>> HI, I'M BOB GARNER.

I WANT TO WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER EDITION OF ASK THE DNR.

THE PHONE LINES ARE OPEN AND OUR EXPERT PANEL IS READY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS COMING UP NEXT.

♪ >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US RIGHT HERE AT WCMU PUBLIC MEDIA.

THEY CALL IT PUBLIC MEDIA NOW.

WE ARE ON PUBLIC TELEVISION RIGHT NOW AND I AM VERY GLAD TO BE HERE.

IF WE COULD TAKE A LOOK INTO THE GREEN ROOM WHERE OUR TELEVISION, OR TELEPHONE FOLKS ARE STANDING BY, I WANT TO INTRODUCE WESTIN HAYS IS HERE FROM THE WEXFORD CAREER TECH.

ELLIE IS HERE FROM THE SAME PLACE.

AND SHE WILL BE ANSWERING PHONES, TOO.

DAVE HOPP FROM THE GLADWIN DNR FIELD OFFICE.

DAVE ALWAYS GATHERS FOLKS TO ANSWER THE PHONES AND MICHELLE IS HERE FROM THE BAY CITY FIELD OFFICE.

WE WANT TO THANK THOSE FOLKS VERY, VERY PROFUSELY AND A GENUINE WARM THANK YOU FOR COMING UP TONIGHT AND ANSWERING YOUR PHONE CALLS AND GETTING THE QUESTIONS WRITTEN DOWN.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION HERE.

MARK JANELLE IS OF COURSE A PATRIARCH OF OUR STAFF THAT COMES IN AND ANSWERS ALL THE NATURAL RESOURCES QUESTIONS, FISH BIOLOGIST OUT OF CADILLAC.

AND GOOD FRIEND.

GOOD FRIEND.

WE HAVE A NEW PERSON HERE REPRESENTING WILDLIFE AND THAT'S CHAD STEWART.

CHAD IS HERE AND CHAD IS A BIG GAME DEAR SPECIALIST.

THAT SORT OF THING.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT COME IN ABOUT DEER.

IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR.

A GREAT TIME OF THE YEAR.

AND OF COURSE OLD FRIEND JOEL MOLNAR, SECOND GENERATION OF MOLNARS.

LIEUTENANT UP IN CADILLAC TR TRAVERS CITY FIELD OFFICE.

IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU HERE.

YOU ARE GREAT WITH THE ANSWERS AND ELABORATING ON WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW TO BE SAFE AND LEGAL OUT IN THE WOODS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

I'LL GET STARTED WITH A QUESTION THAT VIEWERS WANT TO KNOW AND THEY HAVE CALLED INTO THE FIELD OFFICES ABOUT.

MARK, WHAT WERE THE SALMON RUNS LIKE?

I KNOW THERE WERE SOME EBBS AND FLOWS TO IT.

YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING SALMON AND TAKING EGGS AT THE WEIR.

HOW IS IT GOING?

>> YEAH, THE EGG TAKE'S GONE WELL.

WE HAD THREE GOOD DAYS.

WE STILL HAVE PLENTY OF FISH ON HAND.

WE NEED TWO MORE DAYS NEXT WEEK.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUR EGGS NO PROBLEM.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

I WOULD SAY IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT THE PEAK OF THE RUN RIGHT NOW.

I WAS ON THE MANASTEE RIVER SATURDAY AND THERE WERE ROUGHLY A THOUSAND PEOPLE FISHING BETWEEN TIPPY DAM AND SUICIDE BEND ON THE MANASTEE RIVER.

A LOT OF SALMON BEING CAUGHT.

PROBABLY THE PEAK RIGHT ABOUT NOW.

>> ARE YOU SEEING ANY FRESH SALMON?

OF COURSE YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE, DO YOU?

>> WELL YEAH, WE ARE STILL SEEING A FEW AT THE LITTLE MANASTEE, PROBABLY ABOUT 15% THAT ARE STILL NOT RIPE THEY WERE GOOD FISH.

I WASN'T SEEING A LOT OF WHITE ON THEM AS THEY GET CLOSER TO DYING.

THEY WERE STILL PRETTY GOOD FISH.

I THINK THE WEATHER WILL BRING WHAT EVERY IS LEFT.

THE RAIN AND NORTH WIND WE ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW.

>> FINALLY THAT SORT OF WEATHER THAT SAYS COME ON, GUYS.

YOU GOTTA GET HOME.

>> YEP.

>> OK.

BUT, YOU TOLD US ON THE DRIVE DOWN FROM CADILLAC TODAY THAT YOU SAW A VERY SPECIAL FISH IN THE RUN.

SO, YOU ARE READY TO BREAK THAT NEWS?

>> YEAH.

WE HAD A BROWN TROUT COME THROUGH THE WEIR.

IT WAS OVER 18 POUNDS.

AND THAT WAS THE BIGGEST -- >> THIS TIME OF THE YEAR?

>> BIGGEST BROWN WE HAVE EVER SEEN.

WE ALWAYS SEE A FEW BROWNS COME THROUGH THE LITTLE MANISTEE AND THE FALL.

BUT THIS WAS SPECIAL.

>> AN 18 POUND BROWN TROUT.

WE PASSED HER UPSTREAM AND LAST I HEARD SHE WAS HEADED FOR SIX-MILE BRIDGE.

>> WOW.

IF YOU WANT A CHANCE AT A REAL TROPHY BROWN TROUT, THERE YOU GO.

AND CHAD, WHY DID THEY ELIMINATE IN ACOSTA COUNTY AND WAS IT TIED TO A LOSS OF LICENSE SALES?

WELL PROBABLY NOT TIED TO THAT, NOT AT ALL I WOULD IMAGINE, BUT THE COMMISSION DOES THAT.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH.

OUR NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION OVERSEES OUR REGULATIONS, ESPECIALLY AS IT PERTAINS TO MAN OR AND METHOD OF TAKE.

WE APPLIED ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS AS REALLY PART OF A CWD RESPONSE.

CWD BEING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

OUR NATIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AT THE TIME KNEW WE HAD TWO REALLY HOT ISSUES THAT WERE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

ONE IS RESPONDING TO CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE.

AS IT WAS BEING IDENTIFIED AND DETECTED IN ESPECIALLY MONTCALM COUNTY.

AND OBVIOUSLY THE POPULARITY OR MAYBE EVEN THE POLARIZATION OF ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS IN THE STATE AND THEY AT THAT TIME WANTED TO SEE IF THOSE TWO ITEMS COULD ESSENTIALLY COEXIST.

SO THERE WAS A STUDY DEVELOPED BY SOME OF THE RESEARCHES THAT WE HAVE IN THE WILDLIFE DIVISION AS WELL AS MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS AND THAT PROJECT WAS MEANT TO RUN FOR THREE YEARS.

SO, AND AFTER THE '21 SEASON CONCLUDED THAT WAS THE LAST YEAR OF THE APR STUDY.

SO, RIGHT NOW, ALL OF THAT DATA IS GETTING COMPILED BY THESE RESEARCHERS.

AT THE TIME THAT THAT STUDY WAS GOING ON, THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION ESTABLISHED A SUNSET LAW THAT, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY MADE THAT APR GO AWAY.

>> LET'S JUST POINT OUT THAT THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION IS THE CITIZEN BODY THAT ESTABLISHES THAT AND THE LAWS AND ALSO THE FINER POINTS OF THE LAWS THAT SET SEASONS AND WHAT METHOD AND MANNER OF TAKING.

>> IN FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE.

>> OK. JOE, IT'S ILLEGAL TO USE -- AND I KNOW WHO CALLED THIS IN.

THIS ONE COMES FROM CHAR ELECTION VIOS.

WE HAD THAT SAME APR QUESTION FROM MONTCALM COUNTY, TOO.

THAT WAS CALLED IN, TOO.

WHY IS IT ILLEGAL TO USE A DRONE BUT USING FISH FINDERS TO FIND FISH?

YOU SAID -- CAN YOU USE A DRONE TO HUNT WITH?

>> NO.

THE WAY THE STATUTE IS IN PLACE, IT SAYS IT'S ILLEGAL IT USE A DEVICE THAT USES AERONAUTICAL THIS RUST IN THE ASSISTANCE AND HARVESTING GAME.

THAT INCLUDES WHETHER IT BE USING IT TO SCOUT OR TO CHECK AREAS.

AGAIN, THE BIGGEST THING IS, IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING FAIR AND ETHICAL SPORTSMEN.

AGAIN, UTILIZATION OF DRONES, PEOPLE COULD USE IT TO SCARE DEER, PUSH DEER, MOVE THEM AROUND.

NOT EVEN DEER, BUT ALSO WITH WATERFOWL.

AND THEN THAT WOULD FALL RIGHT INTO THE LAWS OF RALLYING BIRDS.

SO, IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE THAT.

FISH FINDERS IDENTIFY WHERE THEY ARE AT, MAYBE SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO WHAT WE USE WITH TRAIL CAMERAS.

