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00:00Michigan Conservation Officers in District 3 and 5 monitor operators of off-road vehicles during a busy holiday weekend.
00:16Put some thought into it man.
00:18If that was your deal, why do you have an attitude?
00:20What are you so upset about?
00:21Conservation Officers in District 7 check on waterfowl hunters on the opening day for hunting teal and geese.
00:27You can't even shoot that away because they're going to move over there.
00:30COs in D9 check on walleye anglers and to look at efforts made by the DNR's fisheries division to supplement the walleye population throughout the state.
00:40Wild animals and wild places.
00:44They're more than a picture.
00:46They're inspiration, excitement, and adventure.
00:50Patrolling and protecting these natural resources is a first-class band of peace officers.
00:56These are The Wardens, dedicated to the preservation of our great outdoors.
01:01The state of Michigan's public off-road vehicle system offers thousands of miles of trail and route riding opportunities.
01:28Michigan's conservation officers play an important role in ensuring that ORV recreational opportunities are available for safe and responsible users.
01:38They accomplish this through aggressive enforcement and a continued willingness to respond to public concerns.
01:44They are an important bridge between ORV users and the non-riding public.
01:49Although operators may utilize ORVs throughout the year, the spring and summer months are typically the most popular.
01:57In the state's District 5, Conservation Officer Josh Russell is on the lookout for ORV users during a busy Memorial Day weekend.
02:09CO Russell is checking an area where ORV use is prohibited.
02:13Shortly after getting to this spot, he sees an off-road vehicle.
02:17That's loud.
02:18How's it going?
02:19So, you guys went by a big placard back there saying no ORVs.
02:24You guys see that?
02:25Yeah, right?
02:26The right hand side.
02:27You got ORV stickers on this?
02:28Yeah, I do.
02:29Okay.
02:30Yeah.
02:31I didn't see it.
02:32Yeah.
02:33My sister-in-law, they walked down here.
02:36Okay.
02:37We're just coming here and tell them to turn around and come back.
02:40Oh, okay.
02:41Gotcha.
02:42Okay.
02:43You got your ID on you?
02:44Can you drive down here?
02:45Yeah, they're about halfway down.
02:46There's a big, like, sign on the other side of my truck.
02:49Back there and it has a bunch of white placards and a red placard that says no ORVs.
02:52Really?
02:53I didn't know that.
02:54Yeah.
02:55Oh, I'm sorry about that.
02:56No, that's fine.
02:58This area is kind of a, it's a Gladwin field trial area, so we keep all ORVs and everything out of here.
03:04Right, yeah.
03:05So, what?
03:06Yeah, I wasn't trying to tear it up or nothing like that.
03:08No, no, I get that.
03:09No.
03:10And you even had the less aggressive tires on here.
03:11I get it.
03:12So it's not plated though, right?
03:13No.
03:14No?
03:15Okay.
03:16While he's talking to one operator of an ORV, he sees a similar vehicle coming towards him.
03:20Hey!
03:27I didn't see the plate.
03:29You got to have those lights off though.
03:31Anytime you're on the county roads.
03:32My sister, I live right there on the corner.
03:33Okay, yeah.
03:34My sister-in-law and my two nephews are walking.
03:36Okay.
03:37That's fine.
03:38I'm taking them off with my wife's phone.
03:39Yeah, that's fine.
03:40Make sure you turn the back lights off, alright?
03:41Alright, appreciate it.
03:42Alright, no problem.
03:43Since the vehicle has a license plate, it's permitted to drive here.
03:47As you said, this area is completely off limits to ORVs unless it's plated like that one over
03:51there, alright?
03:52Yeah, okay.
03:53So, that's the big difference because it's technically a motor vehicle at that point.
03:57In this case, for operating an ORV in a prohibited area, this man was found responsible and paid
04:03a court ordered fine of $200.
04:05The first half mile is okay, but then you see a big Gladwin field trial sign with a bunch
04:10of...
04:11Yeah, because there's state land up front and then there's field trial back here.
04:14So, you'll see a big sign like that and then there'll be a red placard next to it and
04:17a bunch of little signs that say no ORVs.
04:19It's plastered all over it, okay?
04:21So, just do me a favor, spin around out of here and like I said, unless you get it plated,
04:28you just got to stay.
04:29Okay.
04:30Approximately 100 miles to the north and east of where Officer Russell is patrolling,
04:35CO Dan Listenfeltz is also working during the Memorial Day weekend in the state's District
04:403.
04:44He's spotted a couple of anglers...
04:46What?
04:47...and gets out of his truck to make sure they're on the up-and-up.
04:49You got a lot of fish?
04:53Oh yeah, alright.
04:56Alright.
04:58Nice.
05:00Cool, you guys been out for a while?
05:02Huh?
05:03You guys been out for a while?
05:04No, we just got here like five minutes ago.
05:06Oh, okay.
05:07That's the only fish you guys landed then so far?
05:09Yep.
05:10Alright.
05:11You want to see a fishing laser?
05:12Yeah, if you don't mind.
05:13If you want to go ahead and get him off first, whatever you want, I can come back and talk
05:16to you.
05:17He's got it right there.
05:18Which one is he?
05:19The orange one there, yep.
05:21Cool.
05:22Appreciate it.
05:23Early in his shift, CO Listenfeltz notices a man on a four-wheeler who is not operating his
05:28machine in a legal manner.
05:34Go ahead and go back to your quad for a sec.
05:36Go back here.
05:37I'll come to you.
05:38You're trying to what?
05:39I was going home, I got a kayak coming.
05:42Okay.
05:43That's the reason why I was going like I was.
