DISTRICT 1
COs Smith and Boudreaux noticed a boat doing laps around Lake Michigamme with an infant who did not have a life jacket on. A stop was made and the child was found to be under a year of age. Smith explained to the parents that the child must wear a life jacket on a vessel until they reach six years of age. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Ethen Mapes received a complaint through dispatch on an overdue subject with health issues. The subject had left his residence around 6:30 p.m. and hadn’t returned. With the time approaching 10:30 p.m. and heavy rain storms passing by, Mapes organized a search party. Civil Air Patrol and Michigan State Police troopers both responded. A plane was used to assist in the search. Also assisting was MI-Trails; Superior Search and Rescue; Ontonagon Sheriff’s Office; Michigan State Police; DNR conservation officers from Ontonagon, Gogebic, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette counties; SONCO South; dispatchers from the Negaunee Regional Dispatch Center; and many local volunteers. The search concluded when the missing subject was found trapped under his four-wheeler. The subject was transported to Ontonagon area hospital for precautionary purposes.
CO Brian Lasanen was called to assist with a search for a missing stream fisherman along the Perch River in Baraga County. As Lasanen, other law enforcement officers, and search and rescue personnel were getting organized, the missing fisherman was located. The fisherman had planned to walk the river and fish until he came to a road crossing. After starting his trip downstream, he quickly realized it was a lot harder walk than anticipated, so he hopped on the first road he came to and started walking until he was picked up by a first responder.
CO Shannon Kritz was on marine patrol when she pulled into a state boat launch and noticed there was an ice shack left in the parking area. Kritz was able to track down the ice shack owner who said he had been meaning to get it out of the parking lot but had not gotten around to it yet. Enforcement action was taken, and the shack was removed by the next day.
DISTRICT 2
CO Chris Lynch conducted a taxidermy inspection and noticed a suspicious situation with an 8-point buck on site harvested by a Wisconsin resident. Further investigation and a check of the retail sales system confirmed Lynch’s suspicions that the hunter shot the deer without his own license and put someone else’s tag on the deer. Lynch forwarded the information to a Wisconsin game warden who interviewed the hunter. The hunter confessed to coming to Michigan and shooting the 8-point without a license, tagging the deer with someone else’s tag and coming back to Michigan a second time. This time purchasing his own single deer tag and going back out hunting even though he was technically already tagged out. Lynch contacted the hunter and ultimately enforcement action was taken for the following violations: taking a deer without a license, attempting to take an over limit of deer, and using a deer kill tag of another.
CO Mark Zitnik was checking a trout stream with his ride-along when Alger County dispatch advised of a bear cub stranded along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on an outcropping of rocks. Zitnik and the ride-along joined the Alger County Sheriff’s Department patrol boat and located the young adult bear. Zitnik exited the patrol boat and was able to attach a catch pole to the 125-pound bear who had been stranded on the rocks for nearly two weeks and was able to get the bear alongside the boat. The sheriff’s deputy and Zitnik were able to keep the bear swimming along the boat for nearly a half mile until they reached land. The bear was released and is expected to make a full recovery.
CO Stephen Butzin and Sgt. Jerry Fitzgibbon conducted a nuisance beaver inspection in Garden Township. During the inspection, several spent firearm cartridges were located on the property owner’s dock. The owner was questioned as to what he was shooting off the dock. Eventually the owner confessed to taking multiple beavers over the past several years. The owner stated he shot several beavers off the dock as they were in the water. A tanned beaver pelt was located at the scene with a hole in the head consistent with the cartridges found on the dock. The owner also stated he had another pelt at a local taxidermist. The property owner was an out of state resident who also did not have a valid fur harvester license. Enforcement action was taken.
DISTRICT 3
CO Chad Baldwin was patrolling a county road when an ATV with two riders passed at a high rate of speed. It was clear to Baldwin that both the operator and passenger were juveniles, so he attempted to make a stop of the ATV. The operator turned around and saw Baldwin turning his vehicle around and appeared to try and speed up to elude the CO. Baldwin caught up with the ATV and initiated a stop. As soon as, Baldwin exited his patrol truck the younger passenger on the back of the ATV became frightened, was crying and started having a panic attack. Baldwin immediately changed his enforcement stance to one of first aid and began calmly speaking with the rider and helped her focus on her breathing until her heart rate returned to normal and she calmed down. Baldwin was able to contact the rider’s parents and had them meet him at his current location. Baldwin explained to the parents his observations, and all the violations committed in his presence. Law enforcement action was taken.
COs Duane Budreau and Adam LeClerc assisted Pellston Schools in the planting of nearly 4,000 red pine trees. The trees were planted to regrow an area that is used illegally by ORV riders, and has since been blocked off.
CO Matt Theunick received a complaint about a pine marten family living in the rafters of a cabin in Cheboygan County. After investigating the unwanted martens, Theunick advised the owners that the noise of the family and their dogs would cause enough disturbances that the pine martens would most likely move out during the night. The next morning the family was happy to report the martens moved out of the cabin.
