District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.
Conservation Officer (CO) Ethen Mapes participated in a search and rescue involving a middle-aged male who had gone missing in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. After nearly 24 hours, the subject was found in good health.
CO Jenni Lehto located an illegal hunting site that was over baited and placed in July. CO Lehto checked the site periodically and observed that the bait was still over the legal limit. During bow season, CO Lehto contacted the hunter in his shack who immediately said, “I’m not hunting.” CO Lehto observed a rifle that he had attempted to hide in the blind. CO Lehto also observed open containers of alcohol in his blind. The subject eventually admitted that he was hunting deer with a rifle. CO Lehto confiscated the firearm and cited the subject for over bait/early bait and attempt to take deer with a firearm out of season.
While patrolling the Ottawa National Forest, CO Jenni Lehto observed a hunter operating a four-wheeler on a closed road. Upon further check of the hunter, he admitted to having his shotgun loaded. The hunter was cited for possessing a loaded firearm on a motor vehicle and was issued a verbal warning for operating his off-road vehicle (ORV) on a closed road.
COs Jenni Lehto, Ray Gagnon, Pete Shambaugh, and Byron Parks taught at a Hunter Safety Field Day in Wakefield. Twenty-one students successfully completed the course and earned their hunter safety certification.
In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar responded to a report of a pole building on fire. CO Sajtar arrived first on scene and observed a large pole building on fire near an occupied dwelling. After accounting for all individuals on the property, CO Sajtar learned there was a propane furnace in the fully engulfed pole building. CO Sajtar located a 500-gallon propane tank between the burning pole barn and the occupied dwelling. While approaching the tank, CO Sajtar heard a large amount of propane being drawn from the tank. CO Sajtar located and closed a valve on the propane tank to prevent any more fuel from reaching the fire. Several local fire departments responded and suppressed the fire. No injuries occurred and the pole barn fire was suppressed before reaching the occupied dwelling.
While patrolling in Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar noticed a large pile of deer bait in open view of a county road. CO Sajtar photographed and documented the illegal bait site then contacted the landowner. Upon interviewing the landowner, CO Sajtar learned the landowner had emptied another dump trailer of bait into a different field behind the landowner’s house. CO Sajtar then photographed and documented the second illegal bait site. The landowner was issued a misdemeanor citation for bating deer more than two gallons and instructed to clean up the illegal bait sites.
COs Steve Sajtar and Alex VanWagner assisted the Iron County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police (MSP) with apprehending a suspect wanted for attempted homicide and aggravated domestic violence. The Iron County Sheriff’s Office was notified that a female had shown up to Aspirus Medical Center for treatment after being shot at with a shotgun then hit in the head with the butt of the shotgun. COs Sajtar and VanWagner assisted the Iron County Sheriff’s Office and the MSP with setting up a perimeter around the suspect’s house. Ultimately, the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
In Menominee County, CO Steve Sajtar received information that an individual shot a female bear accompanied by cubs. After investigating and interviewing several witnesses, CO Sajtar identified a suspect. CO Sajtar interviewed the suspect at the suspect’s residence and verified the complaint. Additionally, the suspect admitted he did not register the bear within 72 hours from the time the bear was harvested. The suspect was issued a misdemeanor citation for failure to register a bear within 72 hours of the time it was harvested. A report was submitted to the Menominee County Prosecutor’s Office requesting additional charges for taking a female bear accompanied by cubs. Restitution for an illegally killed or possessed bear is $3,500 per animal.
District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.
CO Justin Vinson was checking a tree stand he found earlier in the season without a name and address, driver’s license number, or sports card Identification (ID) number. The hunter was using state land pathways to access his hunting site which is closed to motor vehicle traffic. CO Vinson encountered the hunter driving through the pathway trails after removing his tree stand. A citation was issued for operating a motor vehicle along state land pathways.
District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.
