>> HEY, WELCOME TO ANOTHER EDITION OF "ASK THE DNR," TONIGHT WE ASK YOUR OUTDOOR QUESTIONS TO OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS.

THAT'S COMING UP ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> HEY, WELCOME, BACK, FOLKS, GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US TONIGHT.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE SOME HOUSEKEEPING THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW.

BEFORE I INTRODUCE THE FOLKS WHO ANSWER THE PHONES, THE TIGERS WON TONIGHT.

THE TIGERS WON TONIGHT, THEY'RE MOVING ON AND GOING ONTO SEATTLE ON SATURDAY, MARK?

>> YEP.

>> MARK CANNON HAS THE WHOLE TRIP DOWN AND I HAD MY DOUBTS.

I STILL HAD MY DOUBTS.

[LAUGHTER] >> BUT, AT LEAST THEY WON AND THEY ARE MOVING ON.

GO TIGERS.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE TWO OF THE FOLKS THAT WILL BE TAKING YOUR PHONE CALLS, AND THEY'RE SITTING IN THE GREEN ROOM BACK HERE.

THE FIRST PERSON IS SUE S. IN THE LEFT.

SUSIE IS RIGHT THERE.

THEN, DAVE HOP, YOU SEE HIM INVOLVED WITH THE WARDEN'S TELEVISION SHOW.

THERE ON THE RIGHT IS MY MAIN SQUEEZE, THAT'S MY DEAR WIFE, BETH GARNER IS THERE.

YOU WILL GET ONE OF THOSE THREE PEOPLE IF YOU CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

PLEASE DO THAT, TOO.

IT IS FUN WHEN WE GET A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND THIS SHOW DOES THAT.

WE HAVE WITH US TONIGHT, OF COURSE, ON MY RIGHT OVER HERE IS LIEUTENANT GERALD T. JOY MUELLER COULD NOT BE HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE HE'S ON A MOOSE HUNT WITH DEAN.

>> WITH DEAN.

>> YES, THANK YOU, JOE, GLAD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

OF COURSE, IN THE MIDDLE IS THE PATRIARCH OF THE FOLKS WHO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

THIS IS THE 32nd TIME THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS OR MAYBE MORE.

>> WHO'S COUNTING?

>> THAT YOU FILLED IN.

BUT, MARK, IT IS JUST ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE MARK.

ALWAYS GOOD AND ALWAYS APPRECIATE IT, TOO.

BEEN WITH US A LONG TIME.

AND OUR WILDLIFE BIOLOGYIST, YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD MAKE IT IN HERE TONIGHT.

>> I DIDN'T THINK SO.

>> HOW THINGS WORKED OUT.

>> YES, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT IS ALWAYS FUN TO HAVE YOU HERE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS BUT FIRST ONE, MARK WILL GO, COMPLETELY IF WE DON'T GET TO THIS.

SO, RIGHTFULLY SO BECAUSE IT IS ALSO INTERESTING NEWS.

HOW IS THE SALMON TAKE ON THE MANATEE >> I JUST SPENT THREE DAYS WORKING AND HOPING TO TAKE IN CHINOOK EGGS.

WE GOT IN THREE BAKED DAYS AND WE GOT OUR ENTIRE QUOTA FOR OUR HATCHERIES.

WE HAVE TWO DAYS SCHEDULED TO GET EGGS FOR INDIANA AND ILLINOIS.

HOPEFULLY, THAT'LL BE TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND THEN WE'LL PULL THE WER AND WE'LL BE DONE.

FISHERS ARE REALLY SMALL THIS YEAR.

WE DID HAVE ONE BIG, 28 POUNDS CAME IN.

WE MADE SURE WE TOOK HER EGGS.

YES, IT IS GONE VERY WELL.

LOTS OF FISH.

>> IF SOMEBODY SHOWS UP, THEY CAN SEIZE - >> YES, IT IS A PUBLIC FACILITY.

WE LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE COME AND WATCH AND ASK QUESTIONS AND GET UP CLOSE, AND WE'LL EVEN LET YOU TOUCH THE FISH IF YOU WANT TO.

WE LOVE IT WHEN THE PUBLIC SHOWS UP AND WATCH IT.

IT IS QUITE THE SHOW.

>> IT IS GOOD AS IT GETS.

SO, YES, I ALWAYS LIKE THOSE TRIPS.

>> AND HUNTER APPRECIATION DEER DROP IN ON MONDAY.

IS THAT WHERE YOU ARE HAVING COFFEE WITH FOLKS OR THINGS LIKE THAT?

>> THERE MAY BE COFFEE THERE.

I NOTICE SOME OF THE OPERATION THERE THAT CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS DIFFERENT SNACKS.

WHAT IT IS IS A NEW PROGRAM THAT WE DID.

WE DID IT AFTER THE YOUTH SEASON THIS YEAR WHERE WE OPEN OUR OFFICE UP AND BASICALLY INVITED PEOPLE TO INTO BRING THEIR DEER IN AND GET IT AGED AND WE HAVE SOME GOODY BAGS FOR THEM.

WE ARE GIVING THINGS OUT.

IT IS OUR WAY TO BASICALLY SAY THANK YOU FOR GETTING OUT AND COME IN AND SHOW OFF YOUR DEER AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR STORY AND GET OUT THERE AND ASK QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE IT.

THIS NEXT ONE COMING UP IS NOVEMBER 17TH.

WE GOT A SATURDAY OPENER THIS YEAR.

>> OH YES.

AT MOST OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER.

WE GOT STAFF THERE.

BRING IT IN, WE GOT PATCHES AND DIFFERENT STICKERS AND OTHER GOODIES FOR PEOPLE TO GIVE OUT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO AGE YOUR DEER FOR YOU AND HEAR YOUR STORY ABOUT HOW YOUR DAY WENT OR WEEKEND WENT.

JUST COME IN AND SAY HI.

LET US SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING A HUNTER.

>> HAVE A LITTLE CHAT.

>> EXACTLY.

>> EXACTLY.

LIEUTENANT THARE, PEOPLE ARE WONDERING HOW THEY COULD GET A TURKEY LICENSE FOR THE FALL?

THEY'RE STILL AVAILABLE, RIGHT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU CAN GET A TURKEY LICENSE A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS AND GOING IN AND BUYING IT IN-PERSON.

THE NEW WAY IS KIND OF FUN.

WE DO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THIS.

YOU CAN USE THE HUNTING FISH APP THAT WE HAVE.

>> YES.

>> IF YOU HAVE THAT HANDY APP AND YOU BUY THE E LICENSE ON THERE, YOU CAN GET IT IMMEDIATELY.

YOU CAN BUY A DAY OFF AND GO OFF AND HUNT.

