1/19/2025-2/1/2025

DISTRICT 1

Conservation Officer (CO) Ethen Mapes worked most of the week in Ontonagon County to address multiple complaints of snowmobilers operating carelessly. Several citations were issued for careless operation after snowmobilers failed to stop at stop signs. One rider was also written for operating on a public highway.

CO Alex VanWagner assisted the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) with executing a search warrant on a residence in Iron County. Various chemicals and containers used to manufacture methamphetamine were seized by detectives and two subjects were lodged in relation to the incident.

CO Alex VanWagner assisted on a multi-agency investigation on an individual making terroristic threats toward Iron County residents and children. The subject was taken into custody and lodged at the Iron County Jail.

CO Alex VanWagner was patrolling Chicaugon Lake in Iron County and observed six tip-ups set out in front of a residence on the lake. Contact was made with four subjects inside the residence watching the tip-ups. Two males admitted the tip-ups were theirs and one of them did not have a fishing license. Enforcement action was taken.

In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar responded to a domestic assault in progress. Multiple firearms were reported to be inside the residence near the aggressor and victim. CO Sajtar arrived first on scene and separated the two subjects from the firearms in the residence. Two sheriff’s deputies arrived on scene and assisted CO Sajtar. After conducting a thorough investigation, the aggressor was arrested for domestic assault.

In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar attended the U.P. Trappers Association’s annual Young Trappers Workshop. The workshop aims to introduce kids of all ages to the sport of trapping. Seasoned trappers from the U.P. Trappers Association gave demonstrations on skills such as building mink boxes and setting various types of traps. Youth who attended the free event were given traps and trapping supplies to get started. CO Sajtar answered several trapping-related questions and interacted with the community.

COs Jeremy Sergey, John Kamps, Jackson Kelly, and Cody Smith patrolled snowmobile Trail 8 in Marquette County. The COs checked multiple snowmobiles. Nine citations were issued for careless operation of a snowmobile for failing to stop or yield at a road crossing.
 
CO Jeremy Sergey and Sergeant (Sgt.) Mark Leadman delivered moose hamburger from a road killed moose to the veterans at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette County. The COs spent the afternoon with the veterans sharing stories and passing a few moose antlers around for the veterans to see as they enjoyed a meal of moose burgers prepared by the facility. Numerous photographs were taken with the veterans holding the antlers and enjoying the afternoon.

DISTRICT 2

COs Andrea Dani and Brandon Maki were on a snowmobile patrol near a busy intersection where the trail crosses a roadway. The COs observed three snowmobiles completely disregard the stop sign as they crossed the road at approximately 30 miles per hour (mph). CO Maki initiated a stop on the sleds, contacted the riders, and asked them why they failed to stop. They stated that their visors were fogged up and they could not see. CO Maki stated that it probably wasn’t a good idea to be operating at those speeds with no vision of the trail. CO Maki issued a citation for careless operation.

COs Andrea Dani, Steve Butzin, and Brandon Maki patrolled Little Bay De Noc checking anglers. The COs issued seven citations ranging from fishing without a license, fishing with more than three lines, and possessing an undersized pike.

COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP), and Luce County Sheriff’s Department serve a search warrant in a remote part of Luce County only accessible by snowmobile. A couple had recently separated, and the male suspect had reportedly began killing their animals in retaliation. It was also determined that the man was a felon and could not possess a firearm. The man was taken into custody at a separate location and the COs assisted in transporting officers to the location to administer a search warrant at the residence. A total of 19 animals were discovered dead. The officers also located the firearm that was used and possessed by the man. The man was lodged in the Luce County Jail for the offenses and a report was generated by the MSP for animal cruelty and felon in possession of a firearm.

District 2 COs conducted two days of heightened snowmobile patrols in Chippewa County for the 56th annual International 500 Snowmobile Race. COs contacted over 598 snowmobilers, issued 24 citations and 76 verbal warnings for a variety of snowmobile related violations.

