he had been hunting. The subject attempted to conceal the fact that he had been illegally hunting deer, while smoking marijuana. GWFC Kernahan retrieved the partially buried items from the subject's hunting location, and secured them. The subject then admitted to illegally hunting deer. GWFC Kernahan noted that the subject hunted with illegal arrows, as they were not the broad-head type required for hunting deer. The subject also had a loaded 12-gauge shotgun positioned nearby, along with several hundred rounds of various caliber ammunition. GWFC Kernahan determined that the subject possessed marijuana, hunted without permission, hunted without a license, hunted without a big game license, hunted deer without fluorescent orange, hunted deer with illegal archery equipment, & hunted without hunter education. GWFC Kernahan also determined that the subject hunted without permission on nearby properties where GWFC Kernahan had recently received illegal hunting complaints. GWFC Kernahan put the subject through field sobriety testing, and found

the subject hunted while under the influence. GWFC Kernahan addressed the violations, placed the subject under arrest, and transported him to jail.
JACKSON COUNTY On November 1st, Cpl. Eric Isom and his K9 partner Colt conducted an area check on complaint property for hunting without permission. While checking the property an eight-point buck ran past Cpl. Isom with an arrow stuck in its neck. Not far from there, a hunter was located hunting with a bow, without orange, and over bait. He admitted to shooting the buck just before Cpl. Isom found him. All violations were documented, the eight-point was seized, and the violator was made to get his equipment off the property.
FRANKLIN COUNTY On October 28, Corporal Tim Vickery and Sergeant Derek Dillard investigated a complaint of a deer that had been shot at night. The Officers interviewed a subject and found the only violation at that time was hunting without obtaining a harvest record, which the subject was issued a warning for. The Officers re-interviewed the subject the next day, and although they found no evidence of shooting deer at night, they did find where the subject had previously shot a doe on a buck only day in Franklin County. The subject admitted to shooting the doe "just because he wanted to" and that he knew it wasn't a doe day. The subject wrote a statement to the Game Wardens and was issued a citation for killing of antlerless deer.
HART COUNTY On October 28, Corporal Craig Fulghum was patrolling Corp of Engineers property adjacent to Lake Hartwell for hunting violations. During his patrol he found one subject hunting deer over bait on a public area. The hunter was cited for hunting big game over bait on public land.
On October 30, Game Warden First Class Brandon Pierce and Game Warden Jonathan Segars were working a night hunting complaint in Hart County. At approximately 7:30 p.m., they observed a vehicle stop in the road and begin to shine a field. Moments later, a gunshot was heard coming from the vehicle's location. The Game Wardens stopped the vehicle. There were four occupants in the vehicle. After talking with the individuals, the occupants admitted to shining and shooting at a deer from the vehicle. The four subjects were arrested and taken to the Hart County Sheriff's Office. While interviewing the suspects at the sheriff's office, one individual admitted to night hunting the same area the previous night with a different subject. This led to another individual being contacted the following day and being charged. The Game Wardens issued a total of 18 citations to the five subjects for hunting deer at night, hunting from a public road and hunting from a vehicle.

STEPHENS COUNTY On October 31, Game Warden Jonathan Segars and Sergeant Derek Dillard responded to a complaint of a possible convicted felon hunting. After a search of the location the individual was located and had a firearm in his possession. During questioning the individual admitted to being a convicted felon. He was then placed under arrest for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The suspect was transported to Stephens County jail.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
OCONEE COUNTY On October 28th Gwfc. Phillip Nelson responded to a hunting without permission complaint. One subject was found hunting without permission.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On October 28th Gwfc. Phillip Nelson located a subject who shot an antlerless deer during buck only season. Violation documented was illegal killing of antlerless deer.
WILKES COUNTY On October 31st Cpl. Mark Patterson responded to a complaint of a person hunting without license. Violations documented were non-resident hunting without a license, non-resident hunting without a big game license, and failure to record deer harvest. Two bucks were seized as evidence.
NEWTON COUNTY On October 29th, GWFC Schay patrolled Newton County for hunting activity. During this patrol violations of hunting without orange and hunting without a license were documented.
On November 4th, GWFC Schay patrolled Newton County for hunting activity. A violation of hunting without a big game license was documented.
WALTON COUNTY On November 3rd GWFC Jason Harrison patrolled Walton County for hunting activity. A violation for Allowing Juvenile to hunt without hunter safety certification was documented.
On November 4th GWFC Jason Harrison patrolled Walton County for hunting and fishing activity. Violations for Hunting Without Big Game License, Fishing without a license and Operating a vessel with insufficient PFD's were documented.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
TERRELL COUNTY On October 28th, Wardens Scott Carroll, Quinn Fogle and Clayvin Pickard located two individuals hunting illegally on a neighboring property. One of the individuals had illegally killed a deer over bait while the other individual fired shots at a group of pigs. One of the subjects was arrested for HUI and was determined to be under the influence of alcohol by twice the legal limit. A total of twelve violations including multiple counts of hunting without permission were filed against the two hunters. A brief investigation lead to more wildlife previously killed on the property illegally which was being stored at a local processor.

