This report represents some events the FWC handled Dec. 22-28 in the Northwest Region. (No cases were reported in Wakulla County)

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

  • Officers Burkhead, Mullins and Wilkenson and Lieutenant Berryman as well as deputies from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and K-9 unit located an individual trespassing on private property without permission and appeared to be hunting. The subject they located was arrested a year prior for hunting on the same property without permission. The officers were able to obtain a trail camera photograph of the subject trespassing and they located clothing and shoe prints that matched what the subject was wearing in the photograph. The officers placed the subject under arrest for trespass after warning. The subject was transported and booked into the Escambia County jail.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

  • Officer Roberson was traveling on Quinette Road when he noticed a vehicle in front of him operating without a tag. Officer Roberson conducted a stop on the vehicle. When the officer made contact with the operator of the vehicle, he showed several obvious signs of impairment. The driver agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tasks. The subject performed poorly on the tasks. Officer Roberson arrested the driver and transported him to the Escambia County Jail.
  • Officer Roberson found a treestand site baited for deer on the Yellow River Wildlife Management Area. Officer Roberson followed a trail from the site to a nearby home. He spoke to the owner of the residence who after a short interview admitted to placing the bait. Officer Roberson issued a notice to appear citation for the violation. .

WASHINGTON COUNTY

  • Officer E. Fowler was on patrol and focusing on duck hunting through the week. The officer had encountered three different locations where the hunters were attempting to take ducks after legal hours. He addressed shooting after legal hunting hours, littering and license violations.
  • Lt. J. Allen, Officer M. Gore, and Officer E Fowler encountered two ATVs operating after sunset on a county road without lights. A traffic stop revealed the subjects had been hunting. A license and warrant check revealed a felony warrant for one of the subjects for driving while license suspended or revoked. The subject was arrested and transported to Washington County Jail.