District 1 counties of service: Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon.
No report
District 2 counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Delta, Mackinac, Luce, Schoolcraft.
While checking anglers in Alger County, Conservation Officer (CO) Andrea Dani observed a subject, without a helmet, operating a four-wheeler carelessly. A traffic stop was conducted on the ORV and the subsequent investigation of the operator led to their arrest for operating while under the influence (OWI).
District 3 counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle.
COs Sidney LaLonde, Matthew Theunick, Tyler Owen, Kevin Bunce, and Sgt. Paul Fox responded to a wildfire that broke out in the Tomahawk Flooding area. The COs assisted in securing the scene, closing roads, and ensuring all endangered people were evacuated. In all, approximately 200 acres of state land were affected by the fire.
COs Evan White and Dan Liestenfeltz were patrolling Montmorency County when they observed a vehicle in front of them operating carelessly. The operator of the vehicle was observed crossing the fog line, repeatedly slamming on the brakes and stopping in the roadway, and accelerating very quickly. The COs initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and immediately observed signs of intoxication. The subject admitted drinking earlier, had a revoked driver’s license, the vehicle was unregistered, and there was no insurance on the vehicle. After conducting standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs), it was determined that the subject was under the influence of alcohol and blew a .165 on the preliminary breath test (PBT). After completing the chemical breath test, the subject was still two times the legal limit and was lodged for felony OWI 9th offense, operating on a revoked license, and no insurance.
CO Dan Liestenfeltz was conducting a fish enforcement patrol in Montmorency County when he observed a subject standing behind a couple of houses on the edge of a canal, which is a popular spot for fishing. However, CO Liestenfeltz knew that the properties the subject was standing on were currently unoccupied and there were also many breaking and entering complaints in that specific area. CO Liestenfeltz slowly drove towards the end of the street where he saw the subject standing. CO Liestenfeltz located a vehicle and ran the license plate. It was determined that the vehicle was unregistered and there was no insurance. CO Liestenfeltz saw the subject peering around a pillar of a house on the edge of the canal, looking back at his patrol vehicle. Once the subject realized CO Liestenfeltz saw them, the subject began walking towards the patrol vehicle. After a quick discussion of the suspicious actions, it was determined that the subject was fishing the canal, did not have a fishing license, and hid their fishing pole before walking out. The subject also had a revoked driver’s license and multiple warrants for their arrest. CO Liestenfeltz ultimately issued the subject a ticket for fishing without a license, and arrested them for the warrants, where they were lodged without issue.
District 4 counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana, Wexford.
CO Logan Turner assisted local officers in Oceana County with a missing child who ran away from school. After some time, the missing child was located and was hiding in a nearby yard. The child was safely returned.
District 5 counties of service: Alcona, Arenac, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Roscommon.
CO Kyle Cherry was on patrol in Crawford County when he observed a vehicle pulled over on the side of the road and two male subjects involved in a physical altercation in the ditch. CO Cherry separated and detained the subjects. Further investigation revealed the two individuals were a father and adult son. CO Cherry learned the altercation began as a verbal argument over ice cream before becoming physical. The adult son was arrested and lodged on domestic assault charges.
Sgt. Brian Olsen responded to multiple wildfires in Roscommon, Crawford, and Oscoda Counties during a weekend wind event. With four separate fires occurring at once, Sgt. Olsen called in COs Josh Russell, Tyler Sabuda, Casey Pullum, Nico Luna, and Tyler Owen to assist with evacuations. Several structures were lost, but all residents were able to evacuate safely without injuries.
CO Joshua Jobin responded to the scene of a young child struck by a vehicle. CO Jobin and MSP troopers administered medical aid and assisted the juvenile into the ambulance. The child sustained severe injuries but has since been released from intensive care and is expected to make a full recovery.