CO Eric Bottorff reports that a subject who was investigated for hunter harassment and cited for illegally transporting a muzzleloader in a motor vehicle in the Pigeon River State Forest in Nunda Township last fall was assessed a $680 fine.
DISTRICT 4
CO William Kinney was patrolling through Grand Traverse County when he observed an ORV operating illegally on a state highway. The juvenile operator of the ORV told Kinney he was heading to a friend’s house. Kinney contacted the child’s father to address the violations. Enforcement action was taken against the father for failing to transfer the ORV title. Warnings were given to the juvenile for violations committed on the roadway.
COs Patrick McManus and Rebecca Hubers came across three subjects standing next to a vehicle along a seasonal roadway. Inside the vehicle, the COs observed a bucket containing largemouth bass. McManus measured the fish and two of the four were under the legal-size limit. One of the individuals had turned 17 years old and did not possess a valid fishing license. Enforcement action was taken for the undersize bass.
CO Richard Stowe received a complaint from Grand Traverse Central Dispatch of a bat in a residence. The family attempted to find an animal control company over the holiday weekend, but there were none available. Stowe responded to the home, captured and released the bat with much appreciation from the homeowner.
CO William Haskin was patrolling on the backwaters of Hodenpyl Dam in Wexford County when he checked a boat with three anglers. The anglers were in possession of an undersized bass and one was fishing without a license from a boat that was not registered. Warnings were given for the registration and fishing without a license; however, enforcement action was taken for the undersized bass.
CO Ben Shively assisted Michigan State Police Hart Post with a cock fighting ring that was illegally operating and trespassing in the woods along an orchard in Oceana County. Shively assisted troopers with evidence recovery and inventory searches of all the vehicles at the scene which were being impounded. While conducting an inventory search on their second vehicle, a freshly killed bearded turkey was found in the back of a Chevy Trailblazer. Shively photographed and seized the turkey. Michigan State Police arrested 15 subjects on felony charges, impounded 14 vehicles, seized 35 live roosters, and 10 dead roosters. The investigation is ongoing.
DISTRICT 5
While parked on a gas pipeline in Kalkaska County, CO Mike Hearn observed an ORV pass his location with the operator drinking a beer. Once behind the ORV, it was also noted that he was traveling at an excessive speed. A stop was made on the ORV and during the screening for alcohol impairment, the driver refused all sobrieties and PBT. A search warrant was obtained, and a blood draw was done at the Kalkaska Hospital. The driver was subsequently lodged for the alcohol violation.
CO Charles Jones conducted a check of unattended fishing lines at the end of a dock in Kalkaska County. The baited lines were still in the water with no one around. Jones eventually noticed an angler who came up to the lines. The angler admitted to leaving the lines on the dock and in the water for multiple days. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Charles Jones was patrolling Manistee Lake when a personal watercraft was observed riding too close to and harassing Canada geese. Jones contacted the operator who initially denied his actions, but later admitted to harassing the birds. Jones educated the operator on PWC and harassment of wildlife laws. A citation was also issued for the violation.
CO Craig Neal was checking the south Houghton Lake boating access site and watched three anglers pulling their boat out of the water. Neal contacted the anglers and asked how the fishing had been. The anglers stated they had caught two panfish and a walleye. Neal checked their fishing bucket and noticed what appeared to be a short walleye. Upon measuring the fish, it was only 141⁄2 inches long. The fish was seized, and a citation issued for possession of a walleye under 15 inches.
DISTRICT 6
In Montcalm County, CO Ken Lowell checked a couple of anglers coming off Derby Lake who had some success fishing for bluegill. During a check of their fish and licenses, the anglers told Lowell that the other boat on the lake was doing better than they were. Lowell set up and watched the remaining anglers catch multiple panfish. When Lowell made contact a count of their fish revealed 63 bluegill in their possession. He issued both anglers a citation for an over limit of bluegill.
COs Josh Russell and Dan Robinson interviewed a couple of subjects regarding several issues including illegal disposal of solid waste and a possible illegal deer. The COs were also advised that the subjects were in possession of a baby raccoon. After interviewing the subjects regarding the issues from the previous day, the COs asked where the raccoon was. Both subjects were extremely surprised that the COs knew about the raccoon. The raccoon was produced, and tickets were issued for possessing wildlife in captivity without a permit.
While checking fishermen on the bass opener in Huron County, CO Kyle Bucholtz received a tip regarding an angler with an overlimit of bass. The complainant overheard two fishermen say they observed a CO in the area and would stay offshore until the CO had left because they had an overlimit of bass in their trucks. Bucholtz left the area only to return on foot. Within minutes one of the suspects returned to shore and began fishing again. Bucholtz spoke with the suspect and the others in his large party. After identifying the suspects, Bucholtz located and seized two overlimits of smallmouth bass. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Kyle Bucholtz made contact with two young teenagers in possession of an undersized bass. The subjects stated they had used their fishing rods to measure the fish. Bucholtz believed the young anglers had acted in good faith, but had obviously failed to properly measure the bass. He educated the two young fishermen on the proper way to measure a fish and returned the bass to the water. No citation was written and the teens were released to a parent.
