Wildlife biologists say the western Upper Peninsula moose population is growing at a long-term average of about 2 percent each year, with an estimated 509 animals living in that part of the state.
Twin brothers from Kent County fined, lose fishing licenses for poaching walleye on Detroit River.
DISTRICT 1 CO Zach Painter received reports of a snowmobiler who was separated from his group and could not be located. They lost contact with the 70-year old subject earlier in the morning on Lake Gogebic. Painter was notified early in the afternoon and responded to Bergland where the subject had been seen earlier in the day. Painter located the…
DISTRICT 1 CO Brett DeLonge and probationary CO Breanna Reed donated approximately 200 pounds of moose and deer meat to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans in Marquette. The venison was supplied from a deer that was illegally taken and the moose meat was the result of a moose that was hit by a vehicle. Superior Custom Game Processing donated its…
“Our population goal for elk is between 500 and 900 animals.” … “The survey tells us there are between 930 and 1,462 elk in Michigan.”
DISTRICT 1 CO Johnathan Kamps completed an investigation for tagging a deer with a base license. Upon investigation and interview with the suspect, the CO determined that the individual still had an unvalidated deer combo tag in possession. Kamps also found out the suspect shot two bucks during the 2018 season that were in violation of Upper Peninsula antler point…
The Michigan DNR’s citizen-based northern Lower Peninsula wolf survey, to detect the presence of gray wolves in the region, will take place Feb. 19 through March 15.
Bag goes from 50 to 25 on most waters starting April 1.
According to the DNR, the first four sturgeon harvested were males ranging from 52 to 60 inches and 25 to 47 pounds. The final two fish were females ranging from 61 to 72 inches and 54 to 80 pounds.
DISTRICT 1 CO Josh Boudreaux responded to a hunting camp in Marquette County after the owner arrived for a weekend of hunting, only to find the camp burned to the ground with only the chimney standing. Boudreaux documented the scene, interviewed the property owner and searched the surrounding area for any indications of foul play. Information gathered in the investigation…
This winter, six snowmobilers have died in the U.P. and three in Lower Michigan.
This time LMBV was found in smallmouth bass in Beaver Lake (Alpena County) during the investigation of a fish kill and in Avalon Lake (Montmorency County). These latest discoveries indicate the virus is spreading northward in Michigan.
SOUTHEASTERN LP Irish Hills Area There was no safe ice on inland lakes in Jackson County. Knutson’s Sporting Goods, (800) 292-0857 or (517) 592-2786. Lake Orion There was no ice safe enough for fishing in Oakland County. Lakes Village Stop/Mobile Gas Station, (248) 693-4565. Luna Pier Area Boat anglers trolling in Lake Erie’s Brest Bay and off Bolles Harbor caught…
DISTRICT 1 CO Josh Boudreaux was patrolling Lake Independence in Marquette County when he observed a fisherman set three tip-ups then head back into his shanty for an extended period. Suspecting the individual was fishing with a fourth line, CO Boudreaux crept up to the shanty and observed through the window, an individual fishing with a fourth line. Upon knocking…
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently announced appointments for several state agencies, including Daniel Eichinger, who joins the DNR as the department’s new director. Eichinger most recently served as executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs, the nation’s most effective state-based conservation organization, the DNR said in a news release Monday, Jan. 7. In that role, he led MUCC’s return as a driving force for…
DISTRICT 1 CO Jared Ferguson was following up on complaints in Iron County when he located an ORV trail leading to a treestand on state land. Ferguson contacted the hunter who stated he had hunted there for over 50 years and the same guy keeps driving by his stand at prime time. Ferguson followed the truck tracks in the snow…
Lawmakers want the DNR to learn if the pheasant program gives a boost to small-game hunting, and the agency is also being told to explore whether the release of pheasants reduces any conflicts between hunters.
DISTRICT 1 CO John Kamps was on patrol opening day of deer season when he located an illegal ORV trail cross country on state land. Kamps followed the ORV trail and located four 55-gallon drums full of bait with a large bait pile nearby. The CO made contact with the hunter later in the afternoon and law enforcement action was…
More than 750 deer heads were examined in a core surveillance area around Dickinson County. Hundreds more were checked in an area that extended into Marquette County.
DISTRICT 1 While checking a trapper near Negaunee in Marquette County, CO Brett DeLonge received a complaint of another trapper who had a wolf caught in a foot hold trap near the Palmer area. DeLonge and DNR biologists met with the trapper and located the wolf after dark. The aggressive 80-pound male gray wolf was safely and successfully sedated, collared…
The Corps’ new plan is similar to a draft from August 2017, but the estimated price tag has jumped from $275 million to nearly $778 million.
Hunters encouraged to check deer in counties where state is actively monitoring for CWD, particularly Gratiot, Isabella, Jackson and Kent.
DISTRICT 1 CO Zach Painter was on patrol in Iron County and responded to a complaint of bear hunters who were trespassing. Painter contacted the hunters who had driven through a gate with no trespassing signs. The hunters stated that several years back they received permission to go behind the gate. Painter talked with the complainant who said they no…
Agency hoping for public’s help in investigation.
DISTRICT 1 Conservation Officer Cody Smith checked a group of hound hunters in Baraga County. The group reported they had not seen a single track in days. Upon checking the party, the next day, they successfully harvested a mid-200-pound bear. The hunters were happy for the change in luck and continued to run their dogs in search of another bear….
In 2017, 1,691 bears were taken. This year, preliminary numbers appear to be slightly below the 1,500-target harvest.
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