CO Andrea Albert received a complaint of a subject trespassing and standing in a closed trout stream with a net attempting to take salmon. The complainant provided a photo of the subject in the river and a plate number. When CO Albert contacted the suspect and showed him the photo, he admitted it was him but claimed he merely found the net in the river and was just retrieving it. When asked where the net was, he said his friend who was with him that day had it. Contact with the second subject revealed that the suspect had kept the net and was lying about its location. A report was submitted to the prosecutor's office for trespassing and illegal possession and use of a net on a closed stream.
CO Andrea Albert contacted a subject in possession of a spear and a freshly speared salmon from the Jordan River. The angler claimed he had found the spear along the river and tied a rope to it which he also stated he found and then speared the salmon. CO Albert advised that he was the second person to tell her recently that they just merely found an illegal fishing device on the river and explained that it is still illegal to possess and use a spear on a trout stream even if he just found it as he claimed. A ticket was issued for the violation, and the salmon and spear were seized.
CO Andrea Albert noticed a lot of deer hunters not reporting their deer harvests as required by law. CO Albert contacted multiple successful deer hunters and explained they are required to report their deer harvest within 72 hours or prior to transferring possession to another person, processor or taxidermist. When CO Albert advised it is the fourth season for mandatory harvest reporting, they acknowledged they should have known better. CO Albert explained the process for registering their deer and tickets were issued in all instances.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was patrolling Montmorency County when he observed an older model pickup truck shining during legal shining hours. The vehicle then turned onto another back road without using a turn signal. The vehicle then came to an abrupt stop in the middle of the roadway. As CO Liestenfeltz turned onto the same road, the vehicle sped off at a very high rate of speed causing the tires to spin and the vehicle to fishtail as it sped off. CO Liestenfeltz conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. After speaking with the driver, CO Liestenfeltz observed obvious signs of intoxication as well as many beer cans both full and empty in the vehicle. Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFTS) were conducted and not passed. CO Liestenfeltz ultimately placed the driver into custody. After completing the Intoxylizer 9000, it was determined the subject had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than twice the legal limit. CO Liestenfeltz lodged the subject without issue for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz finished up a hunter harassment case in northern Montmorency County. The victims of the case stated that on opening day of archery season, a subject had walked onto state land where the victims were hunting. The subject was yelling and specifically looking for the victims. Once the subject found their location he began to yell and state that they had ruined a previous year’s hunt, and he was there to ruin theirs. The subject then became more aggressive and asked the victims where they were from, who they were, and where they parked. After interviewing the suspect, the suspect stated, “I’ve hunted that area for 60 years and I just wanted them to go somewhere else.” CO Liestenfeltz submitted charges to the Montmorency County Prosecutor’s Office which were authorized.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was fueling up his patrol truck in Montmorency County when Montmorency County Dispatch put out a call about an assault that had just occurred a couple hundred yards from his location. CO Liestenfeltz responded to the scene and gathered many statements and information. The suspect was no longer on scene at the time. The victim stated he was hit in the face with what he thought was a baseball bat. The victim had serious enough injuries that emergency medical services (EMS) was called to the scene. It was later determined that the victim suffered multiple facial fractures. After speaking with a Montmorency County Sheriff’s Deputy, a suspect was identified. CO Liestenfeltz had prior experience with the suspect so both CO Liestenfeltz and the deputy went to the suspect’s residence. After interviewing the suspect and gathering more information, the suspect was arrested and charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The Montmorency County Sheriff’s Department will continue to handle the incident.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz had just pulled into his residence to end his shift when Montmorency County Dispatch put out a call that there was a single vehicle injury accident which was just down the road from CO Liestenfeltz’ s location. A vehicle had driven through a curve and crashed into the trees. At this time, one deputy was out of the county, and the second deputy was on the opposite side of the county. CO Liestenfeltz responded to the scene and contacted the driver who appeared extremely intoxicated. The driver of the vehicle admitted to drinking quite a bit and had just left a local bar. CO Liestenfeltz gathered information and completed a blood search warrant due to the subject being transported to the hospital. CO Liestenfeltz responded to the hospital to complete a blood draw with hospital staff. The case is still open pending results of the BAC.
