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9/1/2024-9/14/2024

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officers (COs) Brian Lasanen, Pete Shambaugh and Sergeant (Sgt.) Marc Pomroy conducted a patrol to work bear hunting activity in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. The COs contacted a subject who was operating an unlicensed hunting guide operation. Violations addressed with the subject included the unlicensed guiding, illegal off-road vehicle (ORV) operation, illegal tree stands, and illegal bear baits. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Pete Shambaugh assisted Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Recreation Division staff at the Porkies with multiple search and rescue operations for lost/overdue hikers. Each of the searches had positive outcomes with the subjects being located and reunited with their parties.

CO Jenni Hanson received information that a bear hunter was using an illegal ground blind, had cut various trees on public land, and had left a container of frosting in his bait pile. When CO Hanson contacted the hunter, he stated he was not from the area and was borrowing his friend’s blind. The next day, CO Hanson followed up with the rightful owner of the ground blind. He admitted to cutting the trees, not labeling his blind, and leaving the frosting tub. The subject was cited for litter and was given a verbal warning for the illegally cut trees.

CO Steve Sajtar patrolled the Menominee River for waterfowl hunting activity on opening weekend of early goose and teal season. CO Sajtar observed a hunter shooting at teal before the start of legal hunting hours. The hunter was also observed shooting at a drake wood duck during closed season. CO Sajtar contacted the hunter when he returned to shore and the hunter admitted to shooting at teal 11 minutes before the start of legal hunting hours. CO Sajtar explained the importance of identifying the species of waterfowl you plan to harvest before shooting it. A citation was issued for hunting teal before the start of legal hunting hours.

CO Steve Sajtar assisted the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office with a single-vehicle rollover in Menominee Township. CO Sajtar arrived on scene with a deputy to find the elderly driver entrapped in the vehicle with several head lacerations. The driver was extracted from the vehicle and transferred to emergency medical services (EMS) for further medical attention.

CO Steve Sajtar attended a hunter safety class held at Normenco Sportsman’s Club in northern Menominee County. CO Sajtar gave a presentation on safe and ethical hunting to the class then answered numerous questions from the students. The students were interactive and had a variety of great questions to ask CO Sajtar. While discussing safety with the students, CO Sajtar was notified of a hunter that fell approximately 18 feet out of a tree after attempting to hang a tree stand. The 77-year-old hunter was reported to have severe trauma from the fall. After receiving GPS coordinates from dispatch, CO Sajtar arrived first on scene and located the hunter in a wooded area. CO Sajtar administered first aid until EMS arrived on scene. A Guardian Flight helicopter was requested due to the location and extensive trauma. Using a backboard, CO Sajtar and three EMS personnel carried the hunter approximately 100 yards through the woods to the ambulance. Once loaded in the ambulance, the hunter was transported to a nearby landing zone and transferred to Guardian Flight personnel. The hunter was airlifted to UP Health System Hospital in Marquette. Although sustaining multiple bone fractures, the hunter is expected to make a full recovery.

CO Jeremy Sergey was patrolling the Forestville area when he checked two individuals setting up a bear bait on commercial forest land. The individuals had put all their bait in a plastic trash bag and covered it with small logs. They had also used four wheelers to get to the bait which was behind a locked gate. The gate had a big sign on it that said “No ORV’s.”  CO Jackson Kelly arrived on scene and discovered the same individuals had baited nearby the previous year. They had covered their bait with a tarp and plastic garbage bag and left the tarp and garbage bag there all year. When CO Kelly took them back to the bait site, the chewed-up tarp and plastic were still there scattered in pieces all around the bait site. Citations were issued for tending a bear bait with plastic and for littering. Warnings were given for ORV trespass.

DISTRICT 2

CO Steve Butzin was on patrol in Delta County when a call of a fully engulfed house on fire was reported near his location. CO Butzin responded to the residence and relayed that all occupants and pets were able to exit the house. A tow truck was called to remove a vehicle near the burning house and to allow fire trucks to get close enough to fight the fire. Masonville Fire Department along with other agencies responded to put out the fire. Thankfully no one was hurt but unfortunately, the residence was a total loss.

