January 27 – February 23, 2021
To increase awareness of Conservation Police Officers’ (CPOs, or previously called game wardens) activities, the “Virginia Conservation Police Notebook” provides an overview of activities encountered by our officers who protect natural resources and people pursuing outdoor recreation in the fields, woods and waters of Virginia. These reports are prepared from the officer’s field notes by Kim McCarthy, Executive Assistant of the Law Enforcement Division of DWR. These CPO reports show the value of concerned citizens, landowners and true sportsmen in providing tips to law enforcement officers on suspected violations by lawbreakers who give other outdoor enthusiasts an undeserved bad reputation.
Region I – Tidewater
Joint Operation Leads to Federal Charges – In a joint operation with VMRC on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Virginia DWR Officer Machen observed waterfowl bait from the air while conducting a joint patrol with VMRC Officer M. Hill. After CPO Machen conducted further investigation with Sgt. S. Garvis, a joint operation was set up with Federal USFWS Special Agents J. LaCorte and F. Rodriguez. After conducting concealed surveillance of the suspects hunting over the bait, officers made contact with them and detected several other violations. During the following interviews, confessions were obtained from the suspects, and the appropriate federal charges will be filed.
Officers on Eastern Shore Conclude Multi-year Investigation into Hunting Ducks Over Bait – During the 2019-2020 duck hunting season, Conservation Police Officer Brian Bratton located a small pond in Accomack county that had a high concentration of ducks on it. Further investigation revealed that the pond was baited with corn. Officer Bratton performed concealed observation on this pond for 2 weeks until the weather turned cold and the pond became frozen solid for the rest of the season.
During the 2020-2021 duck season, Officer Bratton found this pond to again be baited with corn. With the assistance of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Officer Darin Dick, the 2 officers performed concealed observation of this pond for 24 straight days. During this time the officers observed a subject place bait into the pond on 5 separate occasions. Due to the amount of bait on the pond, the officers also documented an unusually large number of birds utilizing the pond as well as the birds displaying abnormal behaviors, such as puddle ducks diving below the water surface to feed. On January 25, 2021 amidst near blizzard conditions, the officers observed 3 people arrive at the pond and begin setting up duck decoys. The hunters began shooting at birds coming into the pond within 10 minutes. The hunters did not stay long and began packing up around 7:20 am at which time both officers contacted the hunters. Due to the violations detected, their ducks were seized and charges for placement of bait and hunting over bait are pending in U.S. District Court.
Several Charges Placed on Duck Hunters – On January 28, 2021, Virginia CPO Terry Jordan was dispatched to a shooting from the road complaint in the City of Poquoson. A witness saw someone shooting at ducks from a vehicle across a public road. Officer Jordan arrived on scene and with the assistance of a Poquoson PD Officer, spoke with three suspects. The suspects were interviewed and confessed to their poor hunting decisions. The suspects had attempted to go waterfowl hunting from a boat earlier that morning, but had boat issues which prevented their trip. Later that morning, the three suspects decided to hunt from their pickup truck by shooting at ducks, from the public roadway, in the city. Multiple charges are being placed for failing to have hunting licenses, trespassing to hunt, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, taking over the limit of waterfowl, shooting from a public roadway and shooting near an occupied dwelling.
Duck Hunters Trespassing and Shoot Over the Limit – On Saturday January 30, 2021, CPO Brian Bratton received a call from a landowner stating that there were people duck hunting on a pond located on his property. Officer Bratton knew from past experiences with this landowner that no one was allowed to hunt this pond without his permission. Officer Bratton contacted CPO Anthony Pennino for assistance and the two officers met at the property. Once there, the officers met with the landowner. He said that when the hunters saw his vehicle, they ran off into the woods. The officers went into the field and found a truck with decoys in the bed of it hidden behind a tree line. They then started searching the area around the truck. Officer Bratton was scanning the nearby fence line with his binoculars when he located one of the hunters hiding behind a group of bushes. As he walked around towards the subject, he was able to see another hunter hiding nearby on the same fence line. As officer Bratton walked towards the hunters, they realized that they had been seen and came out and spoke with Officer Bratton. The hunters stated that a third person was hunting with them, but that he had fled into the woods when he saw the landowners truck. They said that the other hunters said he had permission to hunt there, but that they figured that he did not have permission when he ran away. Officers Bratton and Pennino later determined that the subject that fled was not allowed to be hunting because he had just recently had his hunting privileges revoked by the court for violation of other wildlife laws.
The officers began speaking with the two hunters that remained. They inspected their licenses, and equipment. The officers found one of the hunters’ guns to be unplugged. They also found where one of the hunters was not shooting non-toxic shells. In addition, the officers located the pile of ducks they had harvested that morning. Between the 3 hunters they had killed 18 Black ducks, which is three times their legal limit; the daily limit of black ducks is 2 per person. The investigation is still ongoing and charges for trespassing on posted property, hunt with unplugged shotgun, hunt with shot other than non-toxic, taking over limit of black ducks, hunting while license is revoked, as well as others will be handled appropriately.
