District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.
Conservation Officer (CO) Ethen Mapes taught at a Hunter Education Field Day in Silver City where 17 students earned their hunter safety certificates.
CO Alex VanWagner and Probationary Conservation Officer (PCO) Olivia Haerr observed a couple fishing on Little Smokey Lake. The subjects had just started fishing and both admitted they did not have a fishing license. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Alex VanWagner and PCO Olivia Haerr attended CO Jeremy Sergey’s Conservation Law class at Northern Michigan University to speak about their careers, the CO hiring process, and answered the students’ questions. PCO Haerr spoke about her academy experience and experiences so far during the field training process.
CO Alex VanWagner and PCO Olivia Haerr attended the Hometown Heros event at North Dickinson School, along with other local police departments, fire departments, and emergency medical services (EMS). The COs brought items to show the kids who attended and talked with them about species identification and answered their questions about the career.
In Menominee County, CO Steve Satjar observed the passenger of a pickup truck shining fields for deer shortly after dark. CO Sajtar conducted a traffic stop and discovered two compound bows and a shotgun in the vehicle. A misdemeanor citation was issued to the passenger for shining deer while in possession of a weapon.
COs Jackson Kelly and Jeremy Sergey responded to an ORV accident near AAA Road in Marquette County. The ORV had rolled down a steep hill, causing the operator to hit his head on a large rock. The ORV then landed on top of him. When the COs arrived, the victim had already been freed from underneath his four-wheeler. EMS arrived shortly after and transported the victim to the hospital. The subject’s injuries would have been far worse had they not been wearing a helmet. They are expected to make a full recovery.
Marquette County law enforcement was notified that local college students had made multiple reports of getting “roofied” at local parties. Some of these parties were at bonfire parties in the woods on public lands. COs Jeremy Sergey and Jackson Kelly patrolled locally known party sites, well after midnight, and located a large underage drinking party with pallets being burned in a large bonfire. Multiple contacts were made and Minor in Possession citations were issued to those possessing alcohol.
CO John Kamps patrolled on foot along a closed trout stream and was able to locate someone fishing at the base of a waterfall. The CO contacted the individual after he watched him catch a few brook trout. During the check, the angler was unable to provide the CO with a fishing license. Enforcement action was taken for fishing the closed trout stream and for failing to display a fishing license.
CO John Kamps was able to watch several waterfowlers who were suspected of hunting after hours. CO Kamps observed two hunters calling and shooting at geese close to 30 minutes after shooting hours had ended. Both subjects received citations for hunting geese after shooting hours.
District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.
CO Steve Butzin and PCO Matthew Bowser responded to a call of a boat in distress on Little Bay de Noc. The boat had run into a rock pile near Kipling and was hung up and unable to move. The COs responded and launched a jet ski which was able to get into the shallow water where the boat was stuck. CO Butzin tied a line to the boat and was able to pull it from the rock pile. The boat was still in good condition and the owner was able to then operate it to the nearby access site.
COs Michael Evink, Robert Freeborn, and PCO Alex French participated in a Hunter Safety Field Day. Twenty-five new accredited hunters were welcomed to the ranks.
Sgt. Mark Zitnik and COs Brandon Maki and Andrea Dani, along with several volunteers, held two Hunter Education Field Days in Alger County. Students were taught firearm and archery safety and handling, hunting etiquette and ethics, and rules and regulations. The students were then given the opportunity to put their new skills to the test via practice with pellet guns supplied by the Alger County Whitetails Association. Between the two classes, 50 new hunters earned their Hunter Education certification.
CO Mike Olesen and PCO Alex French were on patrol in Chippewa County, checking areas commonly used for waterfowl hunting. The COs contacted a hunter and performed a license check along with a firearms check. It was determined that the hunter did not have proper licensing for Michigan waterfowl hunting. The hunter was cited into Chippewa County court for prosecution.
CO Mike Olesen and PCO Alex French were on patrol in Chippewa County when individuals were spotted fishing a local river. The COs observed the anglers for a period to determine who was fishing. The group was contacted, and it was determined that one individual who had been observed fishing did not have a valid fishing license. The angler was cited into the Chippewa County District Court for prosecution.
Acting Sgt. Cole VanOosten attended a career event at Lake Superior State University. Sgt. VanOosten talked to numerous students about a career as a conservation officer and spoke with faculty to help guide the curriculum to best fit career needs.
District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz and PCO Evan White were patrolling in Montmorency County when they observed a vehicle pulled over on the shoulder of a back road. The COs then observed the vehicle pull back onto a main roadway where the vehicle began to swerve very heavily in their lane, as well as cross the fog line five times in a short distance. The COs conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. After contacting the two subjects inside, it was determined that they were coming from a squirrel hunting camp just down the road. The passenger of the vehicle was extremely intoxicated. A consent search was completed on the vehicle and the passenger stated there was no open alcohol in the vehicle. After completing an initial search, CO Liestenfeltz observed an open bottle of whiskey that the passenger was attempting to conceal under the center console. The passenger was issued a ticket for the alcohol violation.
CO Jon Sklba responded to a complaint of a subject shooting a deer prior to being mailed a tag purchased online. The young hunter was under the impression that he could tag the deer digitally like turkey. The hunter was educated about the tagging requirement for deer.
CO Jon Sklba was able to assist an elderly couple with a tire change in Presque Isle County.
CO Jon Sheppard responded to a domestic situation in Alpena where a juvenile was attempting to assault her mother with a knife. The juvenile had been restrained by the mother. An Alpena police officer arrived first and detained the juvenile. There were no injuries, and the juvenile was eventually lodged at the Alpena County Jail.
Sgt. Paul Fox was on patrol when he observed a subject, who he knew had a revoked driver’s license, pull out in front of him and drive down a public road. Sgt. Fox, along with the Rogers City Police Department, conducted a traffic stop on the individual. Upon further investigation, it was also found that the subject was in violation of their parole. The subject was ultimately arrested by the Rogers City Police Department for the driving and parole violations, and the vehicle was towed.
District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.
CO Josiah Killingbeck, while on patrol along the Manistee River in Manistee County, observed two individuals retaining foul hooked fish. CO Killingbeck contacted the subjects as they were leaving, and it was determined that the subjects were using illegal lead lures to snag fish. One subject stated he had been coming to this location for 14 years and always just snagged salmon. CO Killingbeck pointed to anglers nearby who were fishing using legal methods and catching fish in the mouth and advised the subjects that it can be done legally. Eight salmon were seized, and citations were issued for the violations.
COs Scott MacNeill and Josiah Killingbeck were patrolling along the Manistee River in Manistee County when they observed a subject fishing and snagging a fish in the tail. The fish was placed on a stringer and the angler continued to fish. While CO Killingbeck contacted the angler, CO MacNeill contacted a friend of the angler who told CO MacNeill, “I told him not to keep that fish.” The subject admitted to CO Killingbeck that he knew he was supposed to release the fish. The fish was seized, and a citation was issued for the violation.
CO Josiah Killingbeck assisted the Lake County Sheriff’s Department with a crash involving a semi-truck that caught fire with the driver trapped inside. CO Killingbeck assisted the fire department with extinguishing the fire and traffic control. The driver unfortunately was found deceased.
CO Josiah Killingbeck responded to a report of a shooting at a gas station in Baldwin, Lake County. CO Killingbeck assisted in performing life saving measures that were unsuccessful. CO Killingbeck assisted with interviews of witnesses and providing scene security while the scene was investigated.
COs Angela Greenway and Kevin Bunce put on a Hunter Safety Field Day for approximately 45 students in the Public Safety class at the Mecosta Osceola Career Center.
CO Angela Greenway was given information from Station 20 on a subject who had some suspicious license purchases in Mecosta County. When CO Greenway pulled into the suspect’s driveway, she observed sugar beets, apples, and corn in the bed of a truck in plain view. CO Greenway interviewed the homeowner and obtained a full confession, he admitted to hunting without a license when he shot a 10-point buck. He admitted he had been hunting about 10 times prior to shooting the deer. He also admitted to placing bait out and hunting over it. Charges are being sought through the Mecosta County Prosecutor’s Office
CO Cameron Wright responded to a report of a domestic assault that occurred in Bitely where a woman was thrown from a vehicle during an altercation. CO Wright arrived with deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office and discovered the woman was not thrown from the car. Instead, the driver of the car slammed on their brakes during their argument which caused her to hit her head on the back of the car seat. The driver then told her to get out of the car which she did. The woman then panicked because she did not know where she was and was severely intoxicated. During the investigation, it was discovered she had warrants and was arrested. There was not enough evidence of an assault to pursue any criminal charges.
