Field operations weekly report, 2019 February 23

Field Operations
Weekly Report February 17 February 23, 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)
No significant activity to report.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
No significant activity to report.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
No significant activity to report.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BALDWIN COUNTY On the evening of February 17th Game Wardens Josh Cockrell and Sgt. Bo Kelly were patrolling in Baldwin County for recreational fishermen. After checking numerous licenses, they checked a person fishing at the Selma Erwin Pond. This individual was from Florida and did not have a non-resident fishing license. After running the information on the computer, the person came back with a warrant out of Florida. He was then detained and later arrested for the offense.
COWETA COUNTY On February 17th Game Warden Charlie Follin responded to a call at Chattahoochee Bend State Park in reference to several guests being disruptive and damaging the park. An investigation determined they had driven their car into and across campsites, slung gravel across the parking lot while doing "donuts", and had left beer cans all around the camping area. GW Follin issued a total of nine citations to the individuals involved.
MUSCOGEE COUNTY On February 23rd, Sergeant Jeremy Bolen, Game Warden Ethan Franklin, and Game Warden Dean Gibson were patrolling the Columbus River Walk and Lake Oliver Marina along the Chattahoochee River for fishing and boating activity when they located a vessel docking at the Lake Oliver Marina. While checking the vessel, Game Warden Franklin detected the odor of alcohol and observed the operator's eyes were red and glassy. He also noticed the vessel was occupied by a 12 year old passenger who was not wearing a PFD. The operator admitted to fishing but did not possess a valid fishing license. Game Warden Gibson conducted field screening of the operator and subsequently placed him under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator was also charged with child endangerment (BUI) and allowing an underage person to ride on a vessel without a PFD.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
No activity to report.
Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
ECHOLS COUNTY On February 22nd, Game Warden Daniel North participated in the annual career day held at the Echols County High School. Warden North was able to speak to and answer questions for approximately 60 students who had requested to hear about a career with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division.

PIERCE COUNTY On February 10th, Corporal Mark Pool and Game Warden First Class Sam Williams were patrolling river landings in Pierce County for boating and fishing activity. While at FFA Boat Landing on the Satilla River, the officers conducted a vessel inspection on a small fishing boat to ensure the operator had the required safety equipment. During the inspection, it was discovered that the boat did not contain the required personal flotation devices (life jackets). The violation was documented.
CHARLTON COUNTY On February 17th, Game Warden Joseph Cowart, was patrolling the Suwannee River Sill in the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge when he observed a vessel on the water with two people on board. GW Cowart conducted a boating safety check and asked the operator of the vessel if he had two personal flotation devices, (PFD's), on board. The operator then stated that he did not have any PFD's on board the vessel. Operating a vessel without CGA approved PFD's was documented.
On February 23rd, Game Warden Joseph Cowart was working a complaint on a hunting club in the St. George area. GW Cowart observed an individual in a vehicle who was hunting hogs. GW Cowart then checked the individual's hunting license. It was found that the individual did not have the required non-resident hunting license to hunt hogs. A violation for non-resident hunting without a non-resident hunting license was documented.
WARE COUNTY On February 23rd, Corporal Jason Shipes, Corporal Mark Pool and Game Warden Daniel North encountered several subjects boating and fishing along the Satilla River. While checking Jamestown Landing, officers found several subjects at the public landing. Upon conducting safety checks of each vessel, Cpl. Shipes found one subject failed to purchase the required license needed to fish in the State of Georgia. A citation was issued for the violation of fishing without a license.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On February 23rd GWFC Jordan Crawford attended Effingham County Recreation Department's first annual Freeze Out Camping Night. The event was aimed at showing today's youth the joys of camping and the outdoors. Warden Crawford, along with WRD Wildlife Tech Coleman Green, was on hand to answer questions and show furs of native wildlife species.
JENKINS COUNTY On February 17th Corporal Mike Wilcox checked boat landings along the Ogeechee River for fishing and boating activity. Cpl. Wilcox checked two fishermen that were setting limb lines near the Bull Hole landing. One license violation was documented.

LAURENS COUNTY On February 17th, Game Wardens Corporal Dan Stiles and Ranger First Class Allen Mills patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Fourteen visitors were checked for license compliance and creel limit compliance. Two vessels were also checked for registration and boating safety equipment. One violation for fishing without license on person and entering into designated Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) area without WRD land pass were documented. On Sunday, February 17th, Game Warden John Kennedy, Game Warden First Class Allen Mills, and Corporal Dan Stiles set up a detail on the shooting range of Beaverdam WMA in regards to complaints about improper use of the range. Ten individuals were checked and six violations were documented for entering WRD property without a lands pass and violation of shooting range rules due to firearm safety reasons. On February 21st, Corporal Dan Stiles patrolled the Hugh M. Gillis Public Fishing Area. Sixteen anglers were checked for fishing licenses, regulation compliance, and creel limit. One vessel was checked for registration and boating safety equipment. One violation was documented for driving on a closed road / around gate on a Public Fishing Area. On February 22nd, Corporal Dan Stiles, assisted by Ranger First Class Allen Mills, attended a career day at the West Laurens High School. 1,200 high school students attended the event over a six-hour period. Information was given to interested students throughout the event and the officers answered questions from students.
DODGE COUNTY On February 23rd, Sergeant James McLaughlin, Game Warden Allen Mills, and Game Warden Chris Thompson patrolled the Dodge County Public Fishing area (a bass tournament was taking place). Ten vessels and twentythree anglers were checked for regulation and creel compliance. Three violations for operating a vessel without a throwable device were documented. Game Warden Mills also responded to a littering complaint from the Dodge County Sheriff's Office. GW Mills located the site, documented evidence and contacted the violator. A violation for littering was documented and the suspect volunteered to clean up the site.

WHEELER COUNTY On February 17th, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne was patrolling Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake for fishing and boating safety violations. Three people were checked for creel limits and regulation compliance. Two violations for fishing without a license were documented.
On February 22nd, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne participated in Career Day at Wheeler County High School talking to students about being a game warden and answering any questions they had.
On February 23rd, Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne was patrolling Little Ocmulgee State Park Lake for fishing and boating safety violations. Two persons were checked for creel limits and regulation compliance. Two violations for fishing without a license and operating a vessel with expired registration were documented.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On February 17th Game Wardens Cameron Dyal and Bobby Sanders were doing a concentrated patrol of Bullard Creek WMA. Two individuals were encountered driving through the area. Neither of the individuals were in possession of a hunting license, fishing license, or WRD lands pass. The violations were documented accordingly.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
No significant activity to report.