CO Josh Russell received a turkey baiting complaint through the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline. While checking the area, CO Russell observed a subject in an elevated box blind and heard a shot ring out. Within a minute, the subject exited the blind and walked directly to a turkey lying on the ground. When contacted by CO Russell, the subject claimed he did not know what happened to the turkey and was unsure why seed and a mineral block were in front of his blind. The subject was identified as a convicted felon and was arrested. He was transported to the Gladwin County Jail and is being charged with felon in possession of a firearm, taking a turkey without a license, and taking a turkey with the aid of bait.
District 6 counties of service: Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Montcalm, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola.
CO Jason Ruth was patrolling eastern Bay County checking for turkey hunters when he heard a group of individuals target practicing. The group was shooting exploding targets on state land. Sgts. Seth Rhodea and Mark Siemen responded to the location and assisted with contacting the four individuals who were shooting. Citations were issued to two individuals for using the exploding targets.
CO Mike Haas witnessed construction workers installing fiber optic wire near a stretch of Fish Creek in Montcalm County. While slowing down to drive past the workers, the CO noticed one worker fishing along the bank with a fishing pole in his hand and another set pole on the ground next to him. The CO contacted the angler and asked if he had any luck fishing; he was reluctant to speak with the CO and said he was just playing around and not fishing. CO Haas asked the subject where he was from, and the angler stated he was from Louisiana. The CO said that in Louisiana it may be called “playing around” but in Michigan, casting and reeling a fishing pole in a designated trout stream was considered fishing. After admitting to failing to purchase a Michigan fishing license, further investigation revealed that he had an active arrest warrant out of Idaho for vehicular manslaughter. Idaho informed DNR dispatchers that there was no extradition for the subject and informed CO Haas to advise the subject of his warrant and release him. The subject was advised and released for his warrant and cited for fishing without a license.
CO Kory Crawley assisted the Midland City Police Department regarding an overturned kayak at the DOW Dam on the Tittabawassee River. The overturned kayak was observed stuck in the tailwater of the dam, but no one was observed around it. Soon after, the Midland City Police Department and fire department arrived on scene. It was determined that the kayaker was deceased and fully submerged at the bottom of the dam. CO Crawley joined the Midland County Dive Team on their vessel to assist with the recovery of the body. Unfortunately, CO Crawley and the dive team could not reach the body, and other measures had to be taken. The fire department utilized their water hose and sprayed the surface of the water where the body was submerged. Eventually, the body was freed from the tailwater and recovered.
While patrolling in Montcalm County, CO Zack Cardinal noticed a thick cloud of white smoke drifting across the highway. The CO followed the smoke and found a business owner burning trash including: an electrical panel, steel doors, drywall, fiberglass, and common household plastics. A citation was issued.
COs Alex Arndt, Adam Beuthin, and Craig Neal assisted the Bay County Sheriff’s Department and Untied States Coast Guard (USCG) with a search and rescue on Saginaw Bay. The evening before, three boaters had not returned from their fishing trip. The weather that night was unfavorable for the area. The COs used a patrol boat to help with the search. During the search, a local angler reported they had found an overturned vessel approximately two miles offshore. Shortly after that report, the USCG located the bodies of the three missing boaters. The COs assisted with the recovery of the bodies. Autopsies confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.
District 7 counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St Joseph, Van Buren.
CO Travis Dragomer located a large pile of trash dumped at the Keeler State Game Area in Van Buren County. CO Dragomer conducted multiple follow-up interviews and identified a suspect. The suspect confessed, stating he had charged the owners of the garbage $40 to dispose of it and instead dumped it in the parking lot. A citation was issued, and the suspect agreed to remove the trash.
CO Travis Dragomer responded to a complaint in Berrien County in which two individuals were observed on trail camera footage trespassing on private property. CO Dragomer interviewed the suspects and obtained confessions, as well as a bag of morel mushrooms taken from the complainant’s property. One suspect had previously been trespassed from the property on an earlier call. A trespass charge was submitted to the Berrien County Prosecutor’s Office.