THE OTHER COOL THING ABOUT IT IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO PHYSICALLY TAG YOUR TURKEY ANYMORE.

YOU JUST REGISTER RIGHT ONLINE THROUGH THE HUNT AND FISH APP.

>> OKAY.

>> IT IS REALLY KIND OF AN NIFTY THING.

MAKING IT CONVENIENT WITH OUR HUNTERS.

>> MOVING ALONG WITH THE TIMES, HUH?

>> IT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE, I DON'T KNOW IF CHAD CAN ADD ANYTHING WITH THIS.

WE ARE TESTING E LICENSES WITH OUR FALL TURKEY SEASON.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN HAVE SOME GOOD RESULTS WITH IT.

WE HAD IT LAST FALL, TOO.

PERHAPS, WE HAVE IT IN THE SPRING?

>> YES, YES, WE GONE OVER TO ALL TURKEYS AND I THINK GOING INTO NEXT YEAR, WE'LL EXPAND THAT EVEN FURTHER AND CERTAINLY EVEN INTO DEER.

IT WILL BE AN OPTION.

IT WON'T BE A REQUIREMENT BUT IT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FOLKS IF THEY WANT TO PURSUE THAT.

>> WE'LL MEET IN EARLY APRIL, RIGHT, MARK?

>> YEP.

>> IF WE ARE OFFERED A CHANCE TO COME BACK.

I AM SURE PUBLIC TELEVISION WILL DO THAT.

>> THE CHANGE I WANT TO ADD THOUGH IF I DIDN'T MAKE IT CLEAR WAS WHEN WE HAD THE E LICENSE LAST TIME, YOU HAD TO PHYSICALLY TAG - >> MAKE UP YOUR OWN TAGS.

>> SO, WE ARE STREAMLINING THINGS.

YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THAT ANYMORE.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE REGISTERED ON THE APP, YOU ARE GOOD TO GO.

>> OKAY, OKAY.

ANOTHER STEAL HEAD QUESTION, WHAT CHANGES ARE MADE ON TYPE THREE AND TYPE FOUR STRINGS?

>> YES, WE CLEANED IT UP A LITTLE BIT.

WE WORKED WITH THE DRC.

THERE HAS BEEN A 23 MINIMUM.

IF THEY WANT TO HARVEST A STEEL HEAD, A LOT OF TIME THE SKIPPER IS A PERFECT ONE.

THERE IS NO 20 INCH MINIMUM.

THE SELECT STREAMS THAT THE NRC CHOSE, THEY DO HAVE A ONE STEEL HEAD LIMIT BUT THERE IS NO - IT IS JUST A TEN INCH MINIMUM.

OUR ONE RAINBOW TROUT LIMIT AND A TEN INCH MINIMUM.

IT DOES NO MATTER WHAT SIZE IT IS.

ONE SECTION IS THE MUSKKEGAN RIVER.

WE WANTED PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO HARVEST THEM.

SON THAT RIVER, YOU CAN HARVEST FIVE RAINBOW TROUT BUT ONLY ONE OVER 20 INCHES.

>> OKAY, THAT'S HOW YOU WILL DIFFERENTIATE.

OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE.

AND SOMEBODY IS SAYING HEY, I DON'T HAVE A SMARTPHONE OR A COMPUTER, SO HOW DO I MAKE MY REPORT ON TAKING A DEER OR TURKEY?

>> THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR SMARTPHONE OR INTERNET ACCESS.

ONE - YOU CAN FIND SOMEONE THAT DOES.

IF YOU HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS, ALL YOU NEED IS YOUR LICENSE NUMBER.

>> GO TO ANY CITY AND WATCH PEOPLE AROUND THAT THEY WILL HAVE A SMARTPHONE.

>> OTHER FRIENDS OR FAMILY CAN REPORT IT FOR YOU.

TWO - GIVE OUR STAFF A CALL.

THE FRONT DESK OR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER.

THEY ARE GREAT.

THEY PROBABLY HELP PEOPLE AND REPORT OVER A THOUSAND DEER A YEAR ACROSS THE STATE FOR OTHER FOLKS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS.

THERE IS ACTUALLY A PHONE IN OPTION AS WELL.

IF YOU CALL OUR MAIN WILDLIFE LINE, THAT'S 517-284-WILD.

>> IT WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH AN AUTOMATED PHONE SYSTEM AS WELL.

IT TAKES LONGER BECAUSE THEY GO THROUGH EACH QUESTION INDIVIDUALLY.

IT DOES TAKE A LOT LONGER THAN THE ONLINE VERSION.

YOU GOT THREE DIFFERENT OPTIONS TO REPORT YOUR HARVEST THIS YEAR.

>> OKAY, THANKS MUCH, CHAD.

FACEBOOK - THIS ONE CAME UP, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 2,000 WALLEYE?

DID YOU PLANT IT AGAIN?

>> YES, WE PLANT IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.

GOING BACK A FEW MONTHS N NOW.

WE HAD A GOOD YEAR OF WILDLIFE PRODUCTION, WE WERE ABLE TO GET CAUGHT UP.

90% IT GOT STOCKED IN THE CASE IT DIDN'T, IT WOULD MOVE TO THE TOP OF THE LIST FOR NEXT YEAR.

WE DO STOCK TIPPY POND ON EVERY OTHER YEAR.

>> GOOD WILDLIFE FISHERIES.

>> A LOT OF DIFFERENT DEER SPECIES, REGULATION OF HAVING.22 CALIBER RIFLES IN THE WOODS, STILL APPLY?

YOU CAN'T HAVE IT WITH A 22 RIM FIRE, 223 OR -- CORRECT.

>> ANYWAY, LET ME READ IT AGAIN WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT DEER AND HAVING REGULATION HAVING A.22 CALIBER RIFLE IN THE WOODS STILL APPLY?

CAN YOU HAVE A 22 IN THE WOODS DURING THAT?

>> YOU CAN AND OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE A SMALL HUNTER.

SO, YOU CAN DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

YOU CAN'T HUNT DEER WITH A 22.

AS YOU STATED THAT WOULD BE AGAINST THE DEER RAGS.

>> IT IS REALLY FUNNY BECAUSE MY FIRST GUN SEASON, THIS WOULD BE MY 59TH OPENING DAY IN A ROW.

I AM AN OLD GUY, OKAY?

WHEN YOU HUNTED IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN, YOU CAN USE A 22 LONG RIFLE, TOTALLY LEGAL BACK THEN.

IS THAT CRAZY?

>> DIDN'T KNOW.

>> ANYWAY, WHAT ARE THE REGULATIONS FOR RIDING A WHEEL VEHICLE ON A FRESHLY GROOMED SNOW MOBILE TRAIL?

FOLKS FROM MOUPT PLEASANT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT.

>> IT IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE TWO USER GROUPS.

