9/28/2025-10/11/2025

District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.

Conservation Officer (CO) Jenni Lehto presented at the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education conference. She spoke on the topic of Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) and the benefits of the program.

CO Alex VanWagner observed some all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tracks going on a piece of private property where the owner had been concerned about off-road vehicle (ORV) trespass. CO VanWagner checked an adjacent piece of commercial forest land with a network of trails through it. After a few minutes, an ATV was observed approaching the patrol truck. The operator did not have a helmet on and had an uncased shotgun in a gun rack on the front of the ATV. CO VanWagner contacted the subject, who stated he was riding around looking for grouse. The subject admitted the shotgun was also loaded. CO VanWagner addressed all the violations, and a citation was issued for the loaded shotgun. Verbal warnings were given for no helmet and ORV trespass.

COs in District 1 held a Hunter Education Field Day at the Norway Field Office. Twenty-seven students earned their hunter safety certificates.

CO Anna Viau participated in an outdoor career day for local middle and high school students held at the school’s forest. Students rotated through stations, learning about different jobs that would allow them to work outside and potentially stay in the Upper Peninsula.

COs Peter Shambaugh and John Kamps were patrolling the Ottawa National Forest for grouse hunters. A pickup truck was observed driving slowly and appeared to be road hunting for birds. Contact was made with two hunters in the truck. During the check, it was discovered there was an uncased and loaded shotgun in the vehicle. There was also no hunter orange in the vehicle and an open can of beer in the cup holder. The violations were addressed, and enforcement action was taken for the loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

CO Cody Smith responded to a call for an individual who had fallen off a cliff at the Ottawa Forest’s Sturgeon Gorge Falls. CO Smith responded to the scene using forest roads and shortcuts on the trail to access the individual as quickly as possible. The individual sustained minor injuries although they had taken a 20 to 30-foot fall down a steep cliff. CO Smith worked with Bay Ambulance to stabilize the individual’s injuries for the long haul out while Pelkie, L’Anse, and Baraga Fire Departments prepared for high angle extraction of the individual. Once stabilized, the individual was pulled up the steep cliffside with ropes in a stokes basket before being carried out of the wilderness area by CO Smith and other first responders. Due to the remote area and extreme terrain, the situation took over four hours to get the individual in the ambulance and enroute to the hospital from the time the call came out. The subject is expected to make a full recovery.

District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.

CO Steve Butzin received a complaint about an individual cutting brush on state owned land in Fairbanks Township. CO Butzin went to the location of the complaint and contacted an individual cutting cedar tree boughs. This is the third time this individual has been caught at this same location cutting state owned trees. A citation was issued for removal of forest products from state owned land without a permit and entering a state recreation site without a recreation passport on the motor vehicle.

CO Andrea Dani, along with Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division members and many skilled volunteers, mentored new archery hunters at the BOW Beyond event in Washtenaw County. Participants were given the opportunity to hunt Washtenaw County Park properties while accompanied by a mentor after class time. Class time included deer biology, scouting, laws, regulations, safety, range time, and blind and tree stand setup, and target practice. Four of the nine participants successfully harvested a deer over the weekend.

CO Robert Freeborn responded to a three-vehicle personal injury accident involving a semitruck, a pickup truck pulling a trailer, and a small sedan. One of the drivers was pinned in his vehicle which required the jaws of life to remove him. The suspect was taken by ambulance and then airlifted to a hospital.

COs Brandon Maki and Sergeant (Sgt.) Mark Zitnik observed a pickup truck slowly rolling on a two-track road. The truck stopped, backed up, and the COs observed a shotgun protruding from the driver’s side window attempting to shoot at a grouse. The COs contacted the two occupants and took enforcement action for having a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.

COs Nathan Beelman and Chad Baldwin completed a Hunter Safety Field Day class on Beaver Island with the assistance of the Beaver Island Wildlife Club. It had been multiple years since a class was last held on the island, and 12 students successfully completed the class.