DISTRICT 3

CO Tom Oberg was patrolling near a snowmobile trail south of Gaylord that runs parallel with a train track. CO Oberg noticed two snowmobiles on the train tracks. As CO Oberg pulled over and activated his emergency lights, one of the snowmobiles was now off the tracks. CO Oberg observed the second snowmobile who was now stuck on the train tracks. CO Oberg walked over to the snowmobile and freed it from the tracks. CO Oberg questioned the operators on how they ended up operating on the snowmobile track when it is well posted as railway property with “No Trespassing” signs. They stated they thought they were turning onto the snowmobile trail. CO Oberg explained the importance of observing signs and how a mistake like that could lead to a very bad situation. CO Oberg issued a ticket for railroad trespass to the operator who was stuck on the train tracks. The other operator was given a verbal warning.

District 3 COs worked the annual sturgeon spearing season and Shivaree on Black Lake. The season was a success with seven fish being speared in 17 minutes. There were 797 registered anglers taking part in the season. Numerous violations were addressed throughout the short season and one person was arrested for operating an ORV while under the influence of alcohol (OWI).

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was conducting a snowmobile patrol in Montmorency County. He observed a vehicle traveling slowly on a back county road. When the driver of the vehicle noticed CO Liestenfeltz, they quickly turned their head in the other direction and turned down another back county road. Additionally, the driver of the vehicle was not wearing a seatbelt. CO Liestenfeltz conducted a traffic stop. Upon contacting the driver, it was determined that they had an open container of alcohol in the center console and CO Liestenfeltz was able to observe obvious signs of intoxication. CO Liestenfeltz conducted standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) on the subject which were not passed. CO Liestenfeltz ultimately arrested the subject for OWI and open intoxicants in a motor vehicle. They were lodged without issue.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling in Montmorency County after a large winter weather event. During a patrol, CO Liestenfeltz came across three separate vehicle slide-offs on busy roadways. CO Liestenfeltz stayed on scene until tow companies arrived to remove the vehicles and get them back onto the roadway. One of the slide-offs created a decent amount of damage to the vehicle, as well as destroying a mailbox. A report was taken for the damaged vehicle.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz was participating in a group patrol on Black Lake in Cheboygan County during the sturgeon season when he observed a quad traveling his direction at what appeared to be a very high rate of speed. CO Liestenfeltz also observed two passengers on the ORV sitting on the side with their feet hanging off, all not wearing helmets. CO Liestenfeltz was able to make a stop after following the ORV the shore. While speaking to the operator, CO Liestenfeltz observed obvious signs of intoxication. CO Liestenfeltz conducted SFSTs which were not passed. The subject blew just under a .16 on the preliminary breath test, nearly double the legal limit. COs Liestenfeltz and Matt Theunick placed the subject into custody and CO Kyle Cherry arrived on scene with his patrol truck to transport the subject to the Cheboygan County Jail. The subject was ultimately charged with OWI, no helmet on an ORV, and operating an ORV with more than one person.

CO Jon Sklba responded to a complaint of a subject camping on public land. The CO had contacted the subject multiple times in the past for camping illegally. The subject was contacted again and ticketed for failing to relocate and litter.

CO Jon Sklba responded to a complaint of carcasses and trespassing in Presque Isle County. The CO was able to determine the carcasses belonged to the neighbor who was using them to hunt predators over and he had been trespassing. CO Sklba contacted the neighbor and enforcement action was taken.

CO Jon Sklba responded to a snowmobile trespassing complaint in Presque Isle County. The subject’s property bordered the snowmobile trail, and he was upset with people on his land. The CO checked the area and discovered a large tree fell across the trail blocking it and diverting sleds onto the subject’s property. CO Sklba removed the tree.

