Topic , Poaching , What to do

[lonehunter]

Here is some information that we may need when we venture out into the outdoors this fall .
One thing I would like to make clear is that above all , do not take any physical action yourself . You never know what the other person will do , your saftey should be your first concern . Let the law enforcement officals handel the task .

[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][#00e010]Report All Poaching[/#00e010][/font]
[black][font "Arial"] [/font] [font "Arial"][#ad0000][size 4]RAP Hotline: 1-800-292-7800[/size][/#ad0000][/font]
[#ad0000][size 3]Poaching[/size][/#ad0000] - The illegal taking of fish or wildlife.
[#ad0000][size 3]Poacher[/size][/#ad0000] - A person who hunts, traps, or fishes illegally.
Citizen concerns over unacceptable levels of poaching led to the establishment of the Wildlife Resource Protection Fund. The Fund's mission is to counter poaching activity in Michigan through a program called
[font "Arial"][#ad0000][size 3]Report All Poaching (RAP)[/size][/#ad0000][/font]
Hunters, anglers and trappers support the Fund through purchase of hunting, fishing and fur harvester licenses.[url "http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/1,1607,7-153-10366_15383-34086--,00.html"][#ad0000][font "Arial"][size 3]Click here to find out How to Report a Violation[/size][/font][/#ad0000][/url][/black][font "Arial"] [/font]

[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][#00e010]How to Report a Violation[/#00e010][/font]
[black][font "Arial"]How to Report a Violation
Complaints may be given to our operators by [/font][url "https://secure1.state.mi.us/rap/"][font "Arial"][#000000]reporting online[/#000000][/font][/url][font "Arial"] or calling the toll-free Report All Poaching number. [/font]
[#ad0000][size 3] [font "Arial"]1-800-292-7800[/font][/size][/#ad0000]
[font "Arial"]Non-residents may reach our operators by calling (517) 373-1230. [/font]
[font "Arial"]When reporting a poaching violation, the more information you can furnish the more successful an investigation may be. [/font]
[font "Arial"]You should be prepared to furnish as full a description as possible on the following: [/font]
[font "Arial"][/font] [ul] [li][font "Arial"]What was the violation? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]When and where did it occur? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]What weapons or equipment were used? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]What vehicles or crafts were used (registration numbers are important)? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]How many people were involved? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]Describe the people, including their physical description and clothing. [/font] [li][font "Arial"]What evidence is still at the scene? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]Did the violator(s) take evidence of the crime with them? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]Which way or where did they go and how? [/font] [li][font "Arial"]When making a complaint, you may remain anonymous.[/font][/li][/ul] [font "Arial"] Year[/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]Number of Calls [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]Complaints Generated [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]2000 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]21,708 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,117 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1999 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]20,616 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,352 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1998 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]21,402 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]3,982 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1997 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]24,651 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]3,898 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1996 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]21,777 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,681 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1995 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]22,851 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,517 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1994 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]21,319 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,352 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]1993 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]16,000 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font] [font "Arial"]4,382 [/font] [font "Arial"][/font]
[font "Arial"]' The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division is a member of the International Association of Natural Resources Crimestoppers. We and the other member states and provinces recognize the harm done to our natural resources by incidents of poaching of fish, game and endangered species, wherever they occur. If you have information regarding poaching in any state or Canadian province you may report it to us and we will forward it to the appropriate agency.'[/font][/black][font "Arial"] [/font]

[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][#00e010]Rewards[/#00e010][/font]
[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][black]You may qualify for a reward if you furnish information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a person or persons taking, attempting to take, possessing or commercializing in wildlife resources contrary to Michigan or Federal law.
Reward payments are determined by a committee consisting of the Chairman of The Natural Resources Commission, the Executive Director of The Michigan United Conservation Clubs and a representative of the Law Enforcement Division.
Assistance in applying for a reward will be provided by the conservation officer handling your complaint, or assistance may be obtained from one of our operators.
[font "arial"] Year[/font] [font "arial"]Number of Rewards[/font] [font "arial"]Amount[/font] [font "arial"]2000[/font] [font "arial"]73[/font] [font "arial"]$23,150[/font] [font "arial"]1999[/font] [font "arial"]65[/font] [font "arial"]$22,200[/font] [font "arial"]1998[/font] [font "arial"]45[/font] [font "arial"]$15,900[/font] [font "arial"]1997[/font] [font "arial"]61[/font] [font "arial"]$23,850[/font] [font "arial"]1996[/font] [font "arial"]67[/font] [font "arial"]$23,050[/font] [font "arial"]1995[/font] [font "arial"]75[/font] [font "arial"]$20,950[/font] [font "arial"]1994[/font] [font "arial"]67[/font] [font "arial"]$22,450[/font] [font "arial"]1993[/font] [font "arial"]86[/font] [font "arial"]$32,350[/font]
You are encouraged to report poaching violations to the toll free 'REPORT ALL POACHING' hotline.
The telephone number is 1-800-292-7800
[/black][/font]
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[lonehunter]

