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Michigan DNR Officers with illegally-taken deer
Police investigating an October domestic violence complaint discovered nine poached bucks in a barn located in Decatur.
Michigan DNR conservation officers determined the illegal, trophy deer belonged to a previously convicted felon who is suspected of driving his truck through fields, shining and shooting deer.
Justin Ernst, 33, Decatur, faces up to $59,500 in reimbursement to the state if convicted of the more than one dozen violations he was charged with. He was arraigned Nov. 9 in 7th District Court in Paw Paw.
Ernst has a prior DNR conviction from 2018 for illegally taking or possessing whitetail deer. Previous felony charges on record for Ernst include possession of methamphetamine or ecstacy, third-degree fleeing a police officer and third offense (felony) operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor.
“It’s a shame that this criminal ruined the chance for ethical, legal hunters to have their opportunity to take one of these trophy deer,” said Lt. Gerald Thayer, of the Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Not only did this felon steal from the natural resource, he also damaged agriculture crops, and has been doing so for some time. The financial penalty is the minimum he should serve.”
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Cecil Edward Day Jr.
A Gaylord man was recently convicted in Otesego County Circuit Court on several charges ranging from wildlife and felony weapons violations to third-offense drunken driving and being a habitual offender.
Cecil Edward Day Jr., 56, is currently serving up to 7 1/2 years in state prison for his involvement in three separate incidents that Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers have been investigating since 2018.
"This individual was a thief of our natural resources," said Sgt. Mark DePew, Michigan DNR Law Enforcement Division, who led the investigations. "Our officers' teamwork should be a lesson to those who seek to steal fish and game from the citizens of this state."
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MDNR Report
Cougar sighted in Dickinson County
Michigan wildlife biologists have confirmed a trail camera image showing a mountain lion walking through a semi-open area of firs and poplars was taken in September in Dickinson County.
“On Sept. 16, 2021, a trail camera photo was taken of a cougar in southern Dickinson County,” said Cody Norton, the DNR’s large carnivore specialist. “This is about 50 miles from where a July 20 video was captured in Baraga County.”
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The Michigan Natural Resources Commission today approved new regulations aimed at protecting fish populations in a newly acquired state game area and Lake Gogebic and allowing for increased harvest opportunities for northern pike on several lakes throughout the state.
The regulations went into effect Oct. 15.
Crystal Waters State Game Area (Monroe County)
Catch-and-immediate release regulations are now required on all bodies of water in the Crystal Waters State Game Area in Louden Township, Monroe County. The 680-acre property was acquired by the Michigan DNR earlier this year. No harvest of any fish species will be allowed. This regulation provides protection from overharvest to the limited fish populations that currently inhabit these lakes and ponds.
DNR Fisheries Division surveys of the new state game area’s waters – former sand and gravel mining pits – indicated limitations in the existing fish habitat and communities. The new regulations are meant to protect the existing fish population from harvest while the DNR works to enhance habitat that will promote populations of aquatic insects and smaller fish to help improve food availability (and size structure of the fish population). This is expected to have long-term benefits to the existing fish community.
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MDNR Report
Michigan DNR customer service centers and certain field offices will remain on a three-days-per-week open to the public schedule ñ Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays ñ until at least Oct. 4.
The three-day schedule for these facilities has been in place since July 20. The offices had been set to reopen to the public five days a week after Labor Day, prior to new coronavirus advisories and recommendations.