CO Jon Sklba was on patrol when he located an illegal duck blind on state forest land. The blind had recently been constructed and did not have any name or identification on it. Additionally, decoys had been left out overnight and unattended. CO Sklba checked the area the following day and contacted several duck hunters using the blind. The hunters also rode their ORV in an area closed to ORV use and one hunter did not have their waterfowl license in their possession. Tickets and warnings were issued for the violations.
Sgt. Paul Fox, along with several Wildlife Division staff, attended a public open house meeting at the Northland Sportsman’s Club. The open house presented information regarding possible elk regulation changes and sought input from the public, guides, and conservation organizations.
District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.
CO Josiah Killingbeck contacted a hunter hunting over a large pile of sugar beets. The hunter immediately told CO Killingbeck, “I know why you’re here,” and said it was too hard to hunt without bait. CO Killingbeck pointed out that even if baiting was legal, the large pile of sugar beets would be over two gallons. The subject agreed it was and complained that even with the bait he was not seeing many deer. A citation was issued for the baiting violation.
CO Samuel Koscinski received a complaint about a safety zone violation. Upon arriving at the location, CO Koscinski observed a waterfowl hunter hunting outside the 450-foot safety zones. Upon checking the waterfowl hunter, it was found he was using an unplugged shotgun, which could hold more than three rounds. A citation was issued for hunting with an unplugged firearm.
CO Josh Reed was patrolling the Hughes Swamp area of the Martiny State Game Area (SGA) in Mecosta County. CO Reed noticed a truck parked on the side of the road which accessed posted Mecosta County property. Since CO Reed had been working on a trespassing and baiting issue on the property for multiple years he walked into the property and located a subject hunting from a tree stand. The stand had also been baited with a mineral block and sugar beets. CO Reed asked the subject how long he had been hunting the property and the hunter replied most of his life. The hunter removed his stand and trail camera from the property. CO Reed issued a citation for the recreational trespass and the bait violation.
While conducting a shining patrol in Newaygo County, CO Tim Barboza and Sgt. Ben Shively observed a beam of light shining on fields. The COs then saw a vehicle with a light coming out of the front passenger window spotlighting both sides of the road. The COs conducted a traffic stop and cited the passenger for shining during November.
CO Cameron Wright was patrolling Newaygo County for shining activity during the month of November and observed a pickup truck slowly driving down a dirt road that was spot lighting deer. CO Wright conducted a traffic stop and located a large spotlight on the center console. CO Wright informed the occupants that it was illegal to shine deer during the entire month of November. The subject was cited for shining during November.
CO Ryan Jager assisted Oceana County deputies with a felonious assault investigation where a subject threatened a neighboring property owner with a splitting maul and firearm. CO Jager assisted deputies in calling the suspect out of their home and placing them into custody. The deputies returned a short time later with a search warrant and recovered both weapons used in the incident.
District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.
COs Josh Russell and Jeff Goss were on their way to check a large bait pile on state land when they observed a 10-point buck hanging at a nearby camp in Gladwin County. The COs contacted the hunter who harvested the deer and verified it was tagged correctly. After contacting the hunter, the COs checked the bait pile where they found fresh blood and E-bike tire tracks. The COs collected evidence and went back to camp to speak to the hunter. After a brief interview, the COs were able to get a full confession from the hunter. The deer was seized, and a report is being written.
COs Jeff Goss and Josh Russell revisited several illegal bait sites on state lands that were located after last year’s deer season in Gladwin County. Two subjects were found to be hunting over excessive amounts of illegal bait. They had also created 1.25 miles of illegal ORV trails to replenish their illegal bait sites. Tickets were issued for violations.
CO Kyle Bader attended a community event hosted by the local Scouts of America. Other agencies in attendance included the MSP, Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Office, West Branch Police Department, DNR Forest Resources Division, Consumers Energy, and Ogemaw County EMS. Approximately 50 young scouts showed up to meet the heroes.
