Congratulations to the 2012 Dixie Classic Junior Calling Contest Winners:

1st Place - Benjamin Pentecost
2nd Place - Kenny Weiss Jr.
3rd Place - Micah Pentecost

Congratulations to the 2012 Dixie Classic Intermediate Calling Contest Winners:

1st Place - Jeremiah Lanther
2nd Place - Benjamin Pentecost
3rd Place - Kenny Weiss

Congratulations to the 2012 Georgia State Open Calling Contest Winners:

1st Place - Kerry Terrell
2nd Place - Joe Drake
3rd Place - Chris Jannekos

Congratulations to the 2012 Dixie Classic Open Calling Contest Winners:

1st Place - Wayne Dozier
2nd Place - Danny Whitt
3rd Place - Bob Long

Congratulations to the 2012 Dixie Classic Friction Calling Contest Winners:

1st Place -  Robyn Day
2nd Place - Mike Pentecost
3rd Place -  Dale Hunsucker

Larry Etheridge (Pops), Wildlife Technician III

Click Here to read his story.

 Case Involvement

Corporal Eric Brown is an outstanding officer with over 12 years of service to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  During his tenure with the department he has maintained a 100 percent conviction rate on all wild turkey cases.  During the past year he apprehended violators for detrimental violations such as hunting over bait as well as hunting out of season.

Public Relations

Cpl. Brown has invested himself in his community as an ambassador for wildlife conservation.  He served 4 years as the co treasurer for his local NWTF chapter.  Cpl. Brown served as the Little Tallapoosa River Chapter JAKES Committee Chairman for 4 years and during this period the chapter received at the 2008 National Convention “Best JAKES Event Award for over 250 JAKES” category.  He is a member of the Sportsmen’s Outreach Program and coordinates their venison program that collects venison for those in need.  He developed the Carroll County Outdoor Camp and has worked with local scouts to build and maintain wood duck nesting boxes.  During the last year he has conducted 50 educational programs for local schools, civic groups, and public events.  He presented 13 Hunter Education Courses in Douglas and Carroll Counties.  He coordinates the annual training and awards dinner for his sections Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors.

Attitude

Cpl. Brown has a passion for wildlife conservation and it shows in every task he takes on.  He constantly strives to educate the public on the importance of wildlife conservation and the need for management through public support and hunting.  He takes every opportunity available to him to promote good stewardship of the natural resources.

Enthusiasm

Cpl. Brown constantly seeks new ways to perform his task.  He was instrumental in getting funding for several seismic sensors in his work section thus allowing him to monitor multiple areas simultaneously.  He always works with landowners to try and achieve their ultimate goals whether it involves enforcement actions or simply guidance on habitat manipulation or plantings.  Cpl. Brown is passionate about turkey hunting and often encourages others to join him in the sport.

Attitude Toward Other Department Employees and Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Cpl. Brown is the “Field Training Officer” for his work section.  He trains all new associates that are assigned in the work section.  He is well thought of by his peers and is often called to assist with workloads.  Cpl. Brown works well with his local Sheriff Departments and periodically teams up with them to achieve the greater good for the community in which he lives.  He also has a good working relationship with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with whom he has worked with on several cases.

Professionalism

Cpl. Brown is a very professional officer.  He is fair in all his enforcement actions and treats everyone equally.  He is respected by all throughout his community and receives numerous compliments on his job performance.

Dependability

Cpl. Brown is very dedicated to his career in wildlife conservation.  He constantly changes his off days to assist the public with enforcement and education request.  He is always available whether he is working or not for phone calls from colleagues and the public alike.

Investigative Skills

Cpl. Brown continuously strives to improve his investigative techniques.  He was awarded the “2005 Investigative Ranger of the Year” on a trapping case which involved four violators with over 1,000 charges both state and federal.  The case took two years to put together and involved not only Georgia wildlife officers but also Alabama and U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers.  Cpl. Brown has an excellent working relationship with his court systems and enjoys a near perfect conviction rate on violators.  This good relationship is due to his thorough written reports and his ability to collect and maintain a good “chain of custody” on evidence as well as his ability to testify well in court.

Supports Hunting Heritage

In 2005 Cpl. Brown started the Carroll County Outdoor Camp which takes up to 42 youths and exposes them to outdoor recreational activities.  During the week long camp each student is certified in Hunter Education and Boat Georgia.  The students learn to safely handle and shoot .22 caliber rifles and shotguns.  They are exposed to GPS orientation, a live snake show, mammal and plant identification, archery, boating, and fishing.  Cpl. Brown also conducts an annual spring event which provides outdoor recreation, wildlife education and shooting education to the public at no charge.  He participates in kids fishing events annually and assists other agencies with youth camps throughout the summer.  He recently put together a plant collection to aid in plant identification and wildlife usage for each.  This display is now used in teaching new Ranger Cadets in the Academy and has also been on display at the State Capitol in Atlanta during the “Sportsmen’s Day at the Capitol” event.  The collection is used at several events throughout the year.  It has been on display at the West Georgia Museum and at Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Outstanding Activities

Cpl. Brown has been an exceptional officer for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.  During his career he has been awarded the “2005 State Investigator of the Year”, “2005 State Ranger of the Year”, “2007 State Waterfowl Ranger of the Year”, “2008 Carrollton Parks and Recreation Volunteer of the Year”, “2010 State Hunter Education Instructor of the Year for Law Enforcement”, and now the “2011 State National Wild Turkey Federation Ranger of the Year”.