CO Steve Butzin assisted the Delta County Sheriff’s Office with the tow and recovery of a broken-down boat stranded on Little Bay de Noc. The boaters were able to be towed to safety with no one being harmed during the incident.

CO Andrea Dani investigated a report of a bear cub taken during the Newberry first hunt period. CO Dani interviewed the hunter and confirmed the bear measured 38 inches; four inches short of the required 42-inch minimum length. A report will be submitted to the Alger County Prosecutor's Office.

CO Robert Freeborn completed an investigation and submitted a report regarding a hunter harassment case. A suspect was caught on a trail camera spraying bear deterrent on another bear hunter's bait pile. The suspect was interviewed and confessed to the incident. Charges are pending upon prosecutor review.

CO Brandon Maki and Sgt. Mark Zitnik checked a bear hunter who was hunting out of an illegal tree stand. CO Maki and Sgt. Zitnik found the bear hunter and his son in the tree stand hunting with a rifle. The hunter had a two-inch band of hunter orange wrapped around one arm that he was claiming as his hunter orange. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting out of a tree stand that was placed too early and for not wearing a hat, cap, or jacket with at least 50% hunter orange.

CO Jason Ruth was on routine patrol when he was nearly run off the road by an oncoming vehicle. CO Ruth conducted a traffic stop and the operator was issued a citation for careless driving.

CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when he received an email from the father of a recent hunter safety graduate. The young hunter had participated in the youth hunt and successfully harvested a nice 8-point buck. The young hunter was extremely excited to be in the woods and confident after completing the recent hunter’s safety course taught by COs Andrea Dani, Cole VanOosten, and retired Sgt. Jerry Fitzgibbon.

DISTRICT 3

COs Chad Baldwin and Nathan Beelman conducted a foot patrol on the Boyne River at the start of the salmon run. During the patrol, the COs noticed several anglers fishing on top of and behind posted private property. The anglers continued to cut through fences and walk up behind the dam to get around to the other side of the river without having to walk directly across it. The COs contacted the anglers who did not offer much of an explanation as to why they disregarded the signage on the fences and buildings. A recreational trespass ticket was issued as well as multiple warnings.

COs Chad Baldwin and Nathan Beelman attended hunter safety at the East Jordan Sportsman’s Club and spoke with over 50 students and parents about various topics such as ethical hunting, recreational trespass, hunter orange laws, legal hunting hours, safety zones, and how to conduct themselves when approached by a CO in the field. The COs also discussed new hunting regulations and answered any questions the new hunters or their parents had.

CO Adam LeClerc caught up with a suspect who has been dispersed camping on state land for the entire summer. The suspect admitted to staying the entire summer and only changing the dispersed camping card every two weeks and not moving. The current camp card did not contain the name of the suspect but that of their sister-in-law. A ticket was issued for dispersed camping longer than 15 consecutive days.

CO Andrea Albert came across a dispersed camping site while patrolling state land in Antrim County. It was apparent by the way the site looked the campers were there for well over the 15-day limit. After a week of attempting to contact the subjects, CO Albert finally found the site occupied. The subjects were not living on state land but were long distance vacationing and using the site as temporary living quarters. They confirmed they were using the site for over 15 days. A ticket was issued for failing to post a camp registration card and they were ordered to move to a new area. The subjects complied and moved to a new location over a mile away and completely cleaned up the site.

CO Andrea Albert noticed two subjects across the river fishing while checking anglers on a local river. Upon seeing CO Albert, they quit fishing. As CO Albert was finishing with fish checks, she noticed one of the anglers was back fishing and the other was sitting at a picnic table on his phone. CO Albert went over to the other side of the river and contacted the subjects. They had two nice bass on a stringer, and both had their fishing license on their phones. The subject who was sitting at the picnic table showed CO Albert that he had purchased a license but the proof of purchase he produced did not have the time or date on it. CO Albert checked the actual license with the date and time stamp, and it showed the license was purchased 10 minutes ago. A ticket was issued for fishing without a license.