While conducting a shining patrol in a clear-cut where deer frequent in Oscoda County, COs Casey Pullum and Evan White observed a vehicle traveling at a low speed. The COs witnessed a headlamp shine from the passenger window into the clear-cut and illuminate a deer. A traffic stop was conducted, and a citation was issued for shining in November.
COs Jeff Panich, Jesse Grzechowski, and PCO Nico Luna responded to a complaint of an illegal deer in Alcona County. PCO Luna and CO Grzechowski drove to the residence and talked to the suspect. The suspect consented to showing the deer, which were a spike and a doe, both untagged. The suspect had filled out a harvest report for the spike and said he forgot to tag it. PCO Luna addressed the violations with the suspect and issued a citation for possessing an untagged deer and failing to immediately validate a kill tag on the spike that was already registered. PCO Luna seized the untagged doe and donated it to a family in need.
CO Kyle Cherry received notification for authorized charges on a pending case through the Kalkaska County Courthouse. A misdemeanor charge was authorized from a case this summer regarding a bear hunter who had established an early bait station. A summons was approved for one charge of establishing a bear bait station more than 31 days before season.
COs Ben McAteer and Craig Neal stopped two side-by-sides speeding down M-18 in Crawford County. A strong odor of intoxicants came from the lead driver, who failed SFSTs and was arrested. At the jail, he tested nearly twice the legal limit. The driver faces charges for operating while intoxicated (OWI), operating on a state highway, speeding 10 mph over the limit, and possessing two fake driver’s licenses.
CO James Garrett investigated a complaint of a dead 4-point buck shot with an arrow in Kalkaska County. He located the deer with a 3-blade expandable broadhead hole and followed a blood trail toward a neighbor’s property. The neighbor, who had not purchased a 2025 deer license, denied involvement. After performing a necropsy, CO Garrett recovered a 3-blade Rage broadhead and broken crossbow bolt matching those later found in the suspect’s bedroom after getting consent to search the residence with the suspect. Despite continued denial, the bolt and broadhead were seized as evidence, and charges are being sought through the Kalkaska County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Ryan Weakman was patrolling the Clare/Isabella County line during the District 6 shining flight, when he observed a vehicle speeding with only fog lamps or dim headlights. The vehicle passed him on a gravel road and failed to stop immediately, pulling into a driveway instead. The driver, who had nine outstanding warrants, was taken into custody and lodged in the Midland County Jail. He told CO Weakman he didn’t stop because the vehicle’s water pump was bad, and he didn’t want it to overheat. Charges are being sought in Isabella County for felony flee/elude and operating on a revoked driver’s license.
COs Kevin Bunce and Troy Mueller were on patrol recently for late-night shining activity in Osceola County when they came upon an elderly dog dragging a leash and standing squarely in the center of the roadway. Subsequent door knocking rendered dismal results in locating the dog’s owners. The friendly-acting dog was eventually turned over to Osceola County Animal Control where overnight care was provided. As fate would have it, “Dexter’s” family was ultimately able to reunite with him through the power of social media after a brief stay in the local “pen”.
District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.
CO Jason Ruth was contacted regarding waterfowl hunters shooting past legal hours at Tobico Marsh. CO Ruth was able to locate the hunters heading out of the marsh an hour after shooting time had ended. When asked if they had any success, they showed him one wood duck. CO Ruth asked who had shot the duck, and the hunters said all three of them had shot at it. When asked what time they shot the duck, they said at 6:50 PM. Shooting hours ended at 6:28 PM. The wood duck was confiscated, and a report will be forwarded to the Bay County Prosecutor’s Office for requested charges of hunt/take waterfowl after hours.
CO Jacob Daniel received a complaint that a buck was shot over bait. CO Daniel caught the hunter in the stand hunting over a pile of apples. Due to the hunter having priors for hunting deer over bait, CO Daniel seized the crossbow and issued a citation for hunt over bait. Charges will be submitted through the Midland County Prosecutor’s Office for the deer that was harvested over the bait pile prior to this incident.
