DISTRICT 1
Conservation Officer (CO) Anna Viau and Corporal (Cpl.) Brett DeLonge taught a class at the fall Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop in Big Bay. The COs taught a self-confidence class that teaches basic self-defense techniques and provides some tips to help women feel more confident when recreating in the outdoors alone or in small groups.
Sergeant (Sgt) Brian Bacon and CO Anna Viau responded to a brush fire near Iron River. A man had been burning some garden debris on a day burning was not permitted in Iron County. The fire had gotten out of control and had spread into the neighboring forest. Thankfully, only a few acres burned, no structures were damaged, and no one was injured. The man was cited for burning while not permitted.
CO Jackson Kelly responded to a reported domestic violence situation with a suicidal female. Sheriff deputies had already arrived on scene and were searching the area. CO Kelly was able to locate the subjects just before they left the area and turn them over to the deputies. The female was taken into protective custody and transported to the local hospital.
COs Jeremy Sergey, Ethen Mapes, John Kamps, Peter Shambaugh, Sgt. Marc Pomroy and Cpl. Douglas Hermanson taught at a hunter safety field day at the Baraga Customer Service Center. There were 18 students who participated in the class.
COs John Kamps and Jeremy Sergey ran a grouse decoy to target road hunters. A side-by-side approached and stopped in front of the decoy. The COs were able to observe the person in the back seat of the off-road vehicle (ORV) open the door with a shotgun, and while still being seated, take aim at the decoy. Additionally, the person was not wearing any hunter orange clothing. A citation was issued for the uncased gun in a motor vehicle.
DISTRICT 2
COs Brandon Maki and Andrea Dani hosted two hunter safety field days in Alger County. The COs were assisted by local volunteers and a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division technician. Live fire of pellet guns was provided by U.P. Whitetails Association of Alger County.
CO Brandon Maki responded to a safety zone complaint early one morning in Alger County. A subject admitted to hunting waterfowl well within 150 yards of residences. A report was submitted to the Alger County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
CO Robert Freeborn responded to a two-car personal injury accident involving a pickup truck failing to yield while crossing a busy county road and striking an oncoming vehicle. There were two serious, but non-life-threatening injuries sustained in one of the cars. A medical helicopter was called to assist due to the condition of one of the passengers. A citation was issued to the driver of the pickup truck that was at fault.
CO Mike Olesen was working a nighttime shining patrol in Chippewa County when he observed a vehicle parked along the side of a road near some secluded agricultural fields. CO Olesen pulled up to the vehicle and contacted the operator and passenger. It was determined that they were not hunting but CO Olesen observed two open alcohol containers in the vehicle. CO Olesen ran the operator of the vehicle through standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) and cited both the operator and passenger for possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle.
COs from District 2 made an arrest in a long-term investigation of many larcenies from state forest campground registration pay pipes in northern Luce County. Surveillance techniques were deployed throughout the summer of 2024 that assisted in developing a suspect and the vehicle that was being used. The surveillance techniques showed an individual retrieving money from the locked pay pipes at the campgrounds. After four months, contact was made with the suspect who was in the act of stealing money from the locked depository pipes at state forest campgrounds. Upon contact, the COs recovered the burglary tool used by the suspect. Additionally, the COs recovered nearly $2,000 that had been stolen from the pay pipes at five state forest campgrounds that weekend (including several recorded bills previously placed in the pay pipes). The suspect’s vehicle was towed and upon an inventory search of the vehicle, COs found clothing that matched clothing worn by the suspect at previously recorded thefts. The suspect was interviewed and confessed to his actions throughout 2023 and 2024. The suspect was lodged in the Luce County Jail and was held on statewide felony warrants from the Attorney General’s Office. The man was tied to eleven different thefts that had been recorded via surveillance since June of 2024. Charges requested include safe breaking, larceny of more than $1,000, tampering with locked depository box, possession of burglary tools, and operating on a cancelled driver’s license. Assisting agencies included the Michigan State Police (MSP), Sault Ste. Marie Police Department, and Mackinac Bridge Operations.
DISTRICT 3
CO Chad Baldwin attended a career day at Central Lake Schools and spoke with students ranging from Pre-K to sixth grade. CO Baldwin had his patrol truck and side-by-side on display for the students to look at and ask questions about. The students were able to get hands-on experience with a variety of equipment that COs carry daily and depart the presentation with a good understanding of what a CO’s career entails.