CO Andrea Albert contacted a subject trolling for bass with two lines out while on marine patrol on Lake Michigan. When asked for a fishing license he stated it was in his truck at the boat launch and pointed to the launch. While CO Albert was taking his information to check for a fishing license, he then stated his license might be expired as he bought it last summer. CO Albert asked how old his fishing gear was, and he replied that one rod was purchased two years ago, and the other was four years old. CO Albert ran a license check on the subject and found he had not purchased a fishing license since 2012. When advised of this information, the angler then stated he only catches and releases fish and fishes just for fun. A ticket was issued for fishing without a license and CO Albert explained that fishing is usually for fun, but it still requires a license.

CO Jon Sheppard responded to a complaint of a small boat that had been abandoned and drifted onto private property in Ossineke. CO Sheppard attempted to contact the owner of the vessel multiple times. After several attempts, CO Sheppard was able to contact the owner who made no attempt to retrieve this vessel. CO Sheppard ran him through Alpena Central Dispatch which returned with multiple out-of-state warrants. One warrant out of Ohio showed full extradition for theft charges. CO Sheppard arrested the subject and transported him to the Alpena County Jail. Arrangements are being made to return the boat to the owner’s property.

DISTRICT 4

Sgt. Dan Bigger revisited a fishing location that two COs had just left. After a short period of observation, he observed one of the anglers attempting to snag salmon in the river. Sgt. Bigger contacted the angler and asked if he knew why he was being contacted. The angler said that he knew he was snagging but since he had seen the two COs leave earlier, he felt he would be safe. A citation was issued.

COs Logan Turner, Zack Walters and Josh Wright were patrolling the Platte River in Benzie County. The COs located a group of anglers attempting to snag salmon in the river. After watching one of the anglers snag a salmon and toss it on shore, the COs contacted the group. The entire group of anglers were using illegal gear for the Platte River, none of them had personal floatation devices (PFDs) in their kayaks, and they all were witnessed snagging fish. The entire group were issued several citations for their actions.
CO Scott MacNeill has been working the Little Manistee River weir as it is currently a closed area to fish. With the help of other area COs, violations were addressed including snagging, possession of fish equipment upon closed waters, fishing closed waters, and trespassing. The COs have witnessed individuals taking multiple fish during all hours of day and night inside of 300 feet of the weir and will continue to enforce the issue as subjects neglect to follow the fishing laws that are clearly posted in the area.

While patrolling the Pere Marquette River in Mason County, CO Kyle Publiski issued multiple citations to out-of-state anglers on a guided fishing trip for not having fishing licenses. Along with the license violations, CO Publiski ran into a camping site along the Pere Marquette River where several trees and brush were cut along the river to make a campsite on state-owned lands. The subjects were cited for not having a camp registration card.

While patrolling Mason County, CO Kyle Publiski heard a water emergency call come out over the radio. A small child had blown out into Lake Michigan on a raft while swimming at Stearns Beach in Ludington. While on the way to his patrol boat to assist, a subject had attempted to swim out into Lake Michigan with a life ring to save the child and was now struggling to stay afloat. CO Publiski met two Mason County Sheriff’s deputies at their patrol boat and headed out on Lake Michigan. The victims were spotted well past the swim area at Stearns Beach. Both subjects were retrieved from the lake and were taken to Loomis Street boat launch, looked over by EMS, and were released.

CO Kevin Bunce assisted the Legends Ranch with their hunter safety event. CO Bunce taught the legal portion of the program to over 100 individuals. The program’s participants learned the roles of conservation officers in the outdoors, rules/regulations, and safe practices to keep in mind as they enter the woods in the coming months.

CO Ben Shively helped organize and participated in a joint scenario training event with Ferry Township and the Shelby/Benona Township Fire Departments in Oceana County. The training scenarios simulated a hunter falling from a tree stand and a hunter having a medical emergency while in a tree stand in preparation for the upcoming hunting seasons.

COs from District 4, 6, and 7 conducted speed measurement patrols on the Muskegon River in Newaygo County in conjunction with the annual Hot Boat gathering on Hardy Pond. Numerous vessels were stopped and cited for exceeding the inland body of water speed limit of 55 miles per hour (mph) with the highest observed speed being 90 mph.