While on patrol in Saginaw County in the Shiawassee River SGA, COs Nick McNamee, Alex Arndt, and Dan Robinson received a complaint of individuals hunting out of the posted zones and on the dikes in Shiawassee River SGA. The COs found the hunters between zones 8 and 12 up on the dike and citations were issued for hunting from posted dikes. The hunters were asked to leave the managed game area, and a drake mallard was seized from the hunters.
While on patrol in Saginaw County in the Shiawassee River National Refuge, COs Nick McNamee, Alex Arndt, and Dan Robinson stopped and conducted a waterfowl and marine compliance check on some waterfowl hunters. CO McNamee found that one hunter exceeded the allotted 25 shells allowed within the managed area. The hunter had taken four birds and still had 34 shells left over. A citation was issued for the offense.
COs Cody Simmons and Mike Haas were patrolling in northern Montcalm County when they observed a skinned deer hanging from a buck pole. The COs went to ensure the deer was legally harvested and tagged when they observed several other carcasses, along with a 7-point buck with no tag attached. With the number of cut-up deer at the location, the COs determined that the owner was operating a commercial deer processing business without a state permit. The COs left the residence to find the owner and when they returned with the owner of the property, the buck that initially did not have a tag attached, was now tagged with an unvalidated tag. The owner of the property was given a citation for operating a commercial deer processor without a permit and the owner of the seven-point was located and a citation was issued for failing to immediately attach a deer kill tag, and the antlers were seized.
CO Michael Lator received a RAP complaint about a potential illegal deer taken by a subject in Gratiot County. The CO contacted the suspect and discovered that she had not taken the deer but had purchased a license to tag the deer after her husband shot it. She also admitted to several other occasions of hunting deer without a license and made up a false story about how she had shot the deer. CO Lator interviewed the husband who confirmed the story. The large deer head was seized as evidence and a report will be submitted to the Gratiot County Prosecutor’s Office seeking several charges, including loaning/borrowing kill tag, hunting without a license, transporting an untagged deer, and failing to immediately validate and attach a deer kill tag.
COs Michael Lator and Adam Schiller received a complaint about an antlered deer that had been taken without a license in Gratiot County. The COs interviewed the suspect and learned that she had hunted on numerous occasions without possessing a valid deer license and eventually shot an antlered deer. The suspect admitted that she then bought a license after shooting the deer and put it on the deer before dropping it off at a processor. The deer head and antlers were seized as evidence and a report will be submitted to the Gratiot County Prosecutor’s Office for a charge of taking a deer without a license.
District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.
CO Carter Woodwyk and PCO Max Bradford observed a suspicious light in the Fennville Farm Wildlife Refuge. The COs investigated and found a hunter who was in possession of a loaded crossbow well after legal hunting hours. Closer inspection of the crossbow revealed that the safety was off, and it was in the fire position. The hunter was escorted out of the refuge and enforcement action was taken.
CO Tyler Cole received a report of an in-progress trespass complaint. CO Cole responded to the area and met with the caller. The caller stated that she had caught a hunter dragging an untagged antlerless deer off her property. The suspect had left when she had contacted him, leaving the deer behind. CO Cole found the deer and then located the trespasser. The suspect had gone back to his vehicle to get his deer tag. Investigation revealed that he had shot the deer on the neighboring property, then trespassed without permission in attempt to retrieve the deer. The suspect admitted to being afield without tags, being in possession of an untagged deer, and trespassing. Citations were issued for violations.
CO Justin Ulberg followed up on a complaint received from the Kentwood Police Department in reference to a ground blind and bait pile being placed on Kentwood School property. CO Ulberg responded to the area but did not observe anyone hunting in the blind. While investigating the area, CO Ulberg noticed a piece of yellow rope tied up in a tree with deer hair underneath. CO Ulberg assumed the rope was used to pull the deer up in the air so it could be field dressed. CO Ulberg checked the parking lot at a nearby apartment complex and located a roll of yellow rope matching that of what was found by the deer blind. CO Ulberg interviewed the registered owner of the vehicle at the location, and a confession was received that the subject placed the bait and shot a buck on the school property. Further investigation revealed that the hunter never registered the harvested deer. A citation was issued for the violation.
