FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report January 29, 2016 through February 4, 2016

(Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.)

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

January 29, 2016 through February 4, 2016

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.

Patrol, Protect, Preserve

NORTHWEST REGION

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Cushing was conducting fisheries inspections at the Bayou Texar Boat Ramp when he encountered some individuals pulling their vessel out of the water.  When asked how their day was, they stated that they had a good day and had caught an assortment of fish.  Officer Cushing boarded the vessel and just prior to opening the cooler, the owner stated that they had three greater amberjack.  When asked what the size limit was on greater amberjack, the owner responded 34 inches to the fork.  Two of the greater amberjack measured under 34 inches and the owner of the boat was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersized greater amberjack.

LEON COUNTY

Investigators Williams and Louque assisted Leon County Animal Control regarding an anonymous complaint of neglectful treatment of birds at a licensed bird facility.  Upon inspection of the facility and the cages the birds were being housed in, it was determined they were being kept in unsafe and unsanitary conditions. It appeared the facility had been neglected for an extended amount of time and the licensed facility has been warned in the past.  The licensee was cited for unsafe and unsanitary conditions.  

Investigators Louque and Williams were traveling west on I-10 just before arriving into Leon county when Investigator Louque spotted two whitetail deer tails hanging out of the bottom rear of an enclosed trailer being pulled by a Ford truck.  A traffic stop was conducted to perform a wildlife inspection.  Upon inspection of the trailer, investigators observed whitetail deer inside the trailer. Some of the animals appeared to be sedated while others were alert.  Investigators spoke with the driver who supplied them with proper FDACS movement paperwork.  The driver stated that there were 16 deer inside the trailer and that they would be moving a total of 48 animals to a separate farm. After checking her paperwork, investigators thanked her and sent her on her way.  There were no violations noted.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officer Corbin was on land patrol conducting an offload fisheries inspection on a commercial vessel in Fort Walton Beach.  The officer obtained the names of the operator and crew members.  The Tallahassee Communications Center confirmed that one crew member had an active warrant for failure to pay child support in Okaloosa County.  Officer Corbin transported the individual to the Okaloosa County Jail and completed the intake process.

Officer Corbin was on land patrol conducting boating safety and resource inspections at the Cinco Bayou Boat Ramp, and observed a boat return to the boat ramp.  The operator was returning to pick up another individual.  While conducting a boating safety inspection, the Tallahassee Regional Communications Center confirmed the operator of the boat had an active warrant for failure to provide child support.  A deputy transported the individual to the Okaloosa County Jail.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Hutchinson was working an area where he received complaints of illegal night hunting activity.  While working the area late at night, he observed a truck slow down while approaching a field.  He observed a spotlight being shined from the cab of the truck into the field and then into a group of trees.  He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver.  The driver said that he was looking for deer and admitted to having a rifle in the truck.  Officer Hutchinson observed a loaded hunting rifle lying in the driver seat between the driver and the center console.  He continued his search of the vehicle and discovered an ice chest on the back of the truck with deer meat in it.  When questioned about the deer meat, the man informed Officer Hutchinson that it was from a cow horn buck that he shot a few days ago.  Officer Hutchinson followed him to his residence where he determined that the man had shot an illegal antlered deer.  The man was charged with night hunting, taking an illegal antlered buck, and driving with a suspended license.

Officer Hutchinson received information that a man had possibly shot an illegal deer the previous day.  He located the man, and after being questioned, the man admitted to shooting a deer the day before and that the deer was not a legal sized antlered deer. After measuring the antlers, Officer Hutchinson confirmed that the antlers did not meet the minimum required length.  The man was charged with taking an illegal antlered buck and hunting without a valid hunting license.

Officer Hutchinson received information that a man had an illegal deer carcass hanging inside of his barn.  Officer Hutchinson located the subject at his residence and questioned him about the deer.  The subject said that his younger sister shot the deer, a small spike. Officer Hutchinson questioned him about the antlerless deer that he received information about the subject shooting.  The subject claimed his younger sister shot it also.  Officer Hutchinson measured the antlers and confirmed that the antlers length did not meet the minimum required length.  After further questioning, the subject admitted to shooting both of the illegal deer.  He showed Officer Hutchinson the deer meat from one of the deer which was inside an ice chest without any ice or water on it and spoiled.  Officer Hutchinson also discovered that the carcass was dumped in a public park.  Warrants were obtained charging the subject with taking an illegal antlered buck, taking an antlerless deer out of season, wanton and willful waste of a game animal and hunting without a valid hunting license.

Officer Land received a complaint of a vehicle parked in a closed area within the Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and the occupants of the vehicle possibly hunting.  Officer Land arrived in the closed area and observed a vehicle matching the description given in the complaint.  The officer observed footprints leading away from the vehicle and out through the closed area and began to track the subject.  Once well out into the closed area, Officer Land encountered a subject who was bow hunting.  The hunter admitted that he was aware that he was hunting in the closed area and was unable to present an Eglin Permit.  This subject was issued a notice to appear for hunting in a closed area and a warning for no Eglin Permit.

WALTON COUNTY

Officer Brooks made contact with a subject after observing him hunting from a tree stand well within the boundary of posted private property. Officer Brooks had located the tree stand and conducted surveillance on the property throughout the hunting season prior to making contact with the subject. When the subject was questioned, it was determined he had entered the property knowing it was private and posted. The land manager of the property requested that the subject be charged with trespassing. He was booked into the Walton County Jail for felony trespass.

http://live.oysterradio.com/