DISTRICT 1
Conservation Officer (CO) Byron Parks just began his shift when a call came over dispatch of a suicidal subject breaking things in his home. Minutes later, CO Parks and a trooper with the Michigan State Police (MSP) arrived on scene. The trooper was able to calm the subject down and got him to exit his home. While on scene, two sheriff deputies also arrived. Eventually the subject had to be taken into protective custody and was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
COs Pete Shambaugh and Ethen Mapes responded to a lost/stranded dirt biker in Ontonagon County. Negaunee Regional Dispatch was able to provide GPS coordinates to where the rider was. The COs were able to locate the individual, who was in good health, but just got turned around on the trails and his bike broke down after getting stuck in a mud hole. The COs jump started the bike and provided directions on how to get back to the main trail.
CO Steve Sajtar assisted with the 2024 fifth grade Outdoor Education Day at the Stephenson Field Office. Fifth grade students from the Carney-Nadeau, Menominee, and Stephenson Schools attended the event. CO Sajtar taught the students about Michigan Conservation Officers and their responsibilities. Many students recognized CO Sajtar from prior contacts in the field. The students were able to learn about various patrol equipment conservation officers use each day. While discussing safety equipment, one student mentioned her grandpa had been in a motorcycle accident earlier in the summer. After hearing the student describe the accident, CO Sajtar realized he had been first on scene and administered first aid to the student’s grandpa involved in the accident. The student informed CO Sajtar her grandpa had made a full recovery and was doing well.
CO Steve Sajtar responded to the City of Stephenson to assist with an unresponsive infant. While enroute, Menominee County Central Dispatch advised the infant had become unconscious and started to turn blue in the face. CO Sajtar arrived first on scene and found the infant had regained consciousness. CO Sajtar monitored the infant’s vitals closely until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on scene. The infant was turned over to EMS for further medical evaluation.
On the opening day of waterfowl season, COs John Kamps, Jeremey Sergey, and Jackson Kelly all received urgent phone calls from hunters who were experiencing hunter harassment at a site in Marquette County. The reports described an individual who was driving aggressively up and down the road near the pond and screaming threats at the hunters. Over the next couple days, seven different witness statements were gathered from the hunters describing the threatening events. An arrest warrant for hunter harassment was obtained and CO Kamps and Detective Josh Boudreaux were able to arrest the suspect and lodge him in the Marquette County Jail.
COs Cody Smith, Anna Viau, and John Kamps attended a Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) workshop where they taught a firearms class to multiple participants. The participants in the program were able to learn about firearm safety, ammunition, and different actions. That was followed up by accurately shooting targets at different distances.
DISTRICT 2
CO Steve Butzin attended an event in Ludington Park in Escanaba and instructed groups of Girl Scouts on fishing techniques. Many fish were caught that included bass, perch, and sunfish. Overall, the group seemed to enjoy fishing. Hopefully, they will continue sharpening their skills and keep fishing in the future.
CO Robert Freeborn served an arrest warrant for hunter harassment on a subject who had sprayed bear deterrent on a hunter's bear bait pile this fall.
CO Andrea Dani assisted as a mentor at a BOW event in Washtenaw County. The program partners with Washtenaw County Parks from which the hunting property is provided. These properties are usually closed to hunting but are graciously opened for specific events to assist with deer management and over-browsing. Five new archery hunters were taught basic hunting skills, deer biology for shot placement, habitat used for scouting, ethics, laws, safety, tree stand/blind set up and safety, and were provided one-on-one instruction at the Sharonville Shooting Range. On Saturday and Sunday of the event, each hunter was paired with a mentor and hit the woods for a mentored hunt. Despite the very warm temperatures limiting deer movement, two participants were able to successfully harvest a deer. The participants were then gathered for a group tracking demonstration, field-dressing demonstration, and a harvest reporting registration demonstration.
COs Jenni Lehto and Andrea Dani instructed a shotgun handling and shooting course at a BOW event held at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay. The goal of the course was to build confidence around firearms and to potentially gain the interest of new hunters. Participants were taught basic firearm safety and shotgun familiarization. The participants then applied their new-found skills with trap shooting. Several participants had never shot a firearm before and were eventually able to demonstrate great accuracy.
