Field operations weekly report, 2018 December 29

Field Operations
Weekly Report December 23 December 29, 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)
CARROLL COUNTY On December 27th, Corporal Chad Cox and Game Warden Garrett Pownall responded to a hunting without permission complaint. The game wardens checked three waterfowl hunters. The hunters did have permission to be on the property, however one of the hunters was issued a citation for hunting without a Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp.
BARTOW COUNTY On December 28, Sergeant Mike Barr and Game Warden Frank Pucci served a search warrant on a residence in Bartow County. The warrant came at the conclusion of an investigation in taking over the limit of buck deer. While serving the search warrant, Game Wardens also found drugs at the residence. The suspect was interviewed about the illegal hunting and confessed to taking over the limit of bucks. The suspect was charged with Recording and reporting requirements for game animals and birds; Theft by taking Wildlife (Violation of DNR regulation), Possession of drug related objects; possession of a firearm in the commission of a crime; Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
CHEROKEE COUNTY On December 26, GWFC Mark Puig was patrolling McGraw Ford WMA in Ball Ground for hunting activity. GWFC Puig came across a vehicle parked off Dodd Lane with a rifle case and a bag of whole corn in the front seat. GWFC Puig waited for the hunter at the vehicle for some time. The hunter finally returned and came walking out of the woods with a dressed in camouflage, wearing hunter orange, and carrying a high powered rifle. Due to a brief investigation at the scene, several charges are pending against the hunter including hunting with a rifle in an archery only area.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BANKS COUNTY On December 29th, Game Warden Ryan Locke had received information regarding individuals that had shot a deer at night. Game Warden Locke and Corporal Eric Isom responded to the location and located the vehicle that was involved, along with a deer carcass that was in the process of being processed. The three subjects were located, and it was determined that the three individuals had hunted deer at night, hunted from a motor vehicle, hunted from a public road, hunted without a license, and hunted without a big game license. The racks of 4 different bucks were confiscated as evidence and the violations addressed.
HALL COUNTY On December 23rd, Game Wardens Cpl. Eric Isom and his K9, Colt, responded to a hunting complaint in Hall County. A Hall County Deputy was called to wait by the vehicle until Isom could arrive. When Isom arrived, the Deputy left the scene. Isom was in the process of getting Colt ready to track, when the subject appeared from the direction of the paved road. He was dressed in all camo. He claimed that he did not have a weapon and was tracking a deer that he had shot the day before. Isom did not believe the subject and called the Deputy back to scene to sit with the subject so he could utilized Colt. Colt tracked the subject across the road and into the woods. The track continued approximately 200 yards when it ended at the base of a tree. Also at the base of the tree, you could see where someone had been sitting. Isom deployed Colt on an article search. Colt located a range finder that fell out of the subject's pocket on the ground approximately 100 yards from the road. Not far from that, Colt located a backpack and rifle hidden under brush and leaves. The subject's infractions were documented as hunting without permission, hunting without orange, hunting without big game, hunting licenses, and misdemeanor obstruction.

JACKSON COUNTY On December 29th, Game Wardens Cpl. Eric Isom and his K9, Colt, located a vehicle hidden behind an industrial building. Isom suspected the subject to be hunting. Isom deployed Colt, who picked up the track, the track lead to a subject who was deer hunting without permission and without wearing florescent orange vest. The infractions were documented.
STEPHENS COUNTY On Sunday December 23rd, Corporal Tim Vickery checked two duck hunters near Brookhaven Rd on Eastanollee Creek. One of the duck hunters did not have his Georgia waterfowl license and had no life jackets in his boat. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting waterfowl without a Georgia waterfowl license and written a warning for operating a vessel without PFD's. On Monday December 24th, Corporal Tim Vickery assisted Game Warden Ryan Locke and Game Warden Jeffrey Turner with a without permission complaint on the Banks/Stephens Co line. Three subjects had entered onto a watershed lake on private property by accessing it through the Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area. Corporal Vickery entered the WMA and found the subject's vehicles while Game Wardens Locke and Turner came from the Banks County side. The subjects were checked and issued citations for hunting without permission. Two geese and eight ducks were confiscated.
On Monday December 24th, Sergeant Derek Dillard and Corporal Tim Vickery finished up an investigation on illegal deer hunting. Corporal Vickery had received information that a subject had killed a deer the previous season without licenses and failed to tag the deer. He was also informed that the same subject had shot another deer this year and after checking, Cpl. Vickery found that he had not recorded that deer either. After stopping by the subject's house and talking to his father, the subject went to the taxidermist, retrieved the antlers from the deer, and took them to a friend's house to keep Cpl. Vickery from finding and confiscating them. After Sgt. Dillard and Cpl. Vickery interviewed the subject, he admitted to everything. The subject's friend met the subject and the Game Wardens and brought the antlers. The subject that killed the deer was issued citations for hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting without obtaining harvest record and failure to record deer harvest for the violations from the 2017-18 deer season. He was also issued citations for failure to record deer harvest for this year's deer and interference with the performance of a Ranger's duties for trying to conceal the buck to avoid confiscation. His friend was also issued a citation for possession of illegally taken wildlife. The buck from last year and the antlers from this year were confiscated.