CERTAIN TRAILS HAVE CERTAIN REGULATIONS WHEN YOU CAN AND WHEN YOU CAN'T.

THE AREA WHICH YOU ARE RIDING.

THE PROBLEM IS IF SOME OF OUR SNOW WHEEL TRAILS ARE MIXED TRAIL WITH RV TRAILS, THAT'S WHERE THE CONFLICT COMES IN.

I RECOMMEND CALLING THE DISTRICT'S OFFICE AND ASKING THOSE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN DO OR CANNOT DO.

>> YES, IF SOMETHING THE CADILLAC AREA, THOSE FOLKS, CADILLAC OFFICERS.

REALLY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL.

THEY WANT YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING, TOO.

SO, FOR ELK RAPIDS, SENIOR CITIZEN TRIED TO PURCHASE IT ONLINE AND TRIED TO PURCHASE IT FULL PRICE.

MUST HAVE HIT A WRONG BUTTON, I WOULD THINK.

I BOUGHT MINE ON LIFE AND IT SEEMED TO WORK FINE.

>> I AM NOT SURE.

WE CAN CHECK IN WITH OUR LICENSING FOLKS.

IT SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO TAKE THE SENIOR DISCOUNT AND LICENSE WHEN YOU PURCHASE IT.

IF YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, YOU CAN ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, WE ISSUE REFUNDS ON THINGS BEFORE.

IF YOU DO THAT AND YOU FIND OUT YOU PURCHASED THE WRONG THING, JUST REACH OUT TO OUR STAFF AND WE CAN MAKE IT RIGHT FOR YOU.

# >> OKAY.

CHAD, HERE IS A BEAUTIFUL QUESTION FOR YOU.

THIS ONE COMES FROM MESA.

>> OKAY.

>> MESA.

YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THAT IS.

>> YES, I AM DOWN THERE.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHO THIS MAY HAVE COME FROM.

HOW MUCH DAMAGE IS DNR THINK AGRICULTURE CULTURE CAN STAND BEFORE THEY DO SOMETHING SERIOUS ABOUT THE RUN AWAY DEER.

IS THERE ANYTHING MORE YOU COULD DO?

>> WE GOT LIBERALS SEASON.

WE GOT -- WE ISSUED CROP DAMAGE PERMITS.

WE HAD ABOUT 10,000 DEER REPORTED THIS YEAR BY FARMERS AND LANDOWNERS TAKEN OUT OF SEASON.

WE OBVIOUSLY LOVE TO SEE THOSE DEER TAKEN DURING THE FALL SEASON RATHER THAN HAVE TO DO THIS DURING THE SUMMER.

WE UNDERSTAND THERE IS A GROWING DEER HERD.

WE HAVE A DECLINING HUNTER POPULATION.

IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGER CHALLENGES WE'LL BE FACING OVER THE NEXT COUPLING YEARS IS A LOT OF DEER IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN AND THAT'S LEADING TO A LOT OF CONFLICT, BOTH IN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AND THE ROADS AS WELL.

WE WOULD LOVE TO GET A BETTER HANDLE ON OUR DEER HERD ESPECIALLY THOSE OVER IN BUNDLE PLACES.

THAT'S EASIER SAID AND DONE.

>> IT IS CRAZY.

>> IT IS A VERY LOCALIZE.

SO, IT IS VERY CHALLENGING.

>> AND THE OTHER THING YOU COULD DO, TOO IS A FRIEND OF MINE FROM FARM BUREAU, HE RELEASES HIS PROPERTY AND HE WAS RELUCTANT TO MAKE THEM SHOOT THOSE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SHOOT BUCKS.

YOU GOT A DEER PROBLEM, YOU ARE THE LANDOWNER, 85% OF THE DEER ARE MORE ARE KILLED ON PRIVATE LAND.

IF YOU ARE THE LANDOWNER AND YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, I THINK I OUGHT TO BE TELLING THOSE GUYS -- >> BOB, ONE OUT OF EVERY MICHIGAN HUNTERS KILLED A DEER.

WE NEED THAT NUMBER BE A LOT HIGHER.

MOST HUNTERS IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL, WE'LL ONLY TAKE ONE.

THE MATH IS NOT GOING TO WORK TO REDUCE THE POPULATION IN A PLACE LIKE SOUTHERN MICHIGAN LIKE THAT.

>> SO, YES, JUST DO WHAT YOU CAN AS A LANDOWNER AND MAKE SURE YOUR HERDS ARE IN BALANCE.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE POPULATION IS - WE GOT A LOT OF DEER.

>> SNOW SHOOTS ARE VERY HABITANT-DEPENDENT.

I DON'T WANT TO STEP TOO FAR OUT ON THAT BRANCH BECAUSE I AM NOT ON EXPERT ON IT BY ANY MEANS.

IT IS ALSO A POPULATION THAT TENDS TO CYCLE.

SO YOU TEND TO SEE THESE IN THEIR POPULATION.

I AM NOT SURE WHERE WE ARE AT IN OUR CYCLE.

>> AND THE OTHER THING WITH SHOW SHOES HAIRS, TOO IS IF THE SNOW IS NOT THERE, THEY HAVE NO PROTECTION.

THEY ARE LIKE WATCHING SHEETS OF NEWSPAPERS GOING THROUGH THE FOREST.

YOU PROBABLY SAW THAT ONE WHEN YOU WERE IN THE UP.

>> I DID.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> IT IS ALMOST SAD.

THEY GOT NO PROTECTION.

OKAY, WHY CAN WE NOT SHOOT A BOB CAT AT NIGHT?

THIS QUESTION COMES IN FROM HALE.

>> BOY, THE BACKGROUND TO THAT, I GUESS I AM SHOT SURE.

YOU KNOW THE BACKGROUND BEHIND THAT LAW, BY CHANCE?

>> I DO NOT KNOW.

WE MAY HAVE TO GET BACK WITH YOU ON THAT.

WE MAY NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON THE PANEL TO ANSWER THAT.

>> WELL, YES.

WE'LL CALL JOE WHEN HE GETS BACK TO CADILLAC.

>> CALL WHEN HE'S IN NEW FINLAND.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE HIS TELEPHONE NUMBER?

WE COULD DO THAT.

>> YOU GUYS ARE GOOD.

>> OKAY.

ANYWAY, WHAT DOES SOMEBODY HAVE TO DO TO GET THEIR DEER SEED TESTED?

>> TAKE THE KUDOS AS LONG AS YOU CAN GET THEM.

WE GOT REALLY AND SORT OF A NEW AND UNIQUE SYSTEM THIS YEAR.

WE PILED IT THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS BUT WE MADE IT STATEWIDE THIS YEAR.

HUNTERS COULD GET THEIR DEER TESTED THROUGH A SELF-SERVICE TEST KIT NOW.