Before you head out , preprogram the R.A.P. and the D.N.R. contact phone number into your cell phone , this will speed the reply time needed to aprehend the criminal .
You might want to program the local or county law enforcement agency of that area , they can hold the person or persons untill the concervation officer arives .

[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][#00e010]Locating a Conservation Officer[/#00e010][/font]
[font "arial, helvetica, sans-serif"][black]The map below outlines the DNR Law Enforcement Districts. Scroll down to find out contact information for each district.

[font "Arial"]
Lt. Thomas Courchaine
Crystal Falls Operations Service Center
1420 US Highway 2 W
Crystal Falls MI 49920-9626
Phone: (906) 875-6622
E-mail: [url "mailto:courchat@michigan.gov"][#000000]courchat@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 3 Counties of service: Baraga, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Menominee, Ontonagon[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. John Cischke
Newberry Operations Service Center
5100 State Highway M123
Newberry MI 49868
Phone: (906) 293-5131
E-mail: [url "mailto:cischkej@michigan.gov"][#000000]cischkej@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 4 Counties of service: Alger, Chippewa, Mackinac, Marquette, Luce, Schoolcraft[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Jeffrey Gaither
Gaylord Operations Service Center
1732 W M32
Gaylord MI 49735
Phone: (989) 732-3541
E-mail: [url "mailto:gaitherj@michigan.gov"][#000000]gaitherj@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 5 Counties of service: Alpena, Antrim, Cheboygan, Charlevoix, Emmet, Montmorency, Otsego, Presque Isle[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Dean Molnar
Cadillac Operations Service Center
8015 Mackinaw Trail
Cadillac MI 49601
Phone: (231) 775-9727
E-mail: [url "mailto:molnard@michigan.gov"][#000000]molnard@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 6 Counties of service: Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Nicholas Heary
Roscommon Operations Service Center
8717 N Roscommon Road
Roscommon MI 48653
Phone: (989) 275-5151
E-mail: [url "mailto:hearyn@michigan.gov"][#000000]hearyn@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 7 Counties of service: Alcona, Clare, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Ronald Utt
Bay City Operations Service Center
503 N Euclid Avenue, Suite 9B
Bay City MI 48706
Phone: (989) 684-9141
E-mail: [url "mailtomichigan.gov"][#000000]@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 8 Counties of service: Arenac, Bay, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Tuscola[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. David Vansumeren
Muskegon State Game Area
7550 E Messinger Road
Twin Lake MI 49457
Phone: (231) 788-1134
E-mail: [url "mailto:vansumed@michigan.gov"][#000000]vansumed@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 9 Counties of service: Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ottawa[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Linda Morgan
Southfield Operations Service Center
26000 West Eight Mile Road
Southfield MI 48034-5916
Phone: (248) 359-9040
E-mail: [url "mailto:morganlc@michigan.gov"][#000000]morganlc@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 10 Counties of service: Lapeer, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St Clair, Wayne[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
Lt. Jane Gordon
Shiawassee Field Office
8562 E Stoll Road
East Lansing MI 48823
Phone: (517) 641-4903
E-mail: [url "mailto:gordonja@michigan.gov"][#000000]gordonja@michigan.gov[/#000000][/url]
DISTRICT 11 Counties of service: Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee, Washtenaw[/font]

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[font "Arial"]
VACANT Lt.
Plainwell Operations Service Center
621 N 10th Street
Plainwell MI 49080
Phone: (269) 685-6851
E-mail:
DISTRICT 12 Counties of service: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St Joseph, Van Buren[/font] [/black][/font]
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[lonehunter]

Does it work ?
These reports from this month proves it works , we can make a differance !

An individual who called the RAP line observed an angler snag a swan cygnet and reel it in to his boat. The angler then clubbed the swan with an oar, killing it. The witness obtained the name of the subject before he left the lake. CO Jeff Robinette investigated and the angler confessed to killing the swan, claiming it had attacked him. The subject entered a guilty plea to killing the swan, was sentenced to pay $700 in fines, costs, and reimbursement. His hunting privileges were revoked for the rest of this year plus three additional years.