DISTRICT 4

CO William Kinney and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s snowmobile deputy were patrolling Grand Traverse County for snowmobile activity. The officers were working a busy intersection, when a single snowmobile approached the stop sign. It was apparent to the officers that the rider had not registered his snowmobile and neglected to purchase a trail permit. Before the officers could even say a word, the operator flipped his helmet open and said, “I ain’t got it.” CO Kinney thanked him for being upfront and issued the rider one citation and warned him on numerous other violations which were present.

CO William Kinney has been dealing with a camping unit left on state land since September. The individual was located and interviewed. He had already received a citation previously this summer for a similar camping violation. He stated he has been attempting to remove the camping unit; however, the weather has made it difficult. The individual was ticketed for storing property on state land for more than 24 hours.

While patrolling for snowmobiles near the Mason/Lake County line, CO Kyle Publiski heard a complaint come over the radio of a vehicle that was driving down the railroad tracks near the county line. The vehicle was now stuck on the railroad tracks and caller stated the driver possibly intoxicated. CO Publiski arrived on scene and confirmed that the sport utility vehicle was blocking the railroad tracks. CO Publiski contacted central dispatch and advised them to shut down train activity until the vehicle could be removed. With the trains stopped and a tow coming for the vehicle, CO Publiski shifted his attention to the driver who was not intoxicated but suffering from Alzheimer’s. CO Publiski took the driver home to his caretaker, who advised he had found the car keys and went for a drive.

While patrolling the Pentwater area CO Kyle Publiski observed a vehicle that the Mason County Sheriff’s Office was looking for a couple hours earlier. The driver of the vehicle was a suspect in stealing a large amount of merchandise from a big box store in Ludington. While following the vehicle, CO Publiski noted the vehicle crossed the centerline and fog line in several locations and a traffic stop was made. CO Publiski contacted the driver and was told the stolen property was, “In the vehicle.”  Once a sheriff’s deputy arrived to assist, the vehicle was searched, and a lot of the stolen merchandise was recovered. The subjects were identified, and the vehicle was impounded by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.

CO Cameron Wright responded to an 82-year-old male in Fremont who slipped on ice and hit his forehead on concrete. CO Wright was the first to arrive and located the male lying on his back shivering uncontrollably. CO Wright wrapped the man in an emergency blanket and applied gauze to his forehead to stop the bleeding. CO Wright and a Fremont police officer assisted the man back into the building to keep him warm while they waited for an ambulance. Life Care arrived shortly after and transported him to the hospital for evaluation.

CO Cameron Wright responded to a call from Newaygo Central Dispatch of coyote hunters whose hunting dogs were trespassing on his private property without permission. While on the way to the location, CO Wright received a second complaint from a hunter in the same area who was harassed while coyote hunting. CO Wright learned the second caller was the trespassing suspect and was reporting the original caller for hunter harassment by threatening to shoot his dogs. CO Wright arrived in the area and located the hunters. CO Wright received a trail camera photo from the complainant of two dogs chasing a coyote on his property. CO Wright looked at the suspect's dogs in the dog boxes and noticed they were not the same dogs in the trail camera photos. The hunters were reminded of recreational trespass laws, and the caller was informed that he cannot shoot people's hunting dogs, and he cannot threaten hunters either.

DISTRICT 5

COs from District 5 patrolled the Tip-Up Town festival at Houghton Lake over two weekends, focusing on safety for outdoor enthusiasts. They monitored snowmobiling, ORV operations, and fishing issuing citations for violations to promote responsible recreation during the event.

CO Jeremy Cantrell was recently patrolling rural Missaukee County in search of bobcat hunters. He eventually encountered a group of hunters using hounds to track down bobcats. During his conversation with the hunters, CO Cantrell discovered a loaded and uncased firearm in the passenger seat of one of the vehicles. The vehicle's owner received a citation for possessing a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

CO Tyler Sabuda was patrolling Houghton Lake during Tip-Up Town when he observed a snowmobile carrying an adult and two young children who were not wearing helmets. The snowmobile accelerated to a speed that caused one of the children's winter hats to blow off. CO Sabuda conducted a stop on the snowmobile and discovered it was unregistered and lacked a trail permit. As a result, the operator was cited for not wearing helmets and not having a trail permit.

