DNR personnel dedicated to their work

   Often the DNR comes in for criticism. It's usually related to the deer herd and lack thereof, or to fishing and why more of this or that species isn't stocked in certain lakes.
   Rarely are the DNR's employees mentioned. If they are, it's often not in a kindly way. Often conservation officers-CO's- those policemen and women in green that keep an eye on the outdoor sporting life are talked about negatively.
   Just like cops are lumped into one group. You know, those folks without feelings, cold hearted, willing to give their mom a violation.
   But the truth and more accurate account of these professions is that by and large, the people that choose them for careers are very dedicated.
   Many could have gone into other professions, made more money, had a better position, and wouldn't put in the hours as some public employees do.
   The staff at Holly Recreation Area and the DNR's wildlife personnel that serve that area are a case in point.
   First, it's because they all work so well together. Park manager Shawn Speaker manages to keep up with the challenges of overseeing a large park. That includes everything from road maintenance, pluming and electrical work, to enforcement of park rules amongst many other duties.
   Speaker and his staff thought the park needed an accessible hunting blind for disabled persons. Once the idea was presented, wildlife personnel Jon Curtis and Sarah Ecker-probably others too-located a spot, arranged for an Eagle scout to build the blind, and worked hard to see that the entire project came together in time for the 2012 firearms deer season.
   They didn't just stick a blind out in some field. They scouted the area, knew that deer frequented it, then went to work planting corn and clover as crops to help attract deer.
   The first hunters to make use of the blind arranged to stay in one of the park's camping cabins. They were treated like royalty, or guests would be treated in some upscale hotel.
   Their story will be in this next Sunday's Oakland Press. The story of the dedicated parks personnel that made this all possible continues everyday.
   The best thing any of them could say after all of the work was done and the hunters using it was that they were happy to be a part of something that was so pleasing to others.
   Way to go Holly Rec and wildlife personnel.

Weather great for deer opener

   Hunters in North Oakland County enjoyed mild temperatures for the November 15 deer opener. Once he sun came up it turned nearly into shirt sleeve weather. Weather reports for the weekend indicate continued sunshine with temps in the 50-degree range.
   Hunters wishing to stay close to home and still enjoy the camaraderie of deer camp should take advantage of the campgrounds at Holly Recreation Area.
   One loop has been left open for hunters and other campers who enjoy fall camping. You'll have your choice of secluded sites this time of the year. And hunting is just a walk away.
   Hunters interviewed Thursday were seeing deer. Many had been successful as indicated by the many deer brought to the deer check station.
   If you decided to hunt, be safe, wear plenty of orange, and know what your target is and the backstop. Good luck!

EHD means fewer doe permits

   
   With evidence of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) now affecting white-tailed deer in more than 30 Michigan counties, Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh has signed an emergency order that decreases antlerless license purchase limits for deer management units (DMUs) where the most EHD-related die-offs have occurred.
    Effective immediately, the purchase limit for DMU 486 (a multicounty unit in the southern Lower Peninsula) is five private land antlerless deer hunting licenses per hunter.
   Also effective immediately, the public antlerless license purchase limit per hunter is two for each of the following DMUs: 012 (Branch), 034 (Ionia), 039 (Kalamazoo), 041 (Kent), 044 (Lapeer), 076 (Sanilac), 078 (Shiawassee), 079 (Tuscola) and 080 (Van Buren).
    Individuals who purchased antlerless licenses prior to this emergency order are not required to return licenses. This order only applies to antlerless licenses purchased on or after Nov. 8, 2012.
    To better address the public’s concerns and questions about EHD, deer hunting, or deer in general, DNR’s wildlife veterinarian Steve Schmitt, deer and elk program leader Brent Rudolph and Law Enforcement Division Assistant Chief Dean Molnar will field questions in a cyber discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. To join the live-streaming event, residents are asked to visit www.facebook.com/midnr.
    In addition, on Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., DNR staff, including Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason and Assistant Chief Doug Reeves, will be available for questions at some of the busiest retail stores in southern Michigan. For a complete list of locations and participating staff, visit www.michigan.gov/deer.
    The DNR will take reports of dead deer that are likely EHD-related until Jan. 1. To report the presence of dead deer, the DNR encourages residents to contact their nearest DNR wildlife field office by consulting the list available at www.michigan.gov/wildlife.

DNR to host live online video forum Nov. 13

   Deer hunters and others interested in deer management in Michigan are invited to join the Department of Natural Resources at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, for “DNR Live: Deer” -- a one-hour online forum designed to answer questions from the public about the state’s deer population, hunting seasons and regulations.
   The video event will stream live on the DNR’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/midnr. A Facebook account is not required to access the page and watch the livestream event.
   The online forum’s panel of DNR experts will include the Wildlife Division’s deer and elk program leader Brent Rudolph and wildlife veterinarian Steve Schmitt, along with Law Enforcement Division Assistant Chief Dean Molnar.
   The public is invited to post questions in advance on the DNR’s Facebook page, send via Twitter to @MichiganDNR using the hashtag #DNRlive, or email to dnr-facebook@michigan.gov, no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12.
    “We are excited to use this interactive technology to share information with the public on the cusp of Michigan’s firearm deer season opener,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh.
   “Our panel of experts is looking forward to answering a broad range of questions about deer management and hunting. We expect to address deer season prospects and the health of the state’s deer herd, including this year’s outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).”
    For more information about how to participate in the “DNR Live: Deer” online forum, email dnr-facebook@michigan.gov or contact DNR Public Information Officer Ed Golder at goldere@michigan.gov.
   To learn more about deer management and hunting in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/deer.