THIS INDIVIDUAL WANTS TO TEST THEIR DEER FOR CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE.

GO ON OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK UP MICHIGAN DNR, TEST KIT.

IT WILL BRING UP AN OPTION WHERE WE HAVE ALL THE DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS YOU CAN PICK THESE KITS UP, THERE ARE INFORMATION INCLUDED ON HOW TO PULL OUT LIMP NODES OUT OF THE DEER'S NECK.

IT IS VERY EASY.

ITS GOT A PREPAID STAMP ON THE PACKAGE.

EVERYTHING IS PAID ON ON RN.

IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, YOU WILL GET THE RESULTS FOR YOUR TEST BACK.

WE ARE MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY.

WE REALIZE THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE DEMAND FOR THIS.

IT IS MUCH MORE EFFICIENT TO GET OUR TESTS DONE THIS WAY THAN TO HAVE OUR SEASONAL WORKERS SITTING AT CHECK STATION WORKING FOR EIGHT OR 10 HOURS A DAY THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BRING IT IN.

WE GOT THIS DISTRIBUTED ALL AROUND THE STATE.

THEY ARE FREE.

EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS FREE.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> PERFECT.

>> THAT'S A GREAT SOLUTION.

>> THEN, GERALD, IS THERE A PERMIT TO BAIT?

>> BOY, THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT COMES UP RECENTLY AND I DON'T THINK WE DECIDED TO GO WITH THAT.

>> WELL.

THE SHORT ANSWER IS NO.

WE DO NOT HAVE A PERMIT DEBATE.

>> THERE IS BEEN AN INTRODUCED BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT'S PROPOSING THAT.

IT CERTAINLY NOT THE DNR'S IDEA TO BRING IT FORWARD.

>> WE'LL SEE WHERE ELECTED OFFICIALS GO WITH THAT.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THAT IT HAS A LOT OF JUICE.

I DON'T KNOW.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON.

>> THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN LANSING RIGHT NOW AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS FALLS IN TERMS OF PRIORITY LIST.

THE BAITING LICENSE IS NOT COMING FROM THE DNR AND RIGHT NOW IT DOES NOT EXIST.

>> A QUESTION FOR -- IT IS PRETTY EXCITING, IS IT?

>> YES.

>> WELL, ALTHOUGH THE NEW I HAVE HEARD HAS NOT BEEN GREAT.

THE ONE I AM MOST FAMILIAR WITH IS THE MINORITY BRANCH OF THE MANESTEE.

I TALKED TO TRIBAL FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN A PARTNER WITH US.

THEY WERE OUT DOING FISHING THE OTHER DAY AND HAVE NOT FOUND ANY OF THEM.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO WATCH IN THE SYSTEM, THE IOWA INDIANS, THEY'LL SHELTER THEIR AGREEMENT AND ALLOTMENT.

THEIRS IS A LITTLE BIGGER.

WE'LL BE WAITING TO SEE THAT STRATEGY PAYS DIVIDEND.

I AM GUESSING THAT'S NOT GREAT NEWS BUT I COULD BE WRONG.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PARTNERS AND IF ACTUALLY, NOT PRIMARILY A DNR INITIATIVE.

IT IS A GROUP VENTURE AND CHARTER LIMITED.

I MENTION THREE DIFFERENT NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT FUNDERS AND PARTNERS.

WE'LL KEEP DOING IT AND WE'LL SEE WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM IT.

>> SEE WHAT YOU CAN LEARN.

>> THAT'S FISHERY MANAGEMENT IN A NUTSHELL.

OH, MARK, KIND OF A COOL QUESTION FROM VANDERBILT.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE SALMON EGGS ONCE YOU TAKE THEM?

>> WITH THE SALMON EGGS, OKAY.

WITH THE EGGS, WE FERTILIZE THEM RIGHT THERE ON-SITE AND WE WATER THEM AND WE PUT IN IODINE TO KILL ANY DISEASE THAT MAY BE ON THEM.

WE SHIP THEM, SAME DAY RIGHT TO OUR HATCHERIES.

>> THE MAIN HATCHERIES ARE - >> THE ONES THAT HANDLE CHINOOK DOWN BY KALAMAZOO AND UP BY HONOR, I GUESS?

>> OKAY, HERE WE GO WITH A LOT OF QUESTIONS, GERALD.

OKAY, WHEN RIFLE DEER HUNTING, CAN YOU CARRY A SIDE ARM, ANY CALIBER OR DO YOU NEED A SMALL GAME LICENSE IF YOU DO?

>> SO, TWO PARTS OF THAT QUESTION.

THE SECOND PART MAY NEED SOME EXPLANATION TO IT.

ABSOLUTELY, YOU CAN CARRY YOUR SIDE ARM WHEN YOU ARE DEER HUNTING, RIFLE DEER HUNTING, YOU CAN.

IF YOU ARE BOW HUNTING DURING THE BOW SEASON, YOU NEED YOUR CPL LICENSE TO BE ABLE TO CARRY THAT.

THE SECOND PART OF THAT QUESTION, CAN YOU READ IT AGAIN FOR ME, BOB?

>> OH, YES.

DO YOU NEED A SMALL GAME LICENSE?

>> OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU ARE DEER HUNTING.

IF YOU ARE OUT AND ABOUT AND TARGET SHOOTING OR YOU HAVE THE PISTOL UNDER THE GUIDE OF YOUR CPL LICENSE, YOU DO NOT NEED A BASE LICENSE.

IF YOU ARE A TARGET SHOOTING THOUGH, YOU HAVE TO BE TARGET SHOOTING AT REAL TARGET, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO ATTEMPT TO TAKE GAIN.

>> THAT'S A STAKE RAIL A LITTLE BIT.

>> OKAY, WHEN A DNR HUNDREDS AGAINST HUNGER, I DON'T THINK THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT.

THEIR TRAILERS FULL OF DEER, DO THEY ALL GO INTO HARVEST REPORT ALSO?

WHEN SOMEBODY TAKES A DEER DURING THE OFFSEASON UNDER CROP DAMAGE - >> YEP, YOU CAN GO RIGHT NOW ON OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK UP THE DEER HARVEST AND WE GOT A DROP DOWN MENU THERE THAT SAYS, I THINK IT SAYS DEER DAMAGE.

THAT'S OUR OUT OF SEASON.

SO, YOU CAN SIT THERE AND LOOK AT EVERY DEER THAT'S BEEN REPORTED FROM THE SUMMER AND THAT ALSO GETS ADDED ON FOR THE END SEASON STUFF AS WELL.

SO, YOU CAN QUERY THAT BY OUT OF SEASON, IN SEASON.

I THINK WE HAD ABOUT 10,000 DEER REPORTED THIS YEAR STATEWIDE FOR OUT OF SEASON.