CO Jack Gorno received a complaint regarding a subject who was retaining foul hooked salmon. CO Gorno responded and observed the suspected angler fishing, making attempts to snag. CO Gorno contacted the subject and observed hook marks on the fish near the tail fin. The angler admitted the fish came into the net sideways, and he didn’t see where he hooked it. Based on the investigation, CO Gorno seized the fish and took enforcement action.

CO Tim Rosochacki received a complaint of an individual snagging salmon and keeping them off the marina docks in Petoskey. Upon contacting the subject, he admitted to snagging five salmon and one steelhead which he had in his possession using a large weighted treble hook hanging from his fishing pole. A ticket was issued.

CO Tim Rosochacki participated in the Hunter Safety Field Day hosted by the Indian River Lion’s Club.

Sgt. Mike Mshar responded to a complaint of a canoe and decoys being chained up and left on state owned property. The equipment was located. The owner was contacted and advised to remove the property.

CO Jon Sklba responded to a call in Cheboygan County where a male subject was threatening their relative with a firearm. Local county deputies and Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers also responded. The subject was arrested without incident for felonious assault with a deadly weapon.

CO Jon Sklba contacted a new property owner in Presque Isle County who mowed and posted a path on public land to get to his private land hunting blind. While the path was close to the property line, the landowner advised he would no longer mow or post that trail until a survey was completed.

CO Jon Sklba received a hunter harassment complaint in Presque Isle County. The complainant felt that a nearby landowner was honking a horn at him while he was hunting. He stated that the landowner would also follow him when he came out of the woods. CO Sklba checked the complainant’s hunting spot to ensure it wasn’t on private property and discovered that the site was baited. Interestingly, CO Sklba had caught the complainant hunting over bait a year earlier and given a warning. A ticket was issued for the bait violation.

CO Dan Liestenfeltz received a report of a dead bull elk in north central Montmorency County. The complainant stated there was an obvious hole that appeared to be a bullet hole in the side of the neck. CO Liestenfeltz responded to the scene and gathered evidence. A necropsy was performed on the animal, and it was determined that the bull had been fatally wounded by another bull elk while fighting.

Sgt. Paul Fox received a call from a concerned citizen in Rogers City who reported a sick fox in town. Sgt. Fox was in the area and responded to the location. The fox was located and euthanized. The animal showed signs of canine distemper, so it was collected and turned over to DNR Wildlife Division staff for testing.

District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.

COs Zack Walters, Joshua Wright, Amanda Weaver, and Acting Sgt. William Kinney participated in a joint training operation hosted by the MSP. This training was in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and National Park Service and included three scenarios the officers responded to. The scenarios included a mass casualty ORV crash, locating a missing endangered youth and responding to a fleeing homicide suspect. MSP Emergency Services and K9 Teams were incorporated into the training as well as the use of the USCG and MSP helicopters. The training was a valuable opportunity to enhance interagency cooperation and streamline communication prior to real world response. 

COs Zack Walters and William Kinney were patrolling the Betsie River at Homestead Dam in Benzie County. At approximately 4:00AM, COs Walters and Kinney observed several individuals spotlighting salmon in a designated closed fishing area in the river. While one individual was working the spotlight, the other was attempting to net the fish. COs Walters and Kinney contacted the individuals. CO Walters issued a citation to the individual who was observed attempting to net fish. 

While patrolling Pine Creek, CO Samuel Koscinski and PCO Cody Simmons observed an angler fighting a salmon. The angler eventually lost the salmon because it was able to free itself from the hook. This is when another angler was observed running upstream and grabbing the salmon by their hands in the shallow creek and keeping it. A citation was issued for catching a salmon by hand.

CO Angela Greenway participated in the On the Ground Jr. Day, put on by Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and DNR Wildlife Division staff from the Paris Field Office, for students from the Mecosta Osceola Career Center. This event took place at the Haymarsh Campground and Game Area in Mecosta County. There were approximately 26 students from the agriculture and natural resources program in attendance. Students helped to build brush piles that create habitat for rabbits, and other animals. They also planted trees and learned about sustainable resources. Students also had the opportunity to put on waders and collect soil and water from the impoundment and stream to study macroinvertebrates.

