Man Charged With Hunting Deer Without License Near Allatoona Lake

An Acworth man is accused of poaching near U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property at Allatoona Lake.

Officers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division on Tuesday arrested and charged Stephen Christopher Smith, 32, of hunting without a license, hunting without a big game license, hunting deer without fluorescent orange and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Bartow County jail records show Smith was booked into their facility around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 2.

Sgt. Mike Barr, spokesperson with the state agency, said DNR officers received a call from Corps parks rangers, who asked for help to track down a man, armed with a rifle, who ran from them after confronted about his activities.

The property in question sits adjacent to Corps’ McKinney Campground, which is located off Kings Camp Road in southern Bartow County. Barr said two park rangers encountered a man dressed in full camouflage, wearing a mask and toting a rifle.

When they approached the man to inquire about what was going on, Barr said the man “took off.”

DNR officers were then called to the scene, and one of the responding officers ran into the suspect as he walked across the street — with the rifle in tow. Barr said the officer “was able to intercept him at this point.”

Officers discovered Smith was allegedly hunting on land adjacent to the lake, which Barr said was private property.

“He told us he didn’t have permission (to be there),” Barr added.

Officers checked to see if Smith had an active hunting license or a license to hunt big game, neither of which the suspect had, Barr added.

Additionally, Barr said officers also learned Smith — who was also not wearing the fluorescent orange required of hunters — was unable to obtain a hunting license because he owed child support. With that information, they were able to determine the suspect was a convicted felon, Barr said.

Meanwhile, officers who brought along a K-9 during the search stumbled upon fresh blood, which Barr said officers suspect belonged to deer. A search warrant was executed at Smith’s home, and Barr said officers also uncovered evidence of other firearms at the residence.

Barr said this case “really shows how important it is to cooperate” with park rangers as well as DNR officers.

Anyone who suspects illegal hunting is urged to call DNR’s Ranger Hotline at 1-800-241-4113.

Photo credit: Patch file