Take a book deer hunting

    But make it a good book. Something that is a page turner and keeps your interest. On my first deer hunt, I spent all morning trying to be still while I leaned against a large oak tree. A couple of times I sat on a cushion on the ground.
   While I heard shooting all around me and far off, nothing came my way. Later that day for an evening hunt I was sitting on the edge of a woods with a farmers field behind me.
   I laid my shotgun down on the top rail of a split-rail fence that had seen better days. Just a few feet to my right was what appeared to be a run.
   From my stand, I was looking down into an open area near a woods full of oaks and beech trees. The forest floor was covered with leaves.
   It was cold but with little wind. I was engrossed in a novel; probably one of Elmore Leonard's. It was a page turner and I got totally engrossed in it.
   When I first began reading my book, I would look up at the end of each page. Somewhere in there I got so interested I read several without leaving my book.
   Thinking I should take a look-see, I slowly raised my head and looked straight ahead. I almost had to pinch myself when I saw a buck at the bottom of the hill, feeding and completely broadside to me.
   My shot hit the buck a little high and forward in the shoulder, allowing it to run a short distance. I was able to get a second shot off, bringing him down.
   This was my first deer. Had you told me reading a book would have been key in getting it, I would have laughed.
   Now, I always have a book along in my pack. For you see, it really does force one to sit still and concentrate. And that is key when deer hunting.

Steelheading on the Platte to be protected

   The Department of Natural Resources has announced the Platte River spawning closure will return to its historic timeframe of January 1 through March 31, in 2013. All fishing is prohibited during he closure.
    This closure affects the Platte River from the Platte River State Fish Hatchery down to Platte Lake.
   In addition, no fishing will be allowed within 300 feet of the upper hatchery weir whenever the weir is in place (which was August 15 through September 30 in 2012). This closure provides enhanced protection of migrating coho salmon, many of which are used as broodstock for hatchery operations.
   These spawning closures will go into effect on January 1, 2013 and will read as follows in next year’s fishing guide:
   “The Platte River is closed to fishing from the US-31 bridge at Veteran’s Park downstream to Platte Lake, January 1 – March 31” and “The Platte River is closed to fishing within 300 feet of the Upper (hatchery) weir infrastructure, whenever the weir is in place.”
   Since 2010, DNR’s Fisheries Division has been annually stocking the Platte River with 20,000 yearling steelhead.
    This stocking program is anticipated to increase the steelhead population to a level that could support a back-up egg take facility at the Platte River State Fish Hatchery and thus enhance angling opportunities on the Platte River.
   “Moving the date of spawning closure last spring offered a good level of protection for the first group of steelhead that returned to the river following our stocking efforts,” said Heather Hettinger, DNR fisheries biologist for the Platte River. “Now that we have had a chance to see our efforts are beginning to work, we feel confident we can restore angling opportunities and protect these fish at the same time.”
   For more information, please review Fisheries Order 204 at www.michigan.gov/fishing.com.

Poacher charged with 125 violations

   Brian Birchmeier, 51, of Shiawassee County’s Owosso Township, was arraigned in Shiawassee County District Court on 125 misdemeanor charges related to poaching deer and turkey in Michigan.
   The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division found Birchmeier to be in illegal possession of more than 100 parts of animals, including deer and turkey.
   Based on the charges, Birchmeier could face more than $120,000 in reimbursement payments, loss of his hunting privileges and as many as 90 days in jail. Each hunting-related charge carries a penalty of as much as $500 per violation. Each license violation carries a penalty of as much as $250 per violation.

Specifically, Birchmeier has been charged with:

• 115 count of taking or possessing a deer over the legal limit.
• 1 count of taking a deer without a license.
• 7 counts of taking a turkey without a permit.
• 2 counts of illegal baiting.

“This is one of the larger poaching cases we have seen in recent years,” said Lt. Sherry Chandler of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “As the start of firearm deer season approaches, this arrest is an important reminder that game laws are in place to protect the state’s natural resources, including its deer population, so we can safeguard a healthy herd for all Michigan hunters.”
   DNR Conservation Officer Daniel Bigger was called to Birchmeier’s home in early October on a tip from the Shiawassee County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Bigger found numerous sets of antlers at Birchmeier’s home, as well as illegal bait piles. Officer Bigger subsequently executed a search warrant at Birchmeier’s home, seizing more than 170 antlers, as well as shoulder mounts, crossbows and turkey beards.
   Based on a review of licenses purchased by Birchmeier, and an absence of hunting records prior to 1982, the number of deer parts alone that Birchmeier illegally possesses is estimated at well over 100. The investigation and a subsequent interview with the suspect indicated the illegal taking of turkeys as well.
   “Hunting and fishing are great traditions in Michigan,” said Lt. Chandler. “The state depends on hunting and fishing regulations to make sure that tradition is protected and enhanced for future generations.”
   Apparently, Birchmeier didn't subscribe to the age-old concept about rules, regulations, and fairness. You remember the one that goes something like, it's important to conduct yourself properly at all times. But it's what you do when no one is watching (like a DNR CO) that makes you the true sportsman.