CO Andrea Albert received a complaint of a subject who was trespassing and attempting to spear salmon in a local trout stream. CO Albert was able to contact the suspect who at first stated he thought they were suckers. Then he admitted that when he saw the salmon he couldn’t help himself. The subject did not have a fishing license, was in possession of an illegal device on a trout stream, in possession of fishing equipment on a closed stream, and was trespassing. The spear was seized, and a warrant request was submitted for recreational trespass and for the illegal possession of the spear on a trout stream.
After several attempts, CO Andrea Albert was able to contact a subject hunting over a very large pile of bait. The bowhunter claimed he did not know baiting was still illegal, even though he had been ticketed for the same offense two years ago. CO Albert asked him several times if he had taken any deer so far this season, which he denied. When asked about the blood in his truck bed he said it was from a doe he shot two weeks ago. After further investigation, the habitual offender was ticketed for hunting deer over bait, no name, address or license number on a tree stand, and for failing to report a deer harvest within 72 hours.
CO Jack Gorno interviewed a subject in Cheboygan regarding a 2024 bow season kill. CO Gorno noticed the tags were purchased after legal shooting hours on October 4th and validated for the 4th as well. CO Gorno conducted an interview and received a confession. A report will be created and sent to the Presque Isle County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The deer was seized as evidence.
CO Kyle Cherry responded, along with the MSP and Otsego County emergency medical services (EMS), to a report of a man who was undergoing an unknown medical event at a residence in Otsego County. According to the man’s wife, he was not making sense and was carrying a firearm. CO Cherry assisted the responding MSP trooper in securing the scene and subject so that EMS could successfully transport the man to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Sgt. Michael Mshar assisted at the Foundation of Hope hunt for disabled individuals. He instructed the participants and their mentors on the safe practices of firearm hunting and other outdoor related activities.
COs Matt Theunick and Tim Rosochacki responded to a medical call in Tuscarora Township. A person had both hands caught and pinched in a treadmill. The COs, along with the Tuscarora Township Police and Tuscarora Fire Department were able to free the subject’s hands.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was just clearing a wildfire in Montmorency County when he responded to an ORV injury accident at the Montmorency/Presque Isle County line. Upon arriving, it was determined that a group of ORVs were operating on a non-designated trail that is not maintained by anyone. One of the operators hit a large hole causing them to fly over their handlebars. The subject was in immense pain with a broken arm and possibly other minor injuries. The subject was transported to the Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord by EMS for treatment.
CO Alex Bourgeois was patrolling the Thunder Bay River at night when he observed a large group of people fishing. CO Bourgeois conducted a routine check on the group and found that several of the anglers were using large treble hooks. CO Bourgeois issued tickets to the anglers for using treble hooks greater than 3/8ths of an inch on a designated trout stream.
CO Alex Bourgeois received a complaint from the Report-All-Poaching (RAP) hotline reporting that a man had shot a deer at night using a firearm. COs Bourgeois and Jon Sheppard went to the suspect’s hunting camp and interviewed the suspect. It was discovered that the reported violations did not occur. Unfortunately for the hunter, the COs did determine that he had shot the deer without a license. CO Bourgeois seized the deer and issued the man a ticket for hunting without a valid license on his person. The seized deer was donated.
CO Alex Bourgeois was on patrol in central Alpena County when he observed an ORV in front of him with no taillights. CO Bourgeois initiated a traffic stop and discovered that the driver of the ORV was not wearing a helmet. The driver of the ORV also had a small child in his lap without a helmet on. CO Bourgeois issued a ticket to the driver for not wearing a helmet and a warning for the other violations.
CO Jon Sklba finished up an investigation of multiple illegal deer in Presque Isle County. The deer were shot with a rifle, at night, and with the use of a spotlight. Multiple subjects were involved, and confessions obtained. A report was submitted to the prosecutor's office for charges.
CO Jon Sklba came upon two separate grass fires along I-75 south of Indian River while heading to the district office in Gaylord. CO Sklba was able to extinguish both fires prior to any fire officials arriving on scene.