COs Anna Cullen and Casey Varriale were patrolling the Huron Manistee National Forest in Muskegon County. The COs observed an individual target shooting into a live tree. Contact was made with the shooter, who admitted that the pistol he was using was not registered to him. The target shooter was the driver of a nearby parked vehicle and was found to have an expired driver’s license. It was also determined the passenger in the vehicle was recently released on bond and was instructed to not be around firearms due to her pending charges. The firearm was seized, and the violations were addressed.
COs Anna Cullen, Justin Ulberg, and Casey Varriale were patrolling Lake Michigan for waterfowl hunting activity. The COs observed two hunters in a vessel, operating their boat, looking for a crippled bird. The hunters had loaded firearms in a vessel underway; an unplugged shotgun, and one hunter didn’t have a federal hunting stamp. Citations were issued for having a loaded firearm under power and failing to obtain a federal waterfowl stamp.
CO Casey Varriale received a complaint about a suspect who trespassed on a property wearing hunting clothes, carrying a tree climbing stand, and possessing a crossbow. There was photographic and video evidence of the incident. The suspect was identified, and CO Varriale conducted an interview. The suspect confessed to trespassing because he shot a doe on a neighboring property and figured it was easier to not ask permission. The case was submitted to the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Rob Slick received a complaint regarding an individual shooting a deer over illegal bait. CO Slick responded to the location and spoke with the complainants. They stated that on two separate occasions the suspects had tracked deer onto their property without permission. They also stated they had seen a bait pile and ladder stand right on the property line. CO Slick obtained photographs of the bait and went to the suspect’s residence to interview him. Initially, the suspect denied knowledge of the bait on his property. CO Slick continued to question the suspect, who eventually admitted to taking a deer over the bait and trespassing. Charges are pending through the Ottawa County Prosecutor's Office.
District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.
CO James Rowley was patrolling a southern Ingham County game area when a priority tone call came out from Ingham County 911. 911 Dispatch reported an individual nearby to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the face. CO Rowley arrived first at the location and observed the individual standing in the neighbor’s front yard holding a cloth to their jaw. CO Rowley saw there was no visible weapon and approached the scene where the neighbors were outside their home as well. CO Rowley checked the individual for weapons and the individual communicated that they shot themself because they were, “tired of life”. CO Rowley saw that blood flow was slow, and gauze was provided to stem further loss. The individual stated that they left the firearm in the front bedroom of their home, two houses north. Ingham Sheriff’s deputies secured the firearm at the individual’s residence. EMS staff arrived and continued further evaluation. The individual was transported to a Lansing hospital for emergency treatment.
CO Brandon Benedict investigated a possible illegal deer posted on social media sites. After investigating, CO Benedict discovered that a female subject posing with an 11-point buck had not purchased a license for the current season. A subsequent interview was conducted and the husband advised it was he who shot the deer. However, after further questioning, the husband confessed to loaning her a tag and that she was the one who shot the deer. Charges are being sought with the Shiawassee Prosecutor’s Office for the violation.
CO James Rowley was on patrol for shining activity in the southern part of Ingham County. CO Rowley initiated a traffic stop on a pickup truck with no rear lights five hours past sundown. When the driver was contacted, CO Rowley observed possible signs that the driver was operating intoxicated. CO Rowley requested the individual perform SFSTs, which the driver attempted. The driver failed the tests and took a preliminary breath test (PBT). The PBT indicated the individual was three times the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle. The individual was placed under arrest and transported to a local medical facility where a search warrant was requested, and granted, for a blood test. The samples will be sent to the MSP Laboratory for analysis. Upon review of the individual’s driving history, this was found to be their third alcohol related driving offense, making it a felony charge. The individual was transported to the Ingham County Jail to be lodged until arraignment with no bond. The individual was also operating on a revoked Michigan Driver’s License and had two active warrants from Jackson County.