CO Joshua Jobin was patrolling Houghton Lake during the Tip-Up Town weekend in Roscommon County when he observed an ORV driving onto the ice alongside several other ORVs. The operator then started performing donuts next to parked vehicles and a crowd of people. CO Jobin approached the scene on his snowmobile and cited the ORV operator for careless operation.

COs Josh Russell and Mike Haas were patrolling Secord Lake in Gladwin County when they encountered two anglers ice fishing who advised they were close to reaching their limit of panfish. However, when the COs inspected the number of fish each angler had caught, they discovered that both were over the legal limit of 25 fish. As a result, each angler received a citation for exceeding the allowable limit on panfish.

DISTRICT 6

CO Adam Beuthin was on patrol checking ice anglers on the Saginaw River when he came to a shanty. He announced himself as a Conservation Officer and asked to see if the individuals had any luck fishing that day. The occupants of the ice shanty said they had and were happy to see the CO out on the river. Upon looking at the fish they had caught, it was determined four of the ten they had in their possession were under the 13-inch legal size-limit. Enforcement action was taken, and a citation was issued for possessing undersized walleye.

While traveling on M-20 during a snowstorm in Midland County, COs Mike Haas and Dan Robinson were passed by a van traveling over 70 mph in a 55-mph zone. The van was sliding all over the road and crossing the center line and onto the shoulder. A traffic stop was conducted, and it was discovered that the van’s registration had been expired for almost a year and the van also lacked insurance. A citation and multiple warnings were issued to the driver, and he was given the opportunity to secure insurance prior to getting back on the roadway.

COs Jacob Robinson and Marissa Sturtevant were on patrol in Montcalm County when they received a complaint that a subject was using eight tip-ups on a local lake. The COs were able to locate the tip-ups that were all properly labeled, but no one was around (unattended). The COs attempted to locate the subject at his residence on the lake, but he was not home. After waiting for approximately an hour, the COs started to take down and seize the unattended tip-ups. Just before the COs were about to leave, the anglers showed up stating that they left the area to get some lunch. All property was returned, and a citation was issued for the unattended lines.

DISTRICT 7

CO Carter Woodwyk was patrolling the snowmobile trails in Allegan County when he observed a single snowmobile drive by displaying an expired trail permit. The CO conducted a stop. The operator indicated he knew he was being stopped for having an expired trail permit because he was just talked to by the sheriff’s department about it. The operator told the CO he purchased a trail permit earlier in the day, but it must have come off his machine while riding. The CO checked multiple ways to verify if the operator purchased a trail permit but was unsuccessful. The CO questioned the operator on whether they did purchase a trail permit, and the operator came clean, admitting that his story was fabricated. Enforcement action was taken.

COs Carter Woodwyk and Ryan Jager were patrolling the snowmobile trails in Allegan County when they conducted a stop on two subjects for not displaying trail permits on their snowmobiles. The subject CO Woodwyk contacted indicated he purchased a trail permit in December 2024, but believed it was in a saddle bag back at his residence in Illinois. While the subject was searching the documents he did have on this snowmobile, the CO noticed a 2023 Michigan trail permit in the bag that clearly was never attached to a snowmobile. Further questioning led to the CO learning that the subject has two snowmobiles. The CO suspected that the owner only ever buys one trail permit and keeps it in his saddle bag whenever they ride so that it appears “valid” for that snowmobile if they are stopped. However, luck was not on this rider’s side and a citation was issued for failure to attach a trail permit to his snowmobile.

CO Kyle McQueer received multiple complaints on an individual who was shooting deer at night in Barry County. Through his investigation, CO McQueer revealed that the suspect was operating as an unlicensed deer processor. They had one felony warrant and one misdemeanor warrant out for their arrest. COs Jim Nason and McQueer went to interview the suspect on the above-mentioned complaints. After the interview, the COs arrested the individual on the warrants and lodged them at the Barry County Jail. A report will be submitted to the Barry County Prosecutor's Office for operating an unlicensed processor.

