Officials ask public to keep eye out for poachers
With hunting season just days away, state conservation officers said poaching complaints are ramping up and they're asking people to help catch violators.
Lt. David Malloch, Department of Natural Resources district law supervisor for southeast Michigan, said the district has handled about 1,000 poaching complaints in the past year — the calls accounted for about 40 percent of the complaints made in Michigan.
"We catch a fair number of poachers," Malloch said. "But with our staffing levels, we really rely on the public to assist us and the different law enforcement agencies we work with."
One of the district's latest poaching cases happened in Sanilac County's Marion Township. Three people involved in the complaint will be arraigned Oct. 6 in Sanilac County on poaching charges.
Malloch said four people were arrested shortly after 9 p.m. Sept. 14 when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter called local authorities about a suspicious situation.
"They observed these individuals shining and shooting the deer from their helicopter," Malloch said. "They could see the spotlight, and they could see the muzzle flash."
Sanilac County deputies and DNR Conservation Officer Ken Kovach went to the scene on Schock Road near Russell Road in Marion Township.
Three men and one woman were in a vehicle at the scene, as well as two rifles, one dead spotted fawn and parts of another deer.
A 25-year-old Palms woman, a 23-year-old Palms man, a 44-year-old Forestville man, and 31-year-old Ruth man were arrested and lodged in the Sanilac County jail.
The 31-year-old man was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol for immigration violations. Malloch said the man will be deported.
Malloch said the two other men and the woman are expected to face charges of shooting a deer out of season, shooting a deer at night and additional alcohol violations.
People who poach deer must pay $1,000 in restitution per deer, and a $200 fine, Malloch said. The offense also carries a mandatory jail time of at least five days and up to 90 days.
"The poaching activity seems to ramp up mid-September and it will continue to increase now through the fall," Malloch said.
Bow hunting season for deer starts Oct. 1, and firearm hunting season for deer opens Nov. 15.
Malloch said opening days for bow and firearm seasons are based on recommendations from the DNR's deer biologist.
"The rules are in place for a reason, and it's to preserve the population for future generations," Malloch said.
"Although the resources are there for everyone, they need to be managed properly and that's what our department does."
Malloch said gunshots at night or gunshots outside of the designated season usually are indicators of poaching.
He said stores selling licenses also should look for someone who comes in at night on or after opening day to buy a license. He said cashiers should look for blood on the person's clothing or hands that could indicate they shot a deer without first getting a license.
People can report poachers by calling the Michigan DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800, or online at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
"We ask that the person reporting the violation gather as much information as they can get," including the person's clothing, vehicle description or license plate number, Malloch said.
Malloch said the DNR also has seen a rise in trespassing complaints in recent years. He advised people to hunt only on property they have permission to hunt on, and to ask before tracking a deer across other land.
"To track a deer on someone else's property, you need to get permission from the property owner," Malloch said.
Contact Beth LeBlanc at (810) 989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.
DEER HUNTING SEASON
• Bow hunting season for deer is Oct. 1 through Dec. 31. From Nov. 15-30, bow hunters must wear hunter's orange.
• Firearm season for deer is Nov. 15-30.
• Muzzleloader season for deer is Dec. 5-21.
REPORT ALL POACHING
• People can report poaching by calling the Michigan DNR Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800, or online at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
PENALTIES FOR HUNTING VIOLATIONS
• Violations of permits, season, bag limits, shooting hours, methods of taking game: $50 to $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail.
• Illegal taking or possession of a deer, bear or wild turkey: $200 to $1,000 fine ($1,500 for a bear) and five to 90 days in jail. Revocation of a hunting license for the remainder of the year convicted and the three following years.
• Illegal use of artificial light with bow and arrow, crossbow or firearm: $100 to $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Revocation of a hunting license for the remainder of the year convicted and the following year.
• Carrying a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs: $500 fine and/or up to 93 days in jail.
• Multiple offender (three convictions within five years): $500 to $2,000 fine and 10 to 180 days in jail.
Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources