Field operations weekly report, 2019 March 23

Field Operations
Weekly Report March 17 March 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)
BARTOW COUNTY On March 23 Game Warden Frank Pucci checked an area in Taylorsville that he had previously discovered baited with cracked corn. Game Warden Pucci located a hunter in the immediate area of the cracked corn hunting turkeys. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting big game over bait.
On March 23 Corporal Byron Young and Game Wardens Zack Hardy and Frank Pucci foot patrolled an area off Ore Mine Rd. after hearing two shots. The Game Wardens believed the shots came hunters that were hunting without permission. After a short search of the property the trio of Game Wardens were able to locate two turkey hunters hunting over the property line. The area the hunters were located in was heavily wooded and not posted with signs. The hunters received warnings for hunting without permission.
MURRAY COUNTY On March 23rd while on a patrol of Cohutta WMA in Murray County Cpl. Cody Jones and Game Warden Ryan Thomas located a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the road. Jones and Thomas found a female asleep in the passenger seat with no driver around the vehicle. Jones and Thomas followed a trail of camping supplies and located the driver down an embankment by the river. Upon searching the individual Game Warden Thomas located a smoking pipe/grinder combo and a quantity of suspected marijuana in the individual s pocket. Jones and Thomas also located an open bottle of beer in the vehicle that the driver admitted to drinking outside of his campsite. Citations were issued for possession of less than 1oz of marijuana possession of drug related objects and illegal consumption of alcohol on a WMA.
PICKENS COUNTY On March 20th Cpl. Cody Jones and Game Warden Ryan Thomas were on an atv patrol in Pickens County when they encountered an illegal burn in progress. They issued a citation for illegal burning of egregious litter.

On March 23rd Sgt. James Keener Cpl. Cody Jones and Game Warden Ryan Thomas responded to an ongoing complaint in Pickens County of two men hunting non-game birds. After arriving on scene Cpl. Jones and Game Warden Thomas were able to gain a surveillance position on the two men hunting while Sgt. Keener spoke with the complainant. Jones and Thomas were able to see the men fire multiple shots at various species of birds. After making contact with the individuals the Game Wardens were able to locate four song birds that the individuals confessed to shooting. Citations were issued to the two individuals for unlawful hunting/possessing of birds or bird parts.
HARALSON COUNTY March 23rd Sgt. Eric Brown and GWFC Daniel Gray patrolled in Haralson County for turkey hunting activity. During the patrol two individuals were cited for hunting turkey over bait. DOUGLAS COUNTY March 23rd Cpl. Brooks Varnell and GW Ryan Shorter were patrolling for turkey hunting activity when they encountered two hunters hunting over bait. The two individuals were cited for hunting over bait.
Region II- Gainesville (Northeast)
HART COUNTY On March 23rd Cpl. Craig Fulghum and GWFC Brandon Pierce patrolled Hart State Park recreation area for any violations. Both Game Wardens noticed a small car sitting alone in a parking space that was not displaying a valid park pass. After a brief interaction with the occupant of the car it was determined that the driver had been smoking marijuana. A small cigar was found inside the car with a green leafy substance consistent with marijuana. Two citations were issued for VGCSA possession of marijuana less than an ounce and failure to display a valid state park pass. A designated driver was called to get the occupant and his car so they could exit the park safely.
Region III- Thomson (East Central)
CLARKE COUNTY On March 23rd Gwfc. Tim Butler patrolled the county for boating and fishing activity. Violations documented during the patrol were possession of undersized fish operating a vessel without personal flotation devices and fishing without a license.