>> OH, OKAY.

>> I WILL TAKE THIS QUESTION MYSELF.

WHY IS SEN RATE SO EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO SOUTH CAROLINA?

>> DON'T KNOW.

THE LEGISLATURES SET THE RATES.

FOLKS, WRITE THIS ONE DOWN BECAUSE IT COMES UP EVERY TIME.

THE DNR CANNOT DECIDE LICENSE FEES.

IT IS DONE BY THE LEGISLATURES, THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

SO, SEND YOUR LEGISLATURE, GIVE THEM A PHONE CALL AND SEND THEM A LETTER AND TELL THEM YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE SAME RATES AS SOUTH CAROLINA.

WE HAVE AN AWFUL LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY FISHING IN THIS STATE THAT ARE PRETTY DOG-GONE GOOD.

FROM CADILLAC, SALMON, A VIDEO, WHY WAS NOTHING DONE?

HE WOULD HAVE TO KNOW, >> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

CALL OUR WRAP LINE IMMEDIATELY AND WITH ANY LUCK, WE'LL HAVE ANSWER OFFICER IN THE AREA THAT CAN RESPOND TO THAT.

OUR OFFICERS, THAT'S NOT MY PART OF THE STATE UP THERE.

WE HAVE THAT SIMILAR PROBLEM DOWN IN SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN.

>> OH, YOU DO.

>> AND CERTAIN AREAS NOT QUITE AS MUCH THAT'S THE TYPE OF ACTIVITY THAT WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WE DON'T APPRECIATE.

SO, WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE COMPLAINTS AND RESPOND TO HIM.

OUR OFFICERS DO ACTIVELY PATROL THE AREA THAT TAKES PLACE QUITE A BIT.

SO MANY OFFICERS IN THE STATE, WE CAN'T BE OUT THERE 24/7.

WE APPRECIATE THE COMPLAINS THAT COME IN ON THOSE THINGS.

ONE THING I MENTION TOO IS THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN TRIBAL BECAUSE TRIBAL FISHERIES DO HAVE DIFFERENT REGULATIONS THAT I BELIEVE DO INVOLVE SOME TIMES THE ABILITY TO SPEAR SALMON.

I DON'T THINK THE TRIBES, THE TRIBAL MEMBERS DO THAT A LOT.

IT WOULD NOT BE UNHEARD OF.

THE OTHER THING I WILL MENTION IS THE BETSY RIVER IS IN MY AREA.

IT IS A KNOWN SALMON HOT SPOT.

IT IS A PHENOMENAL SALMON RIVER AND OUR OFFICERS WORK THAT VERY HARD.

IF YOU HAD VIDEO OF IT HAPPENING.

YOU CONTACTED THE WRAP LINE, I CAN GUARANTEE THEY'RE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH YOU AND FOLLOWING UP WITH YOU TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT BECAUSE THEY PROTECT THAT RIVER PRETTY ADAMANTLY.

>> IT IS A BOLSTER THE, ONCE IN A WHILE, A FEW OF MY OFFICERS WILL GO UP AND HELP, TOO.

>> A LOT OF FUN.

>> WE USED TO HAVE OFFICERS COMING FROM ALL AREAS IN THE STATE TO WORK THAT.

I AM SURE THEY DO NOW.

>> MARK, KIND OF THE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW TO IMPROVE FISH HABITAT IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN RIVERS?

>> THE BIGGEST THING HAPPENING RIGHT NOW -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY ONE BIG THING BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY IS DAMS.

I AM IN INVOLVED IN DAM REMOVALS.

I NEVER DREAMT THAT THE AMOUNT OF TIME I WOULD SPEND ON DAM ISSUES, DAM REMOVALS IN MY CAREER, YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED.

I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.

ONE ISSUE THAT'S BECOMING BIG TOO IS THE NUMBER OF DNR OWNED DAMS AND THE NUMBER OF FISHERIES DIVISION OWNED DAMS.

I KNOW MY COUNTERPARTS ARE HAVING TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT, A LOT OF DAMS, DAMS HAVE A FINITE LIFESPAN.

ONCE THEY REACH THE END OF THAT, IT IS EITHER YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR THEM OR REMOVE THEM AND RESTORE THE RIVER.

SO, IT CAN BE VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE BUT I WOULD SAY DAMS IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST ONE.

I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH THAT IN MY MANAGEMENT AREA THAT I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF DAM REMOVALS THAT HAVE BENEFITED THE STREAMS.

>> YOU WORKED WITH CONSERVATION RESOURCE?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> I HAVE PARTNERED WITH THEM FOR 25 YEARS AND THEY HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC PARTNER.

PARTNERS WITH OTHER GROUPS, TOO AND WHITE WATER SHED PARTNERSHIPS.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS GOING ON.

I WOULD SAY THE BIGGEST ISSUE GOING ON OUR RIVERS WOULD BE DAMS.

>> FIXING A LOT OF RIVERS AT THIS POINT IN TIME WITH THE CRA, I KNOW THAT.

INTERESTING QUESTION HERE, PROBABLY NOT SO MUCH FOR YOU, CHAD, UNLESS YOU GET DEER ON BOAT DOCKS.

IF A HOMEOWNER HAS A DOCK, IS IT LEGAL FOR HIM TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT F FISHENERS DOCK THAT THEY CAN'T FISH THERE.

IF YOU CAN TELL PEOPLE THEY COULD FISH IN OPEN WATER, YOU COULD BE GUILTY OF FISHING.

>> POSSIBLY AS A PUBLIC WATER WAYS.

IT IS LIKE THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, RIGHT?

EVEN THOUGH IT IS MY PUBLIC AND THE PUBLIC HAS THE RIGHT TO BE THERE AND WALK THERE.

JOG WALK OR RUN OR WALK THEIR DOGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

SAME APPLIES TO A WATER WAY.

WE ASK OUR ANGLERS TO BE RESPECTFUL AROUND PRIVATE DOCKS AND BOATS AND DO THEIR BEST TO DING LER OFF OF SOMEBODY'S NICE AND SHINY BOATS.

SOMETIMES THAT HAPPEN.

WE ASK THEM TO BE RESPECTFUL.

AS FAR AS THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS TO BE THERE, TA HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE THERE AND DO THEIR FISHING.

>> JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

INTERESTED IF THERE ARE ANY DISEASE REPORTS IN GRESHAM COUNTY.

SEEN MUCH OF IT THIS YEAR?

>> YES, IT IS IMPACTING JACKSON.

WE GOT CONFIRMATION IN 11 DIFFERENT COUNTIES.

I DON'T THINK GRESHAM IS ONE OF THEM.

WE GOT REPORTS IN COUNTIES ALL AROUND THERE.