CO Scott Pankow was on patrol when he received a recreational trespass complaint. A vehicle was reported to have been driving down a county road when a hunter exited their vehicle and shot onto private property. CO Pankow responded to the area and observed a vehicle that fit the description. CO Pankow was able to make a vehicle stop and located an uncased firearm. Through speaking with the occupants, CO Pankow learned that one of the hunters had attempted to shoot at a woodcock. The hunter brought CO Pankow back to the area where he shot at the woodcock. CO Pankow determined the location was on the complainant’s private property that was posted against trespassing. One hunter was cited for the uncased firearm in a motor vehicle and a report will be submitted to the Mackinac County Prosecutor’s Office seeking charges of recreational trespass on the other individual.
CO Jason Ruth assisted the Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department with a domestic assault that had occurred. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Mackinac County Jail.
DISTRICT 3
COs Jack Gorno and Adam LeClerc worked the waterfowl opener in Cheboygan County. COs Gorno and LeClerc observed a hunter shoot a goose and wound it. The COs watched the animal glide to a landing near the hunter. The COs contacted the hunter 90 minutes later, after he had picked up his decoy setup, where he admitted he watched the goose go down but didn’t attempt to retrieve it. The COs issued a ticket for failing to retrieve waterfowl.
CO Matt Theunick responded to a medical complaint about a person whose hand was caught in a 330 conibear trap. CO Theunick assisted in resetting the springs to remove the hand from the trap. The subject went to the hospital to have his hand looked at. There were multiple trapping violations by the trapper. Tickets were issued as well as several verbal warnings.
COs Tom Oberg and Dan Liestenfeltz attended the Kicking Bear Adventure Day at Cedar Hollow Lodge. Many children and their families were in attendance. The COs helped with the activities that were set up for the children which included bow and arrow shooting, axe throwing, a BB gun shoot, a hayride, and many other outdoor activities. The event is designed to expose kids to the outdoors and activities they may never have experienced.
COs Alex Bourgeois and Jeff Panich checked duck hunters on Lake Winyah during the duck opener. During a routine check on a group of hunters, CO Bourgeois discovered one of the hunters had a shotgun that was unplugged. CO Bourgeois had also previously ticketed a hunter from the group with lead shot last season. CO Bourgeois issued a ticket to the hunter for an unplugged shotgun.
CO Alex Bourgeois was watching anglers at the 9th Street Dam in Alpena when he observed a man fishing with an extremely large fishing spoon. CO Bourgeois contacted the angler and confronted him about the spoon. CO Bourgeois discovered that the hook on the spoon was well over the 3/8th hook size restriction. The man stated that he was not using that spoon and CO Bourgeois could not prove that he did. However, CO Bourgeois had been able to take a photo of the man using the spoon through his spotting scope. The man eventually admitted to using the illegal lure and was issued a ticket for the violation.
CO Sidney LaLonde interviewed an elk hunter after they failed to report a wounded elk. The elk hunter and guide tracked a wounded elk for over five hours and did not contact the elk check station to report the wounded elk. The elk hunter then dispatched the elk after midnight. The elk hunter admitted they should have called in the wounded elk, but that his guide did not feel it was needed. Enforcement action was taken.
COs Sidney LaLonde and Dan Liestenfeltz were patrolling during the duck opener weekend when they were called to a careless discharge of a firearm complaint. When they arrived on scene, they contacted two duck hunters who were hunting within the 450-foot safety zone of a residence. The homeowners were outside when they were peppered with steel shot. There were no injuries to the homeowners. A ticket was issued to the hunters.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz responded to Hoeft State Park in Presque Isle County to assist DNR fire personnel with a fire investigation. When CO Liestenfeltz arrived on scene much of the fire had been extinguished. After speaking with the homeowner, it was determined that they had been dumping the ashes from their wood stove over the fence onto the state park property. When the ashes were dumped, the extremely dry and windy conditions caused the fire to start which quickly spread into a portion of the campground. CO Liestenfeltz subsequently issued the homeowner a ticket for failing to prevent the spread of fire.
COs Jon Sheppard, Dan Liestenfeltz, and Sergeant (Sgt.) Paul Fox investigated a complaint that a deer was shot with a firearm in early October. COs Sheppard and Liestenfeltz responded to the suspect’s residence to conduct an interview. The suspect eventually admitted to shooting the deer with a firearm a couple of days earlier while hunting over bait. Charges will be sought through the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Jon Sklba responded to a complaint of multiple dead deer in Presque Isle County. CO Sklba was able to locate two deceased deer and confirm they were shot with a firearm. CO Sklba identified a potential group of suspects involved in the killing of the two deer and multiple interviews were conducted. Sgt. Paul Fox and CO Alex Bourgeois assisted with interviews and evidence collection. The investigation continues.