05:45So fast down the road?
05:46That's why you were going so fast?
05:48Yeah, because I...
05:50Go ahead and sit back.
05:51Alright, go ahead and sit back on your quad, okay?
05:52Yeah.
05:53Okay.
05:54Do you know there are laws of riding these on the roadways at all?
05:58I know you should because I pass you all the time doing it the right way.
06:02Yeah.
06:03Yeah.
06:04That's 25 miles an hour.
06:05Yeah.
06:06Right where you're at right now, on the shoulder of the road.
06:07Okay.
06:08You can't be going down the middle of the road.
06:09You're going down the complete middle of the road right there.
06:11Back there right passing.
06:12You were hauling.
06:13You were going really fast.
06:14Yeah, that's because I got a canoe coming.
06:16Alright.
06:17Do you have a driver's license on you?
06:18I don't have a driver's license.
06:19Are you suspended?
06:20No.
06:21You just have no driver's license?
06:22Yeah, because of my eyes.
06:24I got it.
06:25Alright, stand by.
06:26I'm going to grab a notebook, okay?
06:27In this case, for not wearing eye protection on an ORV when it's required, this man was found responsible and paid a court ordered fine of $100.
06:36I know that you know the ORV laws, okay?
06:38You even admitted that when I stopped you, okay?
06:40So, almost every single time riding down the middle of the road or speeding like that, it's going to get you a ticket for one of those, okay?
06:48But I gave you warnings on both of those, okay?
06:51I did write you a ticket for not having eye protection, okay?
06:54That is like way, way down here on the fences that I could write you for, okay?
06:58I always do.
06:59I left them at the fairgrounds.
07:01Okay.
07:02Well, that might be good because if you did have them, you'd probably be getting a ticket for one of the other things instead.
07:06So, alright?
07:07The Allegan State Game Area is the largest state game area in the state of Michigan.
07:13At 50,000 acres, it's significantly larger than most other state game areas in the Great Lakes State.
07:19Historically, the majority of the Allegan State Game Area is made up of oak and pine barrens.
07:25In an effort to assist private landowners in improving the quality of their acreage, an event called Walk with a Forester was held at the Allegan State Game Area to share information and resources.
07:36We were approached by Ben Savoy, who is a district forester for Barry Conservation District, and they have this White Oak Initiative and they need places to go for tours.
07:47So, they reached out to us and asked if we'd be willing to host Allegan State Game Area as a tour site for the White Oak Initiative and then come along and be able to be speakers on the tour.
07:57The White Oak Initiative is a national group that came together in response to low regeneration of white oak species.
08:07White oaks being very important to the Cooperage industry in Kentucky where this foundation really came up from grassroots level.
08:14Basically, they're seeing that there wasn't enough white oak to help sustain the industry's use of it.
08:19An oak savannah is a rare natural community. This is one of the better ones in the state based on the wildflower native savannah species that grow, the herbaceous species that grow in the understory.
08:32One aim of many of the foresters in southwest Michigan is to assist people in getting more white oak trees on their properties.
08:40If you were to look at a cover type map of Allegan State Game Area, it's going to be mostly oak.
08:45It's not just in Kentucky or like the southeast. It's also across America that we're seeing this problem that there's not enough regeneration of oaks to sustain their use and to have oaks into the future.
08:59I think current projections are at like 20, 30 years and then they'll be completely unsustainable.
09:06So it's an urgent problem. Something that we're, when you think about 20, 30 years, it seems so far away, but it's actually something that we can have a great impact on now.
09:16When you drive through here, if you saw on the drive, there's a lot of oaks. We have a lot of white oaks.
09:21And we do a lot of management for those species to benefit wildlife because our primary objective is to benefit wildlife and for hunting purposes out here.
09:30I would love for them to, you know, have this event be the first step towards getting a management plan for their property.
09:38Something that, you know, inspires them to do something long term with their forest and kind of have that long term view of what are they going to be doing with their property?
09:48What are the current conditions of it right now? So how can we help reach that better future?
09:58Michigan Conservation Officer Josh Russell has been spending much of his day checking on operators of off-road vehicles during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
10:07While he's traveling in his patrol truck, he gets passed by another vehicle. He initiates a traffic stop to talk to the driver.
10:15Central 530 traffic stop, 10 and exit 98.
10:24How's it going?
10:25Hello, sir.
10:26Where are we headed to today?
10:27We're going to the Sleeping Bear Dunes.
10:29Sleeping Bear Dunes, okay. You know this is only 75 through here, right?
10:32No, I was just taking a, I was just like doing an overtake. So that's why, I know, I know I was like a bit speeding. I was just doing an overtake. That's why.
10:40Overtake, what do you mean?
10:42There was a car going to the next lane. I was just doing an overtake.
10:45Well, you passed me.
10:46Oh.
10:47Yeah, you passed me. So you're going, what, 90 plus?
10:51No, no, no, no. I will be covered with you.
11:01Clear, thank you.
11:03We're on our way to check out a phone complaint off US 10 and we're traveling down US 10 and a subject passed us doing well over 90 mile an hour. Once they noticed, saw who we were, they finally pulled over and we initiated traffic stop, see what was going on and why we're in such a hurry.
11:21Michigan Conservation Officer Dan Listenfeltz is working during the Memorial Day weekend. He's primarily focused on monitoring off-road vehicle operators. While driving his patrol truck along some utility lines, CO Listenfeltz encounters an off-road vehicle.
11:46How are you guys doing?
11:47We're out, RVing.
11:48All right. Well, you can't be here.
11:50Yeah, we just noticed that. Is it in there?