I AM NOT SURPRISED THAT A FEW DEER DIED FROM IT.

WE ARE NOT GETTING A LOT OF REPORT OUT OF THAT AREA.

THE HOT SPOTS THIS YEAR SEEMED TO BE DOWN AROUND JACKSON AND ALL THE WAY THROUGH ANN ARBOR.

THEY'RE REALLY TAKING ON THE CHIN RIGHT NOW.

>> PRETTY TOUGH RIGHT NOW, HUH?

>>> THEY ARE LOSING QUITE A FEW.

WE GOT A LOT OF DEER COMING IN AND BEING REPORTED LOST IN THOSE AREAS AND I THINK PEOPLE IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS ARE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH HUNTING SEASON BECAUSE OF THE OUTBREAK.

>> OKAY.

>> THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE.

YES, YOU CAN DO THAT.

>> OKAY.

AS LONG AS IT IS PUBLIC.

DON'T BE TRESPASSING ON SOMEONE'S PROPERTY.

ANYTHING DNR CAN DO TO HELP.

>> YES, THERE IS.

>> THE FIRST THING IS YOU GOT TO TELL US SO I HEARD ABOUT IT TWO SUMMERS AGO.

I NEVER HEARD THIS PAST SUMMER.

WE ACTUALLY HAD INITIATED CONTACT WITH U.S.

OFFICIAL WILDLIFE AND SERVICE.

THE U.S.

WILDLIFE SERVICE CAN.

A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, WE INITIATED CONTACT WITH THEM AND BASICALLY THE CONVERSATION WAS STAY TUNED.

IF WE START GETTING REPORTS IN, YOU KNOW, EARLY SUMMER OF EARLY '25, WE'LL GET THE FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE INVOLVED.

I NEVER HEARD ANYTHING.

SO, I ASSUMED IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH FOF US WHERE I CAN LOOK AND SEE WHERE IT IS.

IF THERE IS A PROBLEM, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME OR WHEREVER YOUR DNR BIOLOGISTS IS.

>> SOME RIVER AND IT IS PROBABLY STRONGER IN CANADA.

I DO FISH ONTARIO OCCASIONALLY.

>> SAME QUESTION FROM TRAVERS CITY.

>> AT THE MOMENT.

IT SEEMS LIKE THAT'S ONE THAT'S CONTROVERSIAL LITERALLY FROM MY ENTIRE CAREER.

AT THE MOMENT, THERE IS STILL A PROGRAM AND WHERE WE STOCK THEM WITH AND WHAT THEY SEEM TO DO REAL WELL AND CREATE SOME FISHERIES.

>> SOMEBODY I THINK IS KIND OF A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED BUT I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION THEY ARE ASKING FROM MOUNT PLEASANT.

WHY IS IT ALWAYS GUILTY BEFORE PROVEN GUILTY FOR DNR OFFICERS?

>> THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

WE ARE AMERICANS, YOU HAVE YOUR RIGHTS AND WE RESPECT THOSE RIGHTS.

HE OR SHE HAS TO ASK THE QUESTION.

THAT MAY FEEL THEY ARE IMPLYING THAT YOU ARE GUILTY.

IT IS NEVER COMFORTABLE TO BE ASKING QUESTIONS.

I WAS PULLED BY A STATE TROOPER, I FELT I WAS KINDERGARTEN DOWN AT THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE FOR STEALING MY FRIEND'S ERASER OR SOMETHING.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN THE COURT OF LAW, PERIOD.

>> OKAY.

YES, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH.

IN FACT, YOU WATCH THE WARDEN SHOW, IT ALWAYS SAYS EVERYBODY IS INNOCENT UNTIL ADJUDICATED AND FOUND GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY.

SO, FISH PLANNING MARK.

THIS IS KIND OF THE CUTTING EDGE FISHERY STUFF.

FOLKS ARE SAYING 35 OR 40 YEARS AGO THAT WE PLANTED.

I REMEMBER THAT.

WE DID.

AND, IT WAS PRETTY GOOD FISHERY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS IN SOME PLACES.

SO, ANYWAY, THEY'RE SAYING IF WE DETERMINED AND I DON'T RECALL THIS THAT THE REASON THE STOCKINGS WERE NOT SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE WATER TEMPERATURES WERE TOO HIGH.

>> YES.

THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY TRUE.

WE THINK OUR RIVERS HAVE, RIVERS LIKE THE MAPLE AND THE BOARD MAN AND MANY OTHER RIVERS HAVE SUITABLE TEMPERATURES FOR RAILING.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE ISSUE.

WHEN WE PLANTED THEM, 40 YEARS AGO, WE USED DIFFERENT STRATEGY AND WE PLANTED YERLINGS AND THIS TIME WE PLANTED FERTILIZED EGGS.

MONTANA HAD SUCCESS WITH THAT TECHNIQUE.

THEY DONE BETTER WITH THAT TECHNIQUE.

THAT'S WHY WE CHANGED OUR STRATEGY AND THAT'S WHY WE THINK THIS CHANCE HAS - OR THIS TIME HAS A BETTER CHANCE FOR SUCCESS.

WITH THAT SAID, FOR THE GRAILING TO DO WELL IN OUR STREAM LS, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH OTHER SPECIES INCLUDING BROOKE TROUT AND BROWN TROUT, BOTH ARE PREDATORY ON RAILING AND COMPETITIVE WITH RAILING.

SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT OF COURSE, GRAILING WERE NATIVE TO LOWER PENINSULA AND BROOKE TROUT WERE NOT.

AS SOON AS BROOKE TROUT WERE INTRODUCED.

YOU HAVE DONE ALL THE RESEARCH.

>> YES.

OH YES.

>> WE HAVE EVIDENCE THAT SHOWS THAT SOME OF THOSE STREAMS, THE BROOKE TROUT OUT COMPETED THE GRAILING BEFORE GROUT TRAILING.

IF STRAIGHT UP BROOKE TROUT CAN COMPETE, WE KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO STRUGGLE IN BROWN STROUT.

WE SHOW IN STREAMS THAT DON'T HAVE SUPER HIGH TROUT POPULATIONS, HOPING THAT PERHAPS THE GRAILING CAN AT LEAST LEARN TO LIVE WITH THE BROOKE TROUT A LITTLE BIT.

ALL THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WE DON'T WON'T KNOW UNTIL WE TRY.

THE OTHER THING WE SAY IS WHEN WE STOCKED THEM IN THE '80s AND '90s, THE ONLY PLACE WE HAD REAL LAST SUCCESS WAS WE STACKED THEM IN A COUPLE OF INLAND THAT HAD NO OUTLETS.

OTHERWISE, YOU MAY -- THOSE YERLINGS LASTED FOR SIX MONTHS OR DISAPPEARED.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT.