BROOKS COUNTY October 30th, Sgt. David Ruddell, Cpl. Greg Wade, and Cadet Kristie Carpenter responded to a hunting accident in south Brooks County. A subject was descending a tree, using a climbing stand, when the cable securing the top portion to the tree, broke. This caused the subject to fall backwards and hang upside down, by his feet, until help arrived.
On November 2nd, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey checked a subject and his juvenile son deer hunting. Neither person was wearing any orange clothing. A violation of hunting deer w/o wearing orange was documented.
COLQUITT COUNTY On November 2nd, while travelling near Ellenton, Cpl. Tommy Daughtrey observed an individual throwing trash (beer cans) out the window of a vehicle. Cpl. Daughtrey initiated a traffic stop on the suspect vehicle and charged the passenger with littering.
WORTH COUNTY On the afternoon of November 2nd, Cpl. Greg Wade and Cadet Kristie Carpenter responded to a possible fishing without permission. After arriving on scene and making contact with the three subjects that were fishing, it was determined that none of them had permission. All three subjects were charged with fishing without permission. On the morning of November 3rd, Cpl. Greg Wade and Cadet Kristie Carpenter were patrolling for hunting activity when they located two trucks parked on the backside of a large field. After waiting for the hunters to exit the woods and inspecting their licenses, it was determined that neither subject had hunting licenses. Both subjects were charged with hunting without license.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
LAURENS COUNTY On November 1st, Corporal Dan Stiles and Game Warden John Kennedy patrolled the Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area during a firearms big game check-in hunt. Eight hunters were checked for license compliance. One violation was documented for transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle on a Wildlife Management Area.
TELFAIR COUNTY On November 1st, Corporal John Stokes and Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne conducted a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) patrol on Horse Creek WMA during a buck only hunt. Two violations were documented for hunting without a license on person and for blocking a gate on a wildlife management area.
WILCOX COUNTY On October 31st, Corporal John Stokes checked landings for fishing and boating activity. One violation was documented at Half Moon boat landing for operating vessel without registration.
COFFEE COUNTY On October 27th, Corporal Tim Hutto and Game Warden Thomas Sibley worked an ongoing night deer hunting complaint in the Fells community of Coffee County. At around midnight, the officers observed a pickup truck approach a small soybean field in the area they were observing. The driver of the pickup truck shined a hand held light quickly into the field and then proceeded to leave the area. The officers followed the vehicle down to a small pecan orchard in the area. The driver proceeded to shine the pecan orchard in a manner associated with night deer hunting. The officers performed a traffic stop on the vehicle and found three adult males in the truck and five loaded firearms. The three subjects were ultimately charged with hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle.

