This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
NORTHWEST REGION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Barnard received information on the location of a baited hunting site in Yellow River Management Area. When he responded to the area, he encountered a person leaving the area on a golf cart. Officer Barnard spoke to the subject about the baited site and he denied any knowledge of it. Officer Barnard continued to the baited site, noticing that the golf cart tire sign lead straight to it. At the baited stand site, he discovered corn scattered, a feeder full of corn, a trail camera and a pine tree that had recently been climbed using a climbing tree stand. He also noticed that the tree that held the feeder had approximately 100 nails and screws driven into it in an apparent attempt to keep squirrels out of the feeder. Officer Barnard seized the items as evidence. Officer Barnard again made contact with the subject who again denied any knowledge of the baited sight. Officer Barnard obtained a search warrant to look at the photos on the trail camera, which had a clear picture of the same subject on it. Officer Barnard obtained warrants on the subject for placing bait in a management area and for driving metal objects into a tree which was located on a management area.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Lewis and Ramos were on patrol when they heard gunshots after legal shooting hours in a nearby farm field. They entered the farm field and observed a truck that was attempting to exit the field. The officers observed a man and a woman along with three rifles on the front seat of the truck. When asked about the gunshots, the male said that he was attempting to shoot at a fox because they were digging holes in the field. He said he was hunting in the field earlier but did not see any deer. The officers located an injured antlerless deer lying in the field. The man was interviewed and admitted to shooting at a doe deer as they left the field. A computer check revealed that the man was a convicted felon and the woman had a warrant for worthless checks. The rifle the man shot the doe deer with came back as stolen. The officers charged the male subject with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and taking an antlerless deer during the closed season and arrested the woman for the warrant. Both subjects were booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail. The theft of the firearm is under investigation.
Lieutenant Hahr located an area along Coldwater Creek that had been baited with milo for ducks. He returned to the area before sunrise and observed three subjects arrive at the site, set up wood duck decoys and begin calling for wood ducks. After a little while, two of the subjects shot but did not hit any ducks. As they began to leave, Lieutenant Hahr approached them. They admitted to baiting the area and attempting to take wood ducks. Lieutenant Hahr documented several other violations including hunting with an unplugged shotgun, using lead shot to take waterfowl, no federal duck stamp, and no hunting license or applicable permits. The three subjects were all charged with hunting ducks over bait and were given citations for some of the license violations. They were warned for the additional violations.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer P. Rockwell received information from the US Coast Guard (USCG) Destin personnel that a boater reported that an individual on a passing vessel made a statement threatening suicide. This occurred in the Intracoastal Waterway/Santa Rosa Sound east of Hurlburt Field Boat Ramp. Officer Rockwell accompanied the USCG on their vessel and arrived on scene. Based on the complainant’s description of the vessel, Officer Rockwell located the boat (a green canoe with tiki torches). Initially, the boat operator was not cooperating by failing to stop his vessel. Upon the initial contact, the individual did not appear to be a danger to himself but did display indicators of impairment from alcoholic beverages. Based on the individual’s demeanor, behavior and field sobriety tasks performed, he was arrested for boating under the influence. Lieutenant Clark transported the individual to the Okaloosa County Jail where Officer Rockwell completed the intake process. The individual refused to provide a sample of his breath.
WALTON COUNTY
Officers Tison and Letcher stopped a vehicle after observing a light being displayed in a manner capable of disclosing wildlife. An inspection of the vehicle revealed a loaded firearm and the driver stated he was hunting. He was cited for attempting to take wildlife from the right of way.
Officers Tison and Letcher interviewed a subject after they received information he had taken an antlerless deer. The subject admitted to the violation and a young antlerless buck was recovered and seized at the subject’s residence. The subject was cited for taking an antlerless deer.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
DIXIE COUNTY
Officer Cline was patrolling the DixieCounty coast when he observed a commercial vessel making its way to shore. As he watched from a concealed position, he noticed that the fishermen appeared rushed as they loaded their vessel. Just before they pulled away from the ramp, Officer Cline stopped the two fishermen. Inspection of their vessel revealed numerous bags of untagged oysters. Officer Cline issued the vessel owner citations for the untagged oysters and for no sanitation devices on board. The oysters were returned to the Gulf.
