Field operations weekly report, 2018 May 5

Field Operations
Weekly Report April 29 May 5, 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)
FULTON COUNTY April 29th, Cpl. Chad Cox, Cadet Garrett Pownall and National Park Service Ranger James Psillis checked the Chattahoochee River at Sandy Point. The game wardens issued a citation for operating a vessel without a PFD. NPS Ranger Psillis issued a citation for Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act to a male subject for having suspected marijuana.
CARROLL COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Chad Cox and Cadet Garrett Pownall investigated a complaint about a subject killing a whitetail deer in November 2017. The hunter did not have any license and did not record the harvest of the deer. He was issued two warnings for license violations and a citation for not recording the deer harvest.
PAULDING COUNTY On April 30th, Cpl. Brooks Varnell and K9 Taz assisted Paulding County Sheriff Office with searching for a lost Alzheimer's patient. They were able to locate the 81 year old after she spent 30 hours in the woods.
DOUGLAS COUNTY May 5th, GWFC Daniel Gray patrolled on Sweetwater Creek State Park. During the patrol Gray checked 20 individuals fishing. 3 people were charged for fishing w/o license.
FANNIN COUNTY On May 2nd, Warden Kalem Burns was patrolling Rock Creek when he noticed an elderly man, lying on the ground next to the creek, holding a stick up in the air. Warden Burns approached the man and determined that he was very close to passing out due to Diabetic issues. Warden Burns assisted the man to his vehicle and remained with him until a family member, fishing nearby, arrived. The subject refused any medical treatment.
On May 4th, Sgt. James Keener was approached on Rock Creek, by the subject who had been helped, and thanked for Warden Burns' assistance. The man stated that he had been lying on the ground for some time and that numerous vehicles had passed by and not stopped to help. He was very appreciative for Warden Burns' attention and professionalism.
On May 4th, Sgt. James Keener and Warden Kalem Burns assisted with a "Veteran's Appreciation Fishing Event" on Rock Creek at the National Fish Hatchery. Approximately 150 Veterans attended. A U.S. Army Veteran (pictured below left) with his catch from the event!

On May 5th, Warden Kalem Burns was patrolling areas around Cohutta WMA and USFS property when he made contact with two subjects who were digging "ramps" and operating ATVs on USFS property illegally. Approximately 10 lbs. of "ramps" were confiscated (pictured above right). The two subjects' information was turned over to USFS Law Enforcement officers for federal prosecution.
GILMER COUNTY On May 5th, Sgt. James Keener and Warden Kalem Burns were patrolling the area of Woodring boat ramp on Carter's Lake. Shortly after leaving the area, Gilmer 911 gave out a call of a traffic accident with a possible fatality. Sgt. Keener and Warden Burns responded to the area and were the first emergency personnel on scene. Unfortunately, no medical attention could be given to the single occupant of the vehicle, who was pronounce dead at the scene.
BLUE RIDGE/CARTER'S LAKE Section Wardens James Keener, Casey Jones, Mark Moyer, Kalem Burns, and Cadet William Smith conducted several boating safety patrols throughout the weekend on Blue Ridge and Carter's Lakes. The Wardens issued a total of 13 citations and 52 warnings on or around the water in Fannin, Gilmer, and Murray Counties.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
No activity to report.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
ELBERT COUNTY On May 5th Cpl. Julian Wilkins and Gwfc. Tim Butler patrolled portions of Elbert County. Violations encountered during the patrol were possession of illegal size fish and fishing without a license.
WILKES COUNTY On May 5th Cpl. Mark Patterson and Gwfc. Phillip Nelson patrolled portions of Wilkes County checking several complaints. One subject was charged with fishing without permission during this patrol.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
No activity to report.