COs Jeremy Beavers and Mark Reffitt patrolled for illegal shining activity in the northeast portion of Ionia County, a location with multiple past incidents of road hunting. While sitting in an area widely known for big bucks, the COs spotted a truck and watched it come to a stop as the driver shined the field with a handheld light. The driver continued to shine the field as the truck pulled away and went down the road. The COs observed the truck from their location as it continued to the next intersection. The truck then turned, and the driver began to shine on another field. At that time, the COs left their location, caught up to the truck as it was shining, and conducted a traffic stop. The COs approached the vehicle, contacted the occupants, and asked the driver if he knew why he was being stopped. He said he assumed because his trailer lights were not working. He was informed that the primary reason for the stop was because he was shining during the month of November, which was illegal unless it was his own property. He was then asked if it was his property and he stated no and went on to say that he forgot about the rule, yet he admitted that he knew it was illegal in November. The driver was cited for the violation.
District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.
Late one evening, CO Joseph Deppen received a complaint of two individuals taking an over-limit of waterfowl. CO Deppen was able to find the first suspect and during the initial interview, the suspect denied shooting more than his limit of waterfowl. After being confronted with digital evidence, the suspect finally admitted that he and a friend shot more than their limit of waterfowl. He turned over six drake mallards. CO Deppen and the suspect drove over to meet the second suspect at work. The second suspect also denied the over-limit but eventually confessed during the interview. The second suspect retrieved his waterfowl from a nearby brush line. In total, the two hunters shot 14 mallards, including eight hen mallards. All the birds were seized, and charges are being sought through the prosecutor’s office.
CO Brad Silorey and Sgt. Danielle Zubek assisted CO Mark Siemen with an interview for two illegal deer. The deer were turned into a processor in Sanilac County with a bullet and arrow wound and tagged with two different people’s tags. CO Silorey and Sgt. Zubek interviewed the female suspect, who confessed to never shooting a deer and her fiancé using her tags. After spending some time tracking down the male suspect, he fully admitted to shooting both deer with an illegal firearm, shooting a deer out of season, using the tag of another, and failing to report his harvest. The suspect also admitted to doing this for the past three years. Six illegal deer have been taken over this time. Charges are being sought through the Sanilac County Prosecutor’s Office.
District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.
CO Les Bleil received an anonymous complaint about a hunter who was returning from Montana with a whole whitetail deer. Importing whole deer from out of state is illegal, so CO Bleil waited across the street from the residence for the hunter to return. Upon making contact, the hunter was upset, yet very cooperative, that he just spent $800 on a tag and the deer was being seized. A citation was issued for illegal importation of whole deer.
CO Mike Drexler checked two waterfowl hunters coming from Four Mile Lake when he found one of the hunters was using an unplugged shotgun. After issuing a citation for the violation, another boat was pulling up. The CO contacted another three hunters coming off the water. The first shotgun the CO checked from that group was also unplugged. Another citation was issued for hunting waterfowl with an unplugged shotgun, and a warning for being deficient on safety equipment for the vessel was also given.
While checking for hunters at Erie SGA, CO Nicholas Ingersoll and PCO Andrew Werth noticed a hunter wearing hunter orange in the marsh. The COs contacted the hunter who repeatedly said that he was waterfowl hunting. The COs discovered that the hunter had more than 100 shells in his possession and 80 of the shells were lead shot. The hunter was issued a citation for possessing shells other than non-toxic shot while hunting waterfowl.
COs Nicholas Ingersoll, Ariel Young and PCO Andrew Werth received a complaint about an individual trespassing on another landowner’s property to retrieve an 11-point antlered whitetail deer. The COs contacted the individual who said that he went and retrieved his wife’s deer that she shot the night prior. The individual admitted that he trespassed on another’s property, drove his ORV on a public highway and drove his ORV through another’s property to retrieve his wife’s 11-point antlered whitetail deer. The COs seized the 11-point antlered whitetail deer and charges will be sought through the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for recreational trespass, operating an ORV on a public highway, and ORV trespass.