CO's Dan Bigger and Damon Owens responded to a complaint that a father and son were selling turtles at a garage sale. Upon investigation, the CO's determined that the father and son team had taken numerous undersize soft shelled, painted, and snapping turtles from the wild and were attempting to sell them at the garage sale. The turtles were seized and the father was ticketed for the violations.

CO Scott Brown responded to a Report All Poaching (RAP) complaint of a subject who shot a goose out of season. As CO Brown drove up the road he followed the feathers of a Canada goose right to the subject's house. It seems the trash was picked up and as the garbage truck traveled down the road feathers were flying out of the truck. A full confession was obtained and the breasts of the birds were seized. The subject claimed that he was training his dogs to retrieve the game. CO Brown issued a ticket for taking game out of season.

After nearly 18 months of investigations and pre-trials, a subject in a deer case was found guilty. The judge in Huron County convicted the subject for sharing deer tags and taking an overlimit of deer. His license was revoked for this year and the next three years and was ordered to pay fines totaling $2,080. The subject was also sent to jail for a total of 45 days.

COs Robert Hobkirk and Tony Soave received a call that someone had hit and killed a young bear cub on the roadway. While driving to the area, CO Soave contacted the complainant on the phone and found out that he did not kill the bear with his car, someone else did; however, he wanted the bear cub. CO Soave told him that he could not have the cub and that he would be there in a few minutes. When the COs arrived, the complainant and the bear cub were gone. Investigation continues on the information CO Soave has on the subject.

CO Warren MacNeill assisted the Alcona County Sheriff's Department with a possible homicide case. Deputies raided a remote cabin based on information that a female subject had been killed, and blood evidence at the scene gave some validity to the complaint until the subject who was supposedly killed was located. Further follow up regarding the blood uncovered that a hen turkey had been killed. Warrants are being sought for the killing of the turkey.

CO Joel Lundberg is investigating the theft of money from the pay pipe at the Trout Lake SFC. Working with information provided by campers, a subject has been identified. CO Lundberg is conducting interviews and will be requesting a warrant for the theft.

CO Robert Mills investigated the removal of a beaver dam on private land that flooded silt into a trout stream. A neighboring landowner entered the property and removed the dam without permission. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and DNR Fisheries Division personnel were consulted regarding damage to the stream and a warrant request for trespassing has been forwarded to the Alcona County Prosecutor's office.

COs Steve Lockwood and Joel Lundberg responded to a complaint involving illegal ORV use on state land in northern Gladwin County. The officers followed the tracks and located the subjects approximately 12 miles away in Roscommon County. Nine operators were ticketed and one ORV was seized after officers found a suspicious vehicle identification number. The investigation continues.

CO Glenn Gutierrez followed up on a tip regarding the possible illegal killing of several deer in Ogemaw County. The information led him to a residence where he found blood on a golf cart along with other evidence. A lengthy investigation including numerous interviews led to the recovery of three freshly killed deer. The carcasses had been buried and the venison was seized from the residence. Four subjects have been charged with the taking of deer out of season.

Sgt. Michelle Wiegand handled a complaint regarding a subject who intentionally ran through a flock of sea gulls in a store parking lot in Cadillac. Two witnesses observed the subject speed up and run his vehicle through a flock of feeding sea gulls, killing one of the birds. The witnesses were able to obtain a license plate number and physical description of the subject. Sgt. Wiegand made contact with the driver of the vehicle and he was ticketed for taking a non-game bird by unlawful manner.

CO Jair Kollasch received a complaint of subjects fishing in the closed area at the Little Manistee Weir in Manistee County. The subjects had left the area prior to CO Kollasch's arrival. The complainant provided the officer with a vehicle description and license plate number along with a physical description of the subjects. Contact was made with two occupants of a vehicle and the driver was ticketed for fishing in the closed area and the passenger was ticketed for fishing without a license.

CO Trey Luce attended a condemnation hearing for a rifle that was used to shoot a trophy buck out of season, after dark, and out of the window of a residence. The subject pled guilty and paid $2,000 in court costs, fines, and reimbursement for the deer.
CO Bobbi Bashore's investigative report on the taking of a bear out of season by a landowner who had claimed damage to his bird feeder was received and a warrant was issued by the Alpena County Prosecutor for the taking of a bear out of season. The landowner had called last year and was given information on how to eliminate or deter the problem bear and killing the bear was not given as an alternative.
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