CO Josh Reed observed a fire being tended by several people at a residence in Mecosta County. CO Reed contacted the group and told them to put the fire out immediately due to a burn ban and extremely dry conditions. The subject stated that he was helping his uncle dismantle an old trailer house. CO Reed ran the subject through Mecosta County dispatch and was advised that the subject responsible for the fire had a valid warrant for failing to appear out of the 77th District Court. The subject was arrested and transported to Mecosta County Jail without incident. He was also cited for burning during a burn ban.

CO Tim Barboza and PCO Alex Arndt were on patrol in Newaygo County when dispatch advised of a criminal sexual conduct (CSC) of a minor that just occurred and asked for any available unit as the suspect had left on foot. CO Barboza and PCO Arndt began to slowly patrol the area he was last seen when they noticed a white truck pulling out of a driveway. CO Barboza used his binoculars and observed a male who matched the suspect in the passenger seat. CO Barboza and PCO Arndt initiated a traffic stop and ordered the subject to exit the vehicle. CO Barboza detained the suspect and advised the MSP who were handling the investigation. Later during an interview with the MSP, the suspect fully confessed to the crime he committed and was lodged in the Newaygo County Jail.

CO Cameron Wright was patrolling near the Muskegon River for salmon anglers when Newaygo Central Dispatch reported a stabbing that occurred just up the road. CO Wright, along with two MSP troopers, responded within a few minutes of the call. The officers knocked on the door to the house and announced themselves, but nobody answered it. Due to the concern of a stabbing victim presenting a medical emergency inside of the residence, CO Wright forced entry. CO Wright assisted the troopers with conducting interviews with those living on the property. It was discovered that two subjects got angry at one another, resulting in one of them pulling a knife and stabbing the other one twice, once in the shoulder and once in the stomach. The investigation is being conducted by the MSP.

COs Ryan Jager and Logan Turner were conducting a late-night patrol of the North Branch of the White River in Oceana County. Salmon were stacked heavily in this area of the river during this time. As the COs sat near the river, four subjects came down possessing nets and no fishing poles. The COs observed the suspects net a total of nine salmon in just a few minutes and throw them up on the bank. When confronted all four of the suspects fled on foot. Two of the suspects were apprehended by the COs and their vehicle was impounded. The subjects were lodged at Oceana County Jail on the charges of resisting and obstructing, as well as fishing using an illegal method.

District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.

While on patrol in Gladwin County, CO Josh Russell and PCO Max Bradford received multiple pictures depicting two subjects placing and hunting over bait in a closed area. The COs located the hunting stand and discovered a youth hunter and his mentor. During an interview, the mentor indicated he was attempting to teach the youth the proper way to hunt. The mentor admitted to placing bait and was found drinking alcohol while hunting with the minor. Additionally, neither the mentor nor the youth had a valid hunting license. The mentor was educated on proper hunting methods and citations were issued.

COs Jeffrey Goss, Josh Russell, and PCO Max Bradford attended a hunter safety class at Gladwin Middle School. The COs presented deer hunting laws, regulations, and ethical hunting methods. Additionally, they assisted the local instructors in administering the final test. At the conclusion of the course, the COs joined the instructors in congratulating the students on successfully completing hunter safety.

While on patrol in Gladwin County, CO Josh Russell and PCO Max Bradford received information from Gladwin County Dispatch concerning an overdose. While responding, the COs were waved down by an individual who reported her spouse with dementia had walked away from their home and been missing for 15 minutes. Knowing local law enforcement and medical personnel were already on scene for the overdose, the COs began searching for the missing person. While setting up an initial planning point, the person was found walking near the overdose location. PCO Bradford assisted the spouse in setting up an Air Tag to help monitor the subject’s whereabouts in the future.