Lieutenant Williams was on land patrol in DixieCounty when he observed a small light illuminating the ground in a swampy area about two hours after dark. He then located a vehicle nearby and decided to conduct surveillance on the vehicle to determine what the subject was doing. Lieutenant Williams observed someone come to the vehicle twice. He then heard the tailgate slam and the suspect vehicle began speeding away. Lieutenant Williams conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. During contact with the suspect, he appeared very nervous. Further investigation revealed a doe deer hidden in the dog box of the truck. The subject was issued a citation for taking/possession of doe deer. The doe deer and a Browning shotgun were seized as evidence.
Officers Cooper and Stanley conducted a presentation for career day at DixieCountyHigh School. The Officers spoke to 80 students. Their presentation was well received and they answered numerous questions from the students.
LEVY COUNTY
Officer Schulz was on land patrol in the area of Watermelon Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) when he found a vehicle parked in a secluded area during closed hunting season. Officer Schulz noted where the subject had entered the WMA and concealed himself to wait for the hunter’s return. When the hunter arrived he was dressed in camouflage, carrying a shotgun and a crow decoy with a speaker (electronic call). The man admitted to hunting during closed season and using electric game calls. Officer Schulz issued the appropriate citations and warnings.
Officers Schulz, Johnston, Hilliard and Pilot Johnston were on air patrol over the LevyCounty coast when they observed a vessel with no one on board anchored in a shallow creek. They could also see a green net stretched across the entire creek (stop netting) and one man near the boat fishing from an oyster bar. Pilot Johnston dropped off the three officers on a nearby oyster bar. The officers saw footprints where the net was strung across the creek and freshly caught mullet in the net. The fisherman nearby said the owner of the boat had strung the net and would be returning soon. When the boat owner returned, he admitted to working by himself using the boat and net on the scene. The officers had him remove the net from the water and release the fish caught in the net. The net was measured and it was over the legal size. The illegal activity will be filed with the Levy County State Attorney’s Office.
Officer Schulz was on land patrol at night in the area of Otter Creek in Levy County when he saw a truck towing a trailer which had no trailer lights or tag displayed. After stopping the truck for the missing lights, Officer Schulz asked the driver about the cooler in the bed of the truck near a dog box with dogs, camouflage items, etc. The driver told Officer Schulz the cooler contained deer meat. The freshly killed deer meat in a trash bag had no tag or sex identification. The driver said the meat was given to him by another hunter and that the meat came from a deer caught illegally. Officer Schulz gathered information about the other hunter and took a sample of the meat for DNA testing. Officer Johnston assisted Officer Schulz with the interview of the second person who admitted to killing a doe deer with a 12 gauge shotgun and giving the first subject (driver of the truck) the meat. The truck driver received warnings for his traffic violations, the other violations for antlerless deer out of season and possession of untagged deer meat, will be filed with the Levy County State Attorney’s Office.
Officer Schulz was on land patrol near Flat Branch Creek when he saw a man and woman fishing. During Officer Schulz’s inspection the man admitted to fishing without a license. The man had no ID, but gave a name and date of birth to the officer. A records check through dispatch could not locate any information on the man. A LevyCounty deputy stopped to assist Officer Schulz and could not find any information on this subject either. During the officer’s conversation with the man, he told several versions of his story. The man was arrested for providing a false name and information to law enforcement. At the Levy County Jail the man gave his real name and a background check revealed warrants for his arrest. Officer Schulz charged him with providing a false name, obstructing a FWC officer and fishing without a license.
MADISON COUNTY
While conducting an inspection of a known hunting camp, Officer Ransom observed, in plain view, blood on the lid of a cooler near one of the campers. Further inspection of the immediate area revealed several turkey feathers on the ground. Several minutes later, Officer Ransom was able to make contact with and identify the owner of the camper. During the conversation with the subject, he openly admitted to shooting a male turkey with his 7mm magnum rifle during the closed season. Post Miranda, the subject reiterated his admissions and agreed to give a sworn written statement. An inspection of the cooler found the subject to be in possession of turkey meat, beard and feet. All evidence was seized and the appropriate charges were filed with the Madison County State Attorney’s Office.