DISTRICT 4
CO Josiah Killingbeck checked two subjects cutting firewood on public land. The subjects were unable to produce a permit. CO Killingbeck learned that the truck had no insurance, the driver did not have a valid driver’s license and had an outstanding warrant. While waiting for confirmation on the warrant, the subject fled into the woods on foot. A K9 deputy arrived on-scene and began tracking the suspect. The track was unsuccessful due to other pedestrian traffic in the area. While waiting for a wrecker to impound the vehicle, the suspect’s girlfriend showed up in a vehicle that displayed expired license plates. Upon contacting the girlfriend, CO Killingbeck learned that there was no insurance on the girlfriend’s vehicle and the plates were improper. The girlfriend’s vehicle was impounded as well. CO Killingbeck conducted an hour-long investigation and was able to learn of the suspect’s whereabouts. CO Killingbeck watched the suspect get picked up by a vehicle. CO Killingbeck initiated a traffic stop with the assistance of Lake County deputies and the suspect was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Lake County Jail.
CO Timothy Barboza had been contacted by another CO downstate regarding an individual in CO Barboza’s county who had a warrant for possessing game while their hunting license was revoked. CO Barboza was familiar with the individual, who has a lifetime hunting revocation. CO Barboza located the suspect coming out of the field with a licensed hunter, CO Barboza contacted the suspect and interviewed him in reference to being in the field and hunting. The suspect stated he had taken a hunter out that morning; after looking up the hunter the suspect had taken out, CO Barboza learned the hunter was a mentored youth hunter. Mentored youth hunters must be accompanied by a valid hunter with tags for that specific game. A report was submitted to the Newaygo County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
CO Ben Shively responded to assist Oceana County deputies with a personal injury ORV accident where a side-by-side had rolled over with a rear seat passenger pinned under the ORV. While responding, central dispatch advised the injured individual was unresponsive and they were giving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instructions. CO Shively arrived on scene and assisted first responders with applying his automated external defibrillator (AED) to the subject. Unfortunately, with the life saving measures given, the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene. None of the occupants of the ORV were wearing seatbelts.
CO Ben Shively contacted two hunters on federal land on a baiting and illegal tree stand complaint that he has been working for two deer seasons in Oceana County. CO Shively contacted a female in the illegal stand and while talking with her, her boyfriend walked up and admitted to placing the bait and the tree stand the last two years to help her get her first deer. The boyfriend was cited for placing bait to hunt deer and issued a warning for no name or address on the tree stand.
COs Kevin Bunce and Angela Greenway taught the legal portion of hunter education at the Legends Ranch of Bitely. In attendance were over 60 individuals.
DISTRICT 5
COs Matthew Zultak, Ben McAteer, and Sgt. Brian Olsen responded to a civil standby to assist the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department. While at the residence, it was discovered a resident had shot an antlerless deer over bait without a license. A report will be submitted to the Roscommon County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
CO Matthew Zultak responded to a safety zone complaint in Roscommon County. Upon arrival at the venue, a suspect was located. The suspect admitted to killing two ducks within 20 yards of residential homes. Four spent shell casings were located within the safety zone. The ducks were seized, and a report is pending at the Roscommon County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Jeff Goss received a complaint about a possible illegally killed deer at a residence in Arenac County. Upon arrival, CO Goss was told that nobody at the residence had shot a deer and that there were no deer on the premises. After interviewing multiple people, it was discovered that a male subject who lived at the house had indeed illegally killed a deer with a firearm. After being confronted with the evidence, the subject confessed to killing a total of three bucks with a rifle during archery season. Two 8-point bucks and a 10-point buck were seized as well as a 30-06 rifle. Charges are being sought through the Arenac County Prosecutor’s Office.
COs Josh Russell, Dan Robinson, and Jeff Goss recently checked a bait pile in Gladwin County. In the process, they encountered a hunter sitting over the bait. After speaking with the hunter, it was determined that there had been several deer taken over the bait pile. The hunter did not have his licenses on him and did not have his hunting stand properly labeled. A citation for the illegal bait was issued and further investigation is being conducted into the circumstances of the deer that have been shot.
DISTRICT 6
CO Adam Beuthin was on patrol checking waterfowl hunters at the Shiawassee River State Game Area (SGA) when he observed an individual hunting. When he contacted the hunter, the CO observed an empty alcoholic beverage container near him and two more full ones that had not been opened. It was also determined the hunter had 37 shotgun shells in his possession. The legal limit of shells when hunting in the managed waterfowl area is 25. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Jacob Daniel received a complaint of a youth shooting a buck over bait and not tagging it. COs Daniel and Kory Crawley interviewed the father of the youth who admitted to both hunting over the bait as well as failing to immediately tag. Charges are being sought through the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office.
