Field operations weekly report, 2018 Mar March 3

Field Operations
Weekly Report February 25 March 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)
WALKER COUNTY On 02-25-2018, GWFC McConkey and GW Turner made contact with a subject in reference to a deer killed during the past deer season. Information was obtained on a deer that could have possibly been killed without properly recording the deer harvested. The hunter was located and the possible violation investigated. One warning was issued for failure to obtain a confirmation number and properly report the harvest as required by state law. On 03-03-2018, Game Wardens McConkey and Turner patrolled Pigeon Mtn WMA for activity on the area. Multiple subjects were located on a trail near Saw Mill Lake. These subjects were attempting to get a four wheel drive truck out of a mud hole where it had become stuck on the previous afternoon. Due to the subjects driving in the unauthorized area, two warnings were issued to the subjects who had arrived to help their friend and the driver of the truck was issued a citation for the violation. A tow truck had to be called to free the truck from the mud hole.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HABERSHAM On March 3rd, while on foot patrol at Tallulah Gorge State Park, game wardens Beth Gilbert and Tommy Crabb saw two individuals climb down to a rock ledge located between Overlook #1 and Inspiration Point. The adult man and woman received citations for accessing a restricted area, as all foot traffic in the park must remain on marked trails. TOWNS COUNTY On March 3rd, Game Warden First Class David Webb patrolled Brasstown Valley State Park for fishing activity. Game Warden Webb located two male subjects fishing in one of the ponds on the golf course. One of the males had a North Carolina driver's license and a Georgia Resident fishing license. After further investigation, Game Warden Webb determined that the subject had moved to North Carolina prior to purchasing a resident fishing license. The subject was issued a citation for non-resident fishing with a resident license.

BARROW COUNTY On February 25th, GWFC Chris Kernahan completed an investigation that concerned the illegal taking of multiple deer in Barrow Co. GWFC Kernahan went to a local taxidermy shop, and located antlers that the suspect had delivered there. The antlers were seized, and the violations were addressed. Later that date, while on patrol at Fort Yargo State Park, GWFC Kernahan addressed several violations that included the illegal possession of alcohol, entering an unauthorized area, metal detecting and artifact collecting, operating a vessel with greater than 10 hp motor, operating a vessel without PFDs, operating a vessel without registration, and non-residents fishing without licenses. The violations were addressed.
On March 3rd, GWFC Kernahan patrolled Fort Yargo State Park. While on patrol, he addressed violations that included non-residents fishing without licenses, illegal alcohol possession, and operating a vessel without PFDs.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On March 1st RFC Tim Butler patrolled the county for fishing activity. The only violation addressed during the patrol was misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
On March 3rd RFC Tim Butler patrolled the county for fishing and boating activity. Violations documented during the patrol were fishing without a license, operating a vessel without pfd's, and operating a vessel with insufficient pfd's.
OCONEE COUNTY On March 3rd RFC Tim Butler located a truck parked on a rural bridge with no occupants. RFC Butler noticed blood and hair in the back of the truck. He determined someone had removed a hog carcass from the truck and dumped it in the creek below the bridge. Additionally, RFC Butler observed a garbage bag floating down the creek. After a short wait, a man and three children came walking out of the woods. The man was cited for unlawful dumping.
LAKE OCONEE On February 26th, Game Wardens Ranger Dan Schay and Cadet John Rhodes patrolled Lake Oconee for fishing and boating activity. A violation of fishing without a license was documented.
GREENE COUNTY On March 4th, Game Warden Ranger Jason Harrison patrolled the Oconee River for Fishing and Boating Activity. Violations for fishing without a license and Operating Vessel with Insufficient PFD's were documented.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On March 2nd, Game Wardens Tony Cox and Steve Thomas responded to a boating incident on Lake Seminole. A bass boat struck another bass boat while turning into a canal, seriously injuring one subject. The incident is under investigation by DNR LED CIRT team members and charges are pending.

BROOKS COUNTY On March 3rd, Sgt. David Ruddell was conducting a foot patrol and located an area freshly baited for turkeys. While inspecting the baited area, Ruddell located two spent shotgun shells and a turkey decoy at the base of an elevated hunting blind. When Ruddell inspected the blind, a subject was found hiding inside. An interview of the subject revealed he was hunting turkey out of season, over bait, and using electronic calls; the subject had used both a hand-held electronic caller and an app on his smartphone. The subject also admitted to having shot at two turkeys on February 25th but had missed both. Ruddell verified the subject had not killed a turkey on the 25th through further investigation. The subject was issued citations for each violation.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
APPLING COUNTY Game Warden Cameron Dyal and Cpl. Chase Altman patrolled boat landings on the evening of March 2nd. Several vessels were checked, resulting in one citation for allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel w/o wearing a PFD, and one warning for operating a vessel w/o CGA PFD's.
On the evening of March 3rd, Game Warden Dyal and Cpl. Altman conducted boating safety checks along the Altamaha River and Ocmulgee River. One citation and four warnings were documented, varying from operating a vessel w/o navigation lights during hours of darkness, operating a vessel w/o a fire extinguisher, and fishing w/o a license.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On the evening of March 3rd, Game Warden Dyal and Cpl. Altman patrolled the Ocmulgee River for boating safety issues. Several vessels were checked resulting in 3 warning being issued for operating a vessel w/o a fire extinguisher, and operating a vessel w/o a throw able device.
EVANS COUNTY On March 3rd Game Warden Clint Jarriel patrolled the Public Fishing Area and one subject was written a citation for failure to obtain the Georgia Lands Pass.
IRWIN COUNTY On February 26th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Corporal John Stokes performed a night patrol from 10:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. at the Alapaha River Wildlife Management Area. No activity was detected.
LAURENS COUNTY On March 2nd, Sergeant James McLaughlin and Corporal Dan Stiles patrolled boat landings on the Oconee River. One individual was checked for a fishing license and creel compliance. No violations were documented.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No activity to report.