>> LET ME THROW YOU ANOTHER LAW QUESTION.

I THINK YOU WILL ENJOY THIS ONE.

CAN A HUNTING CABIN BE USED AS A HUNTING BLIND WHEN IN THE WOODS.

DOES ONE HAVE TO STEP OUT OF THE HUNTING CABIN TO SHOOT?

THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO.

>> NO.

HUNTING FROM A HOUSE OR A CABIN IS NO DIFFERENT THAN HUNTING FROM A BLIND.

JUST MAYBE A REALLY NICE BLIND.

WE CAN ALWAYS HUNT FROM ELEVATED BLINDS FROM FIREARM DEER SEASON, ARCHERY SEASON.

SO SHOOTING FROM THE BLINDS OR FROM YOUR HOUSE ISN'T AN ISSUE.

AGAIN, THE ONLY THINGS THAT CAN COME INTO PLAY ARE SAFETY ZONES IF YOU ARE HUNTING WITH A FIREARM AND THERE ARE OTHER DWELLINGS NEARBY.

>> OK CHAD.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.

OK.

CONCERNING DEER HARVEST REPORTING.

HOW DOES HUNTER'S AGE, EXACT GPS LOCATION AND DETAILED INFO ON THE WEAPON USE HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF WHERE DEER ARE?

WELL ALL OF THOSE THINGS AREN'T REQUIRED, ARE THEY?

>> SO, AS YOU, SO ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THIS YEAR IN THE DEER PROGRAM IS THE REQUIREMENT TO REPORT YOUR HARVEST WITHIN 72 HOURS.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE IS SORT OF A, I GUESS A GOOGLE MAP WHERE YOU DROP A PIN IN TERMS OF THE LOCATION TO WHERE THE DEER WAS HARVESTED AND THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHERE WE ARE DOING THAT.

ONE IS WE WANTED TO TIE OUR TIER HARVEST TO THE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM.

NOT ONLY FOR CHRONIC WASTING BUT FOR BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS AS WELL.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO UNDERSTAND HOW DEER ARE HARVESTED AROUND POSITIVE DEER THAT BE BEING CHRONIC WITH TROPIC WASTING DISEASE OR T.B.

IF A POSITIVE ANIMAL COMES UP IN A NEW LOCATION, NOW THIS REPORTING SYSTEM ALLOWS US TO COMMUNICATE IN SEASON WITH HUNTERS TO ASSIST WITH SURVEILLANCE IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEVER HAD BEFORE AND SOMETHING THAT TO MY KNOWLEDGE NO OTHER STATE HAS.

SO, THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY GOOD INFORMATION IN TIEING THIS TO DISEASE SURVEILLANCE.

THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE KNOW THAT DEER ARE NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ON THE LANDSCAPE BUT RIGHT NOW WE DO A LOT OF OUR MANAGEMENT ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER PENINSULA BASED ON COUNTY BOUNDARIES.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE HOW DEER HARVEST IS CHANGING ON THE LANDSCAPE AND THEN POTENTIALLY THINK FORWARD AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO MANAGE DEER FOR WHERE THEY EXIST AND WHERE THEY DON'T.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, WE KIND INVOLVE THIS GOLDILOCKS SYNDROME.

ONE APPLIES TO A COUNTY.

IN SOME AREAS IT MIGHT BE TOO MUCH, SOME AREAS IT MIGHT TUBE LITTLE.

IN SOME AREAS, IT MIGHT BE JUST RIGHT.

NOW WE WILL HAVE A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND FINER SOLUTION OF HARVEST ON THE LANDSCAPE WHERE WE CAN DIVE INTO THIS, LOOK AT IT CRITICALLY IN THE FUTURE AND CUSTOMIZE REGULATIONS MOVING FORWARD.

>> I HAVE SEEN ALL SORTS OF GOOFY STUFF ON THE INTERNET ABOUT WHY WE ARE DOING.

THIS ONE WAS SO THEY COULD FIND OUT WHO HAD THE GUNS.

WELL GEE, IF YOU JUST BOUGHT WHO BOUGHT GUN LICENSES YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIGURE THAT.

SO, ANYWAY, IT'S GOOD TO KNOW WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS.

HEY, ARE YOU GOING TO PLANT THE WALLEYES IN MARK AND PLATTE LAKE IN BENZIE COUNTY?

>> AT THE MOMENT, NO.

I TALKED TO MY COUNTERPART UP THERE, HEATHER OUT OF TRAVERSE CITY.

SHE'S OUR BIOLOGIST.

WE ARE STOCKING STEEL HEAD AND A LOT OF COHO SALMON IN THE PLATTE RIVER.

ONE OF THE ISSUES OF STOCKING WALLEYE IS THEY PREY AS OTHERS ARE OUT MIGRATING.

WE MADE AT THIS POINT, MADE A DECISION THAT FOR THE TIME BEING WE ARE MONITORING THAT SYSTEM, REALIZING THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME WALLEYE IN PLATTE LAKE.

>> OK. AND OF COURSE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, HOW TO REPORT DEER WITH NO INTERNET.

THIS COMES FROM A VIEWER IN CHARLEVOIS.

I CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY WHO THAT IS.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET, THE FIRST YEAR, THERE WON'T BE A LOT OF ENFORCEMENT ON THIS ANYWAY, RIGHT?

>> ULTIMATELY ANY TIME THERE'S A NEW REGULATION, THE BIGGEST THING WE WANT TO DO IS GET THE INFORMATION OUT THERE, GET THE WORD OUT THERE.

THIS IS A HUGE CHANGE FROM WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST WHERE WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD LOTS OF CHECK STATIONS OPEN, MEAT COMING FROM THE BOVINE TB AREA.

WE WERE USED IT ALWAYS BRINGING OUR DEER AND TELLING EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE HARVESTED TO HELP WITH STATISTICS AND THAT INFORMATION.

SO THE REALITY, YOU KNOW, NOT A LOT HAS CHANGED FOR SOME FOLKS.

ONE OF THE BIGGER PROBLEMS IS YES, WHETHER IT BE OUR AMISH COMMUNITIES OR FOLKS WITH LIMITED ACCESS, THAT'S WHY WE PUT THEM THERE.

A 72-HOUR WINDOW FOR INDIVIDUALS TO CALL THEM IN.

YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS.

I HAVE BEEN UP TO DRUMMOND ISLAND.

THERE ARE PLACES WHERE YOU AT LEAST HAVE PHONE ACCESS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE NATIONAL RESOURCE COMMISSION DID IS TO ALLOW ANYBODY TO REGISTER YOUR DEER FOR YOU.

SO IF YOU ARE ON DRUMMOND ISLAND OR A CAMP IN THE U.P., I GO TO CAMP IN THE U.P.

AND I KNOW IF I RUN A QUAD UP TO THE TOP OF A HILL I HAVE AT LEAST PHONE SERVICE SO I CAN CALL IN, WHETHER IT TO BE A FAMILY MEMBER AND SAY HEY, I JUST SHOT A DEER, YOU KNOW, THIS LOCATION, THIS LICENSE NUMBER.

AND THEY CAN REGISTER IT FOR ME.

SO THERE ARE METHODS AND AGAIN, THIS FIRST YEAR, OUR FOLKS AT OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS ARE HELPING PEOPLE TO REGISTER THOSE DEER.

IT'S A NEW SYSTEM AND FOR THOSE WHO DO HAVE THE INTERNET SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS PUT OUT A BRAND-NEW APP THAT YOU LOG INTO, YOU GET YOUR PROFILE EMBEDDED RIGHT INTO IT.

IT LISTS OUT ALL YOUR HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES SO IF YOU COME ACROSS A CONSERVATION OFFICER, YOU CAN SHOW YOUR BASE LICENSE, YOUR FISHING LICENSE RIGHT ON IT.

IT ALSO HAS THE ABILITY TO REGISTER YOUR DEER RIGHT FROM THAT APP.

IT'S GREAT PROGRAM.

CLICK ON THE LICENSE YOU WANT TO REGISTER YOUR DEER FOR AND THERE'S A BUTTON THAT SAYS START REGISTRATION.

YOU CLICK ON THAT AND IT RUNS YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> WOULD YOU SHOW ME HOW TO USE THAT TOOL?

>> I WILL GLADLY SHOW YOU THAT.

BUT IT DOESN'T WORK ON YOUR FLIP PHONE.

>> WELL I DON'T HAVE A FLIP PHONE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

BUT ANYWAY, NO, THINK THAT INTRIGUES ME.

IT INTRIGUES ME.

HEY, WE ARE GETTING A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS IN HERE, I'M SURPRISED BY THIS.

THE CAMP RAILING THING AND I KNOW PROBABLY THERE HASN'T BEEN ANYTHING DONE YET AND I KNOW CAMP GRAYLY EXPANSION, WHAT'S DNR GOING TO DO TO STOP THE PROPOSED EXPANSION AND PROTECT THE LINE?

