ESCANABA – The following reports detail recent activity of Michigan conservation officers throughout the following District 1 and District 2 counties of service: Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft.

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

CO Alex VanWagner conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after radar indicated the vehicle was traveling 89-mph in a 55-mph zone. The driver stated he was not paying attention and was trying to catch a flight. A citation was issued for speeding.

COs Alex VanWagner, Zach Painter, Ethen Mapes, Pete Shambaugh, and Ray Gagnon, along with United States Forest Service officers conducted a Saturday group snowmobile patrol in areas of Gogebic, Ontonagon, and Iron Counties. Over 500 snowmobiles were contacted throughout the day. Seventeen citations were issued for failing to obtain trail permits, registration violations, and careless operation. Approximately 60 verbal warnings were issued as well.

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

CO Alex French was patrolling in northern Luce County when he saw a group of snowmobilers, one of which did not have a trail permit displayed. After conducting a stop on the snowmobiler, it was determined he did not have his trail permit affixed to his sled and was carrying it in his pocket. The permit was purchased months before this encounter and the snowmobiler stated he kept it in his pocket because he had another snowmobile. The snowmobiler was issued a citation.

COs Alex French and Justin Vinson did a fisheries patrol of Luce County. COs checked the mouth of the Two Heart, Reed and Green, Little Lake Harbor, and Pike Lake. The COs saw a couple fishing on Pike Lake. It was found that one angler did not have a fishing license for the current year. A citation was issued for fishing without a license.

CO Scott Pankow and Sgt. Calvin Smith participated in a career fair at Rudyard Schools. The COs talked with students about the process of becoming a conservation officer and day-to-day duties.

CO Mike Olesen responded to call of a pole barn that had collapsed onto an individual in northern Chippewa County. CO Olesen, along with other law enforcement and firefighters, shoveled snow and removed pieces of the roof to get to the victim. The individual was removed and transferred to emergency medical services where he was pronounced deceased.

While on patrol in Delta County, CO Matthew Bowser observed a snowmobile operating on a railroad track that was paralleling the highway. CO Bowser was able to get ahead of the snowmobile at the next crossroad and make a stop. When CO Bowser asked for the operator’s driver’s license, the operator stated it was revoked. CO Bowser advised the operator that it is unlawful to operate a snowmobile with a revoked license. The operator arranged for friend to pick up the snowmobile. CO Bowser will be submitting charges to the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Brandon Maki was patrolling near Munising when he observed a snowmobile operating with an expired trail permit. CO Maki initiated a stop and contacted the operator of the snowmobile. CO Maki discovered the trail permit was expired by 20 years. CO Maki issued a citation for failing to obtain a trail permit before clearing the scene.

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

CO Andrea Albert conducted a stop on three snowmobiles operating without trail permits while patrolling local designated snowmobile trails in Antrim County. One of the snowmobiles was not registered, had a rachet strap holding down the hood, and did not have a working headlight. Upon further inspection, CO Albert observed the snowmobile without a working headlight had a small handheld flashlight taped onto it in place of the headlight. CO Albert issued tickets for not having trail permits and issued warnings for additional violations. CO Albert applauded the owner for his creativity in using a flashlight for the headlight but advised it would not meet the lawful requirement.

CO Andrea Albert was a guest speaker at Central Lake High School and gave a presentation on the history of Michigan COs and CO’s current duties and responsibilities. CO Albert answered questions and provided information on the hiring and training process to become a CO.

CO Andrea Albert investigated a trespass where a group of snowmobilers went off-trail and trespassed onto private property. One subject in the group got stuck on a power pole guide wire and the complainant was able to video and photograph the operators and the snowmobile registrations. A follow up investigation led to the lead operator being charged with recreational trespass.

CO Andrea Albert received a complaint of trespassing and a dog getting caught in a foot hold trap set for coyote. The property owner advised no one had permission to hunt or trap on the property. While walking into the area where the traps were located, CO Albert contacted the trapper. Unfortunately for the trapper, coyote trapping season had closed two weeks prior, he did not purchase a fur harvester’s license, and the traps were not tagged with proper identification. A ticket was issued for the license violation, and the trapper was educated about rules.