DISTRICT 4
CO William Kinney followed up on a dispersed campsite on state land in Grand Traverse County. The campsite had been previously investigated during the summer months in which the occupant of the campsite was issued a citation for violations that had previously occurred. CO Kinney returned to the site this fall to see if the campsite had been removed. Unfortunately, the campsite has since been abandoned and the trash had spread due to the weather. The camper that CO Kinney had cited once before had left their car abandoned for months. CO Kinney is in the process of towing the vehicle and locating the previous camper for additional enforcement action.
CO Richard Stowe responded to a call of a duck hunter stuck in the mud in a flooding in Benzie County. CO Stowe received the call from a third-party friend of the hunter and put him in cell phone contact with him. Communication was maintained with the hunter while responding to his location due to concerns that he was still sinking when he tried to self-recover. CO Stowe found the hunter to be mired approximately 25 feet offshore. With a strong wind blowing it was decided to not attempt to throw a person flotation device (PFD) but to rather attach it to the hunter’s dog for delivery. Once this was accomplished, a tow strap was thrown to the hunter, but it came up short. The man’s golden retriever picked up the end of the strap and delivered it to the hunter. With the buoyancy of the PFD and tension on the strap, the hunter was freed from the mud.
CO William Haskin located 10 different campsites and large litter piles. Two of the campers had stayed longer than legally allowed and were evicted from state land and had to clean up their sites. This was done in conjunction with personnel from the DNR Forest Resources Division. This location, along with others, have had several issues of extending camping and litter, the sites have been bermed at the main road to allow the area to recover from the impact of the illegal camping.
COs Kevin Bunce and Angela Greenway taught the legal portion of hunter education at the Legends Ranch of Bitely. Over sixty individuals were in attendance.
DISTRICT 5
CO Joshua Jobin was patrolling public land in Oscoda County the day before the opening of archery deer season and discovered a bait pile and unmarked blind. On opening morning, CO Jobin returned to the deer blind and contacted an adult and juvenile subject. A subject was cited for baiting deer in an area closed to baiting.
CO Casey Pullum was working at a local boat launch in Oscoda County checking waterfowl hunters as they arrived at the dock following their morning hunt. While speaking with a citizen, CO Pullum noticed a vehicle parked that appeared suspicious. The vehicle started up and drove toward the exit, then turned around and parked again. After the conversation with the citizen, CO Pullum checked on the vehicle. As he approached the passenger's side, he noticed the driver slumped over and appeared to be passed out. CO Pullum knocked on the window and gained the attention of the driver. Through a short interview, it was determined the driver was under the influence of alcohol. CO Pullum conducted standardized field sobriety tests (SFST’s) and determined the driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle was impaired. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Roscommon Jail and charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI).
COs Ryan Weakman and Sgt. Jon Wood worked a waterfowl baiting complaint in Clare County. A tip led the COs to a small pond in a wooded area with information that hunters may be baiting for waterfowl. Upon contact, all three hunters, which included the property owner, denied any knowledge of baiting waterfowl. There were seven dead wood ducks in a pile near their blind. Eventually corn was located in the pond, at which point the property owner confessed and took full responsibility for baiting the pond. He admitted to dumping at least two coffee cans full of shelled corn in the pond. A citation was issued for baiting waterfowl.
CO Charlie Jones was patrolling in southern Kalkaska County when he observed a side-by-side operating in the road and heading northbound at a high rate of speed. CO Jones quickly caught up to the side-by-side and conducted a traffic stop. Upon contact, CO Jones noticed that there were seven passengers in a vehicle manufactured for six and he could not observe an ORV trail permit. Additionally, a child was sitting on the lap of another passenger and was unrestrained. The side-by-side operator was issued a citation for not having a visible ORV license and was warned for careless operation and operating the ORV with too many passengers. A family member picked up the extra passenger and safely transported them home.
CO Matthew Zultak responded to a safety zone complaint on Houghton Lake. A hunter had walked down an easement and shot two mallards while less than 15 yards from a residence. Upon interviewing the suspect, he said he was from out-of-state and unfamiliar with the 150-yard safety zone regulation. Charges are pending with the Roscommon County Prosecutor's Office.