DOES THE DNR DOCUMENT VIOLATIONS OF THE NATIONAL GUARD LEASES ON PUBLIC LANDS?

DOES ANYTHING LIKE THAT OCCUR?

HAS THERE BEEN A LOT OF -- >> SO CAMP GRAYLING FALLS JUST OUTSIDE OF MY DISTRICT.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH DEALING WITH THAT.

UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ON THAT.

IF DO YOU HAVE MORE POINTED QUESTIONS ON THAT, YOU MIGHT TRY REACHING OUT TO OUR ROSCOMON OFFICE WHO WILL BE MUCH MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THAT MATTER.

>> OK.

HERE WE GO.

HERE'S A JOE AND MARK QUESTION.

OK. THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION FROM HARRISON, MICHIGAN.

AND THANKS FOR WRITING DOWN THE NAMES ON SOME OF THESE WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

I ENJOY THAT.

WHY CAN -- WHY CAN WE DUMP SALMON BACK INTO THE RIVER AFTER THEY ARE CLEANED?

YOU CAN'T.

RIGHT?

>> NO.

YOU CANNOT PUT FISH OFFAL AS THE LAW READS BACK INTO THE WATER SYSTEM.

SO WHEN YOU ARE CLEANING YOUR FISH, YOU NEED TO DISPOSE OF THOSE CARCASSES PROPERLY, AGAIN WHETHER IT BE YOU ARE ON THE ICE IN THE RIVER OR OUT IN THE LAKE.

SO, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO, A, BRING THAT FISH BACK TO SHORE WHERE WE CAN IDENTIFY WHAT SIZE IT IS, AS WELL, TO ENSURE THAT IT'S LEGAL, AND THAT THE FISH ISN'T MUTILATED TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN'T IDENTIFY WHAT IT IS.

>> PERFECT.

YEP.

QUESTION FROM LUDDINGTON.

AND I WELL GET TO CHAD -- DO YOU DO ELK QUESTIONS, TOO?

>> I CAN DO AN ELK QUESTION.

>> GOOD.

CHAD, FIRST TIME CHAD STEWART'S BEEN WITH US AND -- AND I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN GETTING GRILLED ON THE DEER STUFF.

SO WE WILL GET AN ELK QUESTION FOR YOU NEXT.

BUT THIS ONE IS REALLY GOOD, MARK.

DOES THE DNR KNOW WHY THERE WAS A COMEBACK ON AYLWIVES IN LAKE MICHIGAN?

>> ACTUALLY, THERE'S BEEN A LAKEWIDE MODEST, YOU KNOW, IT ISN'T 1980, BUT THERE'S BEEN A MODEST COMEBACK ON AYLEWIVES LAKE WIDE.

WE HAD A DIE OFF THIS SPRING WHICH WE HAVEN'T SEEN IN THE LEAST 10 YEARS.

WE THINK SOME OF THE INVASIVE SPECIES CAUSING PROBLEMS HAVE DIED DOWN TO LOWER LEVELS.

IT'S ABOUT THE FOOD CHAIN.

IT'S REBUILT FROM THE BOTTOM AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT HAS ALLOWED US TO STOCK MORE SHNOOK SALMON.

WE ARE EXCITEED ABOUT IT AND THE LAKE IS IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE ARE ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY AT THE MOMENT.

WE ARE KIND OF OFF THE CLIFF EDGE THAT WE HAD BEEN IN RECENT YEARS.

WE HAD A GREAT SALMON FISHERY THIS SUMMER.

WE ARE SEEING VERY STRONG RUNS THIS FALL AND SO, WE ARE FEELING LIKE THE LAKE IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND IT'S -- WE ARE STILL GETTING VERY MUCH HIGHER, MUCH HIGHER PRODUCTION IN OUR STREAMS THAN WE EVER THOUGHT.

I MEAN -- WE WERE GIVEN BACK WHEN I WAS A KID AND SALMON WERE FIRST INTRODUCED, AND I WAS A SMALL CHILD THEN, BUT, WE NEVER BELIEVED THAT THEY WOULD EVER REPRODUCE IN OUR STREAMS.

>> RIGHT.

SO IN LUDDINGTON, YOU HAVE THE PREMARQUETTE RIVER.

NO SALMON ARE STOCKED THERE.

>> THERE WAS NEVER A SALMON STOCKED IN THAT.

>> YET THE RUN IN THAT RIVER ARE THE TENSE OF THOUSANDS.

THOSE ARE ALL WILD NATURALLY REPRODUCED FISH.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY FORTUNATE IN MICHIGAN TO HAVE RIVERS THAT PRODUCE WILD, FREE, THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO RAISE IN HASHRIES.

THESE ARE FREE WILD NATURALLY PRODUCED SALMON.

>> AND A GREAT RIVER FOR THEM, TOO.

FOLKS FROM CHARLEVIOS, 14 POINTS FOR AN ELK.

WHY ARE PEOPLE GETTING PICKED OVER?

>> OUR ELK LOTTERY IS DIFFERENT THAN OUR BEAR LOTTERY.

FOR BEAR, YOU ARE BUILDING UP POINTS AND THEN IT'S SORT OF A RANK BASED ON SEASON.

AND LOCATION.

FOR ELK, WE HAVE SUCH HIGH DEMAND FOR ELK HUNTING.

SO, THE PERFECT EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE 260 STATEWIDE LICENSES THAT ARE ISSUED.

LAST YEAR WE HAD I THINK OVER 40,000 APPLICANTS.

SO, IN ORDER FOR EVERYBODY TO AT LEAST HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, WE STRUCTURE IT IN A WAY THAT THE MORE YOU APPLY, THE MORE CHANCES YOU GET.

SO, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS CAN HAVE 17, 18, 19, BUT JUST TO PUT OUT FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE WERE JUST PULLING INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE 17, 18, 19, IT COULD STILL TAKE UPWARDS OF 15 YEARS TO BE, JUST PULLING OUT OF THAT LOTTERY UNDER OUR CURRENT QUOTA SYSTEM.

SO WITH THAT, THERE'S NO -- THERE WOULD BE NO INTEREST OR INCENTIVE FOR SOMEBODY JUST STARTING TO TRAY TO PUT AN IN FOR ELK.

>> I THINK WHEN WE FIGURED OUT WHEN WE WENT TO THE SYSTEM WHEN I WAS ON THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION, WE FIGURED OUT ALL OF OUR ELK HUNTERS WOULD BE OVER 75 YEARS OLD.

>> YEP.

>> IS WHY WE WENT TO THAT SYSTEM.

>> YEAH.

>> SO THE EASY WAY TO THINK ABOUT THE ELK DRAW SYSTEM IS EVERY YEAR YOU APPLY, YOU GET ANOTHER RAFFLE TICKET.

SO IF YOU HAVE APPLIED FOR 19 YEARS, YOU HAVE 19 RAFFLE TICKETS IN THE DRAWING.

BUT THAT PERSON WHO STILL HAS ONE RAFFLE TICKET IN THAT DRAWING CAN STILL DRAW.

SO THERE'S STILL THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> SO YOU HAVE SOME CHANCE.

AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THEN IF YOU WANT TO GET SO SELECTIVE THAT YOU WANT BULL ONLY, YOU, YOUR CHANCES EVEN GO FURTHER DOWN BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY FEWER BULL TAGS GIVEN OUT.

YOU MIGHT GET DRAWN, BUT IF YOU WANT A BULL ONLY AND YOU GET DRAWN ON AN ANTLER LIST PERMIT, YOU ARE BACK OUT OF IT.

ANYWAY, WHAT ARE THE RULES, THIS ONE COMES FROM WEXFOR COUNTY, MY HOME COUNTY, AND YOUR HOME COUNTY.

WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR CARRYING A HANDGUN DURING BOW SEASON?

>> INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A CONCEALED PISTOL LICENSE CAN CARRY THEIR HANDGUN WHILE THEY ARE OUT HUNTING AS LONG AS THERE'S NOT AN ATTEMPT TO TAKE GAME WITH IT.

ANYONE ELSE LEGALLY CANNOT POSSESS A FIREARM WHILE ARCHERY HUNTING.

SO, CONCEALED PISTOL LICENSE, THEY HAVE THE EXEMPTION BECAUSE THAT TRUMPS OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING.

BUT, EVERYONE ELSE, WHEN WE BUY OUR LICENSE, WHEN WE ENGAGE IN HUNTING AND FISHING, WE AGREE TO FAULT RULES SET FORTH AND THE RULE FOR ARCHERY HUNTING IS THAT YOU DO NOT POSSESS A FIREARM.

SO -- YOU CAN'T CARRY THAT PISTOL WHILE YOU ARE ARCHERY HUNTING UNLESS YOU HAVE A CONCEALED PISTOL LICENSE.

>> AND TIPPY DAM.

ANY PLANS TO REMOVE FALLING DEAD TREES?

OUT OF -- CALAVA FOLKS WANT TO KNOW.

NOT THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF?