DISTRICT 7
CO Richard Cardenas conducted a patrol on his dirt bike in the Barry State Game Area. He located a Jeep operating on an undesignated/closed trail. The Jeep was stuck in a deep mud hole with both passenger side tires completely under the mud and water. Cardenas contacted the driver and found additional violations, such as, creating erosive conditions, operating an unlicensed ORV (no ORV sticker), no proof of insurance, and damaging a roadway/trail as to hinder public access. Enforcement action taken.
CO James Zellinger assisted the Barry County Sheriff’s Office in a search for a 75-year-old missing person who had been diagnosed with dementia. Zellinger located the missing person approximately four miles from his residence walking on the side of the road. Zellinger returned the subject to his home, where his family was very excited to see him again.
While patrolling lakes in Cass County, CO Micah Hintze contacted a husband and wife wading and fishing. Both were unable to provide a license but said they had purchased them. Hintze took the individuals information to check for a valid license and continued to walk towards other fishermen. Shortly after, Hintze began returning to the patrol truck to validate the husband and wife’s claim when a vehicle being driven by the husband contacted prior, sped out of the parking lot. Hintze quickly followed the vehicle while running the names through dispatch, confirming that they didn’t possess a valid fishing license. The suspect was also speeding and swerving in an attempt to create distance from the CO. A traffic stop was conducted and when the suspect stepped out of the vehicle he admitted neither one of them possessed a license. They tried to leave the area due to this fact. Enforcement action was taken.
DISTRICT 8
CO Chris Reynolds, while patrolling Hillsdale County, observed a vehicle parked in an area where people have been known to trespass and fish a small lake. The CO sneaked into the area and observed a fisherman. When contact was made the angler said, “I think I’m in trouble.” The CO asked the angler if he had permission from the landowner. The angler said he didn’t. It was also found that the angler didn’t have a fishing license. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Nicholas Wellman and CO Josh Jackson were on patrol when they observed multiple ORVs pulling up to a local gas station. They contacted the operators and informed them that Branch County roads were not open for ORV use. The ORVs had no licenses and a passenger was in possession of an open beer. Enforcement action was taken.
COs Matthew Neterer and Todd Thorn were on a bicycle patrol in Lansing checking anglers at the Brenke Fish Ladder when Neterer observed a male subject get into a purple Cadillac and leave the area at a high rate of speed. Neterer was able to get a partial plate and notified central dispatch of the suspicious situation. While patrolling the area a few hours later, Neterer observed the same vehicle traveling near the fish ladder and followed it a short distance before it pulled into a residence. Thorn arrived on scene and contact was made to investigate possible OWI. The driver resisted and obstructed the COs and attempted to go inside the residence stating that “DNR officers can’t pull people over.” The driver was found to be operating under the influence and was placed under arrest. The subject was lodged at the Lansing City Jail with a blood alcohol content that was over twice the legal limit.
CO Carter Woodwyk received a complaint of a subject who shot a white-tailed deer during the 2017 archery deer season and had never purchased a hunting license. The CO was able to get enough information from the complainant to interview the suspect. Woodwyk, along with CO Nick Wellman interviewed the suspect who reluctantly confessed to shooting two antlered whitetails. Additionally, the suspect admitted to fishing without a license, turkey hunting without a license, and shooting a coyote without a license all between October 2017 and May 2018. Charges will be sought through the Hillsdale County prosecutor’s office.
DISTRICT 9
COs Raymond Gardner and Jessie Curtis received a Report-All-Poaching complaint regarding a turkey that was posted on Facebook. The hunter had posted the turkey five days before his chosen hunt period started. The COs interviewed the hunters who had been involved in the hunt. Both hunters admitted to hunting before their hunt period, and one admitted to shooting the turkey outside their hunt period. The investigation is still ongoing.
CO Ben Lasher found three subjects parked across the street from a fishing trespass complaint. Upon contacting the subjects, they produced a stringer with 17 walleyes. After questioning where they were fishing, the anglers admitted to trespassing on the Moose Lodge property. Lasher then found more walleye in one of the vehicles. The three subjects were found to be in possession of 30 walleye. They claimed another subject was there and had already left but they were still six walleyes over their possession limit. Enforcement action taken.
CO John Kamps observed a single boat fishing on a lake. Upon contact with the boat, it was determined that the individual was fishing without a license, failed to have a valid boat registration, and had no life jackets on the vessel. Enforcement action was taken
The post Michigan Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – July 6, 2018 appeared first on Outdoornews.
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