While patrolling in western Mecosta County, Acting Sgt. Mike Haas received a complaint of an illegal campsite at a nearby state land access site along the Little Muskegon River. Sgt. Haas investigated the complaint area and located an unattended fire burning in the woods and a side-by-side parked in a swampy area. While checking the campsite, a subject returned to the scene in a vehicle and advised that he was packing his things to leave the area. A citation was issued to address the camping and fire violations and for operating an ORV in an area closed to ORV use.

DISTRICT 5

Sgt. Brian Olsen and CO Charlie Jones were patrolling on Torch Lake in Kalkaska County when they noticed a pontoon pulling a man on a tube in over 10 feet of water with no life jacket on. Another passenger was standing outside of the seating area by the motor and was holding the tow rope while attempting to whip the rider off the tube. A stop was made on the boaters who advised that they did not know the rules because the rental company had failed to tell them they couldn’t do that. The boaters were educated on boaters’ safety and the importance of life jackets. A citation was issued to the operator for allowing a person to be pulled on a tube without a PFD.

CO Craig Neal was on patrol in the Saginaw Bay marshes during the early teal season and goose opener. While parked in the marsh, he heard a series of shots coming from the inner marsh about 20 minutes before the legal hunting hours for teal. CO Neal navigated his mud buddy boat into the inner marsh to find the responsible hunters. There, he found three hunters in their decoys collecting teal. CO Neal approached them and asked if they were aware of the legal hunting hours for the early teal season. One of the hunters incorrectly stated, “A half hour before sunrise.”  CO Neal corrected them, explaining that it was actually at sunrise, which was about another 20 minutes away.  CO Neal then proceeded to check all licenses and shotguns for plugs. CO Neal issued citations to the group for hunting teal prior to legal hunting hours.

COs Kyle Bader and Craig Neal were recently called out at midnight to assist with locating overdue canoers/tubers on the Rifle River in Ogemaw County. COs Bader and Neal met with Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers, Ogemaw deputies, and fire/EMS units at the location where the missing canoers/tubers were expected to get off the river. An MSP chopper was able to locate the missing party just off the Rifle River, still upstream of M 55. COs Bader and Neal, along with other first responders, were directed by the chopper to the lost tubers and assisted them in getting out to the road. Medical personnel were on scene and checked them out while they waited for their parents to arrive.

CO Craig Neal was patrolling the Saginaw Bay marshes during the early teal season and goose opener when he received a complaint of four to five hunters shooting early, possibly at wood ducks and mallards. CO Neal called the complainant for assistance in pinpointing the suspects’ location. He then approached the hunters, informed them of the legal hunting hours for the early teal season, and asked if they had killed any teal. The hunters admitted to accidentally shooting four wood ducks instead of teal. CO Neal also found that two of the hunters were using shotguns capable of holding more than three shells. CO Neal issued citations to all members of the hunting party.

CO Joshua Russell was on patrol in Gladwin County when a domestic violence complaint came out near his location. CO Russell responded and arrived on scene just behind a Gladwin County sheriff's deputy. The suspect came running out to the road, covered in blood. After speaking to the suspect for a minute, he admitted to driving under the influence and crashing his truck. He then admitted to attacking his mother with a sledgehammer and knife. The suspect went to the hospital to get evaluated before going to jail.

CO Ryan Weakman was patrolling ORV activity near an illegal creek crossing in Clare County’s Redding Township when he observed two ORV riders approach the creek bank. CO Weakman observed the subjects turn around and head back in the opposite direction. CO Weakman expected them to cross Green Creek at another location where ORVs have been crossing illegally. CO Weakman quickly operated his patrol truck back down the two-track to the other known illegal crossing location and intercepted the ORV riders as they forded the creek with their ORVs. CO Weakman issued a citation.

CO Ryan Weakman received a disposition on a felony case involving the illegal harvest of timber in Clare County. The disposition resulted from a March 2023 investigation by CO Weakman into the illegal cutting of timber in Clare County’s Freeman Township. The suspect pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a minimum of 72 months to 15 years in prison for one count of damaging trees totaling more than $25,000. The suspect was ordered to pay $25,956.12 in restitution to the State of Michigan. Additionally, the suspect was identified as a habitual offender.