CO Jeff Goss responded to a complaint that an “arrow” had been shot through a homeowner’s window in Gladwin County. The CO determined the shot likely came from a vehicle and later reviewed camera footage identifying two suspect vehicles. After locating one with a crossbow inside, Goss obtained more footage showing the vehicles working in tandem. With CO Josh Russell and PCO Maxwell Bradford, Goss set up surveillance and contacted the suspects, two brothers, who admitted to driving through the area looking for deer. One confessed to shooting at a buck and accidentally hitting the house. Goss seized the crossbow and bolts, which matched the one found in the home. Charges will be sought for hunting from a motor vehicle and reckless discharge of a crossbow.

COs Jeff Goss, Josh Russell, and PCO Maxwell Bradford assisted with a Hunter Safety Field Day at Gladwin Junior High School, training approximately 40 students in hunter safety.

CO Kyle Bader responded to a recreational trespass complaint involving people hunting geese on private property in Ogemaw County. After speaking with the complainant, who pointed out where the hunters were last seen and offered the use of a kayak, CO Bader first checked a nearby property. There, he contacted a man, his wife, and their toddler. The man was target practicing with a pistol and had no safe backstop. When questioned, he admitted to kayaking earlier and shooting a goose during his float. Further investigation revealed the man did not have a federal migratory bird stamp and had been receiving free licenses despite leaving military service four years ago. Charges are being sought through the Ogemaw County Prosecutor’s Office.

While traveling north from firearms training in Freeland, CO Kyle Bader heard Ogemaw County dispatch a call about an elderly man with dementia who had wandered from his home. COs Josh Jobin, Brad Bellville, and the Sheriff’s Office were already enroute. CO Bader contacted PCO Andrew Werth, who was off duty, and told him to gear up and meet at the scene. Using Lost Person Behavior training, the officers located the man approximately 100 yards south of the residence. He was safely returned home and evaluated by emergency medical services (EMS).

CO Kyle Bader and PCO Andrew Werth, along with the MSP, responded to a report of a 60-year-old man missing for 24 hours in Ogemaw County. He had told his parents he was going into the woods to prepare hunting locations for the upcoming season. Upon arrival, the troopers and COs located the man deceased behind his home. No foul play is suspected.

COs Brad Bellville and Josh Jobin arrived first on scene to a rollover accident in Ogemaw County. They safely removed the elderly driver from her vehicle, which was upside down in the road. The parties were turned over to EMS for medical evaluation.

CO Jacob Hamilton patrolled Manistee Lake in Kalkaska County on the duck opener and contacted two hunters on the west side. While checking licenses and gear, he discovered one hunter was using lead shot for waterfowl hunting. A citation was issued.

COs Kyle Cherry, Jacob Hamilton, and PCO Matt Bowser were patrolling near the Kalkaska and Missaukee County line when they contacted multiple groups hunting from shore on an inland lake. One hunter was found hunting without a license. A check revealed prior citations for hunting waterfowl out of season and with an unplugged shotgun. A citation was issued.

COs Kevin Bunce and Troy Mueller patrolled northern Osceola County during the Middle Zone waterfowl opener. A report was received of an individual being harassed by hunters claiming he was on private property. The caller left the blind under duress and later reported it to the RAP Hotline. The COs located the blind, confirmed it was on private land using GIS/OnX mapping, and contacted the caller. The caller was warned for trespassing and encouraged to use similar tools to avoid hunting on private land without permission in the future.

CO Ryan Weakman investigated a baited blind complaint on public land in Clare County and found a site commonly used for bears, baited with corn. A few days later, he returned and found a hunter in a pop-up blind over the bait, adding carrots and apples. The hunter had a valid bear license but admitted he thought grain was allowed and that he would have taken a deer if one appeared. CO Weakman cited the hunter for using illegal bait for bears in an area where deer baiting is prohibited.

District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.

CO Adam Beuthin and PCO Cody Longrey received a RAP complaint on October 8th that individuals were waterfowl hunting at Crow Island, which is in Zone 3 and not open to hunting until October 18th. The COs located seven waterfowl hunters who had already harvested 11 waterfowl. Investigation yielded hunting without license, unplugged gun, lead shot, and hunting out of season violations. Enforcement actions were taken on the two adult individuals, petitions to the court will be submitted on the five juveniles.