Region V- Albany (Southwest)
DECATUR COUNTY On April 29th, Cpl. Tony Cox and GW Ryan Cleveland investigated a boat incident that occurred on the previous night. The operator hit a stump outside the river channel which tore a large hole in the bottom of the vessel. No injuries were reported and no charges were filed
On April 30th, Cpl. Tony Cox and GW Ryan Cleveland were patrolling when they observed a subject standing on a dock at the Boat Basin throwing a cast net. Contact was made with the subject and it was determined the subject was keeping game fish caught in the net. The subject was charged with fishing without a license and given a warning for catching game fish with a cast net.
On May 5th, Sgt Bob Holley, Cpl. Tony Cox, and GW Ryan Cleveland were patrolling Lake Seminole when they encountered an impaired boat operator. Upon further investigation, the subject was charged with boating under the influence.
SEMINOLE COUNTY On May 5th, Cpl. Tony Cox and GW Ryan Cleveland were patrolling Lake Seminole State Park when they encountered two subjects in a kayak without life jackets. Upon further investigation, it was determined one of the subjects had a felony warrant out of Florida. He was placed under arrest and transported to Seminole County Jail pending extradition to Florida.
On May 5th, Sgt Bob Holley, Cpl. Tony Cox, and GW Ryan Cleveland responded to a boating incident that occurred on Lake Seminole. An air boat with two occupants slowed to quickly and the backwash flooded the vessel causing it to sink in shallow water. No injuries were reported and the airboat was recovered.
CRISP COUNTY On May 5th, Game Wardens Clint Martin and Dean Gibson were working boating safety on Lake Blackshear when a vessel was observed being operated after sunset with improper navigation lights. A vessel stop was conducted and the operator of the vessel was arrested for boating under the influence.
MITCHELL COUNTY On May 5th, Game Warden Eric White received a complaint regarding two subjects turkey hunting on private property, without permission. After a brief investigation, Warden White was able to identify the subjects and their vehicle. Warden White then interviewed the subjects who admitted to the hunting from the public road, hunting from a motor vehicle, and hunting without permission. The subjects were issued citations for the offenses.
COLQUITT COUNTY On May 2nd, Game Warden Tommy Daughtrey checked two subjects fishing in the Little River without fishing license, while speaking with the subjects it was discovered that one of them was in possession of a misdemeanor amount of marijuana. The subject was charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.
On May 5th, while patrolling Reed Bingham State Park, Corporal Daughtrey checked and cited two subjects fishing without a license.
Later in the afternoon, Corporal Daughtrey observed a subject operating a PWC and towing two children on a tube. The driver of the PWC did not have an observer on board the PWC and one of the children was not wearing a life jacket. The subject was charged with towing a person without wearing a life jacket and issued a written warning for towing a skier without an observer on a PWC and operating a vessel without registration. Corporal Daughtrey then cited another subject for operating a vessel without life jackets on board.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
DODGE COUNTY On May 1st, Game Warden Allen Mills patrolled Dodge County Public Fishing Area (PFA) during its opening to night fishing. Five vessels were inspected for safety equipment including lights and seventeen anglers were checked for license and regulation compliance. One violation for fishing without a license was documented. On May 5th, Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Rodney Horne responded to a report of a missing child. The officers assisted in the search and investigation into the child's disappearance. The child was located approximately twelve hours after he was reported missing.
WILCOX COUNTY On April 29th, Game Wardens Rodney Horne and Chris Thompson were conducting a vessel patrol on the Ocmulgee River. One subject was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of alcohol by a minor, and possession of drug related objects.
LAURENS COUNTY On May 5th, Corporal Dan Stiles assisted the Dublin-Laurens Recreation Department with a Kids Fishing Event (KFE). Approximately 25 children participated in the event and many fish were caught.
Two happy fishermen with their catches.
CHARLTON COUNTY On, May 5th, Sergeant Patrick Dupree and Game Warden First Class Sam Williams patrolled the Suwannee Canal Recreation Area in Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Trader's Hill, Old River, Camp Pinckney, and Burnt Fort landings on the St. Mary's and Satilla rivers and popular fishing spots along area creeks. During the afternoon, numerous boaters and fishermen were encountered with seven violations being documented. The violations addressed by the officers included operating a vessel without personal flotation devices (PFDs), operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs, and fishing without licenses. Verbal guidance was also provided to several other boaters for fire extinguishers that were not serviceable, lack of PFDs on kayaks, and improper and expired vessel registrations.
WARE COUNTY On May 5th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart and Corporal Mark Pool patrolled several boat landings within the county. While at the Satilla River/Ga Highway 84 Bridge boat landing, three subjects were checked and found to be in possession of eight largemouth bass. Three of these bass were under the 12-inch minimum length requirement. Two citations were issued for taking/possession of under-sized fish.