COs Kyle Bader, Joshua Jobin, and Sgt. Phil Hudson attended the Kids Safety Day held at the YMCA Camp in Ogemaw County. The COs brought the air rifle trailer provided by Recreational Safety to allow children, most for the first time, to handle and operate an air rifle safely. The children had a great time shooting targets and taking them home as souvenirs.

DISTRICT 6

COs Mike Eovaldi and Chris Kravitsky were checking teal hunters on Saginaw Bay when they encountered a hunter who was in possession of two lead shot shells. This hunter was cited for the violation. Later in the morning, the COs found another hunter to be in possession of 26 lead shot shells, who was cited for the violation. While continuing to check hunters, the COs discovered a hunter with an unplugged gun. The hunter stated that this was his first year ever waterfowl hunting. Further investigation revealed that to be a lie, and the hunter was cited for the violation.

COs Kyle Romzek and Paul Lyden were patrolling the area near Rush Lake State Game Area (SGA). While on their patrol, they witnessed many violations for motor vehicles and ORVs that were operating in restricted areas. Several citations were issued for operating in a closed area.

DISTRICT 7

CO Ryan Jager was patrolling Fort Custer Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County when there was an altercation near Eagle Lake. CO Jager contacted a male who was involved in the incident and found he had multiple warrants for his arrest. CO Jager placed him into custody and during a search incident to arrest, some crack cocaine was located. CO Jager arrested the suspect on the arrest warrants and charges are being requested through the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office for possession of cocaine.

CO Sam Schluckbier was patrolling the Swan Creek when he came upon a couple anglers fishing in a restricted area. The subjects appeared to be unaware of the rules and unfamiliar with the fishing regulations. CO Schluckbier began educating them on the specifics to inland fishing. Unfortunately, they were already in possession of two undersized largemouth bass that were deceased. The fish were confiscated, and enforcement action was taken for possessing the undersized fish.

CO Zach Bauer was on patrol observing salmon anglers in Berrien County. CO Bauer observed a group of anglers utilizing illegal fishing gear. CO Bauer contacted the anglers and further investigation revealed one of the anglers had a warrant for their arrest for foul hooking fish in Manistee County. CO Bauer placed the angler in custody and the angler was later able to bond out on the warrant with a court date. CO Bauer issued a ticket for the equipment violation.

CO Zach Bauer was on patrol when he received a snagging complaint from the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline. CO Bauer responded to the complaint and briefly watched the angler trespassing on the spillway of a dam before the angler packed up and began to leave. The angler denied snagging, but CO Bauer issued a ticket for recreational trespass on the dam.

CO Travis Dragomer conducted a foot patrol along the St. Joseph River near a creek mouth that was loaded with salmon. CO Dragomer observed a boat arrive at the location and immediately began casting into the group of fish. CO Dragomer observed the anglers attempting to snag the salmon, but they were unsuccessful. As CO Dragomer contacted the anglers, one of them ignored the CO’s multiple requests to turn around as he was trying to take his hook off while keeping his back to the CO. After multiple demands, both anglers complied and came to shore. Both anglers were using un-baited treble hooks with split shot weights attached to them. Both anglers were ticketed for using multi-pointed hooks with weight attached and attempting to snag. Warnings were given for using un-baited hooks and failing to display a current boat registration.

CO Travis Dragomer contacted a hunter who was setting up a blind on Hunting Access Program (HAP) land. CO Dragomer determined that the individual had a warrant out of Illinois. CO Dragomer lodged the individual at the Berrien County Jail to be extradited to Illinois.

CO Jeremy Beavers checked angler activity at the Webber Dam while on patrol in Ionia County. There he spotted two anglers wading and fishing near the fish ladder. While observing, he saw both anglers catch what appeared to be walleye and place them on stringers along the shoreline. When one angler came to shore and began to pack up, CO Beavers contacted the angler. CO Beavers introduced himself and asked the angler if he had any fish. He stated he did and removed a stringer from the water that contained three walleye. After removing it from the water, the angler exclaimed, “That one’s 15, I measured to make sure.” CO Beavers told the angler he will double check to make sure. CO Beavers removed the fish from the stringer and measured it and it appeared to be less than 15 inches. CO Beavers measured again and got the same results. The angler stated he pinched the tail, and it was right at 15 inches. CO Beavers explained that even with the tail pinched it was still below 15 inches. The angler asked CO Beavers to try his tape measure, to which CO Beavers obliged. The walleye was still short of the required 15 inches. The angler was ticketed for the violation.