On the opening day of archery season, CO Jake Daniel came across an individual operating in a closed area. It was discovered that there was a cocked crossbow that was uncased in the vehicle. A citation was issued.

CO Nick McNamee received a complaint about an individual hunting waterfowl in Crow Island State Game Area (SGA) during the closed south zone season. When the hunter was confronted, he told the CO he asked google AI about the hunting season dates and Google AI said that Crow Island SGA was open during the middle zone, but Crow Island is in the south zone, and the season was a week from being open in that location. Charges are being requested through the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office regarding the offense.

After receiving complaints of waterfowl hunters failing to use navigation lights or using improper lighting on the Saginaw Bay, District 6 COs worked an early morning patrol to address the issue. During the patrol, Sgt. Seth Rhodea and CO Mike Eovaldi worked a location in Huron County and stopped every vessel leaving the launch for navigation lights violations. Four citations were issued for navigation light violations, and one citation was issued for improper number of PFDs. Multiple warnings were also given. At another location, COs Paul Lyden, Nick McNamee and Jason Ruth issued two citations for navigation light violations.

CO Mark Siemen received information from the Sanilac County Sheriff’s Office advising that goose hunters were hunting within a safety zone. They had shot toward a campground, hitting and damaging a camper which was occupied. CO Siemen responded and located nine goose hunters behind a campground, briefly spoke with them and advised them that they were hunting within a safety zone. CO Siemen spoke with the owner of the camper and did see damage to a window on the camper. The owner stated that his daughter was sleeping in the room when the window was shattered. CO Siemen observed all parties involved exchange information for insurance purposes. All nine goose hunters were issued citations for hunting within a safety zone.

CO Chris Kravitsky was patrolling Fish Point Wildlife Management Area during the first week of the middle zone waterfowl season when he observed three hunters coming out of the hunting zone. Upon contacting the hunters, they stated that they had each shot their limit of ducks. One of the hunters graciously counted and separated the harvested ducks for CO Kravitsky. CO Kravitsky recounted the ducks and found the hunters were one duck over their limit with 19 ducks being in their possession. The hunters stated they were unsure how that happened as they had counted their ducks eight times. Through interviews it was found that the subjects were not keeping track of the ducks they were harvesting. One of the hunters took ownership of the extra duck and was issued a citation.

CO Michael Lator received a tip from a hunting group camping in the Gratiot-Saginaw SGA in Gratiot County about an individual that was living on a section of state land off one of the main SGA trails. The CO was advised that the male often appeared confused and rode his bike around the SGA from camp to camp asking campers for food. CO Lator searched the area where the camp was reported and located the male camping in a tent. Upon contact with the individual, CO Lator discovered the man had been reported as missing/endangered out of Gratiot County in June 2025. CO Lator coordinated with a county deputy, and a local county agency was able to secure the man a room at a motel within the county and the party that reported him missing was notified. It was also discovered that the man likely had early-onset dementia. The coordinated effort between CO Lator, Gratiot County Central Dispatch, the county deputy, and local social services brought the man to a safe location where he currently remains.

District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.

CO Alex Peters was on patrol during the archery deer season when he located a truck on a property where he had received a previous trespass and bait complaint from the property owner. CO Peters had already received pictures of the bait and stands from the complainant. CO Peters made contact and advised the suspect why he was there, and they walked to the tree stand sites where the suspect admitted to placing bait out. CO Peters asked if the suspect had permission to be hunting the property and he claimed that he did. CO Peters confirmed that with the property owner, so the trespasser is still at large. However, enforcement action was taken for illegal baiting in this case.