>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

WE HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO REMOVE A TREE THAT BECAME A HAZARD.

BUT FOR THE MOST PART THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE MANDATED OR FUNDED TO DO ON ANY OF OUR RIVERS, INCLUDING THE MANISTEE RIVER.

>> OK.

THIS IS A GOOD ONE FOR YOU BIOLOGIST TYPES.

WHEN ARE PHEASANTS GOING TO BE PUT ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST?

WELL, IF THEY WERE AN INDIGENOUS SPECIES -- THEY WEREN'T REALLY EVEN INTRODUCED INTO MICHIGAN UNTIL WELL AFTER 1900, AS I RECALL?

>> I BELIEVE YOU ARE RIGHT, YEAH.

>> WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ANY PHEASANT SEASON HERE UNTIL WELL AFTER -- THEY ARE AN INTRODUCED SPECIES.

>> THEY ARE.

>> COULD BE LIKE SPARROWS WOULD NEVER GO ON THE ENDANGERED SPECIES.

YOU KNOW WHAT'S SURPRISING TO ME, ANOTHER INTRODUCED SPECIES IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES?

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HONEY BEES.

THEY WERE BROUGHT OVER FROM EUROPE, TOO.

I HAD NO IDEA.

BENT BAYDEN TOLD ME THAT, SO ANYWAY, NO CHANCE THEY WOULD EVER GO ON AN ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST.

BUT I GET THE GIST OF THAT.

THERE'S NO PHEASANTS AROUND BUT THERE'S NO HABITAT EITHER.

>> VERY POOR HABITAT.

THERE ARE VERY FEW PLACES THAT WE HAVE A BREEDING POPULATION OF PHEASANTS IN MICHIGAN.

THERE ARE A FEW STILL HANGING AROUND.

BUT -- MOST -- >> PRETTY INTERMITTENT AND A LOT OF THEM ARE CLOSER TO SOME OF THE PHEASANT PRESERVES, TOO.

>> AND IT'S A PRIORITY.

SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, QUITE A BIT.

WE HAVE THIS PHEASANT HABITAT INITIATIVE THAT'S BEEN WORKING ON AND OBVIOUSLY OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE INVOLVED TO TRY TO INCREASE AT LEAST PARTICIPATION AND HUNTING.

BUT, IT'S LARGELY HABITAT DRIVEN.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

>> AND CHAD, WE HAVE ANSWERED THIS QUESTION BEFORE TONIGHT, BUT NO APR'S ANYWHERE ACROSS THE STATE.

RIGHT?

>> NO, WE STILL HAVE -- >> ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS.

LET'S TELL FOLKS WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> WE STILL HAVE ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS IN 13 COUNTIES ACTUALLY IN THE NORTHWEST.

SO, YOU KNOW, SO, AND THOSE ARE UNDER A DIFFERENT SET OF REGULATIONS THAN WHAT WAS DISCUSSED, YOU KNOW, WITH THE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE EXPERIMENTAL ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS IN THREE COUNTIES.

BUT THERE'S ABOUT 13 COUNTIES IN THE NORTHWEST THAT ARE STILL UNDER ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS.

A LOT OF THE UPPER PENINSULA IS UNDER WHAT WE CALL A HUNTER'S CHOICE, WHICH IF YOU ARE PURCHASING A COMBINATION LICENSE THEN YOU ARE HUNTING UNDER ANTLER POINT RESTRICTIONS.

IF YOU ARE HUNTING UNDER A DEER LICENSE YOU CAN TAKE ASH.

>> YOU CAN TAKE ANY THREE INCH SPIKE BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST THREE ON ONE SIDE FOR YOUR SMALL ONE AND THEN FOUR ON ONE SIDE FOR YOUR AND YEAH.

YOU HAVE TO -- FOR IN THE UPPER PENINSULA, ON YOUR REGULAR LICENSE, IT'S THREE POINTS TO A SIDE.

ON YOUR RESTRICTED TAG, IT'S FOUR POINTS TO A SIDE.

>> YEP.

IT SPENT A LOT OF TIME HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA.

DOES MICHIGAN HAVE A BOW WEIGHT RESTRICTION FOR ARCHERY EQUIPMENT?

>> THERE'S NO RESTRICTION ON ARCHERY EQUIPMENT AS FAR AS FOR PULL ON A COMPOUND OR TRADITIONAL BOW.

>> AND FOLKS FROM CHARLEVIOS BETWEEN, WANT TO KNOW WHY CAN'T THEY SHOOT A DOE ON STATE LAND WITH BLACK POWDER?

I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU COULDN'T.

>> Y UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION MAYBE.

ULTIMATELY THIS IS OUR SECOND YEAR FOR OUR UNIVERSAL ANTLER LIST LICENSES.

IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, YOU CAN BUY UP TO 10 UNIVERSE ALLY SENSES THAT ARE VALID DURING ARCHERY, FIREARM, MUZZLE LOADER SEASON ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ELABORATE.

>> WELL FROM THAT QUESTION, I AM WONDERING, WE JUST COMPLETED THE EARLY ANTLER LIST SEASON WHICH IS A PRIVATE LAND ONLY HUNT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS AN ANGLE TO WHERE YOU CAN'T USE YOUR BLACK POWDER OR REALLY ANY FIREARMS TO TAKE A DELAWARE ON STATE LAND DURING THE EARLY PERIOD.

>> RIGHT.

THE EARLY SEASON.

OK. THAT'S PROBABLY IT.

THAT'S ALL ON PRIVATE LAND.

>> YEP.

>> AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE PRIVATE LANDOWNER GETS TO DECIDE, YOU KNOW.

AND THAT'S THE CASE -- CHAD, LET ME ASK YOU.

IT WAS ALWAYS THE LAST STATISTICS I KNEW, IT WAS AT LEAST 80% OF THE DEER TAKE WERE TAKEN ON PRIVATE LAND ANYWAY.

>> YEAH.

THINK IT'S PROBABLY CLOSER TO ABOUT 85% NOW.

AND OF COURSE IT MIGHT VARY YEAR TO YEAR.

BUT -- UNDOUBTEDLY MOST OF THE DEER THAT ARE TAKEN IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN THROUGHOUT ALL OF OUR HUNTING SEASONS WILL OCCUR ON PRIVATE LAND.

SO WHEN WE HAVE THAT EARLY ANTLER LIST SEASON, WE KNOW THAT STATE LAND WILL GET HUNTED PRETTY HARD OVER THE NEXT 90 DAYS.

IT'S ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO GO OUT AND DO A LITTLE BIT OF DOE MANAGEMENT.

>> ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION, TOO, JOE.

THIS ONE COMES FROM ST. HELEN.

DEER REGISTRATIONS ARE MANDATORY IF YOU PROCESS YOUR OWN DEER?

>> YOU STILL -- NO MATTER WHAT, ALL HUNTERS STILL HAVE TO REGISTER YOUR DEER WITHIN 72 HOURS.

THE WAY THE LAW STATES IS THAT 72 HOURS OR BEFORE YOU HAND THE DEER OFF, WHETHER YOU TAKE IT TO A COMMERCIAL PROCESSER OR A TAXI DETERMINIST.

SO, IF YOU SHOOT A DEER AND YOU TAKE IT TO A PROCESSER RIGHT AWAY, YOU HAVE TO REGISTER THAT DEER RIGHT AWAY BEFORE YOU TRANSFER IT OVER TO THEM.

IF YOU PROCESS YOUR OWN DEER, YOU STILL NEED TO REGISTER IT.

>> AND BY THE WAY, THIS NEXT PROBABLY DOESN'T NEED ANY FURTHER BELABORING, BUT THE NEXT VIEWER WANTS TO APPLAUD THE DNR FOR HAVING THIS REGISTRATION PROCESS SO THAT WE KNOW MORE ABOUT DEER.

OK.

THERE'S A -- THERE'S A QUESTION -- JOE, YOU SPENT A LOT OF TIME AS AN OFFICER AND SERGEANT.

WERE YOU LIEUTENANT UP IN ALPINA?

>> NOPE.

JUST OFFICER AND SERGEANT.

>> OK. WHY ARE THE DNR MDOT LEAVING SWINGING GATES OPEN ON TRAIL NUMBER 4 INSTEAD OF CLOSING THEM TO KEEP OUT THE RIFRAF FROM ALPENA?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OR TELL THEM WHERE THEY SHOULD CALL TO ASK THAT QUESTION?

>> SO GAYLORD COVERS THAT.

I DON'T FULLY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT, WHICH GATES.

SO OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SNOWMOBILE TRAIL NUMBER 4.

SNOWMOBILE TRAIL NUMBER 4, THE GATES ARE GENERALLY CLOSED BECAUSE IT'S DESIGNED FOR NONMOTORIZED ACTIVITIES AND DURING SNOWMOBILE SEASON IT GETS OPENED UP.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN OVERSIGHT, BUT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS GIVE OUR GAYLORD OFFICE A CALL.