HART COUNTY On December 23rd, GWFC Brandon Pierce met with a subject in reference to them killing a buck and not having a valid harvest record. The subject was issued a warning for the infraction of hunting without obtaining a harvest record. GWFC Pierce also downloaded the Outdoors GA app for the subject and explained to them how to use it in the future.
On December 23rd, GWFC Brandon Pierce and Sgt. Derek Dillard patrolled the Hart County WMA for any activity. Two subjects were encountered hunting small game. Their licenses were checked and one was found to be in violation and a citation was issued. The violation consisted of hunting without a license.
On December 27th, GWFC Brandon Pierce ended a month long investigation on a possible over the limit case. There were two suspects involved with the investigation. With the assistance of Sgt. Derek Dillard, both subjects were interviewed and admitted to the violations. A total of two citations and five warnings were issued. The violations consisted of improper recording of deer harvest, possession of illegally taken wildlife, and taking over the season limit of antlered deer. GWFC Pierce seized three buck racks as evidence.

On December 29th, Corporal Craig Fulghum patrolled the Hart County WMA for hunting violations. During his patrol he found one subject hunting deer on the WMA which is closed to deer hunting. The subject was issued a citation for hunting deer on a closed WMA.
MADISON COUNTY On December 29th, GWFC Shane Sartor and Corporal Tim Vickery finished an investigation that resulted in
two citations for hunting without permission, two citations for hunting without fluorescent orange, and a warnings for hunting without big game license, hunting without a license, and hunting without a harvest record.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
GREENE COUNTY Between 12/21/18 and 12/22/18 CPL Worth patrolled Greene County for hunting activity. During these patrols, violations for holding wildlife without permit, hunting on a closed WMA, hunting deer without orange, hunting without a non-resident hunting license, and hunting without a non-resident big game license were documented.
HANCOCK COUNTY While patrolling Oconee WMA on Sunday December 16, Sgt. Matt Garthright encountered two individuals slipping into the closed Dan Denton Waterfowl area attempting to jump shoot ducks off one of the ponds. One of the individuals did not have a hunting license as well. Violations of Hunting without a license, Hunting without Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp, and Hunting on Closed WMA were documented.
NEWTON COUNTY On 12/17/18 GWFC Schay and GWFC Butler responded to an illegal hunting complaint in Newton County. After a brief investigation, a violation of taking protected species was documented.
On 12/23/18, GWFC Schay patrolled Newton County for hunting activity. During this patrol, violations of hunting without permission (duck), hunting deer without orange, hunting without a license, and hunting without a big game license were documented.
ELBERT COUNTY On December 29th Sgt. Brian Carter and Gwfc. Tim Butler documented one violation of unlawful burning of waste.
OCONEE COUNTY On December 27th Gwfc. Tim Butler patrolled the county for hunting activity. Violations documented during the patrol were hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting deer without fluorescent orange, and hunting without taking a hunter education class.
OGLETHORPE COUNTY On December 24th Gwfc. Phillip Nelson documented four violations of hunting from a vehicle and four violations of hunting from a public road.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On December 27th, Wardens Steve Thomas and Taylor Brown received a complaint about a subject fishing illegal baskets in closed waters. Wardens arrived on scene and were able to locate the subject who admitted to putting the basket out. The subject was charged for commercial fishing in closed waters.