11:52Nope. No, all this is, so you can never operate on power lines ever.
11:57Okay.
11:58That's like a blanket law in Michigan. But I mean, these ones are even marked closed. You guys drove past probably like 10 signs.
12:04Well, I didn't really notice it. I just noticed that one.
12:08Okay. I mean, all of these red markers all the way down, you guys come in on the other side of 33?
12:13Yeah.
12:14Yeah. It's all marked throughout there.
12:16Yeah.
12:17No RVs, so.
12:18And how old are you?
12:19I'm 19.
12:2019? Okay.
12:21Okay.
12:22You guys got your IDs on you at all?
12:24Did you bring them out?
12:25You bring yours to serve?
12:27I got mine, yeah.
12:28Are you kind of doing the directions here today?
12:30Yeah.
12:31So these guys came down the power line here behind us. It's a closed ORV area. It's signed very well. Pretty much just about every 50 yards throughout this whole entire thing, there's a sign that says no ORVs. There's really no excuse for that. Obviously, they're not supposed to be in here, so.
12:52They're going to get a ticket. The driver of the ORV seems like he's just kind of following the directions of the passenger, so we'll just go from there, but they're going to get a ticket for something here, so we'll figure that out in a minute.
13:09All right, this is what I did, okay? Obviously, I can tell that you're kind of in charge of this, where you guys are going and stuff, okay?
13:17So this is what I did. I did cut you guys a really big break, okay? So obviously marked no ORVs throughout this whole truck.
13:23Well, let me say something. We came from the gas station. Is that also?
13:27By the elbow?
13:28Yeah.
13:29Yeah, so the state law in Michigan, it's a blanket law. It's in the ORV handbook and everything. You can never operate on a public utility right of way, power line, anything like that.
13:37That's no matter what. It doesn't even have to be marked closed, okay? This is a specific one. It's even marked closed. It's an ORV closed area on top of that, okay?
13:44Okay.
13:45So technically, it's ORV trespass, okay? That's usually the ticket we write.
13:48Yeah.
13:49I can tell you guys are obviously kind of a little lost, probably trying to get where you're going, okay? But obviously, you went past like a million ORV signs, so you know you can't be here, at least, okay?
13:56Okay.
13:57All right, so this is what I did, okay? Civil infraction for operating where prohibited. It means you're basically just riding your ORV somewhere you're not supposed to be, giving you a warning on the trespass,
14:06you don't have to pay for restitution for riding on here, damaging the roadway and stuff like that, okay?
14:11It is a big break. It's a civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor, and it's not trespass, nothing like that, okay?
14:15Okay.
14:16Does that sound fair to you?
14:17All right.
14:18Okay?
14:19Yeah, I appreciate it.
14:20In this case, for operating an ORV where it was prohibited to do so, this man was found responsible and paid a court-ordered fine of $100.
14:29From here, where are you guys going?
14:30We're going back to the campground.
14:32Clear Lake?
14:33Yeah.
14:34Okay.
14:35So what you're going to have to do is you have to go back down Millersburg Road here to the ORV trail.
14:39Yes.
14:40Okay.
14:41That's what the ORV trail is there for, okay?
14:42And then just head back that way, all right?
14:44Okay.
14:45Yep.
14:46Be safe.
14:47Have a good holiday.
14:48Thank you, you too.
14:49Later in the day, Officer Listenvelts comes across two ORV operators.
14:53One of the men was driving his four-wheeler and not wearing a helmet.
15:01How's it going?
15:02How you doing?
15:03Good.
15:04Got to have a helmet.
15:05Oh, shit.
15:06Got to have a, and where are you guys riding?
15:07Because this is all closed.
15:08Due to what?
15:09They didn't say nothing about being closed coming in here.
15:11Well, you can ride to right here, but the power line, everything, once you get to right there,
15:14it's all closed.
15:15Okay.
15:16Well, we just turn around.
15:17I was just asking.
15:18I was just asking where you were planning on riding, that's all.
15:20No, I don't just follow my son.
15:21Okay.
15:22We're just taking it nice and easy.
15:23How much have you had a drink today?
15:25Um, about that much.
15:27Okay.
15:28Just asking.
15:29Your eyes are really red, so.
15:30It's a long drive up here.
15:31Where did you ride from?
15:32Porny run.
15:33Okay.
15:34Yeah.
15:35Did you just get up here today?
15:36Yeah.
15:37I'm waiting for my wife and my brother-in-law.
15:38I got you.
15:39Okay.
15:40Yeah.
15:41All right.
15:42You got your ORV prints and stuff on this?
15:43All right.
15:44Thanks.
15:45All right.
15:46That's pretty cool though, man.
15:47What's that?
15:48I believe you need a warrant for that.
15:49For what?
15:50To be like checking.
15:51Nope.
15:52Now whatsoever.
15:53You got your ID on you?
15:54Not on me.
15:55Don't start that.
15:56Okay.
15:57All right.
15:58Stand by for a second.
16:04All right.
16:05What's your first name?
16:06Since this man does not have any identification on him.
16:09What's your name?
16:10Officer Listenfeltz.
16:11What's your middle name?
16:12CO Listenfeltz asks for the correct spelling for some of his pertinent information.
16:17Put some thought into it, man.
16:18What was your deal?
16:19Why do you have an attitude?
16:20What are you so upset about?
16:21Why do you need me to spell it for you?
16:23I don't know how to spell.
16:24Never heard of that before.
16:25Okay.
16:26I said.
16:27Solo.
16:28Either way.
16:29You don't need to have such an attitude.
16:30There's no need to have an attitude.
16:31I'm being cool with you guys right now.