OGLETHORPE COUNTY On March 23rd Sgt. Brian Carter and Gwfc. Phillip Nelson located two turkey hunters hunting in an area previously determined to have been baited. Both hunters were cited for hunting big game over bait.
GREENE COUNTY March 23-24 Cpl. Derrell Worth completed a two month investigation which lead to warrants being taken out on a subject for hunting while license suspended hunting without permission theft of taking and criminal trespass.
During this time Cpl. Worth also patrolled Greene County for hunting activity and cited four subjects for hunting turkey over bait and one subject for hunting turkeys without a big game license during this patrol.
MORGAN COUNTY March 23-24 GWFC Boles and SGT Garthright patrolled Morgan County for hunting activity. During these patrols violations of hunting big game over bait (turkey) were documented.
NEWTON COUNTY On March 24 GWFC Schay patrolled Newton County for hunting activity. During this patrol a violation of hunting without permission was documented.
WALTON COUNTY On March 23 GWFC Schay and SGT Garthright patrolled Walton County for hunting activity. During this patrol violations of hunting big game over bait (turkey) were documented and turkey was confiscated. The confiscated turkey was given to a family in need.
Region IV- Macon (West Central)
BUTTS COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Niki Spencer and Sgt. Travis Sweat located and cited a hunter for hunting turkey over bait.
CRAWFORD COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden David Fisher was patrolling an area that had previously been determined to be baited for turkeys. Fisher located one individual hunting an area that was baited with bird seed. While dealing with the hunter Fisher heard several other shots in the distance. Fisher was able to locate two hunters in the area where he heard the shots. Upon further investigation Fisher determined that the hunters were hunting baited areas. All three hunters received citations for hunting turkey over bait.
On March 23rd Cpl. Josh Swain responded to a hunting without permission complaint. A landowner heard shots on his property but the landowner did not see anyone hunting. Upon investigation Cpl. Swain and the landowner were able to locate a site where a turkey had been shot on the property. Unfortunately the hunter had already left the area. After a thorough investigation by Cpl. Swain and Game Warden David Fisher the hunter was located. The subject received a citation for hunting without permission.
HARRIS COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Dean Gibson was patrolling for turkey hunting activity. Gibson located a subject hunting from a blind with a turkey decoy in front of it. Upon further investigation Gibson identified that there was wheat on the ground directly in front of the blind and near the decoy. The subject received a citation for hunting turkey over bait.

JASPER COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Niki Spencer located and cited a hunter for hunting big game (Turkey) over bait.
MONROE COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Niki Spencer and Sgt. Travis Sweat responded to an illegal hunting complaint during an Adult-Child Quota hunt on Rum Creek WMA. Two hunters were located. One hunter was cited for Non-resident hunting without a license and Non-resident hunting without a big game license.
PEACH COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Jason Bennett was patrolling for turkey hunting activity. While patrolling Bennett encountered two non-resident turkey hunters. One of the hunters did not have a hunting license. Bennett issued a citation for non- resident hunting without a license.
PULASKI COUNTY On the morning of March 23rd Cpl. Robert Stillwell surveilled an area that was previously documented as being baited for turkeys. During the morning Stillwell observed a hunter come to the bait and actively hunt the area resulting in the issuance of a citation for the offense.
PUTNAM COUNTY On the morning of March 23rd Sgt. Bo Kelly was patrolling Cedar Creek WMA - which is closed for hunting turkey until April 6th - and found a vehicle parked on the road. After tacking the person on foot Sgt. Kelly found the hunter and suspected him to be under the influence. After investigation the hunter was arrested and charged with Hunting under the Influence (Drugs) and Hunting on a closed WMA.
SPALDING COUNTY On March 23rd Cpl. Keith Page and K9 Rio found two hunters hunting turkeys over bait. They issued one citation and one warning and confiscated the turkey which was given to a local needy family.
TROUP COUNTY On March 23rd RFC Russell Epps Game Warden Charlie Follin and Sgt. Brent Railey responded to a boating incident on West Point Lake. A 36 foot cabin cruiser struck an unknown object and began to sink because of a large hole in its port side. The vessel owner was able to get it to shore at a nearby residence and all passengers were uninjured.
WILKINSON COUNTY On the morning of March 23rd Game Wardens Cpl. Bubba Stanford Josh Cockrell and Kevin Hurley worked opening day of turkey season in Wilkinson County. Hurley contacted three hunters hunting over bait and documented one violation of enticement of wildlife while Stanford documented one violation of hunting turkeys over bait. Cockrell documented two violations in reference to licenses.
Region V- Albany (Southwest)
GRADY COUNTY On March 23rd Game Wardens Taylor Brown and Steve Thomas were patrolling opening morning of turkey season. While on patrol they heard three gunshots down a road in front of them. They Wardens encountered two individuals that had harvested two turkeys over bait. The subjects were charged and the turkeys were confiscated.
SCHLEY COUNTY On March 23rd Game Wardens Clint Martin and Bryan Price were working turkey hunting activity when they encountered a turkey hunter hunting an area which was baited. The hunter was charged with hunting big game over bait.