DISTRICT 6
CO Adam Beuthin was on patrol checking waterfowl hunters on the Saginaw Bay when he observed a vessel with two individuals hunting near the Pinconning River. Upon checking the hunters, it was determined they had shot five pied-billed grebes which are a protected species. When CO Beuthin asked why they had shot the grebes, the hunters advised they thought they were immature coots. Enforcement action was taken, and the individuals were issued a citation for taking protected species.
While on patrol in Midland County, COs Paul Lyden and Jacob Daniel came across two individuals on ORVs with one of the operators observed not wearing his helmet. CO Lyden also noticed an empty apple bag by the first rider’s left foot. The COs talked with the riders and discovered they had just set their tree stands for deer hunting. The COs then asked to go back to the baited site to ensure all the bait was picked up. After the bait was picked up, both riders received multiple citations for the various issues.
CO Mark Siemen received information about a subject who had dumped deer parts onto the road. The witness was able to get a license plate number, and the suspect was from Sanilac County. CO Siemen contacted the suspect and after speaking with him, the man confessed to dumping the deer parts and walked CO Siemen to his deer blind behind his residence. At the blind, CO Siemen observed mineral blocks along with other bait. The suspect who dumped the deer parts advised CO Siemen that his wife had killed the 8-point from the blind. This was verified by CO Siemen and the deer was seized. Charges are pending for taking the deer over bait.
COs Mike Eovaldi and Kyle Romzek were patrolling Saginaw Bay on the opening weekend of the waterfowl hunting season. Upon approaching an open water blind, the COs noticed eight dead ducks that had just been shot, floating in the decoys. Immediately upon contacting the occupants in the blind, the captain of the boat mentioned that they might be over-limit on bluebills. After further investigation and collecting the ducks floating in the decoys, the COs determined that one extra bluebill had been taken. The COs issued a citation for an over-limit of bluebills and gave the same hunter a warning for not having his physical duck stamp in his possession when not using the e-stamp.
CO Jacob Robinson was on patrol in Montcalm County when he received a complaint about a subject trapping a badger out of season. The CO patrolled to the subject’s residence and was able to contact the subject regarding the badger. The subject admitted to trapping the badger out of season, without a fur harvester license, illegally trapping inside the badger den, and failed to have personal information attached to the trap. The CO seized the badger, and the trap used to take the badger. Charges are pending with the Montcalm County District Court.
CO Michael Lator received a Report All Poaching (RAP) complaint in Gratiot County about a hunter cutting shooting lanes from his tree stand in the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area (SGA). The CO discovered the tree stand and located multiple trees and branches that had been freshly cut down to create a shooting lane into a nearby field. CO Lator used the tree stand owner’s information that was attached to the stand to determine a suspect and conduct a follow-up interview. The suspect confessed to the CO that the stand belonged to him, and he cut down several trees to make a shooting lane. A citation was issued to the individual for destroying/damaging trees and vegetation on state lands.
DISTRICT 7
COs Ryan Jager and Alex Peters assisted COs Matt Page and Tyler Cole with a covert salmon fishing patrol in Van Buren County. Two salmon were seized by the COs and two tickets were written for snagging violations.
CO Ryan Jager was patrolling the Kalamazoo River in Allegan County with his patrol boat when he encountered two subjects fishing from a canoe. CO Jager discovered that the subjects had no PFDs in their canoe. The owner of the canoe was ticketed for failing to provide a PFD in a canoe.
CO Sam Schluckbier was checking the Pine Creek Flooding in Allegan County when he observed two subjects fishing from kayaks. Both were within 100-yards of the launch site. After watching them fish for a few minutes, CO Schluckbier made contact. Neither subject was in possession of a PFD and one subject was fishing without a license. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Zach Bauer was on patrol observing anglers salmon fishing. CO Bauer witnessed one angler foul hook a salmon near the gills. CO Bauer witnessed the angler net the salmon and place it in a bucket. CO Bauer contacted the angler who admitted to foul hooking the fish. CO Bauer seized the fish, and a ticket was issued for the violation.
COs Tyler Cole and Zach Bauer were on patrol when they witnessed two anglers netting salmon on a creek. The COs contacted the anglers who did not have any fishing poles with them and neither angler had fishing licenses. The anglers had one salmon that was netted on a stringer. Both anglers were issued multiple tickets for fishing with an illegal method, fishing license violation, and retaining a fish illegally taken.