COs Jacob Robinson and Sgt. Chad Forester were on patrol in Montcalm County when they received a complaint about a subject who was trespassing and baiting deer on private property. The COs were able to contact the subject at the private property and the subject admitted to hunting deer over shelled corn and salt licks. Charges are pending with the Montcalm County District Court for recreational trespass and baiting deer in a closed area.
CO Jacob Robinson was patrolling in Montcalm County when he witnessed a subject “slow rolling” in an ORV while small game hunting. The CO contacted the subject and found the subject to be in possession of an uncased and loaded firearm in an ORV. The CO educated the subject as to why firearm safety is essential for the safety of himself and others. A citation was issued for possession of an uncased and loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.
COs Jacob Robinson and Marissa Sturtevant were patrolling in Montcalm County when they heard a car accident called out over Montcalm Central Dispatch on the edge of the Flat River SGA. The COs were the first on scene of the car crash and triaged the scene helping multiple victims until EMS, the MSP, and local fire departments arrived on scene.
COs Michael Lator and Adam Schiller received a RAP complaint in Gratiot County about an individual who may have taken several deer in the middle of the night, possibly with a firearm. The COs contacted the suspect and his wife at their residence and observed a corn pile in the backyard with a spotlight overlooking the bait. The individual immediately began lying to the COs and changed his story several times before eventually admitting that he shot two deer, a 7-point buck and a doe. The suspect admitted to shooting the deer in the middle of the night with a crossbow. Further questioning by the COs discovered that the individual had also taken the deer over the bait pile in his yard while utilizing the spotlight. The individual also did not have deer licenses, used his wife’s license to tag one deer, and failed to tag the second deer entirely. Charges are pending at the prosecutor's office for numerous violations.
CO Kyle Bucholtz responded to a complaint of an abandoned camper and sport utility vehicle on state land. CO Bucholtz tagged the vehicles for impoundment and returned to the site multiple days later. While on scene with the tow truck in route, CO Bucholtz was contacted by family who stated the owner of the vehicles had been arrested and was lodged out of the county. CO Bucholtz confirmed this and asked the family to remove the vehicles from state land so the land could be utilized while their relative is in jail. The vehicles are scheduled to be removed by the family shortly.
COs Paul Lyden, Christopher Kravitsky, and Kyle Romzek were patrolling the Lexington Harbor for possible snagging activity. During their patrol, they observed two subjects fishing and watched as they snagged several fish. The COs contacted the subjects as they walked back to their vehicles and issued citations for the illegal fishing activity.
CO Chris Kravitsky received a RAP complaint about live traps that were not being checked on a regular basis. CO Kravitsky arrived at the location and found a live trap that contained a skunk. CO Kravitsky left the skunk in the trap and came back 24 hours later to verify the trap had not been checked as required by law. Twenty-four hours later, the skunk was still in the trap and was then released. CO Kravitsky followed up with the owner of the property as they lived out of the area and found that they were only coming up to the property every few days. The owner of the traps was cited for the violation.
DISTRICT 7
CO Jeremy Beavers was working a closed trout stream in Ionia County where he located three subjects using nets to harvest salmon. The suspects were netting the salmon and running them to their vehicle. Upon contacting the suspects, he obtained confessions and recovered 15 salmon for 110 pounds of illegally harvested salmon.
CO Mark Reffitt was checking anglers on the Grand River in Ionia County when he contacted an individual who appeared to be camping out of his vehicle on private land without permission. CO Reffitt recognized the subject’s name from evidence he obtained during a recent state land littering investigation. CO Reffitt interviewed the subject who admitted he was the one who dumped the trash. CO Reffitt cited the suspect for the violation.
CO Kyle McQueer was at his residence completing an online meeting when Barry County Central Dispatch put out a call for CPR in progress. He was less than a mile away from the location. CO McQueer arrived two minutes after the initial call and was the first responder on scene. Upon arrival, CO McQueer was waved over by an individual who guided him to the individual in need. He observed an individual who was unconscious, not breathing, and did not have a pulse. CO McQueer applied his automated external defibrillator (AED), and a shock was given to the individual. CO McQueer then conducted CPR for approximately nine minutes before Orangeville Fire Department (OVFD) arrived on scene. From there, OVFD was able to gain a pulse, and the individual was ultimately transported to the hospital by EMS for further treatment. Approximately a week later, CO McQueer received a phone call stating the individual who was in need, was now alert and talking.