Shooting from the Road – On January 28, 2021 Virginia CPO Terry Jordan was dispatched to a shooting from the road complaint in the City of Poquoson. A witness saw someone shooting at ducks from a vehicle across a public road. Officer Jordan arrived on scene and with the assistance of a Poquoson PD Officer, spoke with three suspects. The suspects were interviewed and confessed to their poor hunting decisions. The suspects had attempted to go waterfowl hunting from a boat earlier that morning, but had boat issues which prevented their trip. Later that morning, the three suspects decided to hunt from their pickup truck by shooting at ducks, from the public roadway, in the city. Multiple charges are being placed for failing to have hunting licenses, trespassing to hunt, hunting with an unplugged shotgun, taking over the limit of waterfowl, shooting from a public roadway and shooting near an occupied dwelling.
Region II – Southside
Search Warrant Executed – On December 13, 2020, Senior CPO Michael Morris initiated an investigation into illegal hunting activity in Bedford County. CPO Morris obtained a search warrant and executed it on December 15, 2020, with assistance from CPOs Leslie Wright and Tyler Routon. Items seized included a firearm and cellular phone. The suspects were interviewed and confessed to poaching multiple deer during the 2020 deer-hunting season, hunting with unauthorized firearms, hunting without the appropriate licenses, and selling wildlife parts. The investigation is still ongoing.
Digital Evidence Leads to Additional Suspect – In January 2021, Senior CPO Michael Morris was examining digital evidence seized as part of an investigation initiated in December 2020. As a result, he was able to identify multiple violations committed by a previously unknown suspect. During a follow up interview, the suspect admitted to poaching ten deer during the 2020 deer-hunting season, hunting without the appropriate licenses, and failing to check his deer as required by law. The appropriate action was taken.
CPOs Engage Local Youth Hunters – On January 16, 2021, CPOs Shane Wilson, Michael Morris, Leslie Wright, and Brett Clawson assisted with an outdoor skill youth rabbit hunt in Botetourt County. The CPOs spoke to the youth hunters about the role of Conservation Police Officers in protecting our natural resources and then worked closely with them during the hunt to ensure a safe experience for all. The event concluded with a home cooked meal consisting of rabbit, potatoes, and onions. Everyone who attended left happy and with full stomachs.
After-Hours Waterfowl Hunting – On January 30, 2021, CPO Nicholas Belotte and K9 Officer Tyler Blanks received information about waterfowl hunting after hours in Charlotte County. The officers identified the area being hunted and watched the hunters during the evening hunt and observed that they continued hunting after legal hours. In total, five hunters were observed continuing to call and shoot at waterfowl. Upon exiting the hunting area, the officers conducted a compliance check. Shortly thereafter, they charged all five hunters with hunting after hours and license violations.
Region IV – Mountains & Shenandoah Valley and Northern Piedmont
Local CPOs Present the Protector Challenge Coin – On Saturday, January 30, 2021, Conservation Police Officers presented Lloyd Winters with the O.P.S. Protector Challenge Coin for his support of CPO’s and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Lloyd is Frederick County’s Hunter Education Coordinator and has been a volunteer instructor since 2009. He has logged almost 1000 hours while educating over 1500 students. In addition, Lloyd is also a Boater Education Instructor, International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) Instructor, and a member of the Complementary Work Force. He is always willing to lend a hand to support CPO’s and VDWR. District 41 is honored to present the Protector Challenge Coin to Lloyd and to call him a friend!
Several Violations on Hunter on Oakley Forest WMA – On Feb. 7, 2021, CPO Daniel Eller was patrolling Oakley Forest WMA in Spotsylvania County due to past complaints of ATVs being ridden on the WMA, especially when it snowed. While patrolling, Eller encountered an individual who was using a blow-dart gun to hunt squirrels and rabbits. The hunter was also in violation of the regulation prohibiting hunting on the WMA on Sundays. Eller inspected the hunter’s hunting license and found it was expired. The hunter was advised of the multiple violations and the appropriate charges were placed.
Violations on WMA – On Feb. 7, 2021, CPO Daniel Eller was patrolling Oakley Forest WMA in Spotsylvania County due to past complaints of ATVs being ridden on the WMA, especially when it snowed. While patrolling, Eller encountered an individual who was using a blow-dart gun to hunt squirrels and rabbits. The hunter was also in violation of the regulation prohibiting hunting on the WMA on Sundays. Eller inspected the hunter’s hunting license and found it was expired. The hunter was advised of the multiple violations and the appropriate charges were placed.
Special Operations
K9 Unit Provides Educational Program – On Feb 20, 2021, Conservation Police Officer Mark VanDyke and his K-9 partner Avery conducted a K-9 presentation for a church teen/youth group in Wise County. Officer VanDyke spoke on the role and responsibilities of DWR’s K-9 units. Some of the youth leaders are teachers in Wise County and have expressed interest in having DWR’s K-9 Units come in their class rooms and conduct a demo for the school. Some of the teens expressed interest in a career as a Conservation Police Officer (CPO). Officer VanDyke was able to provide advice to those seeking a career as a CPO. After the event, students and staff were able to meet and interact with Avery.