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ILLEGAL HUNTERS NABBED IN “OPERATION
NANNY”
November 21, 2006
Contact: Officer Wayne Hargabus, (352) 732-1225
Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) were out in force over the weekend
in the Ocala Wildlife Management Area for “Operation Nanny,”
targeting illegal deer hunting.
Eighteen FWC officers from the K-9,
investigations and aviation sections worked the operation.
“Our intention was to target the taking of illegal deer, public
safety issues relating to violations such as hunting from the
right-of-way, and hunting in the wildlife refuge,” said K-9
Officer Wayne Hargabus, who coordinated the detail.
The immensity of the 382,000-acre Ocala Wildlife
Management Area spread over three counties makes routine patrol
a daunting task. Aviation units directed ground units to
high-use areas and illegal activities in closed and restricted
areas. The FWC used K-9 units for tracking and searching for
evidence. K-9 teams are also trained to detect concealed
wildlife, fish or firearms and were vital in searching camps and
vehicles.
“The primary purpose of FWC K-9 teams is to
provide support and assistance to our law enforcement officers.
We have worked these types of details in the national forest for
the past four years and are pleased with the continued
successes,” FWC K-9 trainer Ros Welborn said.
Officers issued several citations for hunting in
the wildlife refuge, hunting from the right-of-way and damage to
public lands. Additionally, one individual was cited for taking
antlerless deer. In total, FWC officers issued 48 citations and
33 warnings.
“FWC law enforcement officers will continue
patrol efforts as well as stepped-up surveillance in
high-activity areas throughout the hunting season,” Hargabus
said.
The general gun hunting season for taking deer
in the Ocala Wildlife Management Area runs Nov. 11 – Jan. 7.
Hunters can take one deer with at least one antler measuring 5
inches or more per day on the area.
“Anyone who sees a violation of wildlife and
fish laws can call the Wildlife Alert hotline at (888) 404-3922
or visit
MyFWC.com/law/alert to report it. Callers may remain
anonymous and may be eligible to receive a reward if the call
results in an arrest,”said FWC’s Northeast Region law
enforcement spokesperson Kat Kelley.
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