>> OK. WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR SANFORD LAKE, WIXHAM LAKE, TIDABASIE RIVER, WHEN THEY GET THE DAM BACK WILL THEY PLANT FISH OR NOT?

>> WELL OUT OF MY MANAGEMENT AREA BUT WE MANAGED THOSE FOR A LONG TIME.

I AM NOT REAL FAMILIAR WITH THEM BUT I KNOW WE STOCKED WALLEYE IN SOME OF THOSE LAKES AND ALSO MUSKIES AS WELL.

MY GUESS THAT WE WOULD GO BACK TO THAT.

IF THOSE WILL BE THERE, WE WILL MANAGE THEM.

SO, YES, I AM ASSUMING THAT MEANS WE WOULD BE RESTOCKING FISH IN THERE AGAIN.

>> JOE, QUESTION FROM PATASKI.

IS IT ILLEGAL TO HUNT SNOWSHOE HARES WITH DOGS DURING THE DEER SEASON?

>> WE DON'T HAVE A CLOSURE FOR RABBIT HUNTING.

RABBIT OR SQUIRREL FOR THAT MATTER, DURING THE FIREARM DEER SEASON.

GREENHOUSE GASES SEASON WILL CLOSE RIGHT BEFORE THAT, BUT YOU CAN BE OUT THERE.

JUST IF YOU ARE OUT, MAKE SURE YOU ARE ONLY UTILIZING BIRD SHOT, YOU DON'T HAVE CUT SHELLS OR ANYTHING ALONG THAT THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE WITH YOUR SHOTGUN.

BUT NO, GET OUT IF THAT'S YOUR PREFERRED HOBBY.

NOTHING BETTER THAN HEARING THE SOUND OF -- >> IT WOULD BE ONE COLD DAY WHEN I WOULD RISK MY BEAGLES OVER CARRYING A FIREARM IN DEER SEASON.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY WOULD THINK YOU WERE RUNNING DEER AND, I KNOW THE MENTALITY OF A FEW YEARS AGO, ANYWAY, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HUNTERS STILL FEEL THAT WAY.

WHY DO YOU HAVE TO REPORT THE CALIBER YOU USE TO MANAGE FOR A DEER CHECK?

>> YOU DON'T.

SO, NO, THAT'S AN EASY QUESTION.

YOU DON'T.

THERE IS A, WHAT I WOULD CALL AN OPTIONAL QUESTION OR A RANDOMIZED QUESTION IS A BETTER WAY TO SAY IT THAT SOME HUNTERS WILL GET IN TERMS OF WHAT EQUIPMENT THEY WILL USE BUT IT'S NOT A SPECIFICKIC CALIBER.

IT'S STIPPLELY DID YOU USE A BOW?

CROSS BOW?

MUZZLE LOADER?

RIFLE?

SHOTGUN?

THESE ARE JUST INFORMATION TO HELP US TRACK TRENDS IN HUNTER USE AND WE EVEN HAVE SOME REGULATIONS TIED TO EQUIPMENT USE LIKE IN ZONE 3, WE HAVE A FIREARM OPPORTUNITY DURING THE MUZZLE LOADER SEASON.

>> SO, YOU FOLKS FROM EMMIT COUNTY THAT ARE ALL SORT OF WORRIED ABOUT REPORTING CALIBER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

THANK YOU, CHAD.

>> AND OTHER PEOPLE MIGHT GET QUESTIONS LIKE DID YOU SEE FERREL HOGS?

THERE ARE OTHER RANDOMIZED QUESTIONS.

>> THE FERAL HOG QUESTION IS FOR EVERYBODY.

OTHERS ARE HOW ARE THE ACORNS IN YOUR WOODS?

HOW MUCH TIME DID YOU TAKE BEFORE YOU HARVESTED YOUR DEER?

SO THERE'S AN EFFORT QUESTION.

THERE ARE A COUPLE MORE IN THERE.

IT'S RANDOMIZED THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL GET, OTHERS WON'T GET.

IT HELPS TO GATHER INFORMATION FOR THE AGENCY AND BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE WE NEEDED TO ASK ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS TO EVERY SUCCESSFUL HUNTER, BECAUSE WE CAN DEVELOP OUR ESTIMATES AROUND THOSE NUMBERS JUST BY HOW WE STRATIFY AND RANDOMIZE THE QUESTIONS.

>> OK. AND A COUPLE OF THINGS.

LET'S JUST -- LET'S JUST BOOST THROUGH A COUPLE OF THESE QUESTIONS REAL QUICK.

WHY IS THERE NO TELEPHONE TO CALL IN TO REPORT DEER?

PEOPLE FROM FIFE LAKE WANT TO KNOW.

DOWN THE ROAD A LITTLE BIT IN THE GOOD TOWN OF MANTON, THESE FOLKS ALSO WANT TO KNOW CAN YOU USE THE HARVEST LOCATION TO SEARCH FOR BAIT PILES?

HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT?

>> YEAH, AS FAR AS THE FIRST QUESTION, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANTED TO HANDLE THAT, CHAD?

>> YEAH, SO, FOR THE PHONE QUESTION, YOU KNOW, WE WANTED TO GO MORE WITH AN ONLINE APPROACH WITH OUR FIRST YEAR TO TRY TO GET FOLKS USED TO THIS AND THAT WAS GENERATED LARGELY FROM DISCUSSIONS FROM A LOT OF OTHER STATES.

A LOT OF OTHER STATES DO HAVE A PHONE-IN OPTION BUT IN MANY OF THOSE SITUATIONS, THE PHONE-IN OPTION PRECEDED THEIR ONLINE PIECE.

AND WHAT WE FOUND OUT IN DISCUSSION, A LOT OF AGENCIES WANTED TO SHIFT TOWARD AN ONLINE COMPONENT AND DO AWAY WITH THE PHONE-IN OPTION BUT THE PHONE-LINE OPTION WAS GRANDFATHERED IN BECAUSE THAT TECHNOLOGY PRECEDED THE ONLINE REPORTING TECHNOLOGY.

SO, WE WANTED TO TRY TO THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE FORWARD.

WE LOOKED AT SOME OF THE INTERNET USAGE STATISTICS.

YES, IT WILL BE A LITTLE INCONVENIENT FOR SOME, BUT WE ARE GIVING THEM MORE TIME TO REPORT IT AND ULTIMATELY WE WILL GET MORE INFORMATION GOING THROUGH EITHER THE MOBILE APP MENTIONED OR THE ONLINE REPORTING SYSTEM RATHER THAN HAVING TWO DIFFERENT DATA SETS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

ONE FROM A PHONE AND ONE FROM ONLINE.

AND THINK WE WILL HAVE A LOT MORE ABILITY TO DO REALLY GREAT THINGS WITH THAT INFORMATION THAT'S COMING THROUGH THE ONLINE PIECE RATHER THAN IF IT WAS PARSED OUT THROUGH THE PHONE PIECE.

>> AND THE SECOND PART AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO FIND BAIT PILES OFF OF THOSE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS, I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD WORK IN THAT I MEAN -- IT'S A -- THERE'S NO PHOTOGRAPHS BEING TAKEN.

SO I GUESS I DON'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION.

BUT WE AREN'T UTILIZING THAT FOR ANY PATROL PLANS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DRONES UP THERE LOOKING FOR BAIT PILES.

>> NO.

WE DO HAVE AIRPLANES TO DO GO UP ON OCCASION LOOKING FOR BAIT PILES.

>> AND WHEN YOU CAN SEE THEM FROM AN AIRPLANE, YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE ACTION.

THAT'S FOR SURE.

YEAH.

AND YOU HAVE DONE THAT.

IN FACT, NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE.

>> SPENT A LOT OF TIME UP IN THE AIRPLANE LOOKING AT BAIT PILES.

>> YEP.

FACEBOOK QUESTION.

THIS IS PRETTY COOL.

HAVE A BEAVER BUILD AGHDAM ON MY PROPERTY IN A CREEK.

I WOULD RATHER LEAVE IT ALONE BUT, WHEN SHOULD A PERSON CONSIDER INTERVENING?

OH, YOU WILL KNOW.

RIGHT, JOE?

>> BEAVER ARE PHENOMENAL CRITTERS.

ONE OF THE FEW SPECIES THAT WILL ACTUALLY MANAGE THEIR OWN AREA FOR THEIR NEEDS.

LOOK AT A BEAVER AS A BLESSING.

IT CREATES GREAT SPOTS FOR HUNTING WOOD DUCK, GREAT HABITAT FOR BURKE TROUT HOLES AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT ULTIMATELY WHEN YOUR TREES START DROPPING IN A HURRY OR FOR THAT MATTER YOUR BASEMENT STARTS GETTING A LITTLE BIT WET, THAT'S PROBABLY A GOOD SIGN THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO START LOOKING.

>> AND YOU CAN'T GET OUT YOUR DRIVEWAY OR ROAD.

>> ONE THING TO LOOK AT IS OUR BEAVER TRAPPING SEASON OPENS NOVEMBER 1.