16:32Okay?
16:33I know.
16:34I'm just telling you, man.
16:35You just.
16:36Well, you tell me to put some thought into it and I ask you how to spell something.
16:37That's not a common word you spell.
16:38Okay?
16:39Don't start going down this road or this isn't going to end very well.
16:41All right?
16:50Michigan Conservation Officer Josh Russell has pulled over an operator of a motor vehicle.
16:55This driver passed C.O. Russell while they were both driving on a busy highway.
17:00So here's the deal, okay?
17:01Yeah.
17:02We're going a little fast, right?
17:04I understand you're trying to get to, you're trying to go on vacation, trying to enjoy yourself,
17:08right?
17:09But it looks better when you pass a cop, doesn't it?
17:11I did issue a citation for speeding, but I didn't put any speed to it, all right?
17:16It's simply violate basic speed law, which means you're going over the posted speed,
17:20which will be lower on fines and lower on the point side, okay?
17:23In this case, for violating basic speed law, this man was found responsible and paid a
17:28court-ordered fine of $120.
17:30Make sure you call that phone number within 14 days and take care of it.
17:34It's out of the Isabella court, all right?
17:35Okay, so, yeah, I, okay.
17:36All right?
17:37You understand?
17:38Okay.
17:39And there should, this exit, there should be a bathroom if you need, there's a gas station
17:43right in the corner, or to the north, or there's one right in the corner.
17:46It's going just, just ahead of us there on the exit, 93.
17:4993?
17:50Okay.
17:51Okay.
17:52Okay.
17:53Perfect.
17:54Awesome.
17:56I really appreciate it.
17:58Yeah, not a problem.
17:59Safe trials and enjoy the sleeping better news today, okay?
18:01Yep.
18:02Dan Listenfeltz is talking to the drivers of two off-road vehicles.
18:06They both were about to drive onto a trail that is closed to ORV use, and one of them
18:11is not wearing a helmet, when he should be, based on the type of ORV he's using.
18:16Do you have a helmet in the side-by-side, by any chance?
18:18Not mine.
18:19Okay, do you have any way to get one here?
18:21Yeah, it's in cabin.
18:22Okay, there's anybody there that can bring one here?
18:24Not yet.
18:25Okay, because you cannot ride from here without it.
18:27Okay?
18:28All right.
18:29All right.
18:30So, what I'm getting at is you're probably going to want to lose the attitude, okay?
18:34Because it's not going to make me very happy.
18:36I have every right to tow this from here, because you're not going to be able to ride it from
18:39here.
18:40I can't just leave it here.
18:41Do you understand what I'm saying?
18:42Yep.
18:43Okay.
18:44So, think on that, okay?
18:45See if you can get...
18:46I'm not going to put any thought into it.
18:47What's that?
18:48I'm not going to put any thought into it, but...
18:49No, you don't have to.
18:50That's fine.
18:51All right.
18:52Hey.
18:53I don't want any attitude from you, all right?
18:57Whatever.
18:58Okay.
18:59Who's this back?
19:02I apologize for him.
19:03He's got a mental health problem, and I have problems.
19:06You've got to keep them contained.
19:07Okay.
19:08All right.
19:09Well, you kind of went off on me, too, at the start.
19:10So, I don't...
19:11Well, you asked me how much I had to drink.
19:12Well, you used to see your eyes right now.
19:13Every person I...
19:14I mean, you...
19:15I'm sorry.
19:16They're red and glossy, and they're twitchy, so...
19:17I haven't drank in about three months.
19:19Okay.
19:20So...
19:21There's a reason I asked.
19:22I don't just ask everybody.
19:23That's why I asked you.
19:24And, um...
19:25The thing is, you know, he's, like, that schizo and stuff like that.
19:29Okay.
19:30He...
19:31Like I said, I'm just following him because he was here last year, and he wanted to see,
19:35you know, see the trail, and...
19:36Okay.
19:37You know, and I got pictures to prove it, you know.
19:38No, that's fine.
19:39Well, just so you guys...
19:40We won't be.
19:41If you're both aware, you can't...
19:42In the state of Michigan, you can't ever operate on a power line.
19:45Yeah.
19:46Ever.
19:47Okay.
19:48There is one section of just dirt bike trail that is about a hundred yards long.
19:51Right.
19:52That comes in, and that's it.
19:53And that's the only...
19:54In the whole entire county.
19:55And this is actually posted closed, too.
19:57This is all posted closed.
19:58So, I know you can ride right here, technically, but that's it.
20:01So, that's why I asked her where you're going, because...
20:02Right.
20:03Obviously, you can't go past this point, okay?
20:04Yes.
20:05Okay.
20:06Okay.
20:07So, we're good on that, then, all right?
20:08Obviously, I mean, you're following him.
20:09He's an adult, so...
20:10Yeah, I know.
20:11He is an adult, yep.
20:12All right.
20:13So, do you have any questions for me?
20:14No.
20:15All right.
20:16I'm going to go talk to him now, okay?
20:17Okay.
20:18I can't let him drive here without a helmet.
20:19I will leave and go get it, and he can sit right here.
20:20If he sits here, pull the keys from it, do whatever you got to do, and I'm not going
20:22to tow it, okay?
20:23Okay.
20:24Normally, in this situation, with an attitude like that, I'll tow it.
20:26But I just wanted to talk to you first.
20:27Nope.
20:28That's fair.
20:29I appreciate that, so...
20:30In this case, for not wearing a helmet or eye protection when both are required, this man paid
20:35a court-ordered fine of $200.
20:38You go back and get a helmet, and we will be good, okay?