CO Tyler Cole received a call from a landowner who had found a deer skull with the antlers of a 7-point buck on his property. The landowner reported a validated tag was still attached to the antlers. CO Cole responded, took possession of the antlers, and identified the owner of the tag. The individual admitted to taking a deer during hunting season but refused to answer additional questions. CO Cole issued a citation for failing to report the deer harvest within 72 hours.
District 8 counties of service: Branch, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Shiawassee.
CO James Rowley received a complaint regarding an illegal trapping of a red fox in southern Ingham County. The caller reported that she heard a gunshot close to her residence. Outside near a den, she saw her neighbors standing near a trap. The neighbor was holding a dead fox kit, which they disposed of in a tree line. CO Rowley arrived in the area and could see the trap from the roadway. He contacted the neighbor who said he was trapping the fox for a neighboring property. The individual had three traps in total on the property that were not marked. The individual was unaware that red fox is not on the list of animals that can be taken to mitigate damage. The fox was also taken outside of hunting/trapping season. Education was provided and enforcement action was taken.
CO Elliot Worel received a RAP complaint of a dead bald eagle that was found by some workers in Eckford Township. The caller stated that they heard two gunshots from a nearby house shortly after arriving at their work site and were concerned that the eagle was shot. When CO Worel arrived at their location, he met with the work crew and started gathering information. CO Worel photographed all pertinent evidence and marked the locations on a map where he found it. The complainant also said he saw someone in the nearby house frequently looking through a window towards his location by the eagle. With all this information, CO Worel conducted a knock and talk at the nearby house. CO Worel asked if they had heard any gunshots earlier and briefly explained what was found. The resident then became the suspect by telling CO Worel that he was the one that took two shots earlier with his AR-15 rifle. Ultimately, CO Worel obtained a full confession from the suspect and how he shot the bald eagle thinking that it was a turkey vulture. CO Worel explained to him that regardless of what he may have thought it was, you cannot shoot turkey vultures or bald eagles. CO Worel also emphasized the importance of knowing your target before you pull the trigger. The man’s rifle was seized and placed it into evidence along with the dead eagle. The eagle will be taken to the DNR Laboratory at Michigan State University for full necropsy and criminal charges are being sought against the suspect for taking the eagle, to include condemnation of his firearm.
COs John Byars, Lisa Taube, Jermey Woods, Olivia Moeller, and Cullen Knoblauch participated in the MI Student Sustainability Summit at the Kellogg Center at Michigan State University. This event is an opportunity for middle and high school students across Michigan to connect with peers, learn about the state’s environmental sustainability efforts, network with state leaders and community partners, and celebrate the impact of youth-led stewardship projects. CO Byars assisted other COs in a mock wildlife conservation hunting crime scene. The COs walked the students through the crime scene and explained the importance that Conservation Officers play an important role in environmental sustainability efforts.
CO Zack Smith responded to an in progress recreational trespassing complaint at a property that has frequent trespassing issues. CO Smith arrived on scene and entered the woods after speaking to the property owner. CO Smith found the subject actively picking morel mushrooms. CO Smith asked the subject if he had permission to be on the property, knowing the subject did not. The subject was honest and stated that he did not have permission to be on the property. He stated he had seen the woods and thought it would be a good place to find morels. The subject was issued a citation for recreational trespassing. The homeowner thanked CO Smith for his fast response and looking out for him and his property since this was the second subject in a week and a half CO Smith had found trespassing on the property.
While off-duty, CO Zack Smith placed himself on duty after receiving a recreational trespass complaint. The subjects pulled up to the wood lot and popped the hood of their vehicle to look like they were having engine trouble. The subjects then entered the woods. The homeowner and CO Smith contacted the subjects who had morel mushrooms from the property in their possession. The property owner did not know the subjects and had not given them permission to be on the property. The morels were turned over to the property owner and charges for recreational trespass will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office.
District 9 counties of service: Genesee, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair.