IF YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE SOME ISSUES OR PROBLEM, MIGHT START GETTING THE WORD OUT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A LOCAL TRAPPER TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PROBLEM.

>> IF IT'S A TROUT STREAM, WHEN TROUT SEASON OPENS BACK UP AGAIN, YOU MIGHT WANT TO FISH THE POND.

>> YEAH.

BUT NOT AFTER 3 OR 4 YEARS.

BECAUSE THE WARM WATER WILL IN FACT SORT OF PUT THE KAIBASH ON THAT.

SO, IF -- IF I AM HUNTING ON PRIVATE LAND, THIS IS FROM MONTCALM, CAN I GIVE IT AWAY TO THE LANDOWNER OR ANOTHER PERSON?

THE DEER.

>> YEAH.

YOU CAN GIFT ANY WILDLIFE OR ANY FISH YOU HARVEST.

BUT AGAIN, YOU DO NEED TO PUT YOUR OWN TAG, THE PERSON SHOOTING THE DEER, OR CATCHING THE FISH.

THAT FALLS WITHIN YOUR BAG LIMIT, WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE GIVING IT AWAY.

SO LEGALLY TAG IT AND GIVE IT AWAY.

WAS THERE A STUDY IN BROWN TROUT STOCKING AND LACK OF FISH BEING CAUGHT?

>> YEAH, WE DID A NETTING SURVEY ON ELK LAKE THIS PAST SUMMER AND SO, WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA ALL IN THE COMPUTER YET.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF FIELD WORK.

WE ARE JUST FINISHING THAT UP.

SO WE WILL BE WORKING ON THAT.

IT WILL BE HEATHER OUT OF TRAVERSE CITY.

SHE WILL BE LOOKING AT THAT.

AT ALL SPECIES IN THE LAKE.

>> AND THIS ONE FROM CRAWFORD COUNTY.

WHAT EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO RESTOCK THE GRAYLING?

IS THERE ANY CHANCE YOU CAN GIVE US A 30-SECOND VERSION OF THAT?

>> YEAH.

SO AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S KIND OF BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT SIX YEARS.

BROOK TROUT, BROWN TROUT, STEEL HEAD, SALMON, NONE OF THOSE ARE NATIVE SPECIES.

WE LOVE THOSE SPECIES, BUT THEY WEREN'T NATIVE.

ARCTIC GRAYLINK WERE THE ONLY IN OUR LOWER PENINSULA STREAMS.

SO IN ABOUT 2016, THE DEPARTMENT AND A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTNERS INCLUDING THE LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS EMBARKED ON A REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM INSTEAD OF JUST GETTING EGGS, RAISING THE FISH, AND STOCKING THEM, WE DECIDED, WE AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS, DECIDED THAT THE BEST WAY TO GO WAS TO ESTABLISH OUR OWN BROAD STOCK.

SO WE WENT TO ALASKA, WE BROUGHT SEVERAL CLASSES WORTH OF EGGS BACK FROM ALASKA.

THEY ARE IN OUR HATCHERY SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING OUR BROAD STOCK.

SO WITHIN SEVERAL YEARS, MAYBE TWO OR THREE YEARS, YOU WILL SEE US BEGIN TO STOCK GRAYLING INTO SOME NORTHERN MICHIGAN STREAMS.

SOME OF THE WATERSHEDS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT ARE POTENTIALLY THE ASABO, THE UPPER MANISTEE, THE BOARDMAN AND MAYBE AS MANY OTHER ONES IN THAT AREA, TOO.

BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY WANT COLD WATER AND THEY WERE NATIVE TO ALL OF THOSE STREAMS A HUNDRED AND 50 YEARS AGO.

AND SO, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE GRAYLING BACK.

>> PRETTY EXCITING STUFF.

ISN'T IT?

>> YEAH.

AS A FISH BIOLOGIST, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE GRAYLING BACK ON THE LANDSCAPE IN MICHIGAN AT LEAST TO SOME EXTENT.

THE OTHER SPECIES AREN'T GOING TO GO AWAY.

WE WILL STILL HAVE BROWN TROUT, BROOK TROUT AND STEEL HEAD.

BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE GRAYLING BE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> VERY COOL.

TWO-PART DEER HUNTING, WE CAN EMPLOY BOTH OF YOU.

CHAD AND JOE.

WHY THE BAITING BAN?

IT'S MORE OF A DISEASE ISSUE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

RIGHT, CHAD?

>> YEAH.

SO OUR LOWER PENINSULA BAN WAS INSTITUTED.

ONCE WE STARTED NOT ONLY FINDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE BUT STARTED FINDING A FAIRLY BROAD EXPANSE OF CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

OF COURSE WE HAVE HAD A BAITING BAN THAT'S BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR UPWARDS OF 30 YEARS UP IN THE NORTHEAST BECAUSE OF BOVINE TB.

AS WE STARTED FINDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN THE LANDSCAPE AND REALIZING OUR SURVEILLANCE WAS FAIRLY INSUFFICIENT TO REALLY BE ABLE TO TELL SOME OF THE PLACES WE HAVEN'T LOOKED YET, THE DISEASE MIGHT STILL BE THERE, TOO.

IT JUST MADE A LOT OF SENSE FOR US TO BAN IT THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE LOWER PENINSULA.

>> AND THEN THE PUBLIC BODY, THE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION, ALSO INSTITUTED SHOULD IT COME TO A PENINSULA, THERE WOULD BE COMPLETE BAN, TOO?

>> YEAH.

THAT WAS UNDER ONE OF THE CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE RESPONSE PLANS THAT WE HAD.

SO WHEN WE FIRST FOUND IT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA IN 2015.

WE HAD IT ON A THREE-COUNTY AREA THAT THE POINT.

THE MORALE LOOKED THE MORE WE FOUND.

IT WORKED ITS WAY UP TO A NINE COUNTY AREA.

THAT'S WHEN WE FOUND MONTCALM COUNTY.

IT WAS FAIRLY WIDESPREAD THERE.

SO WE HAVE THE PLACES IN JUST NORTHEAST OF GRAND RAPIDS THAT WE ARE FINDING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE.

A COUPLE OF COUNTIES THERE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ANY DISEASE THAT WE HAVE DETECTED.

OF COURSE NOW WE HAVE IN GRATIOT AND ISABELLA.

THEN WE ARE GETTING INTO THE NORTHEAST AND THE T.B.

ZONE.

SO FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE T MADE A LOT OF SENSE TO JUST MAKE A BLANKET BAITING BAN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRETY OF THE LOWER PENINSULA.

>> AND JOE, THE NEXT QUESTION IS, AND WE WILL ANSWER THIS PROBABLY 'TIL THE COWS COME HOME.

OK?

AND, BUT WE ARE GOING TO ANSWER IT AGAIN.

WHY IS IT ALLOWED FOR STORES TO SELL BAIT?

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T -- BAN IT.

>> WE CAN'T CONTROL COMMERCE.

SO ULTIMATELY, AGAIN, STORES CAN SELL APPLES.

THEY CAN SELL CARROTS AND SUGAR BEATS.

PEOPLE CAN BUY THOSE, TRANSPORT THEM UP TO THE UP AND UTILIZE IT.

SO AGAIN, WE CAN'T REGULATE IT.

THERE ARE OTHER AVENUES FOR PEOPLE TO UTILIZE IT WHETHER IT BE FOR LIVESTOCK, SO, YOU WILL SEE IT IN THE GAS STATIONS, UNFORTUNATELY WE KNOW THAT MANY OF IT, MOST OF IT MIGHT BE USED LOCALLY.

AND AGAIN, IF YOU SEE SOMEONE DOING THAT, REACH OUT TO A CONSERVATION OFFICER THROUGH OUR REPORT ALL POACHING HOTLINE.

>> AND THIS QUESTION FROM CLARE AND I CAN ANSWER THIS ONE, BEING AN OLD FOOD FARMER MYSELF, IS -- DNR -- WELL NOT FROM A DNR STANDPOINT I CAN'T.

IS DNR CONCERN ABOUT NITROGEN COULD CAUSE FIRES IN FOOD PLOTS?

NO.

I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE HOW IT COULD EVER D THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN.

NO.

IT'S A DIFFERENT THING.

IT'S IN THE GROUND.

NO.

FOLKS FROM GRAND TRAVERSE WANT TO KNOW, IS IT A FELONY?

AND WHAT IS THE FINE IF YOU DON'T REPORT THIS?

REPORT YOUR KILL WITHIN 72 HOURS?

AND IT WANTS TO KNOW WHERE THE LEGISLATORS STAND ON THE RULING.

IT'S NOT A LEGISLATIVE ISSUE.

IT'S A COMMISSION ISSUE.

>> RIGHT.

THE MANDATORY DEER REGISTRATION WAS PUT FORTH BY OUR NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION.

AGAIN, OUR APPOINTED BODIES THROUGH THE GOVERNOR.

THEY APPOINT THE MEMBERS OF THE NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION.