CO Casey Varriale received a complaint about recreational trespass. CO Varriale investigated trail camera footage from the complainant and noticed one of the suspects carrying an 8-point deer head without a tag on it. Additionally, the complainant provided a photo of the headless body of the deer on the property he was hunting. CO Varriale went to the suspect’s residence and conducted interviews with the landowner, his brother, and his wife. After extensive interviews, it was determined the landowner shot the deer and used his wife’s tag to tag the deer head. The deer head was seized. The violation, along with illegal baiting, was addressed, and the case is being sent to the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO BJ Goulette had been receiving complaints over the span of several months of a subject shooting rabbits and muskrats in a subdivision for the purposes of pest control. The suspect was the president of the homeowner’s association for the subdivision. He admitted to shooting the animals because he felt it was his duty to respond to the requests of the residents. After being warned and advised that this activity was illegal and to use legal pest solutions, he continued his illegal activity. Some neighbors were able to collect video and picture evidence of the suspect continuing his activity. Requests for charges will be submitted to the local prosecutor.

District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.

COs Jeremy Beavers, Wes Butler, and Mark Reffitt worked several dedicated patrols during the first week of the trout stream closure in Ionia County. While targeting a popular designated trout stream and Grand River tributary in Lyons, the COs made numerous angler contacts and educated dozens on the regulations regarding trout streams in Michigan. Even though the targeted creek is widely known among area anglers and is posted by local landowners as no trespassing, COs Beavers and Butler issued six misdemeanor tickets over the first weekend of patrols for fishing along a closed trout stream. Numerous warnings were also given for recreational trespassing and taking fish with illegal methods.

PCO Tyler Owen and CO Thomas Jaakkola assisted the Jackson City Police with a subject who was hunting within the city limits which is prohibited. PCO Owen contacted the hunter and asked to see where he was hunting and asked him if he had any bait out, the hunter stated no. After walking around the tree stand, the COs located shelled corn on the ground. The hunter then changed his story and said he had baited it prior to bow season. PCO Owen issued a citation for baiting in a closed area. The hunter then asked how he could file a hunter harassment complaint against the ladies who called this in to police.

District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.

CO Cody Bourgeois was following up on a complaint about a suspicious hunting license purchase with a hunter. During the interview, the hunter confessed to having his wife buy a hunting license to tag his 8-point buck. The CO is in the process of submitting charges against the suspect.

CO Joseph Deppen received a safety zone compliant regarding a waterfowl hunter who was shooting too close to hunters. Waterfowl hunting did not open for another week when the complaint came out. CO Deppen made the location and found a single hunter with duck and goose decoys hunting waterfowl eight days before the season opened. As CO Deppen approached, two mallards flew up and the hunter shot twice and hit one mallard. It glided for a long distance and then landed in the water. CO Deppen walked up to the hunter and asked if he was going to retrieve that mallard and the hunter said it was too far away. CO Deppen started checking licenses and the firearm. CO Deppen asked if he shot anything else today and the hunter said he shot another mallard in this same spot two days prior. He showed CO Deppen a photo of the mallard he shot. CO Deppen informed the man that waterfowl season does not open for another eight days and the ducks he shot today, and two days prior were illegal. The man argued and said his phone told him waterfowl season was open. CO Deppen asked if he looked at a waterfowl guide instead of using google. The hunter replied no but still argued that waterfowl season was open. While checking the firearm and ammunition the hunter had over a dozen rounds of lead. CO Deppen finished up his contact and met the hunter at his residence where he turned over the mallard that was shot two days prior. Multiple charges will be sought through the prosecutor’s office including take/attempt to take waterfowl during the closed season, safety zone, and possession of toxic (lead) shot. The hunter had a final question, “Can I still hunt?” CO Deppen replied, “Yes, but I would wait until the 18th when the waterfowl season opens.”

CO Joseph Deppen was following up on a recreational trespassing complaint in Chesterfield Township when he encountered a walker enjoying the day. The walker said, “Are you here about the deer?” CO Deppen said, “I am now, what deer?” The walker said there were three guys loading up a deer and dragging it up the hill about ten minutes ago. The man led CO Deppen to drag marks and blood that was leading onto an adjacent property. CO Deppen followed the tracks and found blood, bait, trail cameras, and a gut pile. CO Brad Silorey came to assist and after speaking with multiple people, they finally contacted the property owner who put them in touch with the hunter who shot the deer. The hunter explained he shot the deer over bait, and it ran onto township property that was posted no trespassing. When CO Deppen asked about the bait, he replied, “Well I didn’t put it there, but I knew it was there.” The deer was seized and donated to a local family. A property seizure receipt was issued to the hunter for the deer, crossbow, and bolts. Charges for recreational trespassing and taking deer over bait will be sought through the prosecutor’s office.