NORTHEAST REGION
BREVARD COUNTY
Lieutenants Zamonis, Lightsey, Investigators Corfield, Loeffler, Officers R. Miller, Horst and Matthews participated in a targeted enforcement for illegal duck hunting on a BrevardCounty lake. Forty-three hunters were checked and numerous violations were encountered. Appropriate citations and warnings were issued.
While on foot patrol at T.M. Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area checking waterfowl hunters for their required license and permits, Officers Platt and Balgo received a call regarding individuals shooting at Ibis. After getting the information on the individuals’ location, they set up next to the suspects to conduct surveillance and observed an individual attempt to take a Glossy Ibis. The individual was cited for attempting to take a migratory non-game bird.
While on night patrol on the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Officer Humphrey observed two vehicles parked along a canal in an area closed after sunset. He approached the vehicles and found them empty, but then heard splashing in the water. He shined his light and observed three men on a small paddle boat. Once the men saw him them they discarded an object and began to paddle away from it. He instructed them to retrieve the object, and as they pulled it from the water Officer Humphrey could see it was a monofilament gill net. As they approached the shoreline Officer Humphrey heard more splashing in the water near the bushes. He walked over and observed a second gill net extending from the shore out into the open water. Officer Humphrey instructed the individuals to retrieve the second net. After a boating safety inspection and an interview of the subjects, one individual was arrested for felony net charges and transported to Brevard County Jail. Two monofilament gill nets were seized.
While on patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park, Officer T. Miller was advised by a person who observed a man on the south side catwalk catch a goliath grouper and put it in the trunk of his car that was parked in the south side parking lot. The caller also advised that the suspect was wearing a red ball cap and striped shirt. Officer T. Miller checked the catwalk and could see a person wearing clothing that matched the description given by the caller. Officer T. Miller asked the man if he had any luck. A woman with him advised he did not understand English. Officer T. Miller asked her if they had caught any fish and she answered, “No.” Officer T. Miller then asked about the fish he had placed in the trunk of the car. She did not say anything, so Officer T. Miller advised her that he needed to see the fish the man had put in the car. She talked with him in Spanish and then told Officer T. Miller he would show him the fish. He walked out to the car, opened the trunk and took out a cooler. In the cooler, inside a nylon folding chair sleeve, was a goliath grouper that was still alive. A citation was issued for taking and possessing a goliath grouper. The grouper was revived and returned to the water alive.
While on night patrol of Sebastian Inlet State Park, Officer C. Rutherford issued one citation for out of season snook and four citations of over the limit of black drum over 24 inches. Officer Hallsten was also on patrol in SebastianInletState Park and issued one citation for over the limit of black drum over 24 inches. He also cited a man and woman at Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge for possession of cocaine paraphernalia and failure to transfer vehicle title over six months, tag attached not assigned and open container.
Officers Cybula and Salberg assisted biologists from FWC, Sea 2 Shore and SeaWorld with the release of three rehabilitated manatees back into the wild. The three manatees were released without incident into the warm waters near the discharge of the FPL Canaveral power plant on the Indian River in Port St. John.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
FWC Officers and Investigators responded to a hunting incident in VolusiaCounty off Maytown Road, where a man was mistaken for a deer and shot by his friend. The 65-year old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. FWC Investigators and Volusia County Detectives are investigating the shooting.
Lieutenant Dack received information from FWC K-9 Officer Simpson in reference to an anonymous complaint about a posting on a website of someone who had shot two Pied – Billed Grebe. Lieutenant Dack took the information and located a local address for an individual in Palm Coast, Florida. This was the individual who posted the picture. During an interview, the suspect admitted to shooting the two Pied – Billed Grebe during his morning duck hunt on Lake George. The suspect provided a written statement to the fact. Charges of taking a protected species were filed with the State Attorney’s Office.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report