Region VI- Metter (Southeast)
TOOMBS COUNTY On March 17th Game Warden First Class Bobby Sanders patrolled central Toombs County during the Special Youth Turkey Season. One hunter was located and determined to be too old to participate. The violation of hunting out of season was documented.
On March 23rd Corporal Kevin Joyce and Game Warden First Class Bobby Sanders patrolled Toombs/ Montgomery Counties for turkey hunting activity. Several hunters were located violations for hunting big game over bait and hunting without a harvest record were documented.
JEFF DAVIS COUNTY On the morning of March 23rd Corporal Chase Altman and Game Warden Cameron Dyal patrolled baited areas in Jeff Davis for turkey hunters. Violations for hunting big game over bait hunting w/o a big game license and two violations for hunting w/o a valid harvest record were documented
On March 23rd Corporal Kevin Joyce and Game Warden First Class Bobby Sanders responded to Bullard Creek WMA in reference to a disagreement among hunters about who was hunting where. Both parties were advised of the laws. One violation for not possessing a harvest record was documented.
TREUTLEN COUNTY On March 23rd Game Wardens Corporal Kevin Joyce and Game Warden First Class Randell Meeks were checking a baited area that Game Warden Meeks had found earlier in the week. Two hunters were located just feet from the bait. The violation of hunting turkeys over bait was documented on both hunters.
EVANS COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden Patrick Gibbs worked an area where he had previously found whole corn and cracked corn scattered on the ground. Gibbs located two subjects hunting for turkeys near the corn which was still present. Violations were addressed for hunting big game over bait.
BULLOCH COUNTY On March 21st Game Warden First Class Jason Miller interviewed and cited an individual linked to a long investigation concerning numerous other suspects and violations from this past deer season. This subject was cited for hunting big game from a public road hunting from a vehicle and hunting deer at night.
SCREVEN COUNTY On March 23rd Corporal Shaymus McNeely and Game Warden First Class Jason Miller checked areas that were previously known for illegal turkey hunting activity. Six subjects were discovered hunting over baited areas. GWFC Miller located two suspects after they shot and a gobbler was confiscated two more suspects were located hunting over bait on the same property. All four subjects were charged with hunting big game over bait.

Cpl. McNeely contacted two suspects in a separate location. Those violators were found sitting in ground blinds baited with wild bird seed and shelled corn. Both were charged with hunting big game over bait and license violations.
EFFINGHAM COUNTY On March 23rd Game Warden First Class Jordan Crawford patrolled Effingham and Bulloch Counties for turkey hunting activity. Several groups of hunters were checked with three violations for hunting without a harvest record documented.
Later that afternoon Warden Crawford received a call about a possible overturned boat on the Ogeechee River. Warden Crawford responded to the area along with GWFC Jason Miller and GWFC Jack Thain. The boat s occupants and the boat were all recovered safely. The operator of the vessel was cited for not have enough PFDs on board the vessel.
JENKINS COUNTY On March 23rd Corporal Mike Wilcox and Game Warden Ben Reese patrolled Jenkins County during the opening day of turkey season. Cpl. Wilcox and Game Warden Reese documented one violation for hunting big game over bait. The Wardens also patrolled state properties in Jenkins County.
ECHOLS COUNTY On March 23rd Corporal Jason Shipes and Game Warden First Class Judd Sears patrolled hunting clubs along the Alapaha River for turkey hunting activity. During this patrol two subjects were encountered hunting turkeys over bait. One of the subjects admitted to putting out the bait for the purpose of attracting turkeys. Violations of hunting big game over bait were documented.
WARE COUNTY On March 23rd Corporal Jason Shipes and Game Warden Daniel North checked for fishing activity at the Suwannee River Sill. Upon checking one individual it was found that he did not possess a fishing license. The violation of fishing without a license was documented
On March 23rd Corporal Mark Pool patrolled a hunting club near highway US 1 where a turkey bait site had been previously located. Cpl. Pool located two hunters but they were not near the bait. Upon checking the hunters Cpl. Pool determined that the two hunters did not possess a valid big game hunting license. Violations for hunting big game without a big game license were documented.
TELFAIR COUNTY On March 23rd Sergeant Chris Moore and Ranger First Class (RFC) Rodney Horne were patrolling for persons hunting turkeys over an area baited with cracked corn. Two hunters were located hunting hogs. One nonresident had a violation documented for hunting without a license.

DODGE COUNTY On March 23rd Sergeant James McLaughlin and Game Warden Allen Mills worked turkey hunting and located two individuals hunting in a blind. The area was baited with corn wheat and grain sorghum. Two violations for hunting big game over bait were document. Later that day the officers encountered two Florida hunters and one could not produce a license. After verifying the individual did have a license he was issued a warning for hunting without a license on person.
WILCOX COUNTY On March 23rd Corporal John Stokes and Game Warden Chris Thompson were patrolling for turkey hunting. One individual was discovered to be hunting turkeys over cracked corn. The subject was issued a warning for hunting turkeys over bait. Three other hunters were checked for license compliance.
Region VII- Brunswick (Coastal)
CHATHAM COUNTY On March 23rd Cpl. Barry Britt charged two hunters with hunting big game (turkeys) over bait. Later that day Cpl. Britt charged two fishermen with fishing without permission.