Courtesy of Georgia Department of Natural Resources
WILKES COUNTY, Ga. - A man is facing charges in Wilkes County after authorities say he tried to use an outlawed device to shock fish while fishing in a public creek, according to Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
What we know:
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Sgt. Matt Garthright and Game Warden Chason Brogdon were patrolling popular fishing areas last week when they encountered a man and woman fishing along a creek. As the officers approached, they noticed the man walking away while carrying a wooden box.
When the wardens moved closer, the man tossed the box into the water. Sgt. Garthright retrieved it and discovered it was an old crank-style telephone — a device historically used to deliver electrical charges into the water to stun fish, an illegal method of harvesting wildlife.
Neither individual had a valid fishing license, officials said. They were given the option to immediately purchase online licenses to come into compliance.
What's next:
The male fisherman was charged with shocking fish, and officers confiscated the crank telephone from the scene.