On Tuesday, October 30th, Corporal Tim Hutto and Game Warden Thomas Sibley worked an ongoing complaint in the Coffee County area concerning night deer hunting. Around 2230 the officers observed a vehicle approaching and the occupants shining a light out of the vehicle in a manner that is consistent with hunting deer at night. The officers preformed a traffic stop on the vehicle and interviewed the suspects. The two suspects were ultimately charged with Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting Big Game from a Public Road, and Hunting from a Motor Vehicle.
On Wednesday, October 31st, Corporal Tim Hutto and Game Warden Thomas Sibley worked an ongoing complaint in Coffee County area concerning night deer hunting. Around 2200 the officers observed a vehicle approaching using their headlights in a manner consistent with hunting deer at night. As the officers observed the vehicle and the occupants, they observed the driver of the vehicle fire three shots out of the driver side window. The officers preformed a traffic stop on the vehicle and interviewed the suspects. The two subjects were ultimately charged with Hunting Deer at Night, Hunting Big Game from a Public Road, and Hunting from a Motor Vehicle.
ATKINSON COUNTY On October 28th, Corporal Tim Hutto and Game Warden Thomas Sibley worked a night deer hunting complaint in the Willacoochee area of Atkinson County. At around 10:30 p.m., the officers observed a pickup truck approach the fields they were watching. The driver of the vehicle proceeded to shine a handheld light into a peanut field in a manner associated with night deer hunting. The officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and located a loaded Remington Model 700 deer rifle beside the driver. The driver admitted to trying to locate a deer to kill. The subject was charged with hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting big game from a public road.
BERRIEN COUNTY On Wednesday, October 31st, Corporal Tim Hutto received a complaint of unlawful dumping in the Ray City area of Berrien County. On Thursday, November 1st, Corporal Tim Hutto and Game Warden Thomas Sibley responded to the complaint and located the dumping site. The officers met with the complainant and received video and picture evidence of the suspect's vehicle and the possible suspect. The suspect was interviewed and confessed to the dumping. The Suspect was ultimately charged with Unlawful Dumping of Waste (Less than 500 lbs.).
EVANS COUNTY On October 31st Game Warden Patrick Gibbs initiated an investigation stemming from a social media post picturing an unlicensed hunter holding a harvested 10 point buck. After interviewing the subject, it was determined that the hunter killed the deer while hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, and hunting without a harvest record. The violations were addressed and the rack was confiscated.

APPLING COUNTY On November 1st, Game Wardens Patrick Gibbs and Cameron Dyal patrolled Moody Forest WMA. 10 hunters were checked. Two violations were addressed for failure to record harvest and a third violation was addressed for hunting without fluorescent orange. TOOMBS COUNTY November 2nd Game Warden Bobby Sanders was patrolling northern Toombs County for hunting activity when one hunter was found to be deer hunting without a license, without a big game license, and without a harvest record. The violations were documented. APPLING COUNTY November 3th Sgt. Jon Barnard, Cpl. Chase Altman, and Game Warden 1 Cameron Dyal were working a night hunting detail in Appling when one vehicle was stopped for shining a light out of a vehicle after driving around a field. Two subjects, along with a loaded 7mm-08 rifle and a spot light were found in the truck. The two men admitted to hunting deer, and were charged with hunting deer at night, and hunting from a vehicle TATTNALL COUNTY On November 3rd Game Warden Clint Jarriel investigated two bucks that had been killed and not been reported in the game check system. Game Warden Jarriel obtained enough information to interview the suspected individual and it was discovered that they were hunting without a big game license and failed to participate in record and reporting of game animals. The violations were documented and two deer racks were confiscated.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
LIBERTY COUNTY On Sunday October 28, 2018 Cpl. Bryson checked fishermen at the Sunbury pier. There were about six people fishing. One angler was cited for fishing without a license. BRYAN COUNTY On Sunday October 28, 2018, Cpl. Bryson checked areas in South Bryan County for people out hunting and fishing. That afternoon while checking Ft. McAllister State Park pier he found two people fishing without a

license. The two anglers had some crabs but had not caught any fish. The two were cited for fishing without a license. On Monday October 29, 2018, Cpl. Bryson and RFC Thain investigated a hunting without permission complaint in Bryan County. After checking the hunting area, and conducting some interviews, the person was located not too far from the hunting area. This person was cited for hunting without permission and for hunting deer without obtaining a harvest record.
On Friday evening November 2, 2018 RFC Morris patrolled the Richmond Hill WMA. Several hunters were checked that evening. Two hunters checked while returning to their vehicle. One was cited for hunting without obtaining harvest record and the other person was cited for not wearing fluorescent orange.
On Saturday November 3, 2018 RFC Morris patrolled Bryan County checking hunters. He received a complaint of deer dogs running on property not permitted. After responding to the area and investigating the complaint, two men were cited for having deer dogs off of permitted property.