CO Travis Dragomer observed an angler foul hook a chinook salmon near the base of the tail and keep the 15-pound salmon. CO Dragomer contacted the angler and issued him a ticket for retaining the foul hooked fish.
COs Travis Dragomer and Jeff Robinette observed an angler foul hook a chinook salmon in the dorsal fin. The angler kept the fish, and the COs contacted the angler as he was walking towards the parking lot with the fish. The angler also did not have a valid fishing license. A ticket was issued for retaining a foul hooked fish and for not having a valid fishing license. The 17-pound chinook salmon was donated for consumption.
COs Travis Dragomer and Jeff Robinette observed an angler fishing a closed trout stream and using an illegal treble hook. The COs issued a ticket for fishing the closed stream and warned the angler on his hook size.
COs Travis Dragomer and Alex Peters observed an angler fishing a closed trout stream and attempting to snag salmon. The COs issued a ticket for fishing the closed stream and warned the angler on attempting to snag.
CO Jeremy Beavers was dispatched to a hunter harassment complaint. The complainant advised the incident has happened two days in a row. CO Beavers positioned himself out of sight that evening and observed the suspect arrive and begin to intentionally harass the legal hunter. Upon approaching the suspect, CO Beavers observed an uncased firearm in the suspect’s vehicle. CO Beavers conducted an interview which led to the confession of the harassment. CO Beavers ticketed the suspect for the violations witnessed.
COs Jeremy Beavers and Mark Reffitt were working a closed trout stream along the Grand River in Ionia County. CO Reffitt was monitoring anglers from one side of the river while CO Beavers was on the other. CO Reffitt observed an angler catch and retain a fish from the closed stream. He notified CO Beavers who approached the suspect. The suspect was ticketed for the witnessed violations.
DISTRICT 8
While checking hunters on the opening day of archery season in Hillsdale County, CO Chris Reynolds was contacted by a landowner. The landowner stated while he was walking out to hunt in the morning, he observed a blood trail on the road. He also stated that he had found a deer that had been shot on his property. When the CO arrived, he tracked the blood trail towards the woods and observed a tree stand just into the wood lot. CO Reynolds went with the landowner to the deer. Once at the deer, CO Reynolds checked the deer, which was cool to the touch, then backtracked the blood trail all the way to the roadway where he had met the landowner. CO Reynolds contacted the neighboring landowner who stated he had hunted and shot a deer that morning. CO Reynolds advised the hunter that the deer he had shot had been found. CO Reynolds asked the hunter if he would be able to meet up and verify a few things. The hunter stated he could. When the CO met with the hunter, the hunter stated he had shot a deer that morning but could not find it. CO Reynolds verified some information from the hunter and eventually asked the hunter to be honest with him as the hunter’s arrow had been found next to the deer and it was cold. The hunter eventually confessed to getting an early start on the season and shot the deer the night before the season opened. A report will be submitted, and charges will be sought for taking an antlered deer during closed season.
CO Wes Butler was patrolling the Maple River SGA when he saw two hunters with crossbows entering the woods. When CO Butler pulled into the parking area to speak with the hunters, he noticed that one of the hunters appeared to be avoiding contact. CO Butler contacted the hunters who looked very unhappy to see CO Butler. CO Butler recognized one of the hunters because he caught him deer hunting out of season and after hours the year prior. CO Butler asked to see both of their hunting licenses, but only one of them was able to provide a hunting license. CO Butler asked the other hunter as to why he didn’t have a hunting license. The hunter stated that he just hadn’t gotten one yet. Then CO Butler had to remind him that the reason he didn’t have a license was because he is revoked due to his hunting expedition that got him in trouble last season. CO Butler seized the hunter’s crossbow and issued him a citation for hunting while his license is suspended.
CO Wes Butler received information that an individual had possibly taken an 8-point buck without a license. CO Butler looked at the suspect’s harvest report records which showed that he had purchased a license and submitted his harvest report 39 minutes later. CO Butler interviewed the suspect to clarify the information on his harvest report. The suspect showed CO Buter a picture of his deer. CO Butler noticed that the time stamp on the picture was the day before he purchased the license. The suspect then admitted to shooting the deer without a license. CO Butler seized the suspect's 8-point buck and will be seeking charges for taking the deer without a license.