THEY PUT THE REGULATION IN PLACE AND PER STATUTE, IT'S A 90-DAY MISDEMEANOR.

INDIVIDUAL COURTS WOULD BE THE ONES THAT WOULD SET THE FINE SCHEDULE ON THOSE.

BUT ULTIMATELY AGAIN, I DON'T THINK IT'S TOO MUCH TO ASK OF OUR HUNTERS TO HELP US MANAGE OUR DEER TO GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S BEING HARVESTED.

IN THE PAST, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN BASED ON ESTIMATES WITH OUR SURVEYS AND THE AMOUNT OF FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH BIOLOGISTS, RETURNS ON SURVEYS IS GETTING LESS AND LESS.

THIS PROVIDES US A GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHAT DEER ARE BEING TAKEN.

THEY ARE RUNNING A BUNCH OF STATISTICS ON IT.

IT'S TAKING THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES TO REGISTER THEIR DEER.

HAVE I TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT GOT OUT DURING THE YOUTH SCENES OR EARLY ANTLERLESS SEASON.

THEY SAID IT WASN'T BAD.

YOU DO HAVE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE VERY, YOU KNOW, PASSIONATE ABOUT NOT DOING IT.

BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, IT'S QUICK, SIMPLE, THE DEER MY FAMILY HARVEST, WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.

AND AGAIN, IT'S US ASKING THE SPORTSMEN TO GIVE US SOME HELP IN OUR DEER RESEARCH AND DEER NUMBERS.

>> THE FOLKS FROM CADILLAC WANT TO KNOW, ARE THERE WAYS FOR THE PUBLIC TO GAIN ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAND?

BASICALLY YOU GOTTA ASK.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH, BIGGEST THING IS IF YOU SEE A PRIMARY RIGHT NOW AGAIN WITH WATERFALL SEASON OPENING THIS SATURDAY, IF YOU SEE A FIELD THAT'S GOT A A LOT OF GEESE FLYING IN AND AROUND, REACH OUT.

YOU CAN EITHER GET OLD FASHIONED AND USE A PLAT BOOK TO SEE WHO THE FARM, WHO IT BELONGS TO.

OR THERE ARE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT YOU CAN DO THAT AS WELL.

KNOCK ON SOME DOORS.

ASK FOR SOME PERMISSION.

YOU MIGHT HAVE A FARMER WHO WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY FOR YOU TO GO SHOOT GEESE IN THEIR SOYBEAN FIELDS.

>> AND BOB, I'LL PLUG, WE HAVE SOMETHING CALLED A HUNTER ACCESS PROGRAM, TOO, THAT I WILL PLUG.

WE ACTUALLY PAY MONEY TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS TO OPEN THEIR LAND UP FOR PUBLIC HUNTING.

SO DO A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, MICHIGAN HUNTER ACCESS PROGRAM.

THERE'S A MAP THERE THAT DETAILS THE PROPERTIES AND WHAT SEASONS THEY ARE OPEN FOR, HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS ARE ALLOWED ON A PROPERTY IN A CERTAIN DAY.

IT'S A GREAT WAY TO ACCESS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> OK. >> EXACTLY.

IT'S PRETTY LIMITED?

>> IT IS LIMITED, BUT IT'S JUST ANOTHER OPTION.

>> IT'S AVAILABLE.

>> SOME PEOPLE USE THAT VERY, VERY EFFECTIVELY.

>> YEP.

>> AND, AGAIN, THIS -- THIS NATIONAL GUARD QUESTION KEEPS POPPING UP.

BUT IT'S -- HOW DOES DNR HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE 165,000 ACRES AND GIVE IT TO THE NATIONAL GUARD THAT THE PUBLIC PAID FOR?

WELL MOST OF IT, MOST OF THAT LAND UP THERE IS REVERTED TO THE STATE FOR NONPAID PROPERTY TAXES AND THE STATE COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

SO THEY GAVE IT TO THE DNR TO MANAGE.

SO I DON'T KNOW, THAT ISSUE WILL HAVE TO GO FULL CIRCLE IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT -- WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH IT, BUT BE VIGILANT, FOLKS.

YOU HAVE A STRONG OPINION OF IT, REGISTER IT.

THAT'S ALL YOU CAN DO.

YOU GOTTA TAKE ACTION IF YOU ARE A CITIZEN AND YOU HAVE A STRONG OPINION.

SO -- WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I CAN'T REGISTER DEER, IF I CAN'T GET SERVICE?

PROBABLY THE FIRST YEAR, NOTHING REALLY.

BUT YOU CAN CALL SOMEBODY ELSE AND HAVE THEM DO IT.

>> YEAH.

AGAIN WE ARE TAKING A VERY SOFT EDUCATIONAL APPROACH.

THAT'S NOT TO SAY OFFICERS WON'T BE ISSUING CITATIONS FOR IT.

>> IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK IN ON OCCASION.

YOU KNOW WHERE THAT HILL OR KNOLL IS TO GET CELL SERVICE TO PASS ON INFORMATION TO A FAMILY MEMBER BACK HOME THAT MIGHT HAVE BERT INTERNET CONNECTION WHERE THEY COULD HELP YOU REGISTER IT.

>> USUALLY YOU DO CHECK IN WHEN YOU ARE UP AT DEER CAMP SOMEHOW.

AND, THIS COMES FROM CURTIS, MICHIGAN AND THAT'S NOT IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS.

I KNOW THAT.

BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, I AM -- TAKE A GUESS ON THIS ONE, MARK.

REASON FOR NOT PLANTING WALLEYE IN THE BIG MANISTEE LAKE?

>> YEAH, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

IT COULD BE THAT, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WE STOCK WALLEYE ON AN EVERY-OTHER-YEAR BASIS OR AN EVERY-THIRD-YEAR BASIS.

SO PERHAPS THIS WAS AN OFF YEAR AND THEY JUST WEREN'T PLANNING ON STOCKING THIS YEAR.

TYPICALLY, IF YOU STOCK WALLEYE YEAR AFTER YEAR, WE WILL SEE CANNIBALIZATION WHERE THE ONES STOCKED THE PREVIOUS YEAR EAT THE ONES WE JUST STOCKED SO OFTEN WE WILL SKIP A YEAR SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

SO IT COULD BE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

YEAH.

I MEAN, WE KNOW HOW POPULAR WALLEYE ARE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE TO CATCH THEM.

I KNOW THAT IN THE PAST, THAT WAS A GOOD WALLEYE FISHERY.

SO, I WOULD SAY REACH OUT TO I THINK THAT'S PROBABLY HANDLED OUT OF THE NEWBERRY OFFICE.

IF YOU HAVE THAT QUESTION, MAYBE GET A HOLD OF THOSE FOLKS AND THEY CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THAT QUESTION.

>> QUESTION FROM LUDINGTON HERE.

WHY IS THE DNR EXPANDING THE ROAD AROUND COOPER CREEK, MANISTEE, AND ADDING AN AIRSTRIP.

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH, SO THAT COOPER CREEK AREA, I DON'T THINK THAT'S -- I THINK THAT'S FOREST SERVICE.

>> OH, FOREST SERVICE, NOT DNR?

FEDERAL.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT'S MANISTEE NATIONAL FOREST.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT AN AIRSTRIP THERE.

SO -- CAN'T HELP WITH THAT.

>> OK. OK. WELL -- HEY, ARE THE AMISH EXEMPT FROM THE NEW RULES?

FOLKS FROM RIVERDALE.

BY THE WAY, DOES THE RIVERDALE TAVERN STILL HAVE THE GREAT FROG LEGS?

THAT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS IN GOING IN THAT NECK OF THE WOODS.

BUT, ARE THE AMISH EXEMPT?

>> THEY ARE NOT EXEMPT.

NOR, I MEAN -- EVERYONE HARVESTING A DEER IS REQUIRED TO REGISTER IT.

SO AGAIN, IF YOU HAVE INCIDENCES LIKE THAT, REACH OUT TO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS.

AGAIN, I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE AMISH AND AGAIN THAT LIVE IN AMISH COMMUNITIES.

SOME OF THEM HELP DRIVE THE AMISH AROUND.

SO, IF SOMEONE WHO IS AMISH OR MENNONITE AND HAS, YOU KNOW, THAT DON'T USE TECHNOLOGY, PART OF THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS THAT THEY WILL REACH OUT TO THEIR FRIENDS THAT DO HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO HELP OUT.

BUT AGAIN, IF YOU ARE STUCK IN ONE OF THOSE INSTANCES, CONTACT ONE OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTERS AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP YOU BEST.

>> OK. AND AGAIN, WHY CAN BAIT SHOPS -- WHY ARE THEY SELLING BAIT WHEN IT'S ILLEGAL TO BAIT?

BECAUSE DNR HAS NO AUTHORITY TO BAN ANYBODY FROM SELLING CORN, CARROTS, SUGAR BEETS, NAME WHATEVER YOU BAIT WITH.

