FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: Dec. 20-26, 2024

December 20, 2024, through December 26, 2024

This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks; 
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.

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CASES

Bay County

• Officer Bragg was conducting resource inspections at the Panama City Pier. A subject was found to be in possession of two flounder, one of which was undersized. The person next to the subject told Officer Bragg he informed the individual his fish were undersized but he kept them anyway. The subject was issued a citation for possession of undersized flounder.  

Escambia County

• Officer Cushing was conducting a fisheries inspection on a recreational vessel near Bayou Texar. Upon inspection one individual was found to be over the bag limit of blue crabs and many of the crabs were taken by gigging, which is a prohibited method. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken.  

Gulf County

• Officer Lipford was conducting resource inspections at an area boat ramp and discovered a resource violation pertaining to migratory bird daily bag limits. The appropriate action was taken. 

Holmes County

• Officers Fowler and Touchton located two subjects taking ducks past legal shooting hours. A resource inspection revealed the subjects had taken one wood duck after hours. It was determined both subjects were using lead shot and various license and permitting issues were found. The subjects were issued appropriate resource citations and warnings. 

Jackson County

• Officers Agoff and Palmer were patrolling at night and observed the occupants of a truck using a spotlight to shine deer feeding on the side of the road and immediately heard four gunshots. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle and occupants were found to be in possession of several loaded guns. They also recovered two spent shell casings. FWC K-9 River and handler K-9 Officer Coker located the deer that had been shot. The subjects were charged with attempting to take deer at night, shooting from the right-away, and willful and wanton waste. 

Washington County

• Officers Fowler and Meade responded to a call about a known convicted felon hunting with a firearm. A criminal history check of the subject revealed multiple felony convictions. The officers responded and located the subject’s vehicle. The officers were able to locate the individual in a treestand, who was in possession of a rifle. The subject admitted he knew he was not allowed to possess a rifle. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken.

CASES

Dixie County

• Officer Robson and Lieutenant Ward were on patrol along the coast when they observed a group return to their vehicle with fishing rods and a cooler.  When asked if they had any fish, one subject stated they just had bites. At the end of the resource inspection, the two subjects were discovered to be in possession of seven undersized spotted seatrout and neither subject possessed a valid saltwater fishing license. Officer Robson issued both subjects citations for the undersized fish and for not having the required fishing license.

Madison County

• Officers Dicks and Humphrey conducted an inspection on an individual hunting ducks from a canoe and found the individual was using a shotgun capable of holding more than three rounds, which is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The subject was issued a citation for hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun and three warnings for other violations.  

OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL

• Officer Jacobs responded to a call regarding six subjects keeping undersized gray (mangrove) snapper in Chassahowitzka. The reporting party indicated the subjects were in multiple vessels located near a residential canal. Officer Jacobs surveilled the area and located the subjects just as they were beginning to filet the fish. During the interaction, Officer Jacobs found the subjects to be in possession of 42 mangrove snappers with most being under the 10” size requirement. Each subject was issued citations for possession of undersized, and over the bag limit of mangrove snapper. 

CASES

Broward County

• Officers Giani and Gonzalez conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel at the Port Everglades. Their inspection revealed a subject on board was in possession of an undersized red grouper. The officers issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
• Officer Bouras conducted a resource inspection on a subject at the Dania Beach Pier. His inspection revealed the subject was in possession of undersized yellowtail snapper and undersized triggerfish. Bouras issued the subject a citation for the violations. 

Martin County

• While patrolling the Jensen Beach Causeway, Officer Whitty conducted a resource inspection on a subject fishing under the bridge. The subject opened his cooler, revealing he was over the bag limit for gray (mangrove) snapper.  A further search of the cooler uncovered 11 undersized gray snapper and one undersized, out-of-season gag grouper. The subject received citations for over the bag limit for gray snapper, possession of an out-of-season gag grouper, possession of undersized gag grouper, and possession of undersized mangrove snapper, along with an infraction for fishing without a saltwater shoreline license. 

Okeechobee County

• Officer Dziewiatkowski was patrolling along the Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park’s South Boundary and observed a vehicle traveling slowly along the state park’s fence line. During surveillance, the vehicle was seen coming to a complete stop and multiple subjects and dogs exited the vehicle and entered the state park. Officer Dziewiatkowski contacted the subjects, where he observed the subjects hog dog hunting.  All subjects were issued resource citations for hunting in the state park.

COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING

Martin County

• Officers from the South region organized an officer-led duck hunt for youth. Four youth were selected from local high schools to participate and they took a hunter safety course taught by officers and then embarked on a two-night camping trip. Each day the hunters limited out on ducks and experienced fishing, hog hunting, and a K-9 demo. They also learned about wildlife conservation. At the end of the weekend their parents joined them for a cook-out and they learned how to field dress and prepare their harvest.

Okeechobee County

• Major Davis, Officer Specialist Crosby, Officer Watson, K-9 Officer Madsen, Officer Pfeiffer and Officer Sacha as well as GOC II Mann and AA II Helton took part in the Okeechobee Christmas Parade.  Officers used several utility task vehicles and a swamp buggy decorated as a sleigh being pulled by reindeer for the event. There were over a thousand people in attendance for the parade.
• Officer Specialist Crosby and Officer Pfeiffer along with GOC II Mann took park in the 15^th annual Okeechobee Shop with a Cop for children in the local community. Everyone was partnered with family and the children were able to get themselves and family members gifts. The event was made possible by community donations.

Statewide Summary of Boating Related Law Enforcement Activities

For December 1-31, 2024