CO Thomas Jaakkola had just finished checking a couple of anglers in the Village of Horton when he observed an ATV traveling at a high rate of speed down Main Street. CO Jaakkola was able to stop the ATV and advised the driver that ATVs were not allowed to operate on any roadway in Jackson County. CO Jaakkola cited the individual for no ORV license and gave him a warning on the careless operation.
DISTRICT 9
CO Brandon Hartleben responded to a complaint of waterfowl hunters hunting in a closed area at Waterloo State Recreation Area on the South Zone waterfowl opener. After an extensive patrol of the area by vehicle, on foot, and ultimately on kayak, CO Hartleben was able to contact the hunters on Mill Lake. CO Hartleben conducted a full check of the hunters’ licenses, equipment, and gear once on shore at the access site. Besides hunting in a closed area, neither hunter had a PFD for the canoe they were using. Both hunters received citations for hunting in a closed area and for failure to provide a PFD on a canoe. The two ducks the hunters shot while hunting in the closed area were seized and donated.
COs David Schaumburger and Les Bleil encountered a group of waterfowl hunters at Lake Erie Metropark. While checking licenses, one of the hunters stated, “I just told the guy at Dunham’s give me whatever I need for duck hunting.” The worker at Dunham’s sold him a base license and a federal duck stamp but failed to sell him a Michigan waterfowl license. The other hunter in the party was lacking his federal duck stamp. On top of the license issues, one of the hunters was using an unplugged shotgun and was using toxic shot. Citations were issued to both hunters.
CO Sydney Griffor and Sgt. Danielle Zubek were checking duck hunting vessels coming off the water in Clay Township. The COs contacted a vessel and observed the vessel did not have a registration. The owner of the vessel stated he just purchased the boat about a week and a half prior. The owner also did not have PFDs on board for himself and the two other hunters. Upon conducting a routine check of firearms, ammunition, and hunting licenses, CO Griffor checked the vessel owner’s firearm, which could hold more than three shells. However, the hunter stated he just started duck hunting and was using three-inch shells, but the shotgun was able to hold four, 2 ¾ inch shells. The individual was issued a citation for failure to provide PFDs and given written warnings for possessing a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells and failing to display paper registration for the vessel.
CO Zackary Cardinal checked a group of bow hunters in Lapeer State Game Area with no issues. After the check was completed, CO Cardinal watched two dirt bikes ride past him. The riders were both traveling at a safe speed, but neither of them had proper ORV licenses attached to the machines. CO Cardinal conducted a stop on the ORVs and both drivers received citations.
CO Ariel Young was checking hunters at Pointe Mouille when she encountered a group that had found significant success on their hunt. While checking licenses, CO Young observed that one of the hunters failed to obtain a federal duck stamp. A citation was issued, and the hunter was educated.
While investigating a deer baiting complaint, CO Keven Luther contacted a known offender hunting over bait without his hunting license in his possession. CO Luther issued two citations on scene.
COs Ariel Young, Keven Luther, and Brandon Vacek responded to a complaint at Crystal Waters SGA pertaining to a large group of minibikes being operated across the state game area. When the COs arrived on scene, initially the minibike operators were nowhere to be found. After listening and watching around the area, the COs were able to locate the operators coming back to the main entrance. CO Vacek stopped the first operator, and the others chose to exit the state game area at a different location. COs Young and Luther were able to catch up with the rest of the operators. Enforcement action was taken for the multiple violations.
CO Cody Bourgeois received a phone call from an Oakland County Sheriff's (OCS) deputy about trespassers hunting on one of the stone quarries in the area. CO Bourgeois met up with the OCS deputy and located the hunter in the woods. The CO questioned the individual who stated he sneaks onto the property from his aunt's house bordering the stone quarry. The CO issued the hunter a trespass citation along with a citation for failing to have hunting licenses afield with him.
CO Griffin Korican received a complaint of bait being placed in Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area. After locating the bait pile, CO Korican returned after archery deer season had opened and located an individual hunting in a ground blind looking over the bait pile. The individual was cited for baiting deer in a closed area and warned for leaving a temporary blind out on state land.
CO Griffin Korican and Sgt. Jason Becker patrolled Highland Recreation Area land for baited stands. The COs located several stands and found one that had bait down a few yards away from the tree stand. CO Korican returned later in the evening and found a hunter in the same tree stand hunting over bait. The hunter was cited for baiting deer in a closed area and warned for failing to label his tree stand as well as using tree-penetrating devices.