CO Sydney Griffor followed up with a felony case from the previous hunting season. In November 2024, CO Sydney Griffor received a recreational trespass and baiting complaint. The complaint resulted in a search warrant on the suspect’s house. The suspect had three previous felony charges for firearms and methamphetamine (meth) and one other felony charge. When the search warrant was completed, CO Sydney Griffor requested 10 charges on the suspect; possession of meth (2nd or subsequent offense), felon in possession of firearms, felon in possession of ammunition, two counts of felony firearm, recreational trespass, attempt to take deer without a license, hunt deer with rifle less than .35 caliber in the shotgun zone, failure to wear hunter orange, and hunt deer over bait.  The suspect pled guilty to possession of meth, felon in possession of firearms, recreational trespass, fail to wear hunter orange, and attempting to take deer without a license. The 31st Circuit Court of St. Clair County sentenced the suspect to six months in jail, with three months already served, three years’ probation, and two years hunting licenses revoked. Three out of eight firearms that were seized were returned to the suspect’s father. The five other firearms will be forfeited. The court also reduced his habitual offense to habitual 2nd. The suspect ultimately only served three months in jail, must report to a daily reporting program for 120 days, and pay approximately $700 in fines.

CO Sydney Griffor followed up with a complaint from the end of September regarding a person being seen dragging a deer to a garage outside of any legal deer season. CO Griffor already attempted contact with the suspect a week and a half prior, with no luck of speaking to anyone. However, while there, CO Griffor did smell a very distinct smell of a dead animal. COs Griffor and Cody Bourgeois eventually interviewed the suspect and observed a bait pile behind the residence. After much denying of any deer being taken from that area, the COs were given permission to look inside the suspect’s garage. Inside the garage, COs observed deer hair and blood on the ground and deer hair stuck to a Sawzall. The suspect finally admitted to shooting an antlerless deer over the bait behind the house on September 26th, which is when the complaint was received. The suspect did not buy his deer licenses until over a week after the deer was taken. The COs took photographs of the venison and the crossbow and gave them back to the suspect. CO Sydney Griffor will be submitting charges for the individual for taking a deer out of season. Several warnings were also given to the individual.

District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.

CO Brandon Hartleben and PCO Olivia Haerr conducted marine patrol on the Portage Lake Chain. Contact was made with 17 anglers and 20 recreational boaters. Three verbal warnings were issued for displaying expired watercraft registrations. In addition, a citation was written for failure to display a fishing license, another citation was written to a lakefront homeowner for a fishing line that was unattended, and yet another subject received a citation for operating an unregistered vessel.

CO Nicholas Ingersoll received a complaint from a trusted source that an individual had trespassed and shot a 15-point whitetail deer. CO Ingersoll spoke with the business owner and verified that no one was to be hunting their property, and they would press charges for trespass. COs Ingersoll and CO Brandon Vacek walked through the wooded lot and found evidence of where the 15-point was shot, a trail camera, and a tree stand. CO Ingersoll conducted an interview with the suspect who confessed to trespassing and shooting the 15-point whitetail deer and as well as utilizing bait. Charges are being sought through the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for recreational trespass and baiting deer.

GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)

Corporal (Cpl.) Justin Vanderlinde conducted two shipwreck patrols in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, with no activity observed during the unseasonably warm weather. Several commercial nets were also checked during the patrol.

Cpl. Jon Busken conducted an AIS patrol in Muskegon County. He stopped at a local launch and educated several boaters about the Clean, Drain and Dry law. Later, he spotted a truck towing a trailer leaving the launch. The trailer lights were not working, and the trailer was so covered in weeds that the plate was obstructed. A traffic stop was conducted, and enforcement action was taken.