CO Cameron Wright received a complaint from a hunter who shot a buck that ran on to the neighbor’s property in Newaygo County. The hunter received permission to track the deer on the neighbor’s property and searched for it for two days but was unsuccessful in recovering it. A few days later, an employee who works at the property located the deer and called the hunter to tell him about it. During the conversation, the hunter was told that the buck was too big for him, to get it back and that they were going to keep it to make a European mount out of it. CO Wright located the individual who took the deer head and interviewed him. The individual admitted to locating the deer and cutting the head off it. He told CO Wright that it was a big buck and that he did not believe the hunter’s story. CO Wright explained that the hunter had received permission to track the deer from the landowner, and did everything correct to recover this deer. Additionally, CO Wright explained to him that he was currently in possession of an untagged deer and could be charged for it. The individual quickly gave the deer head back and apologized for taking it. CO Wright returned the deer head to the hunter the following day.
CO Cameron Wright responded to a call for a possible suicide at the Hungerford Recreational Area in Newaygo County. The caller reported that her husband was out hunting and was suicidal. During her phone call with him, she heard a single gunshot and then her husband stopped talking. CO Wright was familiar with the area from patrolling the many trails that run through it and was able to locate the subject’s pickup truck parked off a two-track. CO Wright attempted to call out to the vehicle to get the driver to exit but was not getting a response. CO Wright approached the driver’s door and observed the man slumped over behind the wheel. CO Wright opened the door assuming he needed medical attention. To his surprise, the man popped up alert and startled. CO Wright immediately observed a knife in the subject’s right hand and quickly gained control of it. The subject ended up complying and dropped the knife, exited the truck, and was detained. A few minutes later, deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office arrived to assist. The man was ultimately transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.
CO Tim Barboza, while working Newaygo County with PCO Alex Arndt, had a vehicle, with a fraudulent plate on it, flee approximately a month prior that they were unable to locate. CO Barboza gathered additional information on the vehicle, possible suspects, and worked with the MSP to locate the vehicle which had been confirmed as stolen. The MSP obtained a search warrant which COs Barboza and Ryan Jager helped execute. During the search of the home and property, the vehicle was recovered but had been cut into pieces and two individuals with warrants were arrested. The MSP is continuing the investigation into who was all responsible for the theft of the vehicle.
District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.
CO Alex Bourgeois and PCO Max Bradford received a complaint of a woman who shot a buck without her license and bought the tag afterward. The COs arrived at the suspect’s residence and confronted her about the complaint. During the investigation, it was discovered that the woman did not shoot the buck. The woman stated that a friend shot the deer and did not want to burn his tag on it, so he had her go buy a tag to put on it. CO Bourgeois followed up with the friend and received a full confession. Charges are being filed with the Iosco County Prosecutor’s Office, and the deer was seized and donated to a local family.
COs Jeff Panich and Alex Bourgeois, along with PCOs Max Bradford and Nico Luna, investigated an illegal deer complaint in which the suspect had killed a buck without purchasing a license. The investigation found the suspect had not purchased any 2025 deer licenses until the morning after he killed a 9-point buck. The COs located the illegal deer’s antlers, cape, and meat at a local deer processor, where those items were seized. Charges are being sought through the local prosecutor’s office.
COs Kyle Cherry and Jake Hamilton were on patrol in Kalkaska County when they contacted a hunting camp preparing to go out for an evening hunt. During conversations with the hunters, it was discovered that one hunter was using bait and hunting out of an illegal stand. Another hunter admitted he had been hunting without purchasing a deer license. The hunter was cited for hunting without a license, and the other hunter was cited for tree stand violations.
CO James Garrett observed tire tracks entering a dead-end road where he had seen a baited blind. CO Garrett drove down the road to find it blocked approximately 100 yards from the turnaround by the hunter’s vehicle. CO Garrett ran the license plate, and the registered owner came back to an individual CO Garrett had contacted two years prior for hunting over bait and having a loaded firearm after legal hunting hours. CO Garrett contacted the hunter and found him hunting over bait, cutting down trees, and in possession of a firearm while bow hunting. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Joshua Jobin assisted with a pursuit that began in Oscoda County and continued into Ogemaw County. Dispatch advised that the suspect had been involved in a family domestic incident and was making suicidal statements. An Oscoda County deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the suspect fled at a high rate of speed, driving into oncoming traffic as he entered Ogemaw County. CO Jobin positioned himself near the county line and intercepted the pursuit. Spike strips were successfully deployed by an Ogemaw County deputy, disabling the vehicle. The suspect fled on foot but was quickly apprehended by CO Jobin. COs Jeff Panich and Casey Pullum arrived on scene to assist with searching and securing the suspect in the patrol car. The suspect was transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation, and charges were submitted to the Oscoda County prosecutor.
