What effect does illegal hunting in Michigan have on the
wildlife population?
A.
Hard
to put a number or percentage on it but it does effect the populations and
available number of game for legal hunters to harvest.
Which animals are being hunted illegally the most?
A.
Deer would most likely be at the top both for
the value in the meat that is sold and also for the antlers. Very large antler
can bring a high dollar for collectors. Other animals that are targeted include
bear for the meat and hide but also for their claws teeth and skulls and also
their gall bladders which are illegally sold to buyers usually in the orient as
it is considered an aphrodisiac. Bear paws are also illegally sold and
considered very valuable for the same reason. There is also a very large
commercial trade for fish within the state with walleye being probably the most
targeted species. The personal trophy is a very large part of this,
What is the definition of illegal hunting in Michigan?
A.
This
could be taking game outside of the open season for a species which is legal to
hunt or by an illegal method during the open season. IE hunting deer with a
spotlight at night, using bait to take waterfowl or turkey.
How big of a problem is illegal hunting in Michigan?
A.
The
problem exists in all of our 83 Counties in Michigan and varies by location IE
bear poaching occurs mostly in the Upper Peninsula and Northern part of the
lower Peninsula. Commercial take of walleye frequently occurs in the Bays De
Noc area of Delta County and in the Southern part of the State in the Lake St
Clair area.
What kinds of laws does Michigan have regarding illegal
hunting?
A.
Wildlife
Conservation Act. You can view this at the Michigan .Gov /DNR website along
with a current hunting guide which would be useful.
Do you think the penalties are stiff enough?
A.
There
is a mandatory restitution on fish and game taken illegally IE an out of season
walleye would cost $10 per pound plus fines and costs, an illegal deer has a
$1000 restitution plus fines and costs and a minimum 5 day jail sentence and
their hunting privileges are lost for the year of conviction and the following
3 years. There is also a conservation fee of $10 for any fish and game
violation that goes towards the fish and game protection fund. The biggest
issue is often times Courts will not follow the mandatory guidelines and the
penalties will be much less either due to a plea deal or the Courts discretion.
Local oversight and participation by sportsman’s groups helps lessen this
What are the motives for illegal hunting?
A.
Often
just too successfully take the game when they are not successful using legal
methods. IE Hunting after hours because the buck is not coming in during the
daylight to legally be taken. Other for
the thrill of getting away with it, many it’s a way of life they were brought
up violating and they carry on the family tradition. Other do it as a lively hood they make their
living illegally selling fish and game.
What can be done to decrease/stop illegal hunting?
A.
People
becoming more involved when they see a violation or hear of one by calling a
local Conservation officer or the Report All Poaching (RAP) Hotline
800-292-7800 24hrs/7days. Also Conservation Officers are at a recent history
all-time low there are currently 3 counties in Michigan that do not have even a
single CO assigned too.
Why is it so hard to catch them?
A.
Vast
areas to do the crime, usually in remote locations, people’s reluctance to
report the violations often justifying it as they are using it to feed their
families. Low numbers of Conservation officers
How do you report
illegal hunting to the authorities?
A.
Call
the Report All Poaching Hotline 800-292-7800 call a local Conservation officer
or DNR office. Call 911
What time of the year does illegal hunting occur most
frequently?
A.
Fall
is the most frequent but occurs all year long
