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FWC Law Enforcement Report
January 31, 2017
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending January 26 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers were working a night-hunting detail in the north end of Escambia County when FWC Pilot Tolbert and Lieutenant Golloher, acting as a spotter, saw a subject shining a light in a manner capable of disclosing deer. They directed Captain Rondeau to the subject’s location to investigate. Captain Rondeau attempted to stop the vehicle, but the subject fled.
Officers Clark and Long assisted in the pursuit along with the Aviation Unit. After a lengthy pursuit, the subject was finally apprehended by Captain Rondeau and Officers Long and Clark. The subject had an outstanding warrant in Alabama and charges were filed in Florida for felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, night hunting, felony driving on a suspended license and possession of a firearm/ammunition by a convicted felon.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
While on patrol in Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Officer Land stopped to check two hunters who were standing near their vehicles. When asked to see their hunting licenses, one of the men replied that he was just driving around. The front seat of the man’s truck had a hunter orange vest and a rifle was in the back seat. Eventually, the man admitted to participating in man drives. He had no valid hunting license or required permits and came back as a convicted felon when his information was run through Dispatch. The firearm was seized and the individual was arrested for the violations.
While on patrol near Gulf Islands National Seashore, Officer Land and Park Ranger Robinson stopped to check a group of duck hunters near Ft. McCree. While Officer Land was inspecting one of their firearms, he found that it was capable of holding more than three shells. It is illegal to use a firearm capable of holding more than three shells while hunting migratory birds and the hunter was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officer Hoomes was notified of a trespassing complaint and while working this complaint, he encountered two subjects squirrel hunting on the complainant’s property. These two subjects were not related to the original complaint. The subjects were issued citations for trespassing and for not possessing Florida hunting licenses.
Officer Hoomes was notified of an illegal deer that was killed in the Hutton Unit of the Blackwater WMA. He made contact with the subject who took him to the deer. The antlered deer was smaller than the regulations allow for the area and was issued a citation for the violation. The deer was seized and donated to a local charity.
Officers Land and Manning responded to a call of a distressed vessel. A family of four was on board their vessel in Escambia Bay when their motor stopped and their boat began to take on water. A Good Samaritan in the area agreed to tow the vessel back to the boat ramp and Officer Land escorted the family back to shore.
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
Comments
5 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”
This goes back to gun control laws. You will not control anyone that wants to get a gun. And you will not control someone from doing the things they were raised up doing. I don’t agree with those types of people at all, but it’s reality. The more the government tries to control people, the worse it will probably get.
Blows my mind the amount of night hunters at Blackwater that have been caught. If you look at what they have killed when caught makes you wonder how many did they kill before the got caught. Plus how many are doing it. No wonder we don’t see many bucks over there during the day. They hide deep in the swamps to be safe because of all the night hunting. I’ve hunted Blackwater now for four years and have seen less than 6 bucks and spikes,,,,I’m 67 years old and must say thanks to all the FWC Warrens for trying to make it better of us old guys who follow the rules.
So you are convicted felon, you go to a state park during deer season, no deer permit, gun in the truck with orange vest, hang out by the road shooting the bull and the FWC pulls up and arrest you. How stupid can you be???????
It also bothers me that so many convicted felons will carry firearms. It seems that we see more and more of this. Can’t figure out if the offenders are not informed of the consequences or if they just don’t care… either way, it’s a problem.
Oh, BTW, great job on capturing the night hunters!
Kudos for your diligence. I volunteer with wildlife rescue in Pasco County and we work closely with Florida wildlife officers here. A terrific group! Let’s hope you can retain your funding & continue helping to protect our precious wildlife. What I find unsettling is that so many of these violators are convicted felons running around our state with weapons. I’m a 3rd generation Floridian who appreciates nature and our wide variety of birds & animals. Thank you for your service, & please don’t let them open a hunt on fl. Panthers!
Patty Smith