CO Travis Dragomer contacted a suspect regarding a “shots fired” complaint. CO Dragomer located illegal bait as well as an 8-point buck that was shot on October 1st and never harvest reported. CO Dragomer warned the hunter on illegally baiting and was given a ticket for failing to report his deer harvest within 72 hours.
CO Travis Dragomer observed an angler attempting to snag fish in a closed trout stream. After contacting the angler, the CO determined that he was using an un-baited treble hook, fishing without a license, and had a coho in his possession. Tickets were issued for possessing a fish on a closed trout stream and using the un-baited hook. A warning was issued for not having a fishing license.
CO Tyler Cole was working a busy location near a dam on the Paw Paw River. While checking fishing licenses and gear, CO Cole observed a subject fighting a fish. While watching and in plain view of the angler, it was observed that the fish was foul hooked in the back. The angler proceeded to net the fish and to CO Cole’s surprise, put the fish on a stringer. The angler who CO Cole was talking to at the time commented, “Does he really not see you right now?” Upon noticing the CO standing right next to him, the angler lowered his head and stated, “How long have you been here?” At this time, the angler became aggravated and proceeded to throw his fishing pole into the rapids of the dam and began to walk away. CO Cole instructed the subject to not leave the area and to collect his remaining fishing gear if he was leaving. CO Cole issued citations for retain foul hooked fish and littering.
CO Tyler Cole observed two subjects fishing within a closed section of the river while patrolling the Black River during the fall salmon run. Contact was made with the subjects who were found to be fishing without licenses and using a homemade snagging device consisting of a long metal pole and a treble hook with weight permanently attached. Tickets were issued for using an illegal fishing method, fishing in a closed stream, and fishing without a license.
CO Matt Page observed an individual show up to a shallow creek and immediately cast and snag a salmon on his first attempt. CO Page observed the foul hooked fish thrown into the weeds before the subject cast three more times attempting to snag on all three casts. Finally, the individual snagged into a second salmon and again retained the foul hooked fish. CO Page contacted the angler who stated he was “just tight lining.” Both fish were seized, and a ticket was issued for retaining foul hooked fish.
DISTRICT 8
CO Marc Mankowski reunited with an individual who walked away from a compliance check a few days prior to give back his driver’s license and fishing license. CO Mankowski told the angler to meet him at the sheriff’s office, which he did, and was given his belongings but was arrested for a felony warrant. Soon after he was lodged, the Attorney General called and dismissed the case, and the individual was released from jail. Total time spent in jail was approximately 22 minutes.
COs Wes Butler and Brandon Benedict were checking baited tree stands in Clinton County when they came across an individual hunting over a mineral block. The COs approached the hunter and asked the hunter to climb out of his tree stand so they could speak to him about the bait. The hunter admitted to placing bait in front of his stand over the past several months, he just never thought he would get caught. CO Butler issued the hunter a ticket for hunting over bait.
CO Elliot Worel observed a man walking out of the woods on commercially owned private property holding an antlered deer skull. CO Worel stopped to talk with the man and found that he had an empty crossbow case and a bucket of pears in the bed of his truck. The man stated that he was only hunting for antler sheds and left his crossbow at home. After the man was identified, it was confirmed with Station 20 and CO Jason McCullough that he had multiple trespassing violations for being on the mentioned property and he was told not to return. CO Worel issued the man a citation for criminal trespass and seized the antlered skull.
CO Nick Thornton responded to a fire with a large plume of black smoke with the Coldwater Fire Department. CO Thornton noticed a very large garbage fire on the ground with solid waste items such as fiberglass, plastics, pressurized containers, and numerous other items. CO Thornton contacted the individual who started the fire, and he explained he was cleaning out the large commercial building and decided to burn the garbage in a pile instead of paying for a dumpster. CO Thornton cited the individual for the open burning of solid waste.