>> IT IS KIND OF LIKE TURKEYS.

TURKEYS WERE STACKED HERE TIME AND TIME AGAIN UNTIL IT FIGURED OUT WHAT STRENGTHS TO GET AND TO GO OUT OF STATE OF TURKEY FEDERATION AND SOUTHERN MICHIGAN WHERE THERE WERE NOT ANY TURKEYS AND DEEP WITH TURKEYS.

YOU GOT TO LEARN.

THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ORANGE FLAG IF YOU ARE HUNTING FROM A STANDING VEHICLE OF HOW BIG THE FLAG NEEDS TO BE.

>> IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED AND ON YOUR RV OR IF YOU ARE HUNTING SIDE BY SIDE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE THE ORANGE FLAG.

ON YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE, YOU DON'T NEED ONE.

>> OH, THAT MAKES SENSE.

>> OKAY, FROM FAIR VIEW.

HOW MANY LICENSES ARE THERE LEFT OUT THERE?

>> BOY, A LOT FEWER BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY YEARS AGO.

I HAVE NOT SEEN ONE OF THOSE IN A LONG TIME.

>> WE GET A FEW DEER REPORT THROUGH THE LIFETIME LICENSE BUT THEY ARE VERY FEW AT THIS POINT.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY WILL BE OUT THERE.

>> IT IS AN INTERESTING QUESTION THOUGH.

NEXT TIME WHEN YOU ASKING FOLKS TRY TO DIG IN A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> WE DO NOT.

WE DO STOCK TAMARAC CREEK WITH RAINBOW TROUT.

WE DID A FISH SURVEY ON IT AND NOT TOO LONG AGO AND FOUND SOME PRETTY GOOD HOLD OVERS ON THOSE RAINBOWS.

WE FOUND SOME REALLY NICE BROWN TROUTS AND WILD BROOKE TROUTS THAT WE DIDN'T EXPECT.

THE PROBLEM WITH SAND TRAP IS THAT WHEN THAT TECHNOLOGY CAME ONLINE, YOU KNOW, 40 OR 50 YEARS AGO, WE KIND OF OVER SOLD IT AND WE DID IT WRONG.

FOR A SAND TRAP TO BE AFFECTED, IT HAS TO BE REALLY LONG.

A LOT LONGER THAN YOU WOULD THINK.

YOU WOULD NEED LIKE A QUARTER MILE UPSTREAM ON TAMARAC CREEK.

THEN, IT BECOMES TRADE OFFS.

YOU ARE TEARING OFF A RIVER BANK OF A BIG CHUNK OF STREAM.

THE OTHER PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE TO EMPTY THOSE SAND TRAPS AS SOON AS THEY GET ABOUT HALF TO TWO-THIRDS FULL.

YOU CAN'T JUST DO IT ONCE A YEAR BECAUSE AS SOON AS THEY GET ABOUT HALF TO TWO-THIRDS FULL, THE SAND BLOWS RIGHT THROUGH THEM AND SO YOU ARE NOT FUNCTIONING IT.

WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO BUILD THE SAND TRAP BIG ENOUGH THAN WE WERE SUPPOSED TO.

WE WERE NEVER ABLE TO EMPTY THEM OFTEN ENOUGH.

SO, THE PRINCIPLE IS STILL SOUND.

YOU COULD DO IT, BUT IT WOULD BE UBER EXPENSIVE AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO TEAR UP A LOT OF THE RIVER TO DO IT.

WHAT WE FOUND THAT A LOT OF OUR RIVERS HAVE ENOUGH GRAVEL FOR SPAWNING HABITAT.

A LOT OF THE RIVERS WE HAD SAND TRAPS ON PREVIOUSLY WERE NOT OPERATING ANYMOREMENT WE HAVE NOT SEEN ANY DECLINE IN TRIAL POPULATION.

>> BEAVERTON.

THIS IS FOR BOTH CHAD AND GERALD.

WHY CAN I TRANSPORT DEER FROM THE LOWER TO THE UPPER PENINSULA, FROM THE LOWER TO THE UPPER PENINSULA?

>> TRANSPORT OR TRANSPLANT?

>> TRANSPORT.

>> SO, YOU CAN -- >> YOU ARE REFERRING TO THE CWD ZONE.

YOU HAVE TO FILE SOME SPECIAL REGULATION TO TRANSPORT DEER OUT OF THERE.

IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN'T.

DEER SHOULD NOT LEAVE THERE UNLESS THEY ARE PROCESSED OR WHATEVER.

>> PROCESSED THE MEAT OR DEBONED THE MEAT OR IT IS PROCESSED OR YOU ARE GOING DIRECTLY TO A TAX TAXIDERMIS.

YOU CAN TRANSPORT OUR DEER OUT OF THE AREA.

OTHER THAN THAT AREA, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY OTHER PART OF THE STATE THAT HAS ISSUES WITH TRANSPORTING.

>> CORRECT.

>> UNLESS THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ACTUALLY CAPTURING AND TRANSFERRING LIVE DEER.

>> MOVING THEM FROM THE LOWER PENINSULA TO THE UPPER PENINSULA.

THERE IS A COUPLE OF REASONS WHY WE WOULD NOT DO THAT.

I MEAN - LIEUTENANT, WE GOT DISEASE IN SEVERAL COUNTIES, CWD, WHEN YOU MOVE A LIVE ANIMAL, YOU ARE MOVING THE ENTIRE BIOLOGICAL PACKAGE.

THERE IS NO APPROVED LIFE TESTS FOR SOMETHING CHRONIC WASTE DISEASE.

SO, THAT'S ONE CONCERN AND TWO IS IT HAS BEEN DONE HISTORICALLY AND MOVING DEER AROUND AND WHAT WE SEE IS THEY DON'T REALLY DO WELL.

THEY DON'T SURVIVE IN SOME OF THOSE CONDITIONS.

WHEN YOU MOVE, THERE IS SO MUCH STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROCESS.

YOU ARE PUTTING THEM IN THE AREA THAT YOU ARE UNFAMILIAR WITH.

NOW, THEY HAVE TO NAVIGATE A NEW HABITAT OR PREDATOR THAT MAY BE EXISTING THAT THEY ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

WE WOULD EXPECT SURVIVAL TO BE VERY LOW.

THE COST IS, THE LIKELY OUTCOME ARE ALL REASONS WHY AND THE RISK OF DISEASE AND CONCERNS ARE ALL REASONS WHY WE WOULD NOT ENTERTAIN THAT IDEA.

>> OKAY, DO YOU NEED TO CALL DNR TO CAMP?

>> YOU DO ON STATE LAND OR YOU NEED TO STOP BY TO GET A PERMIT, RIGHT?

>> STATE LAND PERMIT.

>> RIGHT.

