FWC Report

Between Nov. 29 and Dec. 5 in Franklin County, Officer Forbes observed a vessel with fishing gear and eight occupants coming through East Pass from offshore. After he stopped the vessel to conduct a resource inspection, he found two out-of-season gag grouper and two over-the-bag limit of red snapper. The appropriate resource citations were issued. 

During a resource inspection by Officer Hartzog on an individual fishing on the pier adjacent to Cash Creek bridge, the subject was observed to be in possession of several undersized spotted seatrout. The violations were cited accordingly. 

Hartzog was on patrol in the St. James Island Unit of the Tates Hell Wildlife Management Area during a special quota period when he observed a vehicle with a dog box and hunting equipment inside parked and obstructing a service road. During surveillance on the vehicle, Hartzog observed several individuals exiting the woods onto the service road with four unleashed hunting dogs with tracking collars and neck vests. During a resource inspection, the owner of the four unleashed hunting dogs was identified to have an extensive history for hunting related violations and was advised they were pursuing wild hogs in the closed area without a quota permit. The violations were cited accordingly. 

In Gulf County, Officer Butts observed a subject driving his vehicle at an extremely slow speed, using the vehicle’s high beams to illuminate fields from the roadway. Upon conducting a traffic stop, the subject was found in possession of a hunting rifle, and charged with night hunting. 

While at a local boat ramp checking vessels returning from fishing, Master Officer M. Webb observed a vessel with four people on board with fishing equipment. A resource inspection revealed the captain in possession of an oversized red drum. The appropriate citation was issued.

During the week of Dec. 6 to 12, in Wakulla County, Officer D. Travis was on patrol in the Apalachicola Wildlife Management Area when he located a camouflage hunting blind, camera, hunting chair, and shooting stick. He also observed a liquid substance on the ground near the blind as well as deer attractant and discarded empty containers. Travis made contact with a subject, who was in possession of a crossbow and muzzleloader. He admitted to hunting in the blind, placing the bait and leaving empty bait bottles. He was given a notice to appear for placing bait in the WMA and appropriate law enforcement action was taken regarding illegal method of take, littering on public lands and operating a vehicle on an unnamed/unnumbered road. 

Officers K. Matthews and M. Fernbach responded to a complaint about a subject hunting in the Wakulla Wildlife Management Area, which was posted closed to hunting. Officer Specialist J. Hofheinz relayed information from a trail camera that a complainant had sent to him. Matthews and Fernbach found the subject’s boot prints and followed the sign back to a residence where the subject had been staying. They identified the subject from the trail camera picture. The subject showed the officers where he had hidden the bow, deer attractant, and grunt call on the neighboring property. The subject was given a notice to appear for hunting in a prohibited area of the WMA.

Fernbach, on patrol in the Apalachicola National Forest, located a game camera with corn placed on the ground in front of it. The officer determined who the subject was, and during an interview, the subject admitted the camera was his and he had placed the illegal bait. Fernbach gave the subject a notice to appear for placing the bait in a prohibited area.