CO Joshua Jobin assisted the Arenac County Sheriff’s Office with a subject who tried to overdose on prescription medication and cut his neck with a knife. The subject was administered Narcan and transported to the hospital by EMS, where paramedics predicted he would recover.
COs Brad Bellville, Joshua Jobin, Josh Russell, and PCO Max Bradford attended a Cops and Donuts event in Ogemaw County. The COs spoke with residents of a local retirement home, answering questions and sharing stories from their careers.
While on patrol in Gladwin County, CO Josh Russell and PCO Max Bradford received a complaint concerning a person keeping wild raccoons and squirrels in her home without a wildlife rehabilitation permit. The COs discovered four raccoons and two squirrels being kept as pets. A wildlife rehabilitator was contacted to take the animals and enforcement action was taken.
District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.
CO Mark Siemen received complaints about campers in the Minden State Game Area (SGA) leaving junk around their campers and of a camper with a dozen chickens. CO Siemen responded to the location and checked multiple campsites. During the checks, multiple violations were present, and citations were written for camping without permits. One camper was advised that he needed to clean his mess up and remove his camper from the game area.
CO Mike Eovaldi and Sgt. Seth Rhodea worked a focused patrol after several complaints had been received about duck hunters on Saginaw Bay failing to use the required navigation lights early in the morning. The COs gave many warnings and issued four citations for no navigation lights and one citation for failure to provide a PFD.
PCO Cody Simmons and CO Mike Haas were patrolling in northern Montcalm County when they observed a side-by-side traveling at a high rate of speed on a public roadway. After approximately five miles, the COs caught up to the machine and verified excessive speed with a RADAR device. A traffic stop was conducted, and numerous open containers of alcohol were in the machine and the driver and passenger both lacked seatbelts. The passenger was cited for alcohol and seatbelt violations, and the driver was arrested and lodged for operating while under the influence of alcohol.
While patrolling sections of the Stanton SGA, PCO Cody Simmons and CO Mike Haas located two ladder stands that lacked required identification and were grown into the trees, suggesting they have been in the woods for years. There were also over half a dozen large bait piles surrounding the stands and even a homemade feeding trough for the deer. After a few days, the COs contacted hunters in the stands and issued various citations and warnings for illegal bait, harvesting deer over bait, failing to report deer harvests, failing to properly label tree stands, and hunting without licenses.
District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.
CO Carter Woodwyk noticed a vehicle stopping in the middle of the roadway. The CO pulled up his binoculars to see what the occupants were doing. The CO quickly recognized a crossbow coming out of the driver side window, and seconds later the CO observed and heard the crossbow being shot. The CO got back in his patrol truck and initiated a traffic stop. When the CO contacted the driver of the vehicle, he recognized him as a suspect who was involved in a nighttime road hunting case from 2024. The driver of the vehicle stated they were attempting to shoot a raccoon. Enforcement action was taken, and the crossbow was seized.
COs Jim Nason and Kyle McQueer spotted a car being operated that was suspected of illegal activity. The COs ran the license plate through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) and discovered that the registered owner had warrants in Kalamazoo County. After conducting a traffic stop, the COs arrested the man on his warrants. The vehicle was searched, and a cocked crossbow was found in the back seat of the vehicle. The violation was addressed, and the man was lodged in the Kalamazoo County Jail.
CO Casey Varriale received a complaint about a suspect who had a deer hanging in his backyard without a tag on it. CO Varriale went to the residence and located a doe carcass, blood, hair, and a knife covered in blood. CO Varriale interviewed the fiancé of the suspect, and she stated her fiancé shot a deer two nights prior and processed it for food. CO Varriale gained contact information for the suspect and during an interview, the suspect admitted to shooting a doe without a tag and with his crossbow. Charges were filed with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.