COs Travis Dragomer and Zach Bauer made a traffic stop on a snowmobile operating upon the trail without a trail permit. After further investigation, it was determined that the operator had a revoked driver’s license. A citation was issued for operating a snowmobile while revoked and a warning was issued for failing to display a trail permit.

DISTRICT 8

CO Cullen Knoblauch observed a snowmobile and a fishing shanty on Farwell Lake. CO Knoblauch contacted the angler and while checking his fishing license, he said, “You got me today.” The angler said, “Today was the best ice fishing day ever and you caught me.” CO Knoblauch counted the man’s catch of bluegill and determined he had 36 bluegills. The subject was cited for being over-limit bluegill.

CO Wes Butler was out on patrol when he noticed a truck parked on the side of the road that appeared to be a coyote hunter. CO Butler stopped to talk with the hunters so he could check for hunting licenses and firearms. When CO Butler asked to see their firearms, one of the hunters pulled an uncased AR-style rifle out of the passenger seat. CO Butler asked if there were any more firearms in the car and he stated there was one more in the back seat. CO Butler then checked the back seat of their truck and discovered a loaded and uncased shotgun. The hunter was given a citation for possessing loaded and uncased firearms in a motor vehicle. CO Butler continued to check more coyote hunters in the area and discovered another hunter with loaded and uncased firearms. CO Butler also issued that hunter a citation.

While on patrol in Ionia County, CO Jeremy Beavers checked ice angler activity on Morrison Lake. During his checks, CO Beavers checked two anglers who were actively fishing and had a bucket of fish. CO Beavers asked how many each angler caught and was told one caught four and one caught 10. CO Beavers checked the fish and then asked for licenses. The angler who caught four had a paper copy and provided it to CO Beavers. The other angler stated he had a digital copy on his phone. The angler attempted to locate it but was unsuccessful. CO Beavers looked the subject up and learned that he did not have a fishing license and had not purchased one during the past two years. The angler was cited for fishing without a license and the fish were seized. On additional checks, CO Beavers checked four other anglers who did not have licenses, and they were cited for the violations.

DISTRICT 9

CO Bobby Watson put together a group patrol that included COs Dave Schaumburger, Brad Silorey, Joe Deppen, Lisa Taube, Cody Bourgeois, Griffin Korican, Nick Ingersoll, and Danielle Zubek to work the Lake St. Clair ice races and check ice anglers near the Fair Haven boating access site. Activity was high and many contacts were made. Several complaints have been received about the ice races and activity in the area. The main enforcement goal was for safety in the area. Approximately 20 citations were issued throughout the day. Violations cited included careless operation on a snowmobile, fail to license snowmobile, fail to license ORV, no helmet on a snowmobile/ORV, fish without a license, over-limit of pike, and fail to obtain trail permit on a snowmobile.

COs Joe Deppen, Sydney Griffor, and Dave Schaumburger were working the ice races in Fairhaven and were stationary attending to an ORV driving without a helmet. During contact, a full-size pickup truck started doing donuts 60 feet away from the COs and was spraying ice and snow on them. CO Deppen contacted the driver who stated he was not doing it on purpose. The driver was issued a ticket for careless driving.

CO Lisa Taube responded to a Report all Poaching complaint in Lapeer County where the complainant believed his neighbor was hunting over bait, possibly using other hunter’s licenses, and taking an over-limit of deer. After conducting surveillance, a hunter was seen inside a baited deer blind on the suspect’s property. Contact was made with the hunter who was actively hunting over bait in a restricted county without a hunting license. The hunter admitted to harvesting two prior deer with his deer combo license and planned to use his wife’s tags for any additional harvests. The hunter was cited for hunting without a license and using bait in a restricted county to hunt deer. Numerous verbal warnings were also given to educate the hunter on the additional regulations he violated as well as the possible penalties.