CO James Rowley responded to an Ingham County Sheriff’s Office call of a suicidal subject inside the Dansville SGA. The individual was 14 years old and had taken an overdose of prescription medication and half a bottle of mouthwash. CO Rowley located the vehicle being driven by the individual’s mother on a trail deep inside the game area. The individual was at the mother’s vehicle, conscious and breathing. CO Rowley verified an ambulance was enroute and advised dispatch to have the ambulance meet at the entrance of the two-track and Dexter Trail. Upon exiting the two-track, an Ingham County Sheriff’s Office deputy, MSP trooper, and area ambulance were on scene. The individual was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Sgt. Rich Nickols stopped by a deer processor to check for a deer associated with a complaint. Instead, he located a deer with a license on it that had been purchased just two hours prior. Sgt. Nickols interviewed the owner of the license who stated he shot the deer in Indiana. The subject provided his Indiana deer license and a transportation tag that was not validated. Follow-up will be done with the Indiana DNR for possible charges there in addition to the charge for the illegal importation of a cervid.
CO Lisa Taube responded to a RAP complaint of recreational trespass in Unadilla Township in Livingston County. Upon arrival, CO Taube was shown the illegal tree stand put up on the property owner’s land. The complainant stated that the neighbor was trespassed five years earlier and knows where the property lines are. Contact was made with the suspect who advised his grandson owned the tree stand in question and had placed it there. The grandson was then contacted, and he had believed that his stand was on his grandfather’s property. The grandson was educated, and he removed the illegal tree stand. The complainant decided not to pursue prosecution since the suspect was the neighbor’s grandson.
DISTRICT 9
COs Dave Schaumburger and Ariel Young were patrolling the Detroit River checking anglers as the walleye bite has been amping up for the fall. Upon contact with one angler, it was determined that they did not possess a current year fishing license. A citation was issued, and a warning was given for the same boat for failing to provide a fire extinguisher.
While responding to a complaint and checking waterfowl hunters, CO Dan Walzak encountered three subjects who were in possession of a bird. After checking their licenses and gear, the CO turned to the subject of the bird. All three subjects thought that the bird was a teal until CO Walzak pointed out that it was missing a couple of features that a teal would have – specifically a flat bill and the speculum in the wing. In the end, the bird was identified as a grebe, and a citation was issued for the taking of a non-game species.
CO Griffin Korican received a RAP complaint of bait being placed in front of a tree stand and trail camera that both were labeled with a name and address. After researching the individual, CO Korican discovered the suspect had reported harvesting a 6-point buck the day before the complaint was filed in the same township that the baited stand was located. CO Korican interviewed the suspect about the deer and the suspect confessed to shooting the deer over bait. Charges will be submitted to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Griffin Korican received a call from DNR dispatch regarding an individual who self-reported for taking a deer without his kill tag (license) in possession. Upon contacting the individual, CO Korican was informed it was the first time this individual had utilized our online purchasing system and thought the online receipt was a valid kill tag. The individual stated it was a complete misunderstanding and that he realized upon reporting his harvest, he did not have anything to attach to the deer. The individual received a citation for failing to immediately tag the deer.
CO Griffin Korican was patrolling and observed a vehicle parked off the road near a known baited tree stand. Upon walking into the stand, an individual was found hunting in the tree stand overlooking the bait. The individual initially stated that the bait was not put out by her; however, after further questioning she confessed to placing the bait under the tree stand. The individual also told the CO that she had cleared the trail as well as shooting lanes which is a violation on state land. The subject was cited for baiting deer in a closed area and for clearing brush on state land. The subject was warned for occupying an unlabeled tree stand.
COs Luke Robare and Justin Muehlhauser responded to a “shots fired” call from Genesee County Central Dispatch. It sounded like some duck hunters, but they were hunting within a closed area of Fenton Township where the discharge of a firearm is prohibited. COs Robare and Muehlhauser located the group of hunters and explained the violation of the local hunting control. The hunters were issued citations for violating a local hunting control.
CO Justin Muehlhauser tracked down a hunter who slipped away from his hunting spot on opening day of bow season when the CO attempted to contact him. The CO was monitoring the location and knew the hunter was at the location. When the CO went to make contact, he was gone and slipped away into a corn field. The site was baited with corn and apples and the suspect was trespassing at the location. Further, it was discovered that the suspect was hunting without a license. The CO interviewed the suspect who admitted to hunting during early antlerless season and opening day of archery season without a license. He also admitted to placing the bait. The CO advised the suspect that charges would be sought for trespassing, hunting without a license, and baiting.