COs Jackie Postema, Anna Cullen, and Sgt. Jeff Ginn were working a tip provided by CO BJ Goulette of illegal waterfowl baiting. On the opening day of the South zone duck opener, the COs began hearing multiple shots in quick succession coming from the location in question. During the initial 11 minutes of observations, the COs heard over 60 shots fired by the suspects. As shots continued, the COs carefully approached, as Sgt. Ginn moved in from the opposite direction. Upon contact, the COs observed a spin cast style feeder positioned near the pond. The suspects had placed several decoys near the feeder. While contact was made with the hunters, the feeder activated, spreading shelled corn amongst the decoy spread. A total of 22 ducks were illegally killed in 11 minutes. Charges are being submitted to the Muskegon County Prosecutor’s Office for taking waterfowl over bait, using a firearm capable of holding more than three shells, possessing more than one firearm per hunter, using toxic shot, failing to purchase waterfowl licenses and federal stamp, uncased firearm on an ORV, and resisting and obstructing.
CO Anna Cullen was patrolling the White River when she observed a group of individuals fishing with illegal gear. She observed one of the anglers foul hook a salmon and put the fish on a stringer. Contact was made with the angler. One king salmon was seized, and four citations were issued for illegal gear and possessing a foul hooked fish.
CO Zach Bauer was on patrol when he located two anglers fishing along the St Joseph River. CO Bauer observed the anglers for several minutes when the anglers walked onto the spillway of a dam along the river and began attempting to net salmon. CO Bauer witnessed one angler net a salmon and hand it to another angler. CO Bauer contacted the anglers who admitted to netting the salmon and had another salmon on a stringer they admitted to netting. One angler also did not have a fishing license. Several citations were issued for possessing fish illegally and fishing without a license.
District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.
CO Wes Butler received a call that individuals were hunting waterfowl out of season within Rose Lake SGA. COs Butler and Zach Smith met at the area of the complaint to locate the hunters. As the COs were walking into the woods, the suspects were walking out with a hen mallard and a bag full of waterfowl decoys. CO Butler asked the hunters what they were doing. The hunter with the mallard said, “Duck hunting.” CO Butler then informed the hunters that the waterfowl season didn’t start in the south zone until a full week later. COs Butler and Smith asked the hunters for their licenses and gear. As the COs were looking through the hunters’ ammunition, CO Smith discovered that the hunter who shot the mallard was in possession of lead shot. The COs issued citations to the hunters for waterfowl hunting during closed season and possessing toxic shot while waterfowl hunting.
CO Brandon Benedict contacted a hunter in the Rose Lake SGA. After the individual advised CO Benedict that he was going deer hunting, CO Benedict asked to see his deer tags. The individual advised that he did not have his license with him and would have to look for it. He was advised that he would have to have his deer kill tags before he went hunting. Later, CO Benedict found the individual coming out of the woods with a compound bow. The individual advised that he did not have his deer license with him despite CO Benedict telling him he had to be in possession of it while hunting. A citation was issued for the violation.
CO James Rowley investigated an abandoned vehicle in the Dansville SGA. The vehicle was not reported as stolen. CO Rowley requested a welfare check/notification be made at the Jackson County location of the registered owner. No contact was made at the address. CO Rowley searched the area and found no one or anything suspicious outside the vehicle. An abandoned vehicle tag was placed on the vehicle and after 48 hours had expired the vehicle was towed. A week later, an MSP trooper from the Jackson Post contacted CO Rowley regarding the vehicle. The registered owner returned and was attempting to file a stolen vehicle report. CO Rowley relayed the suspicious circumstances regarding the vehicle itself and reported where the vehicle was currently located. CO Rowley was later contacted by the insurance company of the registered owner regarding their investigation.
While assisting local law enforcement with scene security for a plane crash that occurred within the Rose Lake SGA, CO Wes Butler spotted two hunters walking through a field. CO Butler approached the hunters to speak with them regarding the area being closed due to the plane crash, but before he could say anything, one of the hunters yelled, “Hey, are you lost?” The hunter was upset and expressed to CO Butler that he was messing up their hunt. CO Butler asked the hunter what they were hunting for and the hunter replied, “Well, we’re trying to hunt pheasants.” However, it was October 17th and pheasant season didn’t start until October 20th. While conducting a license check, the CO also learned that neither hunter had a pheasant license. CO Butler educated the hunters on pheasant hunting laws and issued them both citations for hunting pheasant out of season and hunting pheasant without a license.
