From FWC

This report represents some events the FWC handled Jan. 12-18 in the Northwest Region. (No cases were reported in Wakulla County)

BAY COUNTY

  • Senior Officer N. Basford has been investigating the destruction of multiple gopher tortoise burrows at a construction site. After collecting permits, documenting evidence, and speaking with the state attorney’s office, the officer is charging the owner of the construction company with attempting to take a threatened species. The tortoises will be captured and relocated to an authorized agent.

CALHOUN COUNTY

  • Officers T. Scott and E. Meade located an area along the Apalachicola River that was baited with corn. The following morning the officers conducted surveillance on the area and saw three subjects calling and shooting ducks. The subjects were cited for taking ducks over bait.

GULF COUNTY

  • Officers Gerber and Lipford received information about individuals possibly shooting dove near a highway. They arrived on scene and found the area was baited and also discovered bag limit and license violations. The appropriate action was taken to address the violations.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

  • While on patrol in the Blackwater State Forest, Officers Mullins and Brown observed a group of about 40 off-road vehicles operating in the area. The officers went to an area known for off roading and encountered about 25 vehicles illegally operating off trail. The officers spoke with the trail ride leaders and all vehicle operators. The group was educated about forest rules and regulations and directed to use only named or numbered roads in the forest and appropriate citations were issued.
  • While on patrol Officers Brown and Mullins encountered a group partying on a sand bar in Blackwater State Forest. The group had numerous violations including litter, alcohol, and vehicles off trail. Each subject was issued multiple citations. The subjects were directed to clean up and remove prohibited items from the area.
  • Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area when he heard a shot west of his location. The officer checked a hunter near the location of the shot and the hunter advised he shot a deer but was unable to locate it. The hunter described the deer as being an antlered deer with six to eight points. The officer helped locate the deer, which did not meet antler point regulations for that deer management unit. The subject was issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.
  • Officers Bower and Roberson were on patrol when they observed a vehicle operating a light in a field commonly known to have deer. The officers stopped the vehicle and approached the two subjects. When asked if they had any guns, they said no. The officers got permission to look inside the vehicle and found a loaded shotgun. Upon further investigation, the officers discovered the operator of the vehicle was a convicted felon. Both the driver and passenger were charged with night hunting gun and light, and the driver was arrested for possession of firearm by a convicted felon.