On December 28th, Wardens Quinn Fogle, Steve Thomas and Taylor Brown responded to an illegal hunting complaint off of Gardner Road. A witness called and advised that they had seen a woman with a rifle kneeling next to a power pole. Later the witness drove by and discovered two deer shot next to the road and the woman no longer there. The Wardens went to a camper nearby and spoke with two females. During the course of the interviews the Wardens were able to gain consent to search the camper from the owner. Upon search of the camper the Wardens recovered camouflage clothing and a glass pipe used to smoke methamphetamine hidden under some bedding. Wardens also located a rifle that was hidden between the bed and the wall. One of the females in the camper was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
BAKER COUNTY On December 30th, Wardens Quinn Fogle, Steve Thomas, Philip Stout, and Taylor Brown received a complaint in Baker County in reference to subjects collecting artifacts without permission. The three subjects were warned by Plantation personnel to leave the property earlier that day however Plantation Security found them on a remote part of the property later that morning. Plantation Security were able hold the subjects until the Wardens arrived. Wardens were able to obtain consent search the three subjects and their vehicle which yielded three separate containers of methamphetamine. All three subjects were arrested for possession of methamphetamine and criminal trespass.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WHEELER COUNTY On December 23rd, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne was listening for a duck roost shoot. RFC Horne heard two gunshots and located two nonresident deer hunters. RFC Horne documented two violations on one poacher for a nonresident hunting without a license and a nonresident hunting big game without a big game license. The second poacher had a violation documented for failure to record and report a game animal of a buck he had killed.
On December 26th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne was on patrol listening for a duck roost shoot. RFC Horne investigated two vessels with five poachers who had been shooting ducks on the roost on the Oconee River after legal shooting hours. RFC Horne documented five violations for hunting waterfowl (ducks) after legal hours, two violations for failure to sign a federal migratory bird stamp, and one violation for operating a vessel with expired registration.
LAURENS COUNTY On December 28th, Game Wardens Dan Stiles and John Kennedy patrolled Beaverdam Wildlife Management Area. Four hunters were checked for hunting licenses. No violations were detected.
TELFAIR COUNTY On December 23rd, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Corporal Kevin Joyce investigated shots coming from a cypress swamp in the southern part of the county. The Game Wardens located seven hunters hunting ducks. The area was determined to be baited with corn and after all licenses were inspected, violations were issued for hunting waterfowl over bait.

DODGE COUNTY On December 29th, Game Warden Allen Mills was working a night hunting complaint when a white truck approached the hay field and a light was shined across the field several times. Game Warden Mills approached the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was outside his vehicle and when the driver saw the officer, he jumped back into his vehicle and sped off. The driver fled approximately mile when he lost control and crashed his vehicle. Georgia State Patrol was called in to assist with the accident. The light the Game Warden saw was a previously damaged headlight that was swinging back and forth due to the rough dirt road making it look like the field was being shined. There was no firearm in the vehicle. The Trooper took over the investigation and determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was also charged with fleeing and eluding, reckless operation of a vehicle, obstruction, and tire tread violation.
IRWIN COUNTY On Saturday December 29th, Game Warden Chris Thompson was listening for a duck shoot. Six duck hunters including a juvenile were located and after licenses were checked, it was determined the poachers were shooting ducks over bait (corn). Five violations for hunting waterfowl over bait were documented along with one violation for hunting without a hunting license and a warning for hunting without Federal Duck Stamp. The ducks were confiscated and donated to a family in need.

