Field operations weekly report, 2019 February 16

Field Operations
Weekly Report February 10 February 16, 2019
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 February 14rh, Game Warden First Class Daniel Gray patrolled on Lake Carroll for boating and fishing activity. During the patrol one individual was charged for fishing w/o a license.
On February 16th, Game Warden Garrett Pownall, Corporal Chad Cox, and Game Warden Ryan Shorter patrolled a Carroll County water reservoir by vessel. The game wardens checked 21 fishing licenses and 16 boats resulting in 9 citations and 6 warnings being issued.
BARTOW COUNTY On February 15th, GW Tyler Lewis and GWFC Zack Hardy located a large quantity of trash that had been unlawfully dumped on Hwy 411 in Bartow County. The trash was scattered in front of a gated private property tract and seemed to be mostly personal belongings. During the investigation, the two officers discovered mail with addresses that led them to the owner. This individual informed the officers that the items were thrown out by a previous landlord. Upon making contact with the previous landlord, the officers were then informed that she had the items hauled off by another individual. This individual was contacted and ultimately confessed to dumping the items at the specific location. This suspect was issued one citation for unlawful dumping of egregious litter.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
BARROW COUNTY On February 11th, Game Warden First Class Chris Kernahan completed an illegal dumping investigation. The investigation concerned a party who dumped bags full of trash at the end of a county road. Kernahan determined who the responsible party was, and proceeded to their residence to confront them. Once presented with the evidence, the party admitted that they dumped the trash the previous week. Kernahan addressed the issue, and the party advised that they would clean up the trash as soon as possible.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On February 10th Sgt. Brian Carter and Gwfc. Tim Butler checked a crappie fisherman who had 34 crappie in his boat. The creel limit on crappie is 30 per day. The fisherman was cited for possession of over the daily creel limit.
LAKE OCONEE On Monday, February 11th, 2019, GWFC Boles patrolled the area of Lake Oconee for fishing activity. During this patrol, several violations of fishing without a license were documented.
On Saturday, February 16th, 2019, GWFC Boles and SGT Garthright patrolled the area of Lake Oconee for fishing activity. During this patrol, several violations of fishing without a license and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs were documented.
NEWTON COUNTY February 12-14, GWFC Schay Patrolled Newton County for fishing activity. During these patrols, several violations of fishing without a license and operating a vessel without PFDs were documented. One subject was arrested for outstanding warrants.
February 15-16, GWFC Schay and GWFC Harrison patrolled Newton County for fishing activity. During these patrols, several violations of fishing without a license and operating a vessel with insufficient PFDs were documented.

Region IV- Macon (West Central)
COWETA COUNTY On February 16th GW Charlie Follin patrolled local reservoirs in Coweta and Fayette County. He issued several citations and warnings for fishing without a license. TROUP COUNTY On February 10th Cpl. Keith Waddell and GW Steven Martinez were checking fishermen on West Point Lake when they found one angler with 41 crappie in his possession. He was cited for possession of over the daily limit.
WILKINSON COUNTY On February 16th Game Wardens Josh Cockrell, Kevin Hurley, Jason Bennett, Zachary Griffis, and Sgt. Bo Kelly attended the 23rd annual quail hunt for kids. The event, designed to encourage the development of a safe mindset in future hunters, included an archery range, shooting clay competition, and a quail hunt provided by the Wall Family.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
WHEELER COUNTY On February 14th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne participated in teaching the importance of hunter safety, fishing, and boating safety to 68 students in the fifth grade at Wheeler County Elementary School. WILCOX COUNTY On February 16h, Corporal John A Stokes patrolled for hog hunters. Three hunters were found and charged with non-residents hunting without a license in the Double Run area. WARE COUNTY On February 3rd, Game Warden First Class Sam Williams encountered two subjects while patrolling Dixon WMA. As the officer checked to see if they both possessed the required licenses to access the WMA, a loaded 12-gauge shotgun was observed in the vehicle. While retrieving the shotgun from the vehicle, the officer smelled burnt marijuana inside the truck and observed an object being thrown out the passenger window of the vehicle.

The officer located the object which turned out to be a marijuana grinder, which still contained a small amount of marijuana. The officer searched the vehicle and found two partially consumed cans of beer, additional beer inside a cooler, and located a small bag containing marijuana buds in the vehicle. Both subjects were arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, underage possession of alcohol, possession/ transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle on WMA and entering WRD area without WRD land pass.
CHARLTON COUNTY During a vessel patrol on February 8th, Game Warden First Class Sam Williams observed a subject fishing near Camp Pinkney Boat Landing on the St. Marys River. The officer checked the subject's fishing license and discovered he was not in possession of a valid fishing license. The subject was charged with non-resident fishing without a license.
CLINCH COUNTY On February 15th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart received a call from a complainant of someone shooting a bear in Council, just south of Fargo. GW Cowart arrived and spoke to a hunter who said that he mistakenly took the bear for a hog. The hunter said that after observing the bear for a while he took a shot and killed the bear. Once he located the bear the hunter said he then realized it was not a hog. A citation of taking bear out of season was documented and the bear was seized.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On February 15th GWFC Jordan Crawford patrolled river landings and fishing holes in Effingham County. During the patrol, several fisherman where checked with one angler found to be fishing without a license. The violation was documented.
JENKINS COUNTY On February 12th, Corporal Mike Wilcox patrolled State owned properties in Jenkins County. Cpl. Wilcox also patrolled private lands in Jenkins County for small game hunting and trapping activity. On February 16th, Cpl. Wilcox conducted a vessel patrol on a portion of the Ogeechee River. Cpl. Wilcox checked boats for safety equipment and registration and he checked anglers for fishing licenses. License and registration violations were documented during the patrol.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No significant activity to report.