Conservation officer recruits examine fish species at the CO Training Academy in the fall at the Hal and Jean Glassen Shooting Education Center, located at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Rose Lake Shooting Range downstate, learning about fish identification. Regardless of their knowledge of fish identification coming into the academy, by the end of the week the recruits could identify all fish species in the state. COs have a variety of duties in their jobs. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)

MARQUETTE — The life of a conservation officer can be gratifying, frustrating and sometimes amusing.

COs are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Fully licensed as peace officers and stationed in almost every county in Michigan, they enforce laws related to fish and wildlife, state parks, trails and forests, and outdoor recreation activities that include off-road vehicle use, snowmobiling and boating.

COs also act as first responders to a variety of natural disasters and emergencies.

CO Brett DeLonge, who works the Marquette County area, has wanted to be a CO since he was 8 years old. He finally became one four years ago after serving as a motor carrier officer with the Michigan State Police.

“I enjoy the job,” DeLonge said. “I absolutely love it. I’ve been in it four years now and I haven’t had a day where I felt like I’ve been at work yet.”

The public can read about CO activity throughout the year at michigan.gov/conservationofficers. Accounts range from the mundane to the educational to the humorous.

DeLonge said he usually writes up the ones that to him seem the most interesting or require little more investigation, or the ones that are just plain funny or perhaps unexpected — things people don’t expect to happen, but they do.

Here is a recent sampling of reports from around the Upper Peninsula:

Oct. 21-Nov. 3

≤ While checking a trapper near Negaunee, DeLonge received a complaint of a trapper who had a wolf caught in a foot hold trap near Palmer. DeLonge and DNR biologists met with the trapper and located the wolf after dark. The aggressive 80-pound male gray wolf was safely and successfully sedated, collared and released.

≤ While on patrol in Marquette County, CO Josh Boudreaux encountered an individual hunting in a blind. Upon contact, the individual stated he wasn’t hunting, he was simply watching wildlife over the bait he had just placed

out. When Boudreaux asked about the cocked crossbow in the blind, he answered, “Well, I was hoping a rabbit might come by.”

Boudreaux asked for his hunting license, which he said was at his mom’s house just up the road. Upon further questioning, it was determined the individual didn’t have a hunting license. The man, who was not wearing hunter orange, was adamant he was hunting rabbits. Enforcement action was taken for hunting small game without a license and without hunter orange.

≤ Sometimes a hunter doesn’t want the law to come between him and food.

CO Jeremy Sergey received a report of an individual having shot a deer with a rifle during archery season. Sergey and a sergeant from the Menominee County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect at a restaurant, and after a short conversation the suspect told Sergey where the deer was but claimed it was shot with a crossbow.

Sergey and the sergeant went back to the camp along with the suspect and located an untagged 9-point buck near a large pile of apples and corn. An examination of the deer revealed it was in fact shot with a bolt rifle. Sergey asked the suspect why he hadn’t tagged the deer and field-dressed it. The suspect said he didn’t want to miss his dinner reservation. Citations were issued for failing to immediately attach/validate a tag to a deer and for exceeding the two-gallon bait limit.

Oct. 7-20

≤ Some experiences dealing with wildlife are tragic.

CO Robert Freeborn received a complaint from a local trapper who had caught two wolves in his traps. Freeborn contacted the local biologist and headed to the scene to assist in releasing the trapped wolves. Freeborn checked on the first wolf and determined it was shot in the head while still in the trap shortly before his arrival. He then immediately checked the second wolf, which was still alive and well.

Freeborn searched the area for vehicles while keeping an eye on the second wolf until the biologist arrived. The biologist was able to release the second wolf without incident. The investigation was to continue.

Sept. 23-Oct. 6

≤ CO Jared Ferguson was on patrol in Dickinson/Marquette County line area when he observed three side-by-sides operating against the traffic flow. Ferguson contacted the individuals who stated they couldn’t see with all the dust, and that’s why they were driving like they were. A quick tutorial of responsible operator conduct was given, although enforcement action was taken too.

≤ DeLonge and Boudreaux worked Lake LeVasseur for the North Zone duck opener. Shooting started promptly at the legal time with hardly a second to spare. Almost all hunters were successful with a mixed bag of birds and it was great, they said, seeing waterfowlers both young and old enjoying themselves during a safe first hunt of the season. A retired gentleman drove up from Ohio to hunt the North Zone as he made it his goal to hunt all three openers this year.

Sept. 9-22

At times, some levity is in order.

≤ CO Brian Lasanen patrolled for ORV activity and small game hunters on the opening day of small game season. Activity was high for ORV riders enjoying a nice fall day. Lasanen contacted a large group of riders dressed in clown costumes. One of the riders advised they were from a snowmobile club out of Baraga and every year they have a themed ride. Lasanen advised the riders that it was the first contact he had with subjects dressed up in clown costumes out riding.

≤ Other times, a CO’s job comes down to simply performing a good deed.

Boudreaux and Sgt. Brian Bacon contacted a group of bird hunters on Perrin Brothers Road in southern Marquette County who got a little turned around while pushing through the thick brush of the grouse enhanced management site trails. The individuals stated their GPS was not working and asked if the COs had seen their truck. The COs had passed their truck a short time ago and directed them toward the truck. The individuals were incredibly thankful and looked forward to the remainder of their hunting trip.

Aug. 26-Sept. 8

Then there was the case during of the runaway pontoon.

Boudreaux was patrolling Lake Michigamme following heavy rains in the area. He had spent the morning checking anglers and pulled floating logs and other hazards from the main body of the lake. As Boudreaux was preparing to pull his boat from the water, he received a phone call about a pontoon seen adrift on the lake.

Boudreaux located the pontoon and secured it to a nearby dock. The owner of the pontoon, who was unaware it was missing, was contacted and immediately came to retrieve it. Understandably, the owner was thankful for the assistance.

April 22-May 5

Some incidents are on the dicey side.

≤ COs David Miller and Kyle McQueer responded to a 911 call of a 26-year old woman who slid down a cliff and was holding onto tree roots over Lake Superior. The COs located the woman and then used a tow strap tied to a tree to rescue her. With Miller lifting from below the woman, and McQueer, Michigan State Police and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Tribal Police

pulling on the strap, they were able to lift her up and out of harm’s way.