On May 5th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart and Corporal Mark Pool patrolled the Satilla River at Jamestown boat landing. Several boats and fisherman were checked and were found to be in compliance, but two subjects were encountered fishing and neither had a valid fishing license. The two violations were documented.
On May 5th, Game Warden First Class Judd Sears and Game Warden Joseph Cowart patrolled Laura Walker State Park Lake for fishing and boating activity. Four subjects were encountered on the Laura Walker Road bridge fishing. Game Wardens Sears and Cowart checked these subjects for license and creel limits and determined none of the subjects possessed a fishing license. One subject was in possession of two fish and these were released. Violations of fishing without a license were documented.
CLINCH COUNTY On May 1st, Corporal Jason Shipes concluded a brief investigation related to hunting alligators out of season. Cpl. Shipes located a freshly killed alligator in a private pond located in southern portion of the county. He was able to locate two subjects that had been observed fishing in the pond earlier in the week. After conducting interviews, both admitted to shooting and killing the alligator. Cpl. Shipes issued citations to both for hunting alligators out of season.
TREUTLEN COUNTY On the night May 3rd Sgt. Jon Barnard and Game Warden Bobby Sanders were patrolling for hog hunting activity on private property. Three hunters were located having just killed a feral hog. A violation for hunting without a license as well as a violation for a non-resident hunting without a license were documented.
TATTNALL COUNTY On May 5th Game Warden Clint Jarriel patrolled numerous places for fishing activity. Game Warden Jarriel addressed two violations for fishing without a license.
APPLING COUNTY On May 5, 2018 Game Warden Patrick Gibbs patrolled Lake Mayer. Five boats were checked for compliance at the public boat ramp. Violations were addressed for operating a vessel without life jackets and allowing an underage child to ride in a moving vessel without wearing a life jacket.
APPLING COUNTY On the night of May 5th Game Wardens Patrick Gibbs and Bobby Sanders patrolled the Altamaha River at night, one violation for operating a vessel without lights during hours of darkness was documented.
BULLOCH COUNTY On May 2nd, Game Warden First Class Jason Miller was notified by the Bulloch County Animal Control of an Osprey that had been shot. The bird later died in their possession. RFC Miller is still investigating the incident.
On the evening of May 2nd, Game Warden First Class Miller was checking for fishing and boating activity at the 301 Bridge Boat Ramp. While there, RFC Miller noticed suspicious activity from a vehicle parked under the bridge, in the water. One subject was arrested for possession of marijuana less than 1oz and possession of drug related objects.
On May 5th, Game Warden First Class Miller was notified by Bulloch County Sheriff's Office of a young man bitten by a rattlesnake on the Oliver Bridge WMA. The subject was flown from the area. An investigation continues concerning the incident.
JENKINS COUNTY On May 2nd, Cpl. Wilcox checked several people fishing on the Ogeechee River at a public boat landing. Cpl. Wilcox documented two violations for fishing without a license and one violation for fishing without a license on person.

On May 5, Cpl. Wilcox and Sgt. Hobbins conducted a vessel patrol on the Ogeechee River. Cpl. Wilcox also checked several people fishing at a public boat landing. Three violations for fishing without a license and one violation for fishing without a license on person were documented.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
On April 30th, Cpl. Kate Hargrove, RFC Jay Bright, RFC Tim Morris, and NOAA Enforcement Officer Ben Hughes conducted an offshore Red Snapper patrol. This patrol focuses on commercial fishing boats in Federal waters. Captain Steven Turner and RFC Jack Thain also assisted with this patrol by flying the area to help locate boats fishing off the coast of Georgia.