DISTRICT 8

Acting Sgt. Ed Rice responded to a verbal domestic situation involving a runaway juvenile. Sgt. Rice was on the lookout in the area and located the teenager, who was visibly upset. Sgt. Rice was able to calm her down. A Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office deputy transported the teen to a local youth home without issue.

CO Nick Thornton responded to an elderly gentleman who was stranded on his boat. The individual believed he had run out of fuel. CO Thornton located the vessel and began placing fuel in his tank when he noticed a leak in the fuel line. The fuel line was temporarily repaired, and the gentleman was able to make it back to the boat launch.

CO Marc Mankowski contacted a vehicle at the Pine Lake boat launch that had smoke coming from the interior of the vehicle. When the occupants rolled the window down, more smoke appeared, and the occupants admitted to using marijuana. The five college students volunteered their time to pick up all the trash located in the boat launch and were educated on multiple marijuana laws in Michigan. Before walking back to campus, one student asked how long it takes for marijuana to clear their system to drive legally and CO Mankowski told them that they should do their research, and it could be their homework assignment for the afternoon.

CO Cullen Knoblauch responded to Vandercook County Park for a complaint of goose hunters hunting in the park and within a safety zone. CO Knoblauch located and spoke with two hunters who were hunting within the county park which is closed to hunting. The hunters were unaware of the hunting closure, but unsure how close they were to residences on the south end of the park. CO Knoblauch ranged the houses to the south of the park and determined that the hunters were within 100 yards of the houses. CO Knoblauch checked the hunter’s licenses and equipment and determined that one hunter was hunting with an unplugged shotgun. The hunters were educated on the safety zone violation and hunting in a closed area. The hunter with the unplugged shotgun was cited for the violation.

CO Wes Butler was out checking goose hunters when he saw several decoys set up near a pond. CO Butler walked out to the blind and spoke with three goose hunters. CO Butler asked to see their licenses. One of the hunters handed CO Butler their licenses. CO Butler immediately noticed that he did not have his waterfowl license which is one of the required licenses to hunt waterfowl in Michigan. The man stated that the license retailer must have made a mistake when he bought his licenses. CO Butler issued the hunter a citation for hunting without a waterfowl license.

CO Wes Butler received a call from the DNR RAP hotline that there was a possible hunter fatality at Sleepy Hollow State Park. CO Butler arrived at the scene shortly after the call and met with local law enforcement who were first on scene to the incident. The authorities who were first on scene explained that the hunter had called 911 after he had accidentally discharged his firearm into his leg while goose hunting. Due to the severity of his injuries, the hunter succumbed to his wounds before he could receive medical treatment.

CO James Rowley was dispatched to an injured red-tailed hawk in central Ingham County. CO Rowley arrived at the residence to find the hawk upright in the grass. CO Rowley recovered the hawk and transported it to a rehabilitation center. The staff at the rehabilitation center examined the hawk and did not find any external injuries. The rehabilitation staff recorded the location where the hawk was recovered so they can release the hawk in the same location. The staff estimated the hawk would be released in only a few days.

Twice, within three days, CO James Rowley was contacted regarding red-tailed hawks that were alive but would not take flight. CO Rowley was able to approach and capture both juvenile age hawks. After capture, each was transported to a rehabilitation facility. Staff at the facility reported that both were malnourished and dehydrated but would recover quickly.

CO Lisa Taube was patrolling Handy Township when she witnessed a side-by-side ORV operating on Nicholson Road. The ORV pulled into the corner store parking lot and a traffic stop was initiated. The operator of the side-by-side stated he knew that he could not operate the ORV on the roadway in Livingston County, but he only lived a mile up the road. The operator also shared that he had previously been issued a citation for operating an ORV in Livingston County and knew that he needed to have an ORV license on the side-by-side when operating off private property. The operator was issued a citation for failing to license his ORV and given a verbal warning for the other violation.