20:42We're all set.
20:44For many hunters who pursue waterfowl, it's a passion to which they're strongly dedicated
20:50and think about nearly year-round.
20:52Some will be on the lookout for new hunting spots and hunting gear when the season is
20:56still months away.
20:57In Michigan, for some of these zealous hunters, the date they eagerly await is September 1st.
21:06That is opening day for the state's early teal and geese season.
21:10In District 7, Lieutenant Gerald Thayer and Conservation Officer B.J. Goulet are in their
21:19patrol boat before first light on the first day of the ninth month.
21:22In years past, there's been issues with either early shooting because there's different start
21:30times for legal shooting hours for geese and for teal.
21:34After getting out of their vessel, they spend some time observing their surroundings.
21:39They want to get a good feel for how many waterfowlers are nearby and a precise location
21:44of where each hunting party is set up.
21:46Those guys are there every year.
21:49They have no idea what they're doing, but somehow or another, they manage to just miss
21:53enough birds to keep themselves out of trouble.
21:55Lieutenant Thayer and C.O. Goulet watch for about an hour before they get back in their
21:59boat to initiate contact with hunters they've noticed.
22:02I've been seeing a few teal flying around.
22:05Yeah, if you notice those guys on the lead to the Lost Channel, they've been shooting like
22:11crazy.
22:12Yeah.
22:13And I'm seeing the same ducks.
22:14I don't know if that guest was shooting at wood ducks.
22:17Gotcha.
22:18Yeah, we'll get down there eventually.
22:20Well, I guess we'll do all the song and dance.
22:23Alright, what do you want?
22:26License?
22:27I guess I'll check your gun while you're digging for licenses.
22:32How about that?
22:33The place I wanted to go, that's why I was in it.
22:36There's guys on the edge.
22:39So, I just kept coming along the river until I eventually got this up here.
22:46Things changed a little bit for the last couple of years, huh?
22:49Well, it's getting shallower.
22:53That's for sure.
22:55So, no birds at all?
22:57No, never fired shot.
22:58Gotcha.
22:59I did have one that kind of came this way and went this way.
23:02I thought it was a wood duck.
23:04But as it went by, I was pretty sure it was a blue wing, but I didn't shoot at it.
23:08Better safe than sorry, right?
23:10Yeah, that's how I look at it.
23:12Well, very good.
23:14It's good to see you out.
23:15Like I say, it's just, it beats being in the, I'm usually an office guy.
23:18Yeah.
23:19But I'm happy to be out here to trust me and I know you are too.
23:21So, it's good to see you.
23:22I live in a condo over there.
23:24Okay.
23:25So, this is your backyard.
23:28Yeah.
23:29Yeah.
23:30Yeah.
23:31That's good.
23:32It is.
23:33It's fun.
23:34How are you guys doing?
23:35I'm looking at both corners here.
23:36They had a fake thing set up here with light on.
23:38We walked over, there was nobody on there.
23:40Then they're hunting over there.
23:41Now they took all their stuff and now they moved out here.
23:44We can't even shoot that away because they're going to move over there.
23:46We noticed quite some time ago from way in the distance, like these guys, those guys,
23:50they just kept moving around.
23:51Yeah.
23:52I couldn't figure out what they were doing.
23:53They've been shooting the out of the place.
23:54I mean, you know.
23:55Have they been?
23:56Oh my God.
23:57Getting anything?
23:58That's good for them.
23:59I'm happy they're having a good hunt.
24:01But I don't like to put that light there trying to scare people off from here.
24:04And I don't like that they're walking out in front of us right now.
24:06But what do you do?
24:07Do they seem to be shooting what they're supposed to be shooting?
24:09Yeah.
24:10It looks like they're shooting teal.
24:11Yeah.
24:12I think they're all shooting teal.
24:13Okay.
24:14But the problem is, you know, this is public lands and they like, they hog the whole thing.
24:18I mean.
24:19Right.
24:20All right.
24:21We'll work our way around there.
24:23I don't know.
24:24Do you want to just do it?
24:25Yeah.
24:26We'll take a quick peek at your licenses and then I'll catch up with my partner
24:30and see what they're up to over there.
24:41One of Michigan's most popular areas for anglers to target walleye is in southeast Michigan,
24:47along the banks of the state's most populous city, Detroit.
24:50When the fish make their annual spawning runs in the spring,
24:53sportsmen and women eagerly head to the water to seek out trophies and meals.
24:58Consequently, the state's conservation officers also make sure to closely monitor this bevy of activity.
25:04In Michigan's District 9,
25:08Officers David Schomburger, Kevin Luther, and Ariel Young are working a night patrol to check on walleye anglers.
25:15Preservation officer.
25:16You're going to have to pull it in, all right?
25:18It was the little guy.
25:19He did it.
25:20It was the little guy.
25:21It's always the guy that says, is that somebody else, bud.
25:22You clear?
25:23Good to go.
25:24All right.
25:25We're going to come alongside.
25:26How's it going?
25:27Good.
25:28How are you guys doing?
25:29Good.
25:30How long have you been out for?
25:31I don't know.
25:32About 30 minutes.
25:33About 30 minutes.
25:34About 30 minutes.
25:35About 30 minutes.
25:36How many did you catch so far?
25:37We've got three.
25:38That's not bad.
25:39A good 30 minutes.
25:40All right.
25:41Doing great.
25:42Do me a favor.
25:43Let's start with fishing licenses.
25:44Where are the fish at?
25:45Right here in the light bulb.
25:46All right.
25:47Pop that open for me.
25:48Do you want me to grab them out for you?
25:49In a minute.