COs Joseph Deppen and Brad Silorey were checking St. Johns Marsh for waterfowl and marine activity. A vessel came into the launch and the COs assisted the man loading his vessel onto the trailer. A check of marine safety equipment showed that he did not have any PFDs aboard. While checking registration, it showed the suspect had outstanding warrants for his arrest. CO Deppen arrested the suspect, and he was turned over to county deputies who lodged him in the county jail.
CO Robert Watson responded to a complaint of people living within the Port Huron SGA. A total of three campers and one tent was located. The individuals were advised of the land use rules and will be cited in the future if violations are present.
CO Mike Drexler was patrolling Washtenaw County when he observed a vehicle, two vehicles behind his, pass the vehicle in front of it in a clearly marked no passing zone. The vehicle then passed CO Drexler and was promptly pulled over for the violation. A citation was issued for passing in a no passing zone.
COs Cody Bourgeois and Josh Salas followed up on a bait and trespass complaint on Consumers Energy property. During the follow-up, the COs located a suspect on Consumer's property who stated he only walks out there. Later, the COs discovered a big bait pile of sugar beets, corn, and carrots on the suspect's property. The COs followed up with the suspect who admitted to the COs he shot a buck over the bait. The COs will be submitting a report to the prosecutor seeking charges for an illegal deer over bait and recreational trespassing.
COs Griffin Korican and Joe Closser patrolled Pontiac Lake on the morning of waterfowl opener. The two COs checked several groups of hunters most of whom were having success. Upon checking one group of hunters, the COs discovered an individual who possessed a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells. The individual received a citation for the violation.
CO Griffin Korican checked waterfowl hunters on Moore Lake after shooting hours had ended on opening day. Upon checking a group of hunters, the CO discovered that one of the hunters possessed a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells. The individual received a citation for the violation.
CO Martin Lawrence participated in the Detroit Harvest Fest Annual Event along with Sgt. Damon Owens and CO Les Bleil. The COs displayed their equipment and were also able to connect with over 100 citizens of all ages who were interested in enjoying the outdoors. This event was held at the Detroit Dequindre Cut location.
COs Ariel Young, Keven Luther, Mike Drexler, Les Bleil, Josh Salas and Sgt. Damon Owens were assigned to Belle Isle during the Harvest Fest, a family and pet friendly event sponsored by Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division. This event was held annually prior to the pandemic and exemplifies a great family fall fun event. All the COs assisted with running the DNR Law Enforcement Division (LED) booth at the event, had several patrol vehicles on display, and participated in a “touch a truck” event where children could climb in and out of a Belle Isle DNR LED patrol Tahoe. There were multiple visitors to the booth, and everyone was all smiles after participating in the shooting range opportunity offered (BB gun range trailer) operated by COs Keven Luther and Mike Drexler.
CO Sydney Griffor worked a Belle Isle shift. While conducting stationary RADAR on Central Avenue, CO Griffor observed a vehicle traveling 44 mph in a posted 25 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver stated he was on a Grub Hub delivery. CO Keven Luther assisted CO Griffor on the traffic stop and the driver was issued citations for speeding and no insurance on the vehicle. The vehicle was impounded due to not having insurance. The driver also had a few warrants and as a result, he was arrested on his warrant out of Warren and picked up by the Warren Police Department. The Grub Hub food delivery was successfully delivered to the hungry customer after a short delay.
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Corporals (Cpls.) Craig Milkowski and Todd Sumbera followed up on a complaint at Whitefish Point of a possible oil leak from one of the commercial fishing vessels. They investigated the scene and surrounding area with no sign of oil anywhere.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen visited a pet store in Grandville, where he confiscated 11 moss balls that came from a contaminated lot from a wholesaler. Small zebra mussels were found on the moss balls, which were destroyed according to protocol.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge assisted with instructing a women’s self-defense class at a Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) program at Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay.
Cpl. Chris Lynch gave a presentation to the Escanaba Kiwanis Club about the duties and responsibilities of a Michigan Conservation Officer.
Cpl. Mike Hammill was flagged down by a passerby that had found an 8-point buck head in a ditch with a youth kill tag still attached. Cpl. Hammill returned the head to the parent of a 14-year-old girl that had been missing it badly since it was only her second deer harvested, and by far the largest. She and her dad had buried the head in the ground in hopes of having beetles eat the flesh away for a European mount. He explained that coyotes must have dug it up and walked away with the head. Cpl. Hammill also noticed a shaggy sheep dog walking around that looked guilty.