TATTNALL COUNTY On the evening of December 23rd Sergeant Jon Barnard, Corporal Kevin Joyce, Game Warden First Class Patrick Gibbs and Game Warden First Class Bobby Sanders were working a concentrated waterfowl patrol in the Mendes area. Right after sunset Game Warden Bobby Sanders located an individual shooting at passing waterfowl and calling to Canada Geese in the area. After talking with the individual, a violation was documented for hunting waterfowl after hours.
EVANS COUNTY On December 26th, Game Wardens Patrick Gibbs and Cameron Dyal were watching a pecan orchard where a deer had reportedly been shot a week earlier. At around 8:30pm a light was observed being swept across a rye field behind the pecan orchard. Moments later, a side by side came by the pecan orchard shining a light out of the driver's side. The Game Wardens observed the vehicle driving down the road with the headlights turned off and enter fields with its headlights turned off before shining a light across the fields. The Game Wardens conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and observed a juvenile holding a rifle in his hands in the passenger seat while the driver (father) was shining the light. Violations were addressed for: hunting deer at night, hunting from a vehicle and hunting big game from a public road.
CHARLTON COUNTY On December 24th, Game Warden First Class Judd Sears patrolled Burnt Fort Landing on the Satilla River for waterfowl hunting activity. GWFC Sears checked one vessel during this patrol. Upon checking for license and vessel requirements it was found that these subjects were operating their vessel without any life jackets. A violation of operating a vessel without coast guard approved PFD's was documented.
PIERCE COUNTY On December 24th, Game Warden First Class Judd Sears received a complaint of some illegal deer dogging activity. GWFC Sears responded to the area and located a group of individuals hunting deer with dogs on an unpermitted property. Multiple individuals in the group were also not wearing the required fluorescent orange. Violations of hunting deer with dogs on an unpermitted property and hunting deer without wearing fluorescent orange were documented.
ECHOLS COUNTY On December 27th, Sargent, Patrick Dupree encountered a group of dog deer hunters on Register Road. One of the hunters had two loaded long guns lying on the hood of his truck readily accessible on the public road. Also, the hunter's vehicle did not have the dog deer permit number displayed. Both violations were addressed.
BACON COUNTY On December 29th, Game Warden First Class Sam Williams observed a vehicle shining a light from the passenger compartment as it traveled down a public roadway. The vehicle then turned into a nearby field, continued to shine a light, and fired several shots from a .22 caliber rifle. As the vehicle exited the field, the officer conducted a traffic stop and discovered a recently killed rabbit in the back of the truck. As the officer spoke with the subjects in the truck, a strong odor of alcohol could be smelled. A passenger in the truck was found to be in possession of an open container of beer and additional cans of beer were located in a cooler in the back of the truck. Charges issued to the three subjects were hunting at night, hunting from vehicle, hunting from public road, possession of open container, and possession of alcohol by underage person.

Weapon and light used by Bacon County deer poachers
On December 29th, Sgt. Patrick Dupree was working night deer hunting activity in the northern part of the county when he observed a bright light being shined into fields from an approaching vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and two poachers were secured. Corporal Jason Shipes arrived on scene to assist and both poachers were charged for hunting deer at night, hunting big game from a public road, and hunting from a vehicle. While at the scene, another vehicle approached. The driver of this vehicle had just recently smoked marijuana and was in possession of additional marijuana. A State Trooper was called and the driver was arrested and charged with DUI-drugs and possession of marijuana.
WARE COUNTY On December 27th, Corporal Mark Pool and Game Warden First Class Sam Williams were patrolling for dog deer hunting activity in the Manor area when a group of dog hunters were encountered. As the officers checked for the required permits and licenses, it was discovered that one of the subjects did not have the required permit numbers displayed on his vehicle. The violation for operating a vehicle without permit numbers displayed was documented
CLINCH COUNTY On December 24th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Game Warden Joseph Cowart were patrolling hunting clubs in Northern Clinch County. During this patrol. Sgt. Dupree and GW Cowart observed a hunter standing on his dog box with his firearm in his hands. While checking the individuals hunting licenses it was found that the individual did not have his resident hunting license. Violations for hunting big game from the public road and hunting without a license were documented.
LOWNDES COUNTY On December 24th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart and Game Warden First Class Daniel North were listening for an A.M. duck shoot near the Echols and Lowndes County line. Shots were heard and RFC North and GW Cowart made their way towards the shots and located the hunters in Lake Park. The hunters were checked and it was found that one of the hunters did not have the required Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.