FWC Law Enforcement Report

February 23, 2017

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending February 16 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officers Long and Allgood inspected a local seafood dealer in Pensacola. They found several violations including undersized flounder, no paperwork documenting where the fish came from, and two different quality control violations. The owner of the business was given notice to appear citations for the violations.

Escambia County officers concentrated their efforts on fisheries enforcement this week. Most fishermen were found to be in compliance, but officers documented eight state and federal fisheries violations. These violations included possession of red snapper during closed season and several other size-limit violations.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Ramos was on patrol in the Robert’s Pond Unit of Eglin Wildlife Management Area (WMA), when he found a vehicle parked in a suspicious location. He followed fresh foot prints and other sign towards a stalk hunting area and after reaching the legal boundary of the area, followed the tracks more than ½ mile into a permanently closed area of Eglin. Additional signs of hunting activity were present and it was determined the subject was currently hunting well inside the closed area. Officer Jones arrived to assist and the two officers positioned themselves on a trail waiting for the hunter to return from the closed area. Nearly an hour after sunset, Officer Jones intercepted the subject trying to sneak back onto the main trail in an area open for hunting. When Officer Ramos questioned the subject, he said that he was just barely inside the closed area. After presenting additional evidence, he admitted that he had been deep inside the closed area and that he “should have known better.” Eglin Range Patrol arrived and issued the man a notice of violation, suspending his ability to enter Eglin WMA for one year. Officer Ramos charged the man with a criminal citation for hunting in a closed area and warned him for other violations.

Officers Roberson and Mullins were on patrol when they were dispatched to the Escambia River WMA. A complaint had been received about subjects hunting with dogs in the still hunt area and using an ATV. After arriving on scene moments later, two subjects walked out of the woods with two hunting dogs on leashes and carrying fixed-blade knives on their waistband. After interviewing the first two subjects, two more exited the woods with an ATV and more hunting dogs and two more knives. After gathering all information, they were found to be hunting hogs. Officer Roberson issued misdemeanor citations to three of the subjects for dog hunting in a still-hunt area. Officer Mullins issued one of the subjects an infraction for the use of an ATV on the Escambia River WMA.

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.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Comments

11 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. Chris in Molino on February 27th, 2017 10:01 am

    @Nicholas in Pace —Im including the time from Game and Fish Commission. I’m not going to get technical about what it was called because most should know its the same entity.
    If you want to point out how many died in plane crashes etc, do so without making yourself seem as if your correcting me. I said three were killed by hunters. ( Killed, murdered, life ended on purpose, executed, etc) Not accidents by car, plane, accidental shooting, boat, or electrocution. So you agree by backing up my comments with the same facts and even provide the website, thanks.
    Please cite my entire comment if you want to try to discredit me. Furthermore, i’m sorry and surprised i have to spell it out for you but i was being sarcastic. ” I’d say your either ignorant and wrong or there just ain’t that many criminals that hunt. By FWC weekly reports we know the answer to that ? ” If you can’t understand that comment then i’m sorry you failed reading comprehension.
    Yes FWC does do a lot for the community. However their better serving the community by being present in a construction zone on the highway than writing some guy a ticket because he doesnt have a whistle on his boat. And if you need law enforcement to live as a free American, i feel sorry for you. Especially if something bad happens and we lose power or grocery trucks stop coming. Then you’ll be running to people like me to help you survive and keep your family safe because your law enforcement will be non existent.

  2. 429SCJ on February 26th, 2017 1:05 pm

    @ Resident, a blessed day to you as well.

  3. Nicolas in pace on February 26th, 2017 11:18 am

    @Chris I am not sure why in doing your research you only included the three deaths of FWC Officers by hunters. In my research the FWC has only been in existence since 1999, when the Game and Fish Commission and the Marine Patrol were merged together to form FWC. In the 110 years you speak of, actually 18 conservation officers have bravely lost their lives in the line of duty. One was killed by people, who were not hunting, she encountered while doing her job. Three were killed by illegal hunters they were attempting to arrest. One was killed by a hunter who mistook the officer for game while turkey hunting. The other 13 were killed in boating accidents, traffic accidents, plane crashes, etc.. FWC Officers are State Law Enforcement Officers that do much more than just check hunters. Your sarcasm appalls me when referencing officers who lost their lives. Your comment ” there just aint that many criminals that hunt,” shows your ignorance.

    I thank all law enforcement for putting their life on the line daily so I can go about my life as a free American.

    http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/outdoors/hunting/game-warden/florida-game-wardens-killed-itlod.html

  4. Resident on February 25th, 2017 9:29 am

    Before you post do some research. There are many places to get wild and crazy. Boggs and Boulders is one. I take it you must be from California 429SCJ. From all of your post I see the resemblence. Just saying

  5. 429SCJ on February 24th, 2017 7:30 pm

    Our FWC Officers maintain order in our public recreational areas and regulate harvesting of game species. Families should not be exposed to intoxicated hooligans. FWC Officers preclude such behavior/conditions, maintain order.

    There should be an area though, where people can get wild and crazy, relax, have fun. A California Parks and Recreation Officer once described the Imperial Sand Dunes National Monument as “the most lawless place on earth”; something like that.

  6. Chris in Molino on February 24th, 2017 3:35 pm

    @Shay– Again, yes only 3. People always talk about them putting their lives on the line daily. Even you, “Good thing they didn’t walk up on a Boyette in the woods.” Well, if only three have been shot and killed on duty in over a hundred and ten years (yea 110 yrs) i’d say theres a good of a chance they get bitten by a shark or struck by lightning instead of killed. So if criminals hunting will do anything not to get caught and those officers were just lucky they didn’t get ambushed and stabbed, i’d say your either ignorant and wrong or there just aint that many criminals that hunt. By FWC weekly reports we know that answer.

  7. Shay on February 24th, 2017 9:31 am

    In it’s entire history, only 3 FWC have been killed by hunters.

    You say three like it’s no big deal. I say thank God it’s only been three! I think the dead officer’s families would agree.

    As far as the hunters only having knives..no one has ever been ambushed and stabbed to death with a knife right? Some criminals will do anything to stay out of jail or prison including killing Leo’s. The leo’s were lucky they were just men making stupid decisions and not a “Boyette” or sovereign citizen in the the woods. Yes we have them in Escambia County. Ask any deputy that has worked the Ensley and Cantonment area. As with every Leo nationwide these officers risk their lives every time they put their uniform on and go to work. The war being waged on our law enforcement is a real threat to these men and women who are simply doing their jobs.

  8. 429SCJ on February 24th, 2017 6:55 am

    “Two subjects walked out of the woods, with two hunting dogs on leashes”

    I do not recall mentioning the two individuals on the ATV?

  9. Really on February 24th, 2017 1:41 am

    No offense cj but how do you walk dogs on a atv sounds like catching them up after a run not a leisurely stroll.

  10. 429SCJ on February 23rd, 2017 11:24 pm

    I fail to see the significance of the “fixed blade knives”?

    I fail to see the unlawfulness in walking two dogs on leashes, less hunting firearms?

  11. Chris in Molino on February 23rd, 2017 8:58 pm

    Wow ! Nobody jumped on the bandwagon yet ? Ok, i’ll be the first.
    Great job FWC for putting your lives on the line for these awful terrible crimes (heavy sarcasm).
    By the way, in it’s entire history, only 3 FWC officers have been killed by hunters. More die by vehicle accidents while on duty. Maybe evasive driving tactics should be more emphasized than ticket writing. Oh wait, nope, revenue is much more important.