CO Brad Silorey worked the pheasant opener. A complaint was taken from a resident near St. John’s Marsh regarding people hunting too close to a residential area and pellets raining down on the properties. CO Silorey arrived on scene and mapped out distances with the caller. Multiple hunters were contacted, but no hunters were observed in the safety zone at that time. CO Silorey issued a citation to a hunter for hunting with lead shot in a non-toxic only hunting area.
CO Brad Silorey received a complaint regarding subjects dumping large quantities of yard waste into the Clinton River. The caller stated the lawn care business shows up on a weekly basis, clears the homeowner’s yard, and then dumps several tarps and trailers full of leaves and yard waste into the river. CO Silorey was able to respond the following day when the complainant stated the lawncare employees showed up to clear the yard. CO Silorey was able to watch the subject clear the large property and begin to dump a large quantity of leaf litter and yard waste into the river. CO Silorey contacted the subject before they dumped the entirety of their filled trailer into the river. After speaking with the subjects, they stated the homeowner was the owner of the business and has been doing it for 50-plus years. A citation was issued for littering into the waterway. Disposing of yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves, in a lake, river, stream, or wetland is harmful to water quality. It adds excessive phosphorus and can deplete the oxygen in the water, which can kill aquatic animals. It can also impair our ability to recreate and harms fish habitat.
CO Joseph Deppen responded to a complaint about a subject hunting over large piles of corn on state land. CO Deppen arrived at the location and found a subject with a crossbow in a ground blind. CO Deppen noticed five piles of corn approximately 30 feet from the ground blind. The suspect denied knowing there were five piles of corn near his blind. The suspect was cited for hunting deer over bait.
CO Joseph Deppen received a complaint that at a local fishing access site, one group of anglers were catching and keeping undersized bass. The complainant said the subject was hiding a bass under his vehicle and it’s been there over 20 minutes. CO Deppen arrived on scene shortly after and located the suspect vehicle and using binoculars, he could see the outline of a fish under the driver’s side tire. CO Deppen drove into the launch and the suspects noticed the fully marked patrol truck headed their way. CO Deppen drove directly to the suspect’s vehicle and exited his patrol truck quickly. The suspect reached under his vehicle and threw a small largemouth bass back into the water. As CO Deppen reached the railing all he could see was the bass hitting the water and a large splash. CO Deppen asked why they threw a fish in the water as he was approaching and what type of fish was it. The angler said it was a bass they just caught and released. CO Deppen patiently checked fishing licenses of the anglers. Soon a small largemouth bass surfaced right where the ripples were settling. CO Deppen looked at the anglers and said, “What’s that?” The anglers said that was their fish they just threw away and it was starting to swim. CO Deppen borrowed a net from another angler and scooped up the dead largemouth bass. The largemouth bass measured at 10 inches. The angler was cited for take/possess largemouth bass less than 14 inches.
COs Joseph Deppen and Kris Kiel followed up with a potential illegal deer investigation. The COs arrived at the suspect’s house and during the interview, the suspect admitted to taking a 10-point buck over bait and without a license. The rack was seized from a local taxidermist and the meat was donated to a local family. Multiple charges are being sought through the prosecutor’s office.
CO Joseph Deppen has been attempting to track down a suspect for two weeks who improperly tagged a 6-point buck with a 4+ restricted deer tag. CO Deppen drove past the suspect’s house and saw him in the driveway. CO Deppen pulled in and began speaking with the suspect about the tagging violation. As the interview developed, CO Deppen discovered the suspect also shot the deer a full day before purchasing his license. Charges are being sought through the prosecutor’s office for take deer without a license, transport deer without a kill tag, and tagging violations.
CO Robert Watson received a complaint regarding target shooting in the Hewitt Pit in Grant Township of St. Clair County. CO Watson contacted two young males who had both been shooting. CO Watson informed the two males the pit had recently been closed to shooting and pointed out the signage that they walked past to enter the property. Further investigation led to one of the males having an active warrant out of Midland County. The warrant was verified and valid, however, Midland declined to extradite. A citation was issued to one of the males for target shooting in a closed area.
CO Robert Watson was patrolling the St. John’s Marsh Wildlife Area and encountered a motorhome which appeared to be prepared to stay long term. Long term camping/living within the game areas and wildlife areas has been an ongoing issue in southern Michigan. The camper was not home but had posted a “camp card.” CO Watson recognized the name as an individual that had caused multiple issues last winter for living in the game area. CO Watson discovered the man had failed to register his motor vehicle. A citation was issued for failing to register the motor vehicle.