District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.
CO Joshua Salas received a complaint of an individual harvesting a 10-point deer over bait in one of the local cities. The CO was able to discover who the alleged suspect was and confirmed that the individual had harvested a deer the night prior. The CO contacted the suspect and initially the suspect claimed he had harvested the deer in a local recreation area but could not remember the name of it. The CO continued questioning the suspect and the individual eventually confirmed that he harvested the deer in his back yard and he had placed some bait out. The case is being forwarded to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sgt. Danielle Zubek worked with COs Joe Deppen and Kris Kiel. A complaint was received for a hunter hunting in the refuge at St. John’s Marsh. Sgt. Zubek arrived at the location and could hear the hunter calling in waterfowl. COs Deppen and Kiel arrived by boat and were able to contact the hunter. The hunter had taken three ducks in the closed area. Charges are going to be filed with the prosecutor’s office.
COs Brad Silorey and Kris Kiel were speaking with a baiting suspect when they observed a side-by-side pass by them at an extremely high rate of speed. The COs ended their contact with the initial subject and attempted to catch up to the careless ORV operator. The ORV was traveling at such a high rate of speed it took the COs several miles to catch up. A traffic stop was initiated, and contact was made with the operator. The male driver was asked why he was traveling on county roads that are closed to ORV operation and speeding more than 60-plus mph. The driver stated that his elderly mother was in the back and needed to use the restroom urgently. There were also three children in the ORV. The driver’s identification was obtained, and he was directed to go to his residence so the COs could speak with him further. After reaching the subject’s residence, he was cited for careless ORV operation and operating an ORV on closed public roads.
CO Sydney Griffor was checking duck hunting vessels coming off the water on Harsens Island. While checking two hunters, they advised they shot nine ducks total. CO Griffor checked licenses, firearms, ammunition, birds, and marine safety equipment. The one individual was adamant he had his waterfowl licenses but was unable to produce them. CO Griffor double checked the sales system, and it was determined the hunter did not purchase his federal migratory duck stamp, state waterfowl license, or migratory bird hunter. The four ducks that hunter shot were seized, and charges will be submitted to the prosector’s office for hunting/possessing waterfowl without the proper licenses and federal duck stamp.
District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.
CO Les Bleil found a suspiciously tagged deer while conducting a deer processor inspection. CO Bleil asked for assistance from CO Ariel Young and together the COs located the individual who shot the deer. The COs conducted an interview of the subject and obtained a full confession that the deer had been killed before the subject had purchased a license. Upon further investigation, it was also determined that the hunter had shot the deer over bait. A report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office.
CO Ariel Young was alerted to waterfowl hunting activity at Pointe Mouillee SGA on the Tuesday before opening day. CO Young was able to make the location and contacted two hunters as they were coming out of the field. The hunters admitted to hunting, not knowing that waterfowl season was not open yet. It was also determined that the hunters did not possess the right licenses to be hunting waterfowl. The hunters were issued citations for hunting without the proper licenses. After this contact, CO Young was contacted again about another hunter in the Vermet unit hunting from a kayak. With assistance from Pointe Mouillee staff, CO Young was able to locate the hunter. After observing the individual for a while, contact was made. The hunter was excited that they had shot four ducks that day and had expressed their desire to mount one of the drake ducks they shot. CO Young informed the individual that while the drake was nice, they would not be getting any of the ducks back. This individual was cited for possessing waterfowl in a closed season and the ducks were seized and donated to a local member of the community.
While conducting an early morning patrol of the managed units at Pointe Mouillee SGA, CO Ariel Young contacted many hunters on their way to their units to hunt. During the checks, CO Young was checking to make sure there was no toxic (lead) shot being brought out into the units and to make sure the hunters were keeping to their 25-shell limit. During the checks, CO Young was approached by a group of hunters who had attempted to bring an entire extra box to the field. They handed CO Young the box of shells and said that they wanted to turn it in and did not want it anymore. The hunters tried to reason that one of their buddies was supposed to join them, but stood them up, and the box had been intended for them. CO Young discussed with the hunters that the shells should not have made it this far into the game area and should have been left at the truck when they realized that their buddy was not coming. This group and two others were cited for possessing too many shells in the managed units of Pointe Mouillee SGA.