DISTRICT 9

CO Kris Kiel walked out into the field and checked seven goose hunters. Four of the hunters had not purchased a federal waterfowl license (stamp). One of the subjects stated that he did not think he needed one while hunting private property. Another one of the subjects was also hunting with an unplugged shotgun. Citations were written for all the violations.

CO Joshua Salas was on patrol on opening day of early goose and teal season in Oakland County when he observed some individuals hunting a small local lake for geese. The CO observed the hunters for some time and watched them get a few geese in the morning. Later in the morning, the individuals packed up and began heading back to shore in their boat. As the CO observed them, two men in the front of the vessel began shooting at geese flying by as they were under power heading toward shore. The CO contacted the individuals and addressed the multiple violations with the subjects, and while speaking with them, discovered one of the individuals did not have a state waterfowl license. The CO allowed the individual to purchase a license online and the individuals were cited for taking waterfowl while under power on a vessel.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was checking waterfowl hunters at Halfway Creek when he contacted a group who had a slow morning. The group had one blue wing teal and missed a few geese. After CO Ingersoll checked the waterfowl hunters’ firearms for plugs, it was determined that one of the hunters did not have his shotgun plugged. CO Ingersoll spoke with the hunter who admitted to placing more than two shells in his magazine and CO Ingersoll was able to fit four shells in the magazine of his firearm. The hunter was issued a citation for hunting with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells in total.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was checking individuals at Halfway Creek Boat Launch when he observed an individual pull close to the dock operating a personal watercraft (PWC) without a life jacket on, but after seeing CO Ingersoll, he immediately turned around and pulled away from the dock. After pulling away from the dock, he went into the middle of the creek, and tried sneakily putting his life jacket on. CO Ingersoll waited patiently by the individual’s vehicle, as it was the only PWC trailer in the parking lot for his return. After a half hour, the individual finally worked up the courage to come to the dock. CO Ingersoll contacted him at the dock and advised him of his violations. The individual said he thought he could come in a half hour after sunset and stated that he took it off when he entered Halfway Creek. CO Ingersoll asked him for his boater safety certificate, and he was unable to provide a copy of that on top of his other two violations. CO Ingersoll issued the individual a citation for not wearing his life jacket on a PWC and warned him for operating between sunset and 8 AM. He also issued a warning for failure to provide a safety certificate.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was checking waterfowl hunters at Pointe Mouillee SGA when he contacted a known individual who has received citations from CO Ingersoll in the past. CO Ingersoll was watching the hunters drive to the launch when one hunter attempted to eject a shell from his firearm, but it was lodged in the chamber. CO Ingersoll spoke with the individual and checked his firearm. The hunter still had two shells in the magazine of the firearm. The hunter stated that he was going back out hunting and did not want to reload his firearm. CO Ingersoll issued the hunter a citation for transporting a loaded firearm in a motorized vessel and issued him a warning for not having his paper registration on his vessel.

While checking perch anglers, COs Dave Schaumburger and Ariel Young asked one angler how many he had. “25 perches.” The COs told the angler they were going to come alongside and count the perch, to which the fisherman said, “Well, actually I may have 30, I have a Canadian license, I’m not sure how that works, I don’t know how you guys work that.” The angler invited the COs aboard where CO Schaumburger located a fish cleaning table that had two fish already cleaned. The COs counted his perch in his bucket and counted 25 fish, along with the two already cleaned which put him two over the limit. A search of the rest of his boat was performed finding no additional fish. On top of not knowing the possession laws, he also did not know he could not fillet fish while he was on the water. A citation was given for the over-limit and possessing mutilated fish.

COs Dave Schaumburger and Ariel Young pulled up next to a solo angler who was fishing on Lake St. Clair and asked him why he was using four lines. “I have two lines for perch and two lines for bass,” replied the angler. The angler was not new to the sport, admitting he had been fishing for about 7 to 8 years. The angler was cited for fishing with more than three lines.

COs Dave Schaumburger, Dan Walzak, Joe Closser, and Keven Luther worked the Step-Up Swim event on the lower Detroit River and upper Lake Erie. Upwards of 60 swimmers participated in the event which involved swimming one-mile legs to go the distance from Grosse Ile Yacht Club out to the Detroit River Light – approximately 6.2 miles. The weather and water conditions were excellent with a light breeze out of the southeast and waves of one foot or less. None of the swimmers had any issues and the event was a success.