25:50Okay.
25:51All right.
25:52All right.
25:53All right.
25:54All right.
25:55All right.
25:56All right.
25:57All right.
25:58All right.
25:59All right.
26:00All right.
26:01All right.
26:02Let's go in a minute.
26:03Okay.
26:04We're going to do licenses first.
26:05Nope.
26:06No problem.
26:07Another day in paradise.
26:08I'm going to get warm.
26:09You guys having fun tonight?
26:10Yep.
26:11Excellent.
26:13Do you mind popping those other ones for me?
26:14Yeah.
26:15He's got some red on it, so we're going to check it.
26:17Yeah.
26:19Oh, you want to bring it in here?
26:20Yep.
26:21I'm here.
26:22I'm still waiting for my sticker.
26:23And that one, too, for me, if you can.
26:25If you run any charges.
26:26All right.
26:27All right.
26:28Let jag it.
26:31Two.
26:32Kids always go first.
26:33Yep.
26:34Preferably we would gather.
26:36We would rather not use these.
26:37Right.
26:38I get it.
26:40Go over here.
26:41You got one?
26:42Nope.
26:43No.
26:4412.
26:45One more.
26:46If you don't see a big orange upaloo, but you ain't got one.
26:48I got the...
26:49No, no.
26:50You're good, man.
26:51We're good.
26:52We're good.
26:53You got a throwable?
26:54Where is it?
26:55All right.
26:56All right.
26:57See you next season.
26:58Yeah, I'll see you next season.
26:59You know I'll be there.
27:00Evening.
27:01Conservation officer.
27:02Hey, I thought y'all was about to hit us.
27:03Oh, no.
27:04I ain't gonna hit you.
27:05Didn't see what's going on.
27:06No, it's all right.
27:07Do me a favor.
27:08Pull your line in.
27:09I don't want to come close to it, all right?
27:10Pull your line in.
27:11All right.
27:12Yep.
27:13I don't want to angle up.
27:14We're gonna come next to you, all right?
27:15Okay.
27:16Any luck so far?
27:17We got one dog on fish.
27:18We got three fish.
27:19Well, we got one walleye.
27:20One walleye.
27:21What'd you catch then?
27:22Two silver bass.
27:23Two silver bass.
27:24Messing up the dog all day.
27:25Oh, we don't want that now.
27:26It's too early for that for me.
27:27It is way too early.
27:28All right.
27:29That's why I ain't catching anything.
27:30That's exactly why you're not catching anything.
27:31All right, gentlemen.
27:33All right.
27:46All right, gentlemen.
27:47Can I ask you two fish licenses, please?
27:49Uh...
27:50Hold on.
27:51Could you...
27:52If you...
27:53If you...
27:54Just...
27:55Yeah, absolutely.
27:56I got you.
27:57I got the rough bass.
27:58That's all right.
27:59You got your ID on you?
28:00Yes, sir.
28:01All right.
28:02I can run it that way.
28:03Here.
28:04We'll do this.
28:05Watch your fingers.
28:06Oh, I love it.
28:07I love it.
28:08I'm so used to those.
28:09Might be.
28:10Might be five more over here.
28:11Thank you, sir.
28:12Just know it's a civil infraction
28:13not to carry proof of it on you.
28:14Make a pardon.
28:15It's a civil infraction
28:16not to carry proof of a fishing license
28:17on your person.
28:18You know what?
28:19Ugh.
28:20Put it in the back in there, too?
28:21I ain't worried about it.
28:22Do me a favor.
28:23You got it.
28:24I'm good with it.
28:25All right?
28:26But you're supposed to have it on you, all right?
28:27Just letting you know.
28:28All right.
28:29Do you have fish in here?
28:30There's one in there and two in the live way.
28:31All right.
28:32Can I open it up for a second?
28:33Take a look, please.
28:34Yes, sir.
28:36See that?
28:37And then what you got in here?
28:41One, uh, one little one.
28:43Okay, a silver one.
28:44One little one.
28:45Got it.
28:46Leave that open.
28:47I just want to take a look at that fish.
28:49There we go.
28:50We're good.
28:51Yep.
28:52Conservation officer.
28:53I want to come right alongside you.
28:54Hey, how you doing?
28:55We're doing good.
28:56What's the latest and greatest?
28:57What's the latest and greatest?
28:58You tell me.
28:59Picking away.
29:00Picking away.
29:01How many you got so far?
29:02Seven, eight, seven.
29:03Okay.
29:04Do you have any firearms or anything on you?
29:05No, not a lot.
29:06Okay.
29:07How old are you?
29:08I'm seven.
29:09Seven?
29:10All right.
29:11Excellent.
29:12Would you mind putting all your fish in the net for me, sir?
29:13Yeah.
29:14Sure.
29:15Nice-sized fish.
29:16Uh, my wallet's over here, too.
29:17I'll get you that.
29:18Here.
29:19Two.
29:20Oh, you can use it off my phone, right?
29:21I can, yes.
29:22Three.
29:23Okay.
29:24Okay.
29:25Oh, you can use it off my phone, right?
29:26I can, yes.
29:27Three.
29:28Okay.
29:29Okay.
29:30Oh, you can use it off my phone, right?
29:31Three.
29:32Okay.
29:33Okay.
29:34Okay.
29:35Okay.
29:36Okay.
29:37Okay.
29:38Okay.
29:39Okay.
29:40There you go.
29:42Yes, sir.
29:43That's it.
29:44Right here.
29:45No, it's big.
29:46It's...
29:47Yeah, well, yeah.
29:48Pull that one off for me right there.
29:49Which one?
29:50This one?