CO Andrew Monnich and PCO Joel Hill received a complaint where a hunter had located two headless deer near his hunting property. After checking the initial complaint, CO Monnich and PCO Hill received another call from the same hunter about a third deer. This deer was also 50 yards from the road with his head removed, but still very fresh. CO Monnich and PCO Hill were able to recover a small caliber rifle round from the deer. With this evidence, CO Monnich and PCO Hill requested assistance from COs Eric Smither and Tom Jakkola for an overnight patrol. The COs worked through the night in the same area where these deer were found and, early the next morning, observed a vehicle slowly cruising the area. After following the vehicle for a while, the COs observed the driver illuminating fields looking for deer and driving without lights. A traffic stop on the vehicle was conducted and the driver was found to have a loaded rifle with a thermal in the driver’s compartment along with suspected drug paraphernalia. The driver was questioned, and consent was given to go back to the residence to check for any deer at the house. Upon arrival the COs discovered a buck hanging in the tree in the suspect’s backyard that was shot over 10 days prior and already spoiled plus a total of five other fresh antlered whitetail deer heads were located. All of which were taken without licenses and shot from the roadway. Charges are being filed through the Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Brandon Vacek stopped to check fishing activity at the DTE fishing piers in the City of Monroe. The CO observed two subjects walking toward the parking lot, each wheeling a cooler but not carrying any fishing rods. When approached, one of the subjects was very familiar to the CO from previous encounters. A check of the coolers revealed one that contained a large cast net and the other full of various types of fish. It was determined that all the fish were caught by way of the cast net. In total, the subjects were in possession of twenty pounds of alewife, two undersized largemouth bass, eight bluegill, and 19 other non-game species. Charges and restitution will be sought through the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for possession of fish taken by illegal method.
While conducting a stationary RADAR patrol at Belle Isle, CO Ariel Young observed a vehicle travelling 43 mph in a 25-mph zone. CO Young initiated a traffic stop, and the driver was slow to stop. Upon contacting the driver, CO Young observed that the driver was talking slowly, slurring her speech, was unable to follow basic commands, and appeared to be very sleepy. CO Young also observed three small children in the back of the vehicle who were not in the proper seats for their size. When CO Young questioned the driver, she admitted to having a glass or two of wine prior to driving to the island. The driver failed SFSTs, failed a PBT, and was placed under arrest and taken to jail for suspicion of OWI.
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 gillnet 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.
Cpls. Brett DeLonge and Mike Hammill, along with Lt. Kevin Postma, conducted a group patrol from Marquette to Munising and back on the day before the state-licensed commercial fishing closure. Many anglers were checked, along with several state-licensed trap nets.
Cpl. Jon Busken was returning from a tribal commercial fishery closure patrol when he observed an individual operating an ORV without a helmet or ORV registration in a closed area. Enforcement action was taken.
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 contact, including the individual not possessing a valid fishing license and having a revoked driver’s license.
Cpls. Brett DeLonge, Mike Hammill, and Tom Peterson patrolled Lake Superior between Keweenaw Bay and Lac la Belle, conducting several commercial net inspections.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge conducted a marine patrol between Marquette and Grand Portal east of Munising. During the patrol, commercial net inspections were conducted, along with multiple state and tribal commercial vessel contacts.
Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted a net patrol in Saginaw Bay, where numerous nets were checked. No violations were noted.
Cpls. Pat Hartsig and Nick Atkin conducted a marine patrol on the St. Clair River. No violations were noted.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen contacted area Tribal captains regarding fishing activity leading up to and during the closure. Weather conditions caused the fishermen to stop fishing days before.
Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde conducted a patrol from Leland to Cross Village on the day of the state-licensed commercial fishing closure. Several Tribal nets were identified and checked, with no state-licensed nets encountered.
Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde conducted multiple patrols related to the Tribal and state-licensed commercial fishing closures in the Grand Traverse and Leelanau area. No violations were encountered, and several contacts with fishermen were made.