COs Ariel Young, Martin Lawrence, Nick Ingersoll, and PCO Andrew Werth were checking hunters coming into the managed units at Pointe Mouillee. Upon contact with one group, it was determined that one of the hunters had shells that contained size BB which is not allowed in the managed areas. One of the hunters was also afield with an unplugged firearm intended to be used for waterfowl. Both individuals were cited by PCO Werth.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth were on patrol at a managed waterfowl area and stopped one hunter to verify that they had their allotted 25 shells for the managed waterfowl unit. The COs saw that the hunter had four more shells in the front compartment of their backpack, along with the full box of shells that they presented to the COs. The hunter said that they had forgotten to take them out from the last time out hunting. A citation was issued for possessing more than 25 shells in a managed waterfowl area.
CO Brandon Vacek was patrolling during the second day of the south zone waterfowl opener when he contacted a group of three waterfowl hunters at the Pointe Aux Peaux SGA in Monroe County. Two of the hunters were found to be in possession of several shotgun shells containing lead shot. Both hunters were issued a citation for possession of toxic shot while waterfowl hunting.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth received a complaint about an individual who bought their deer license a day after harvesting their deer. The COs interviewed the individual who admitted to shooting the deer prior to purchasing a license and with the aid of bait. Charges will be sought through the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for taking a deer without a hunting license and the use of bait to aid in the taking of deer.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth conducted a waterfowl patrol at Pointe Mouillee SGA and checked multiple waterfowl hunters. One hunter was found to have an unplugged gun. As the COs continued their check, they found that the hunter had an additional 18 shells over their allotted 25 shells in the managed waterfowl area. Within the 18 shells, two of the shells were found to be lead shot (toxic). The hunter was issued a citation for possessing toxic shot and an unplugged gun.
COs Joe Closser and Kris Kiel were patrolling Belle Isle and were flagged down by an individual who was the victim of a hit and run. The accident occurred off the island in the City of Detroit and the victim followed the suspect onto Belle Isle. The COs stopped the suspect, and it was immediately apparent that the suspect was having a medical emergency. The COs called for a medical unit to respond, and she was transported to the hospital.
COs Zack Cardinal and Sydney Griffor were assigned a Belle Isle shift when they were dispatched to Sunset Drive and Fountain Drive for a suicidal subject. A vehicle description and license plate were provided. The COs arrived on location and contacted a woman sitting in the driver’s seat of the parked vehicle. The woman was in and out of consciousness but told CO Cardinal she took approximately 20 to 25 Xanax pills, which were observed in the cup holder of the vehicle. The woman also told CO Cardinal that she came to Belle Isle with the intentions of committing suicide that day. A loaded handgun was found in the driver’s side door of the vehicle, which was eventually placed into evidence. EMS arrived on location and transported the woman to Detroit Receiving Hospital where the COs petitioned the woman for mental health treatment.
CO Dave Schaumburger stopped a vehicle traveling 41 mph on Belle Isle. The driver of the vehicle stated he was driving so fast cause the sun was bothering him. The CO advised him that he should drive slower when the sun was in his eyes. A citation was issued for excessive speed.
CO Dave Schaumburger stopped a vehicle traveling 54 mph on Belle Isle. The driver stated that she did not realize she was driving so fast because the sun was bothering her, she could not see out of her sunglasses, and there were people calling her at the same time. A citation was issued for excessive speed.
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Corporals (Cpls.) Chris Lynch and Mike Hammill responded to a net complaint on Lake Superior at the mouth of the Au Train River. The complainant advised that a commercial gill net had been set well within the required .3-mile distance from the river mouth. The officers located the net, took measurements, and determined that the net was at the exact legal distance. The fisherman was contacted shortly thereafter, and his licenses checked and catch inspected.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge observed a truck parked at an access site on the closed portion of the Carp River near Negaunee in Marquette County. Cpl. DeLonge also observed fresh kayak or canoe marks on the shore near the truck. After walking several bends downstream Cpl. DeLonge observed an individual on shore prepping a fishing pole with a kayak pulled next to him. Cpl. DeLonge contacted the individual, who admitted that he was getting ready to fish for trout. Cpl. DeLonge explained that the stream was closed and after returning to the truck, the individual was issued a citation for possessing fishing equipment on a closed stream. Cpl. DeLonge also addressed other issues during the contract, including the individual not possessing a valid fishing license and having a revoked driver’s license.
