Conservation Law Enforcement Corner – August 2016

Hall of Shame

The Hall of Shame column is designed to highlight the efforts of Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Division (LED) officers who, among their many duties, protect Georgia’s wildlife, sportsmen and natural resources from game-law violators.

Ben Hill County: Even when you get permission to hunt someone’s property, hunters need to make sure everyone is clear about property lines. That can be an expensive lesson.

On Oct. 27, 2014, DNR’s Cpl. John Stokes received a call from a landowner’s son in Ben Hill County about finding deer stands on his mother’s property. He said there were two ladder stands, and both of them were baited.

Cpl. Stokes asked him to explain where the stands were located, and the next day the officer went to the property and located the stands and took pictures. On Oct. 29, Cpl. Stokes found hunters in each stand.

According to the incident report, “The hunters stated that an adjacent landowner had given them permission to hunt the property. Cpl. Stokes told them that the adjacent landowner didn’t own the property that they were on. Cpl. Stokes looked at the baited deer sites and advised them that he was going to charge them for baiting deer. The violators stated that it was legal to bait deer. Cpl. Stokes told them that to be legal they had to have the landowner’s permission, and they didn’t.”

The young men were charged with hunting without permission, hunting without fluorescent orange, hunting without big game license and hunting over bait.

According to state documents, “On June 5, 2015, both violators took the case to probate court, and a trial was held. Cpl. Stokes testified and showed the court video evidence of the violations. The landowner showed up and testified in court that neither had permission to hunt the property or bait deer on the property. The owner provided maps of the property with land lines and lot numbers from the county tax office.

The men had an attorney to represent them in court, and the attorney brought the adjacent landowner, who had given them permission to hunt, to speak on his clients’ behalf. The witness took the stand, and the assistant district attorney for Ben Hill county questioned the witness. The witness had no maps proving where his land lines were; however, you could see the lines on maps brought to court by the woman who owned the land where the stands were located.

The men were found guilty on all charges. The fines were as follows: hunting without permission, $802; hunting without big game license, $202; hunting big game over bait, $200; and hunting without fluorescent orange, $132.

Long Co. Ranger Wins Torch Award

Ranger First Class (RFC) Patrick Gibbs, who is assigned to Long County in southeast Georgia, was named the 2016 Torch Award winner.

Gibbs has been with DNR Law Enforcement for 3 1/2 years. DNR presents the Torch Award annually to encourage the professional development of new Rangers. Nominees must have worked as a wildlife enforcement officer less than five years, demonstrated a genuine desire to protect the resources and develop professionally and demonstrate exceptional ability and initiative in the performance of his or her duties, including public education.

“RFC Gibbs continuously strives to do the best job possible and leaves a positive impression of the Law Enforcement Division with everyone he comes in contact with,” said LED Colonel Eddie Henderson. 

An avid sportsman, Gibbs knows when and where to be, which has resulted in an outstanding year in enforcement. He checked 266 hunting licenses, 356 fishing licenses, conducted 313 vessel checks and 67 commercial license checks. He logged 92 WMA  and State Parks patrols and 190 hours on 45 citizen complaints. He conducted more than 50 vessel patrols to include: JEA patrols, shellfish patrols, boating safety patrols and commercial shrimp trawler patrols. Of the 170 violator contacts, Gibbs made 26 cases directly related to night deer hunting violations. He made five cases for hunting turkeys over bait, six BUI arrests, and seven cases for commercial shrimping/oyster violations. Seven more cases were made related to waterfowl enforcement.

RFC Gibbs’ commitment to education is just as impressive. He conducted 17 programs for citizens in his area and presented safety-related topics to more than 450 young adults through local schools. He has also worked with CHAMPS, Boating, Hunting, and ATV Safety at the school, KFE’s, Shop with a COP and Career Day.

RFC Gibbs is a Child Abduction Team member and has been selected to be a certified Field Training Officer for the Division.

RFC Patrick Gibbs, DNR’s 2016 Torch Award winner.