FWC Law Enforcement Report
This report represents some events the FWC handled over April 14 to 20. It does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
WAKULLA COUNTY
• Officer M. Fernbach was on patrol in Oyster Bay and observed a vessel with three individuals fishing. He conducted a resource and boating inspection and found the captain to be in possession of four redfish. The captain was issued a misdemeanor citation for over the bag limit of redfish.
• Officer D. Travis was patrolling off Shadeville Highway and heard a subject using an artificial turkey caller. The officer identified himself as he approached the subject, who was dressed in camouflage and in possession of a shotgun. Officer Travis could see the subject had placed bait 20 yards from the location he had been hunting. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for hunting turkey over bait within 100 yards.
• Officer M. Fernbach and S. Gray were on patrol in Oyster Bay. While approaching a vessel with three individuals fishing, a subject threw a redfish into the water from the port side of the vessel. A resource and boating inspection were initiated. The subject admitted to throwing the undersized redfish into the water as well as catching the fish earlier. The subject was issued a misdemeanor citation for possession of the undersized redfish.
RESCUES
• Officer M. Fernbach, S. Gray and Lieutenant S. Olson responded to a search and rescue in Wakulla Springs State Park. Three adults with a baby were lost on a trail. The subjects were not in distress but were lost and without water. A park ranger and Officer Fernbach located the group and Lieutenant Olson ensured they did not require medical attention.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
• Officer Hartzog was patrolling Apalachicola Bay and conducted a resource inspection on two recreational anglers. During the inspection, the individuals were observed to be in possession of an undersized red drum, black drum, and sheepshead. Appropriate citations were issued.
• Officer Hartzog was patrolling Apalachicola Bay and conducted a resource and boating safety inspection on two recreational anglers. During the inspection, the individuals were observed to be in possession of excess of their daily bag limit of red drum and an undersized flounder. Appropriate citations were issued.
JACKSON COUNTY
Officers Fowler and Touchton received information about a subject killing over the bag limit of wild turkeys. A short interview and investigation resulted in a full confession of the suspect killing three wild turkeys during the spring season (the season and possession limit for spring turkey season is two). He was cited appropriately.
RESCUE
Gulf County
• FWC officers in coordination with Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, and Southern Gulf County Fire and Rescue searched for an elderly, diabetic woman who went missing from Cape San Blas. FWC Officers searched by vessel, vehicle, and ATV while maintaining close communication with family members and all search parties. The elderly woman was found the next day disoriented, sunburnt, fatigued, and with low blood sugar. She was reunited with family at St. Joe State Park and treated by Gulf County EMS before being transported to the hospital for further treatment.