29:51Yep.
29:52Cool.
29:53Cool.
29:54Cool.
29:55Cool.
29:56Cool.
29:57Cool.
29:58Cool.
29:59Cool.
30:00Cool.
30:01Cool.
30:02Cool.
30:03Cool.
30:04Cool.
30:05Cool.
30:06Cool.
30:07Cool.
30:08Cool.
30:09Cool.
30:10It's in the middle of those two seats.
30:11Yeah.
30:12What are you using to measure?
30:13Huh?
30:14What are you using to measure?
30:15The ruler.
30:16Cooler.
30:17Cooler.
30:18Cooler.
30:19Cooler.
30:21Okay.
30:22I got him.
30:23All right.
30:24He's way short.
30:25Michigan's Department of Natural Resources encourages people to get outdoors and enjoy all that the state has to offer.
30:41The DNR knows that when people go fishing, they would like to see and catch a lot of fish.
30:46The state prefers that fish populations reproduce naturally, but also know that sometimes it's best to supplement the wild populations with fish that are raised in one of the state's six fish hatcheries.
30:58One method for gathering these fish is called electroshocking.
31:01So electroshocking is a tool we use to collect the walleye.
31:05It's a real low amperage electrical dose that's put into the water.
31:11The fish are stunned for a few seconds. Sometimes it takes a couple minutes for them to recover, but we can capture the fish and take the eggs and melt and then put the fish back into the river unharmed.
31:24Sometimes we capture the same fish year after year, so it's really not a concern as far as damaging the fish.
31:30It's just an effective measure for us to use to capture fish.
31:33The guys on the boat here, they're actually checking the fish to see if they're ripe.
31:37If they are ripe, then they're going to be dividing the males and females, keeping them separate in each cage.
31:44It's a one-to-one pairing, so one male, one female when we are spawning, but we do five at a time.
31:51So we'll strip all the eggs out of the girl. We'll fertilize with the male immediately after.
31:57We have to coat the eggs with a fine clay powder, and that keeps the eggs from sticking together.
32:02Michigan's most well-known fishery for walleye is likely in the southeast corner of the state,
32:07but this area where biologists are electrofishing, which includes the Muskegon River in the northwest corner of the Lower Peninsula,
32:14is also a tremendous resource for anglers. It also covers a lot of ground.
32:19This river from Croton Dam down to Muskegon Lake, Muskegon Lake itself, and then the headwaters up at Higgins Lake and Houghton Lake
32:27are some of the best fishing in Michigan.
32:28So it's very important to the fisheries in Michigan to keep this population healthy so that we can sustain this spawning population.
32:38I just had no idea how many fish are in this river and the kind of resources that we have, and we really take for granted.
32:44I live about 10 minutes away from here, and I'd really never get up here to fish,
32:49and I didn't realize how good of a resource this is and that this is known statewide as one of the most productive fisheries in the state.
32:57Our goal is to, you know, produce good fisheries around the state, naturally reproducing.
33:03Most people would attest that this is a good program and it's well received by our angling community.
33:09We're pretty happy with it.
33:10In addition to the staff from the DNR's fishery division that's working to collect materials from the walleye,
33:15Conservation Officer Jeff Kinn is also checking on anglers close to where the electrofishing is taking place.
33:21We're out here today with the fisheries division, who's shocking walleye.
33:25Some of the fish here are still vulnerable, so we'd like to stay downriver.
33:30The walleye season is closed, so we make sure that people aren't hand fishing or netting them up while they're still vulnerable.
33:37This is Croton Dam hydroelectric facility.
33:40It's one of the hydro plants on the Muskegon River.
33:44They're not allowed to attach to the orange boom there.
33:48They can't fish beyond it, so one of the things we'll check is to make sure that people aren't secured to the wall,
33:57the cement wall or the chain link or the cable.
34:00This is a regular. He's a nice guy.
34:03I talk to him probably every day I'm out here.
34:05Got it there.
34:10How's your fishing?
34:11You got a couple?
34:12Yeah.
34:13Good color?
34:13Yeah.
34:14They crones?
34:14Yeah, I'm a crones.
34:15Can you just hold them up?
34:19Nice.
34:20A pretty fresh fish.
34:22Yeah, looks good.
34:24All right.
34:25I think just the fact of being out here deters it more than anything.
34:28I've caught a couple people in the past, but just being here and having our officer presence,
34:34I think helps out quite a bit.
34:36We have people who will be on land occasionally and will watch from shore,
34:41keep an eye on a group that if I feel suspicious, maybe my partner's out working,
34:46I can have them take a look at that group or that particular person.
34:49And for the most part, I think that everyone polices themselves out here on the Muskegon River.
34:54It's really been a learning experience just trying to get an idea of both from the biology side,
34:59watching the walleyes come in as they strip the eggs and what that process is.
35:05And then from the law enforcement side as well, understanding what it's like to be a conservation officer.
35:11And then as a state legislator, finding out what I can do to help
35:15or just being sympathetic to what they do after spending a day with them.
35:28Michigan Conservation Officer Lieutenant Gerald Thayer and Officer B.J. Goulet
35:32are patrolling on the opening day of the state's early season for teal and geese.
35:37After starting their patrol before daylight and observing the hunters around them,
35:41they started to chat with the waterfowlers in the area.
35:44They met one group who felt that another party may have been trying to cover more hunting ground
35:49than they really needed to keep others away.
35:51Now they took all their stuff and now they've moved out here.
35:53We can't even shoot that away because they're going to move over there.
35:56We noticed quite some time ago from way in the distance, like these guys, those guys,
36:00they just kept moving around.