COs Eric Smither and Andrew Monnich assisted the Tecumseh Police Department, MSP, Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office and Tecumseh Fire Department on a drowning that occurred in Tecumseh. The COs assisted with search efforts and the individual was recovered by the Lenawee County Dive Team.

BELLE ISLE

CO Keven Luther conducted two Belle Isle Park patrols issuing a handful of speeding citations during the patrols with the fastest vehicle stopped traveling 60 mph within a 25-mph zone.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll was conducting RADAR enforcement at Belle Isle when he stopped several cars for speed violations and other traffic offenses. CO Ingersoll issued citations to multiple drivers for speed during his shift. The citations were issued for going 63 mph and 73 mph in a 25-mph zone.

While on patrol at Belle Isle, COs Ariel Young and Dan Walzak were dispatched to a medical emergency. The caller was not able to breathe and needed evaluation by EMS. The COs helped EMS load the patient into the ambulance who was later transported to a local hospital.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporals (Cpls.) Mike Hammill and Todd Sumbera, along with COs from Districts 2 and 3, assisted in the security detail on the water for the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day.

Cpls. Brett DeLonge, Todd Sumbera, Nick Atkin, and Troy Van Gelderen worked with MSP motor carrier officers near the International and Mackinac Bridges in search of aquatic invasive species (AIS) being transported and commercial fish on the move. Little activity related to fish haulers or AIS was found, but the partnership between the Great Lakes Enforcement Unit and MSP CVED was strengthened.

Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen worked a hunter safety field day at the Ruby Creek Conservation Club where 35 students were certified.

While in route to an AIS enforcement detail with MSP motor carrier officers, Cpl. Nick Atkin was contacted to assist MSP with a larceny from the vessel of a commercial fisherman docked in Rockport. Cpl. Atkin responded and gathered further information to assist the investigation and patrolled the area for suspects. Some items have since been identified for sale online, and the investigation is ongoing.

Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde investigated a complaint from a Little Traverse Bay Bands (LTBB) of Odawa Indians biologist alleging that a charter boat captain had harassed and intimidated them during a research net lift. The charter boat captain admitted to filming and yelling at the LTBB biologists while they were lifting four nets that were set in Little Traverse Bay. It was discovered through investigation that the charter boat captain did not violate any laws, and he was educated on the rights of the Tribe to conduct research and the information that research provides for fisheries management.

Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde investigated a complaint from a charter boat captain alleging that biological staff from the LTBB of Odawa Indians were selling salmon that were being caught in research nets that were set in Little Traverse Bay. The complaint was unfounded.

Cpl. Jon Busken assisted District 4 COs with the Hot Boat detail on Hardy Pond in Newaygo County. Multiple warnings were issued, and a suspect was lodged for failing to report to the Kent County Jail.

Cpl. Tom Peterson conducted multiple bait shop inspections in the Keweenaw, Houghton, and Baraga area as part of an AIS patrol. No AIS violations were encountered, but multiple businesses did not have current certificates of health from the same bait dealer. One business was warned for not possessing a current retail minnow license.

Cpl. Tom Peterson assisted local agencies with the search for a potentially armed and suicidal subject in the village of Lake Linden. The suspect fired multiple shots within his residence with his spouse inside. The spouse fled the scene, and the incident was called in by a neighbor. Once the officers arrived on scene, the suspect fled to an unknown location, but he was believed to be at his RV at the Lake Linden campground. While MSP and City of Houghton officers, along with Cpl. Peterson, searched the RV and campground for the suspect, it was discovered that the suspect had fled to his grandparent’s home in Atlantic Mine. All involved agencies responded to the residence, where the suspect was called out and arrested without incident.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge assisted District 1 COs with contacting several bear hunters at numerous locations that had booked a hunt under an individual suspected of running an unlicensed bear guide service. The hunting sites had illegally set baits, and several hunting violations were found during the contacts. Citations were issued and an investigation into other suspected illegal activity is ongoing.