CO Justin Muehlhauser noticed two anglers fishing along the Flint River off Flushing Road. The CO contacted the anglers and conducted a license check. Both anglers stated they did not have fishing licenses. The CO noticed a bucket nearby that appeared to be full of water and asked the men if they had caught anything. One of the anglers stated that he caught a couple fish. The CO looked into the bucket and noticed one smallmouth bass and one largemouth bass. The CO then explained that the possession season for bass was closed. Both anglers stated that they were unaware of the regulations. One angler stated that he caught both fish and he was cited for possessing bass during closed season. Both anglers were warned for fishing without a license.
CO Griffin Korican was asked by Metroparks Police Department to assist with a call of a horse stuck in the mud off the Huron River in their Group Camp property. Upon arriving, the CO found a horse completely submerged in mud and stuck. CO Korican cleared a path through the brush for several plywood boards to be put down to slide the horse onto. Several large straps were wrapped around the horse and with the use of a park’s maintenance truck winch, the officers were able to safely pull the horse out of the mud.
COs Kris Kiel and Brad Silorey were patrolling in Macomb County when they received a tip that three anglers were observed cleaning a limit of walleye then jumped back on their boat to go back out to catch more walleye on the Detroit River. The COs contacted CO Ariel Young down in Detroit, but she was tied up on another complaint. The COs then contacted COs Zack Adams and Brandon Vacek, who were working on Belle Isle at the time. The two Belle Isle units provided surveillance of the anglers and helped in multiple other ways until the subjects pulled back into the marina from their second trip of the day. COs Kiel, Silorey, and Young were waiting for the subjects as they pulled in. Upon making contact, the anglers stated that they caught their limit. CO Silorey asked the anglers how many walleye they had caught in the morning. The anglers dropped their heads and admitted that they caught another limit that morning. The COs retrieved the filleted walleye from their vehicle and counted them along with the cooler of walleye that they had just brought in. It was determined that the anglers had retained 19 walleye in the morning and another 20 walleye in the afternoon. The walleye was seized and citations were written to all three subjects for possession of an over-limit of walleye. Reimbursement will be sought for the 53 pounds of walleye that were taken over the limit.
CO Brad Silorey was dispatched to a complaint of a suspect who was seen trespassing on the lands of another while turkey hunting. The caller stated that while he was turkey hunting, he heard a gunshot very close by. He stated he got out of his blind and observed a trespasser on his property standing over a turkey that he had just shot. He stated the subject grabbed the turkey and walked off the property, disappearing into a wooded area. COs Silorey and Kris Kiel contacted the caller on scene and walked out to the location where the suspect was last observed in a large farm field. CO Silorey was able to find where the caller stated he observed the trespasser standing over a turkey, and found feathers, blood, and a wad from a shotgun shell. The caller stated that he was able to find on social media, that a neighbor a few doors down posted a photo of himself and a turkey that he had taken earlier that morning. The caller stated that it was the only shot heard that day. With the information gathered, CO Silorey contacted the suspect and was able to obtain a confession from the suspect immediately. The suspect stated that he was hunting the edge of his own land and shot the turkey on the neighboring property. He stated that he did trespass onto the neighboring land as well to retrieve the animal. CO Silorey seized the processed turkey meat, and the wings, beard, and tail fan that the suspect retained. A report will be generated and charges sought though Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
COs Joseph Deppen, Ariel Young, Brad Silorey, Dave Schaumburger, Joel Hill, and Andrew Werth spent multiple days observing a group of anglers along the Detroit River suspected of keeping over limits of walleye. The COs observed them take over-limits on two separate days. At the end of the second day, the COs confronted the anglers and obtained confessions from some anglers while some chose to deny any wrongdoing. Utilizing a search warrant, the COs entered a residence and obtained all fish caught during their fishing trip. The anglers were over their daily possession limit and over their three-day possession limit for walleye. Eight citations for over-limits of walleye were issued to anglers and thirty-four walleye were seized.