36:01I couldn't figure out what they were doing.
36:04I mean, you know.
36:05Have they been?
36:06Oh, my God.
36:07Getting anything?
36:08That's good for them.
36:08I'm happy they're having a good hunt.
36:10But I don't like to put that light there, trying to scare people off from here.
36:14And I don't like that they're walking out in front of us right now.
36:16But what do you do?
36:16I'll catch up with my partner and see what they're up to over there.
36:20You guys just going and picking up all your critters or what?
36:24Seems like you've been moving around a lot out here.
36:26Yeah.
36:27Yep.
36:28How'd you end up doing?
36:29We got a limit.
36:30Okay.
36:32So is that your stuff over there too?
36:33Yeah, that's my boat.
36:34Yep.
36:35Oh, okay.
36:36We actually came in here about 1 o'clock this morning and got stuck.
36:39So we had to put it all the way around.
36:41Gotcha.
36:42All right.
36:43And then what about those guys over there were saying there's a light on a post or something
36:48over there on a stick?
36:50Light on a post.
36:51It's just right around by the bend over there.
36:55There's a...
36:56Oh, yeah.
36:57I put that there.
36:58Why for?
36:59Well, we were going to hunt there, but we came here and got stuck.
37:02Okay.
37:04All right.
37:05They were just wondering.
37:06They were thinking you guys were trying to kind of like act like you were everywhere to
37:10kind of hold up the whole corner.
37:13Oh, gotcha.
37:13I'll give you four actually.
37:16Oh, it's all right.
37:16I got a plug checker.
37:17It's just more...
37:18I'll just check your...
37:19Oh, you do?
37:19Okay.
37:19I'll just check your steel.
37:22Perfect.
37:22I felt rude cutting through there while they're still hunting, but...
37:28Good.
37:29When you guys were moving all over the place, were you just picking up birds or what was...
37:32Picking up birds.
37:34We had like three cripples run that way.
37:37Oh, is that what was going on?
37:38Yeah.
37:40Yeah, because it was way down the way and watching them.
37:42Yeah, there was like...
37:43These guys are just going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth.
37:45Yeah.
37:46I mean, it's public land.
37:47Obviously, I can't tell you where you can be and where you can't be and how close everybody
37:50can be to each other, but...
37:51Right.
37:52Obviously, those guys felt like they got a little crowded and...
37:56Those guys felt crowded?
37:58Yeah, because they felt like...
38:00I'm not sure they understood what was going on as far as where your boat was and where
38:04you were, but then they saw the stick with the light on it and they're like, ah, it seemed
38:09like these guys were trying to make it look like there's a group here and a group here
38:11to try to keep people out and that kind of thing, but...
38:15I think so, yeah, I can't tell you where to be and just pay attention to folks around
38:21you.
38:22They know what they're doing, especially this tall kid.
38:24He's out here every year.
38:25He's got it wired.
38:27He scouts the snot out of this.
38:29He's talking about the light that he left on the floor.
38:33Yeah.
38:34Did he leave that overnight?
38:35No, so you said they came in at like 1 a.m.
38:39They were going to set up over there originally.
38:42Got stuck, got their boat stuck, had to walk it because they tried to come in from that
38:47way.
38:48Got their boat stuck, said they had to walk it all the way around.
38:51Jeez.
38:52We originally planned on hunting over there.
38:55Left the light, walked over here just to check it out.
38:57We wanted to hunt that spot because there was more water.
39:00We never went back, but tell those guys we're sorry.
39:05Well, I guess you can apologize for yourself too when you go retrieve your light, but like
39:10I said, it's hard to attribute motive to whatever.
39:15And again, there's no hard set rule as far as how close you can set up to somebody.
39:19It's just being aware of it or maybe just have a quick conversation with people and figure
39:24stuff out.
39:25On the other side of the state, and around three and a half months earlier in the year,
39:29in District 9, officers Dave Schomburger, Kevin Luther, and Ariel Young are checking
39:37on walleye anglers after dark on the Detroit River.
39:40They've encountered a boat with three people on it and a fish that is too small to retain.
39:46All right, he's way short.
39:47You know what the legal limit for walleye is?
39:50Fifteen.
39:51Fifteen.
39:52What's this one measuring at?
39:53You see that?
39:54Yeah, thirteen.
39:55Thirteen.
39:56So he's way short, right?
39:57Okay.
39:58Who caught him?
39:59Do you know?
40:00I actually have no clue.
40:01I think one of you.
40:03One of you, not you.
40:04Nice job, bud.
40:05I haven't caught a fish yet.
40:07All right.
40:08Whose vessel is this?
40:09Mine.
40:10Your vessel?
40:11Yeah.
40:12Let me see your driver's license, please.
40:13Can I put those back in?
40:14Absolutely.
40:15Yeah.
40:16In this case, for keeping a walleye that was shorter than the minimum requirement of
40:20fifteen inches, this fisherman pled guilty and paid a court-ordered fine of one hundred dollars.
40:25Can you show me the proper reason?
40:27Absolutely.
40:28All right, so this is a boat board.
40:29If you're going to be out in your fishing lot, I'd recommend you get one.
40:31Okay.
40:32So you shove the nose straight up to the top there.
40:33Uh-huh.
40:34And I like to give you guys everything you've got so you pinch that tail.
40:35Okay.
40:36He's only thirteen and a half inches.
40:37I can't get another inch and a half inches.
40:38Okay.
40:39But I didn't know how you measured that and that's why.
40:41Yeah, pinch the tail.
40:42Pinch the tail.
40:43Pinch the tail.
40:44I'm in the hotel.
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