2. <>The Wildlife Resources Division is one of many
divisions that falls under the Department of Natural
Resources.
<>My internship was concentrated in the Law
Enforcement sector of WRD.
<>I also spent time with the Environmental Protection
Division and Game Management.
<>Working with the different groups helped me to
understand the importance of every sector and how they
work together.
3. VISION STATMENT
The vision of the Law Enforcement Section is to
ensure that Georgia's natural resources will be
conserved for our present and future generations.
4. The mission of the Law Enforcement Section is to
conserve our natural resources and to protect the
people we serve. We maintain public support
through fair and vigorous law enforcement, quality
education, and community involvement.
5. A Conservation Ranger is a
peace officer that is P.O.S.T
certified by Georgia and has
been hired by the
Department of Natural
Resources. They enforce
wildlife, environmental,
boating, and other State and
Federal laws, rules, and
regulations in assigned
areas. Each officer is
assigned a county that they
patrol by either vehicle, boat,
ATV, foot and at times
aircraft. They also
conducted hunter education
class in his/her county.
There are also special units
that one could work with. For
6. There is a K-9 unit in every
region. The dogs are
trained in officer protection
and tracking of human and
firearm scent. In region 1
RFC Brooks Varnell is the
K-9 handler. Rock is his K-
9. On Sat. November 5th
Brooks used Rock in a night
hunting incident to find two
guns that the suspects hide
in the woods. He also used
Rock to track to one
suspect to fled from Sgt.
Mike Barr.
7. Patrolling
When an officer is not answering
a complaint they will be
patrolling. For example, on
opening day of dove season
Sgt. Mike Barr, Cpl. Lee Burns
and I patrolled different dove
fields that hunters were at. We
would check for
licenses, shotgun plugs and bag
limits. We did not come across
any invalid licenses but we did
encounter a man who had over
40 dove in his cart. He explained
that he was just picking up dove
from other hunters and had
intentions of returning them
once everyone was back at
camp. Mike and Lee did not
issue him a citation and just told
8. Baited Stands
In north Georgia it is illegal to bait deer. Even though it is
illegal, it is practiced everywhere. While interning we worked
many baited deer stands. Some were called in on a
complaint and others were found while on patrol. Corn and
salt blocks are the most common forms of bait
used, however some people use fruit and peanut butter as
well. Once finding the bait the officers will mark it with a GPS
and return to the area when a hunter will most likely be
around
9. HIN
A HIN is a hull identification number that must be on
a boat before it is registered. Boats that are built after
1972 must have a HIN. Officers are required to meet
with a boat owner to issue the vessel a HIN if one is
not permanently stamped on. They then issue a HIN
to the boat and assist in registration if needed.
10. POACHING
Poaching is the illegal hunting, killing or capturing of animals.
This can occur in a variety of ways. Poaching can refer to the
failure to comply with regulations for legal harvest, resulting in
the illegal taking of wildlife that would otherwise be allowable.
Examples include: Taking without a license or permit, use of a
prohibited weapon or trap, taking outside of the designated time
of day or year, taking on property of another without permission
and taking of a prohibited sex or life stage. The first poaching
case I worked was with Cpl. Lee Burns. Sgt. Mike Barr gave us a
complaint off of HWY 41 and Old Acworth-Dallas Hwy. Once
arriving Lee Burns and I searched through the woods to find a
man that had been dropped off earlier in the morning. Once Lee
spotted him he was forced to chase him down and put him in
custody. He was a convicted felon who’s parole did not allow him
to have any form of a weapon. He was also caught on the Corps
of Engineers property. Once handing him over to the police we
went back and found a cross bow and 3 arrows. He was placed
in Cobb County jail.
11.
12. Poaching ( Night Hunting)
Night Hunting has been very popular this year.
Bartow County has been hit hard with night
hunters. On Sat. November 5th Sgt. Mike Barr
caught two boys shinning fields. We used Rock to
help us find evidence needed to charge the boys.
However, one boy was 16 and could only be
charged as a juvenile. Cpl. Elmore also had
problems with the same boy and decided to
charge him for Gordon County incidents that
happened.
13.
14. Peace Officer Duties
Along with the Conservation duties, the Rangers also
conduct needed peace officer duties. Sgt. Mike Barr
questioned three boys on the Etowah River. Come to
find out they had illegal substances on them.
The Conservation Rangers also assist local police
department when needed. I did not take pictures due to
the severity of the situation, but GSP was shot at over
4o times by three Hispanics. DNR rangers that were in
the area showed up to assist the situation. They were
asked to patrol the waters on Lake Allatoona.
15.
16. Environmental
Protection
Division
While working with
EPD I learned about
how they function
and what they do to
help preserve
Georgia. We went to
different land fills to
make sure that the
companies were
following health
code.
17.
18. I just want to say Thank You for giving me the chance to intern with
the Conservation Rangers of Region 1. I have learned a great deal
about Conservation during my internship and have gained new hopes
of joining the Division. Thank you again.