CO Sydney Griffor checked a handful of shore anglers on Harsen’s Island. While checking one angler, he advised the CO he caught some fish. The CO discovered some panfish in his bucket and three largemouth bass. The angler stated he thought the bass season opened at the end of April. The CO advised the angler that the possession season for bass was currently closed and advised him of the laws. The three bass were seized, and the angler was issued a citation for possessing bass out of season.
District 10 counties of service: Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne.
CO Dave Schaumburger received a complaint from a concerned citizen who thought he saw individuals in a boat out walleye fishing for the second time in the morning. With assistance, CO Schaumburger conducted surveillance and watched the boat drive into Greyhaven State Harbor. He observed the angler take a small cooler of fish, place it on the tailgate, cover it up with a blue blanket, and push it to the back of the truck bed. They took a second cooler of fish and placed it in the bed of the truck, this time uncovered and near the front. While checking the anglers’ fishing licenses, it was stated that they got a 3-man limit, and the CO was free to look at them. When he opened the tailgate, the CO asked him about the cooler of fish under the blue blanket, to which the angler replied, “More fish.” Further investigation revealed that there were 18 fish in the visible cooler and an additional four fish in the hidden cooler, placing the anglers four over their daily limit of walleye. One angler took responsibility for the violation and was cited for possessing over the limit of walleye.
While on patrol, CO Dave Schaumburger located a trio of anglers. One of them was by their boat and the other two were sitting on a park bench on the other side of the park. The CO parked by a vehicle that had fish in plastic grocery bags in the back and went in search of the owner of the car. He first talked to the angler near his boat, who showed him his six walleyes. The CO went to the anglers on the bench and told them he needed to count and see the fish in the back of their vehicle in the shopping bags. The two anglers said, “I think there’s 14 in there, we were with another guy.” The CO told him he already talked to the other guy who had his daily limit of six to which they replied, “I guess we’re two over”. The CO counted the fish and not only were they two over, but they were four over their daily possession limit and had 16 walleyes. The owner of the vehicle was cited for possessing more than the daily limit of walleye.
COs Andrew Werth, Ariel Young, and Joel Hill conducted a fisheries patrol at Mariner Park. While COs Young and Hill contacted other anglers, CO Werth contacted one angler who he had previously checked in the week at another local fishing spot. The CO asked the angler if he had any luck and the angler stated that he had three northern pike on a stringer. The CO wanted to see the stringer because possessing three northern pike is above the allotted two per angler. The CO checked the stringer, and it was found that the third northern pike was a muskellunge which is out of season. The out of season muskellunge was also 31 inches in length which is below the 42-inch requirement. The muskellunge was seized and the angler was cited for possessing the out of season short muskellunge.
CO Andrew Werth observed a minibike with two occupants, with no helmets on, weaving in and out of oncoming traffic on a busy road. The CO conducted a traffic stop on the minibike and it was found that the two operators were minors who were travelling to a park almost four miles away. The minibike also did not have valid ORV stickers. The CO took the minors home and contacted an adult who stated that he was tired of being contacted by the Taylor Police Department. The CO advised the adult that he was a Michigan Conservation Officer and that the CO and the adult needed to address the minors operating an ORV on the public highway unsupervised with no helmets. The adult did not care about anything the CO had to say, and the adult was subsequently cited for allowing a minor under the age of 16 to operate an unsupervised ORV. The adult was also advised and released on his 18 warrants.
COs Joel Hill, Andrew Werth, and David Schaumburger received information referencing two walleye anglers who had caught their limit in the morning and had posted a video of it on social media. The anglers were later reported to be going out again, with additional subjects in the evening, and were said to have caught more fish. Upon arrival at the location reported, COs Hill and Werth contacted the individuals observed in the video along with four more anglers. The group was found to be in possession of an over-limit of walleye since two of the anglers had already caught a limit in the morning and posted it to social media. One of the subjects, who was in the video, advised that he did catch his limit in the morning and went out again in the afternoon catching another. The walleyes in the subject’s possession were seized, and the angler was issued a citation for possession of an over-limit of walleye.
