Wildlife Officer Ray Lynn Barnes Boat Ramp
End of Watch: Saturday, November 21, 1987
Congratulations to SassyMamma for FTF-- Yipee :)
Florida’s Emerald Coast is known for its white sand beaches and emerald green waters; However, our local clear spring-fed waters are equally as stunning.
The Ray Lynn Barnes Boat Ramp is a hidden little spot where you can cast a fishing line, launch a canoe, paddle a kayak down the Shoal River or bask in the sun on a sandbar. The ramp is maintained by the Okaloosa County Parks Division and has plenty of parking for boat trailers. Paddlers can enjoy a picnic lunch on sandbars on the nearly 10-mile float to the first take-out stop at the Bill Duggan Jr. park at 5999 Hwy 85 South. Other take-out wayside points are located further downstream at the Yellow River or Gin Hole Landing, but require a permit from Jackson Guard.
The shallowest part of the river is usually only one to four feet deep, and while paddlers may occasionally encounter a submerged log or two, there are no log jams. Along the way nature lovers will see an abundance of fish, turtles, Red-cockaded woodpeckers and red-shouldered hawks. The surrounding forest is home to Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, fox and coyote.
The boat ramp was named in honor of Wildlife Officer Ray Lynn Barnes whose end of watch with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission of Florida was November 21, 1987 at the age of 31. Officer Barnes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who was illegally hunting deer. The offender, Steven Allen Strange (25), was convicted of third degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison after he shot Barnes in the head and chest with the officer’s own weapon. Strange was paroled in 2004 after serving only half of his sentence; however, he was returned to the Florida Penitentiary for 35 years after his 3rd DUI, resisting and eluding officers, and driving with a revoked license. Officer Ray Barnes showed his love for the wilderness by protecting our natural resources so others could enjoy its beauty, thus this beautiful place was named in his memory.
Though posted hours are from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset, you should be able to access the cache even when the gate is closed. You can find out more, including a link to the Okaloosa County Geocache Trail, on the Okaloosa County Parks Web page. this hide was placed with permission from Okaloosa County Parks Department.