THE OTHER THING, TOO, IS WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM TRAVERSE CITY.

THEY ARE WONDERING ABOUT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE, THAT HELP OUT DNR IN DOING RIVER -- I THINK IT'S OH, YEAH IN HELPING RIVERS WITH BRIDGES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I THINK THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT CRA.

RIGHT?

>> YEAH, SO WE WORK WITH A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT HELP US WITH THINGS LIKE HABITAT PROJECTS, HABITAT IMPROVEMENT.

I THINK YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CONSERVATION RESOURCE ALLIANCE OUT OF TRAVERSE CITY IS ONE OF THEM.

WE WORK WITH MICHIGAN TROUT UNLIMITED, INDIVIDUAL TROUT UNLIMITED CHAPTERS, WE WORK WITH WATERSHED COUNCILS.

LIKE THE LITTLE MANISTEE WATERSHED CONSERVATION COUNCIL.

SO YEAH, THERE'S A NUMBER OF CONSERVATION GROUPS THAT HELP US WITH, OR USUALLY WITH OUR TROUT STREAMS, YOU KNOW, TROUT AND SALMON, STEEL HEAD, THOSE TYPES OF STREAMS.

AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT HAVING SPENT A LOT OF MY CAREER UP IN THIS AREA WORKING ON THOSE STREAMS WITHOUT THOSE CONSERVATION GROUPS, WE WOULD NOT GET NEARLY AS MUCH DONE.

THOSE CONSERVATION GROUPS ARE HUGE AND REALLY HELP AND IF YOU FISH FOR TROUT OR SALMON OR STEEL HEAD IN ONE OF OUR STREAMS, YOU SHOULD THANK THOSE CONSERVATION GROUPS BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF GOOD WORK FOR THE FISSURE CATCHING.

>> I CAN REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE TELLING ME, THE REASON YOU LIKED THEM IS THEY CAN GET STUFF DONE THAT YOU CAN'T.

>> YEP.

>> THEY CAN GET THE HABITAT WORK DONE THAT YOU CAN'T.

>> WELL, SO GOING BACK 50 YEARS, YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE DNR, WE HAD CREWS OF PEOPLE.

WE HAD INFINITELY MORE PEOPLE WORKING FOR US THEN THAN WE DO NOW.

AND SO WE, YOU KNOW, BACK THEN, WE COULD SEND CRUISE OF PEOPLE OUT AND SAY OK, WELL, YOU WILL O ON THE LITTLE MANISTEE RIVER THIS SUMMER AND THEY WOULD START AT THE HEADWATERS AND WORK THEIR WAY DOWN AND REVAMP THE RIVER WITH HABITAT WORK.

AS TIME HAS GONE ON AND YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENT HAS SHRUNK, WE HAVE A LOT SMALLER DNR WORKFORCE THAN WE HAD YEARS AGO AND SO, THE MODEL THAT WE USE NOW IS PARTNERSHIPS.

AND WE WORK WITH THESE GROUPS AND WE WORK WITH PRIVATE CITIZENS AND THAT'S HOW WE ARE ABLE TO GET STUFF DONE.

>> COOL.

OK. ALPINA.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR REMOVING DEAD DEER?

THAT'S THE ROAD COMMISSION.

RIGHT?

>> THE ROAD COMMISSION IS, IF IT'S KILLED ON THEIR HIGHWAYS BUT ULTIMATELY IT DOES COME DOWN TO MANY OF THOSE ROAD COMMISSIONS DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER OR THE ABILITY TO REMOVE THEM.

LANDOWNER CAN, YOU KNOW, CHOOSE TO BURY THE CARCASS THEMSELVES OR MOVE THEM INTO AREAS OF THEIR OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY THAT ARE GOING TO BE LESS UNSIGHTLY THAN THEIR FRONT YARDS.

>> AND IF YOU WANT TO HUNT COYOTES AND STUFF, YOU CAN GET PERMITS TO USE THOSE?

USE FOR BAIT FOR VERMIN.

>> MM-HMM.

>> OR COYOTES.

WELL SAME THING, BASICALLY SORT OF.

OK. BLACK LAKE.

I LIVE ON THE LAKE.

CAN I SHOOT DUCKS RIGHT OFF MY BEACH ON BLACK LAKE IN CHEBOYGAN COUNTY?

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES BY THE WAY.

HOME OF THE BIGGEST POPULATION OF INLAND STURGEON.

>> THERE WILL BE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THE THE MOST IMPORTANT WILL BE SAFETY ZONES.

YOU CAN'T DISCHARGE A FIREARM FOR HUNTING PUMPS WITHIN 450 FEET OF AN OCCUPIED OR OCCUPIABLE DWELLING WITHOUT PERMISSION.

BLACK LAKE, WITH THE NUMBER OF HOUSES, YOU WOULD NEED PERMISSION FROM MULTIPLE NEIGHBORS TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT OF YOU IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO HUNT RIGHT OFF YOUR BEACH.

>> OK. AND HOW MANY DEER ARE BEING TESTED?

THIS IS INTERESTING.

TOO.

WHAT'S THE INCIDENT RATE FOR BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS?

ROUGHLY?

>> IT DEPENDS WHERE YOU ARE.

IF YOU ARE IN 452 FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS WE WERE RIGHT AT ABOUT 2% OF WHAT WE WERE TESTING WAS TESTING POSITIVE FOR BOVINE TB.

I THINK LAST YEAR THE NUMBERS WERE A LITTLE BIT LOWER.

SO YOU CAN FACTOR IN ABOUT ONE AND A HALF TO TWO PERCENT IN 452.

FOR 487, SO OUTSIDE OF THAT 452 CORE AREA, YOU ARE REALLY RIGHT AROUND A TWO TENTHS, MAYBE THREE TENTHS OF A PERCENT.

>> OK. AND PROBABLY YOU HAVE A HOT ZONE IN THERE THAT, IN, AND IT'S PROBABLY TREMENDOUS.

>> WE TRY TO BUILD 452 AROUND OUR EPICENTER, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, THE FOUR-CORNER AREA REALLY OF ALPEENA, AND THREE OTHER COUNTIES.

THAT'S REALLY THAT 452 AREA.

GENERALLY THE PREVALENCE RATES THAT WE ARE SEEING IN BOTH OF THOSE TWO UNITS.

>> OK. FOLKS WANT TO KNOW WHY DOESN'T FORESTRY CLEAR-CUT AND LEAVE THE TOPS FOR RABBITS?

WE DON'T HAVE A FORESTER HERE SO, YEAH, THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD ABOUT LEAVING STUFF FOR -- >> YOU KNOW, I WORK WITH TIMBER SALES AND FOREST TREATMENTS THAT ARE OFTEN, IF THEY ARE ANYWHERE NEAR WATER, AND I KNOW I'VE SEEN THAT PRESCRIBED IN SOME TIMBER TREATMENTS.

THE ONLY THING I CAN THINK IS IF YOU ARE TRYING TO REGENERATE ASPEN, THEN YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO LEAVE A LOT OF DEBRIS.

COULD BE JACK PINE AS WELL.

COULD BE REGENERATING JACK PINE FOR WARBLER.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS WHY THEY MAY NOT DO THAT.

I DO KNOW IN SOME TIMBER TREATMENTS I HAVE SEEN THAT PRESCRIPTION WHERE THEY WANT TO LEAVE THAT SLASH, YOU KNOW, FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR HABITAT.

>> HOLY SMOKES.

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

WE HAVE A BUNCH MORE TRESPASSING QUESTIONS, A BUNCH MORE GOOSE QUESTIONS AND WHY ARE TREES GETTING CLEAR-CUT?

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE FORESTRY PROGRAM WHEN THEY ARE CUT ON STATE LAND?

THERE'S JUST A TON OF QUESTIONS.

THEY KEEP COMEING IN LIKE CRAZY.

AND I GOTTA TELL YOU, WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

ONE, ONE QUICK QUESTION HERE I WANT TO ASK.

CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT TRESPASSING ON OPENING DAY?

THIS PERSON IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

>> SO RECREATIONAL TRESPASS, WHAT YOU CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PROPERTY IS POSTED ON ALL SIDES WITH NO TRESPASSING SIGNS.

IF YOU GET PEOPLE TRESPASSING, CONTRACT OR REPORT ALL POACHING HOOT LINE.

MAKE A REPORT, WE WILL GET AN OFFICER DISPATCHED AS POSSIBLE.

1-800-292-7800.

>> AND ACTIONABLE INTELLIGENCE REALLY HELPS.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY, WESTIN AND ELLIE TAKING PHONE CALLS, DAVE, MICHELLE AND MARK, OF COURSE, CHAT STEWART, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND OF COURSE, JOE MOLNAR ALWAYS ON THE PANEL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS AND FOR VIEWING TONIGHT.

AND, FABULOUS PHONE OPERATORS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INQUISITIVE QUESTIONS.

LOOK FORWARD TO CHATTING WITH YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME NEXT APRIL ON ASK THE DNR.