CO Robert Watson responded to complaints of trespass and individuals driving a Chevy Tahoe throughout the property to cut firewood. CO Watson responded and followed an obvious motor vehicle trail back to the suspect’s residence. A bait pile containing carrots and sugar beets was visible from the victim’s property. CO Watson contacted the suspect who admitted to cutting firewood on the neighboring property, but stated she thought they had permission to do so. The suspect stated the carrots and beets were purchased for canning and human consumption, but she then realized the carrots were too rubbery to eat and the beets were not rutabagas as originally thought, so she threw them in a pile in the back yard so they wouldn’t rot and stink up her garbage can. A citation was issued for feeding wildlife and a warning was given for the trespass.
CO Zackary Cardinal was patrolling Lapeer SGA around dusk for waterfowl hunters. CO Cardinal noticed a truck in a parking lot that is near a common waterfowl hunting spot. CO Cardinal waited by the hunter’s truck until the last minute of legal shooting light. At 6:35 PM, one minute after legal light, three shots were fired off, then three more shots at 6:51 and a follow up of two more shots at some low flying Canada geese at 6:55 PM (21 minutes past legal shooting hours). The hunters then packed up in the dark and made their way to the parking lot where CO Cardinal greeted them and investigated. Enforcement action was taken for hunting waterfowl after prescribed waterfowl hours.
While inspecting a deer processor, CO Zackary Cardinal discovered a possible illegal deer. After leaving the processor, CO Cardinal conducted an interview with the subject who shot the deer. While talking to the hunter about the deer, the hunter told a story that did not match the details. Soon after, the hunter confessed that he had harvested the deer without a valid kill tag (license). A report is being written and will be sent to the Lapeer County Court for further legal action.
CO Michael Drexler and Sgt. Shane Webster followed up on information of a subject who had committed several violations in the taking of an antlerless deer. The subject was interviewed in reference to the violations and admitted to being a first-time hunter and that she should have read up on the rules prior to hunting. A ticket was issued for failing to immediately attach/validate kill tag.
CO Mike Drexler followed up on an anonymous tip of a deer feeder behind a residence outside of Ann Arbor. CO Drexler contacted the subject that placed the feeder behind the residence, who stated there were some nice bucks in the area and he was just photographing them. CO Drexler located corn, a grain/mineral block as well as a stump covered in molasses. The subject was cited for bait/feed deer.
CO Brandon Vacek was patrolling past the area of a baited deer blind reported by a local farmer in Monroe County. As the CO came around a corner in the road near the location, he was able to glass the blind with binoculars and observe an individual moving inside. The CO entered the field, contacted the hunter in the deer blind and observed the fresh apples within 15 yards and in direct line of sight with the blind window. The hunter stated he had just put fresh apples out that day, but the mineral pile next to them had been there since the opening of archery season. The hunter was then advised he was trespassing because his bait pile and shooting lane were over the property line where the landowner does not allow hunting. The CO issued the hunter a citation for baiting deer in a closed area. The landowner declined to prosecute for recreational trespass in this circumstance.
Sgt. Shane Webster noted a vehicle parked in a likely hunting location near the end of hours and set up nearby to check the hunter when they returned. Shortly after, Sgt. Webster contacted the hunter exiting the field. The subject ashamedly admitted he did not have deer hunting licenses for this season. A ticket was issued for hunting without a license.
CO Robert Watson was working Belle Isle when a vehicle passed his marked patrol unit at a high rate of speed and in the freshly painted bike lane. CO Watson conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. A citation was issued to the driver for improper passing and a warning was given for the excessive speed.
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen worked a joint patrol with a Little Traverse Bay Bands Conservation Officer in the Straits of Mackinac, checking for nets as part of a CORA LEC patrol.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen certified students in boater's safety through a "Real World Skills" class at Hart Middle School. The class was taught over a two-week period during their regular school day.
Cpls. Tom Peterson, Brett DeLonge and Mike Hammill searched for an abandoned net near the Huron Mountains that has been giving local sportfishermen problems. The net was located, but due to building seas the officers decided to return another day for removal. Cpls. DeLonge and Hammill, with 2nd Lt. Kevin Postma, removed the net later in the week. No identifiers were observed.