CO Lisa Taube assisted Sgt. Danielle Zubek at the Ladies on the Lake Class and Perch Derby on Lake St. Clair. There were approximately 40 participants and several volunteers present. The anglers were given a short informative class that included the rules and regulations before hitting the ice. The perch bite was slow, but all the anglers had a good time learning and participating in a beginner’s event for women and ice fishing.

CO Zack Cardinal was in Ontonagon County for a snowmobile training. While waiting, a pair of snowmobilers blew through a stop sign at the intersection where COs Cardinal and Jared Ferguson were sitting with the other COs there for training. Once the two sledders were through the intersection, the COs conducted a traffic stop. Both riders received citations for disobeying a stop sign and failure to display snowmobile registration.

CO Cody Bourgeois received a complaint about possible illegal deer hunting off one of the Clinton River trails in Oakland County. The complainant stated she feeds deer along the trail, and when she went to go feed the deer there was blood all over her carrots and corn. CO Bourgeois went and investigated the area and located several bait piles, hunting blinds, and cameras on an adjacent property. CO Bourgeois contacted the owner of the property who stated he allowed one person to hunt out there. CO Bourgeois then contacted the suspect, who stated he hunted out there and killed several deer. The suspect couldn’t keep his story straight and after a little convincing ended up telling the CO that he shot around ten deer off the property, two bucks and a lot of does. CO Bourgeois asked where the deer were currently, and the suspect stated they were buried on site and covered with plastic totes. The CO was able to locate the antlered bucks and discovered not two, but three antlered deer. Two were trophy bucks an 8-point a 9-point and a smaller 6-point. The deer did not have any tags on them, nor were they reported as harvested. The bucks were seized, and the CO received a confession that all the deer were taken over bait and none were tagged. For all three antlered deer, the CO will be submitting charges for taking them over bait, possessing an over-limit of bucks, failure to attach kill tags, and not being registered as harvested.

CO Cody Bourgeois was working a group patrol on snowmobiles on Lake St. Clair. During the patrol, CO Bourgeois went to a well-known pike spearing location. On arrival, he noticed several ice fishing shanties and immediately noticed two that had red rings on the ice around them. The CO approached these shanties and saw several northern pike dead on the ice. When the CO contacted the first angler, he stated that he had his limit of good fish, which the CO would agree that he had five very large northern pike. The CO asked the angler for his fishing license and the angler got nervous and stated he left it in the vehicle. CO Bourgeois ran a file and checked for a fishing license, and it came back that he did not have one. The angler stated it was a mistake and asked if he could just go buy one. The angler also mentioned his girlfriend was fishing in the other shanty. The CO told the angler to stay put while he checked her. The CO noticed the female angler had more than her limit of northern pike on the ice. When CO Bourgeois questioned her, she stated that she thought the limit was 10 northern pike when it is five on Lake St. Clair. Citations were issued for the violations.

CO Griffin Korican received a complaint regarding several tip-ups left unattended on Cedar Island Lake for several days. Upon inspecting the tip-ups, it was discovered that there were seven total, and all were unlabeled. CO Korican received a possible suspect from a neighbor and contacted the individual. The individual stated that all seven tip-ups were his and continued to say he was unaware that tip-ups needed to be labeled or that they could not be left out without supervision. The individual was cited for fishing with more than three lines and failure to label his tip-ups. The individual was warned for leaving his tip-ups out of his immediate control.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporals (Cpls.) Craig Milkowski, Nick Atkin and Todd Sumbera attended a reptile and amphibian expo taking place in Birch Run to gain further knowledge of the pet industry, check for legal compliance, and patrol for invasive species. A wide variety of organisms were on site, and no law violations were discovered.

Cpl. Mike Hammill was contacted by an individual who recently tried purchasing a fur buyers license online.  The individual claimed he never received the license and was looking to purchase fur. Cpl. Hammill tracked down the license for him and he was able to make the purchases that day.