CO Nicholas Ingersoll received a complaint of an individual who had possibly trespassed to shoot a turkey. CO Ingersoll spoke with the complainant who advised she was unsure if he did trespass to shoot the turkey but did see him with a turkey. CO Ingersoll checked to see if the suspect had bought a spring turkey license. After checking, CO Ingersoll noticed some discrepancies in his license purchase. CO Ingersoll spoke with the suspect and ultimately determined that the individual shot the turkey without a license and trespassed onto ITC property to retrieve it. CO Ingersoll submitted charges to the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
BELLE ISLE
No Report
GREAT LAKES ENFORCEMENT UNIT (GLEU)
Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted a short patrol on the Saginaw River, with very little marine activity noted due to the wind and weather conditions. Cpl. Atkin then docked the Huldah Neal at USCG Saginaw River station where it will remain for the rest of the open water season.
Cpl. Todd Sumbera and Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted an AIS patrol, inspecting six pet shops. One new fish shop was located during the patrol, with contact made with the owner and a business card given in case of any future questions. Good compliance was noted with no violations.
Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted a joint patrol with MSP MCOs at the Grass Lake scales. A tractor-trailer with a refrigerated trailer was stopped and inspected, noting the trailer was empty.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig and Cpl. Nick Atkin conducted a boarding of a commercial trap net vessel in Saginaw Bay. No violations were noted.
Cpl. Justin Vanderlinde received an illegal tribal gill netting complaint from a local angler, who stated that there was a boat setting a gill net approximately ½ mile into west bay in front of the Boardman River mouth. The angler described the vessel as approximately 28 to 32 feet in length, having a blue hull with a white cabin and having some type of net lifting contraption on the back of the boat, and that there were three people on the back of the boat setting the net. Cpl. Vanderlinde advised that the boat he was describing resembled the “Northwestern,” which is owned by the maritime academy and is used to train academy cadets. This was confirmed after follow-up with the school.
Cpls. Mike Hammill and Cole VanOosten followed up on two net entanglements reported by a recreational angler. No nets were found in the area where the entanglements were reported.
Cpl. Cole VanOosten obtained a felony warrant for a case stemming from a September 2025 deer investigation. The individual was lodged in the Mackinac County Jail. Charges for this individual were requested in two other counties as well.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen worked with MSP Motor Carrier officers at the Grass Lake scales near Jackson, patrolling for prohibited AIS species. A fish hauler truck was inspected and searched, with no violations being found.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen continues to assist Detective Pennoni with a sunken tribal fishing boat in Ludington.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen received a complaint about live Red Swamp crayfish at a residence in Kalamazoo County. Cpl. Van Gelderen and CO Nason went to the residence to conduct an interview. 150 pounds of live crayfish were found in coolers and seized by the officers. The crayfish were brought in just hours prior from a relative who is a resident of Louisiana and had brought the crayfish for a boil.
Cpl. Troy Van Gelderen was patrolling on US-31 near Muskegon when a car passed his patrol truck and began weaving through traffic at a high rate of speed. The driver also had her cell phone up in front of her face. The car was stopped, and a ticket was written for the cell phone usage while driving.
Cpl. Pat Hartsig conducted a search of a live fish hauler on the road in Harrison Twp. The vehicle was identified as belonging to Mackie’s Bait, and tanks were dipped and visually inspected for any AIS hitchhikers or other issues.
Cpl. Jon Busken assisted The Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division with multiple inspections of potential fish haulers at the Grass Lake Scales, in an attempt to identify prohibited AIS species.
Cpl. Brett DeLonge and Cpl. Cole Vanoosten worked with District 2 officers during a patrol for smelt runs in the Carp and Tahquamenon Rivers.