YOU CAN GET IT ONLINE OR STOP AT THE DEMOCRATIC OFFICE TO GET IT.

YOU NEED TO PUT IT OUT VISIBLE AT YOUR CAMP SITE.

>> RIGHT.

THE RULES TO FOLLOW.

>> IT MAY BE PICK UP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

>> DO WHAT YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU TO DO.

>> WHEN WALKING A HORSE BACK RIDE OUT OF THE PIGEON RIVER, IS IT LEGAL TO PICK UP CANTERS OR MUST THEY BE LEFT ALONE >> FROM BRUCE.

>> THAT WOULD BE ILLEGAL TO PICK UP SHEDS.

>> COOL.

>> HOW IS THE CUT BACK ON GUN SHOT WORKERS AFFECTED DNR.

>> FISHERIES WORKING WITH FEWER EMPLOYEES AND 50 YEARS.

I WOULD ASSUME.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE REFERRING TO.

>> WELL, AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE FEDERAL DOGE EFFORT OR WHATEVER, WHAT I WILL MENTION ABOUT OUR BUDGET IS THAT WE ARE IN A BUDGET CRISIS AND IF WE DON'T GET MORE REVENUE, OUR ANGLERS WILL START SEEING VERY OBVIOUS RESULTS.

WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A FUNDING INCREASE IN A LONG TIME AND THE COST OF LIVING, COST OF EVERYTHING CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND SO WE ARE WORKING SOME OF OUR ANGLER GROUPS AND THE LEGISLATURES RIGHT NOW AND I THINK A FILM MAY HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED RECENTLY THAT WOULD CHANGE FISHING LICENSE PRICES AND ADDING SOME NEW WRINKLES AND IF SOMETHING LIKE THAT WERE TO PASS, THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL.

WE ARE APPRECIATIVE THAT THE LEGISLATURES STARTING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE AT IN THE DIRENESS OF OUR SITUATION.

>> AGAIN, LICENSE FEES GO TO FUND DEER -- >> YES, THE MAJORITY.

I WON'T SPEAK FOR WILDLIFE BUT FOR FISHERIES, THE MAJORITY OF OUR ACTIVITIES ARE FUNDED BY FISHING LICENSE, SALES AND TAXES.

>> YEP.

>> FROM PERRY, GOOD ONE HERE.

HOW CLOSE - WE ALWAYS GET THIS ONE.

HOW CLOSE TO A PROPERTY LINE CAN I HUNT?

>> THERE IS NO REGULATION ON THE PROPERTY LINE.

AS LONG AS YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO HUNT THAT SIDE OF THE PROPERTY LINE.

YOU CAN BE AS CLOSE AS YOU WANT TO IT.

OBVIOUSLY, ETHICS WOULD TELL OR PERSONAL COMMON SENSE NOT TO SHOOT ONTO THAT NEIGHBORING PROPERTY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE PERMISSION ON OR TRESPASS ONTO THAT PROPERTY.

THERE IS NO REGULATION.

THERE IS A SAFETY ZONE IF YOU ARE HUNTING WITH A FIREARM BUT THAT'S FROM A RESIDENT, A BARN OR GARAGE OR SOMETHING TO THAT EFFECT.

IF THERE IS NONE OF THOSE STRUCTURES AROUND.

YOU CAN BE PRETTY CLOSE, RIGHT THERE ON THE PROPERTY LINE.

>> I WILL ADD ONE THING, TOO.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

YOU SHOULD TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR IN CASE SHOOT A DEER AND IT RUNS ON THEIR PROPERTY.

>> I HAD A GUY SET ON THE TREE STAND LITERALLY RIGHT ON THE PROPERTY LINE WHICH I AM FINE WITH.

I WISH HE WOULD HAVE COME TO ME AND SAID, HEY, WOULD YOU MIND IF I COME ON YOUR PROPERTY IF I SHOOT A DEER AND IT IS WOUNDED.

OF COURSE, I WOULD HAVE SAID YES.

NEVER DID AND SO, I WAS WONDERING, IF HE SHOT A DEER, WHAT WOULD HE HAVE DONE?

WOULD HE TRESPASS?

>> EVERY YEAR WE GET THE SAME QUESTION OF WELL, I SHOT A DEER RAN OUT OF MY NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY, WHAT DO I DO?

>> YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GET THAT DEER UNTIL YOU HAVE PERMISSION.

SOME PROPERTY OWNERS.

OH, YOU GOT A DEER ON MY PROPERTY.

I WON'T GIVE THE PERMISSION WITH THE IDEA THEY'LL GO GET IT.

THAT'S THE ILLEGAL DEER THEY TOOK POSSESSION OF IT.

THEY WERE NOT THE SHOOTER, THE LICENSE HUNTER.

WE HAD THOSE CASES WHERE SOMEBODY WILL CALL US.

HIS GENTLEMAN WON'T LET HIM IN THE PROPERTY.

THAT'S FINE, I UNDERSTAND THE LAW.

I HAVE NO RIGHTS TO IT.

I WATCH HIM GO TAKE IT AND DRAG IT IN HIS BARN.

NOW, WE ARE ON THE PROPERTY AND THAT PROPERTY OWNER IS IN POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DEER.

ITS GOT TO LAY THERE DEAD WHICH IS AN AWFUL WASTE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THIS HUMAN DISCOURSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE ANOTHER.

>> CHAD, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

YOU ARE IN ALL THIS REGULATION BUSINESS AND YOU ARE DEALING WITH ALL THE SCIENCE AND ALL THAT.

THESE QUESTIONS THAT COME UP LIKE THAT CAN BE - ITS GOT TO DRIVE YOU NUTS.

>> BEING A GOOD HUMAN GOING SO FAR, RIGHT?

>> BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR.

THAT'S 90% OF LIFE.

>> EXACTLY.

WHEN YOU TRUST PEOPLE AND LETTING THEM HUNT, WE ALL HUNT SOMEBODY'S LAND AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY HUNT OURS.

THE ANESTHESIA DAUGHTER GOT A DOGE DURING THE YOUTH SEASON.

WHO'S PROPERTY IS THAT?

WE ARE ALWAYS GLAD TO HELP OUT.

WE ARE ALWAYS GLAD TO HELP UT.

THIS IS FUN.

>> BACK TO THE 22 AND WHETHER YOU CARRY THE 22 AND WHEN YOU ARE DEER HUNTING.

SAY YOU GET INTO THIS POSITION WHERE YOU SHOT A DEER AND YOU GOTTEN TO IT AND EVERYTHING IS LEGAL UP TO THAT POINT BUT IT NEEDS THE FINISHING TOUCH.

CAN YOU THEN PULL YOUR 22 PISTOL OUT AND SHOOT IT >> NO, WE RECOMMEND YOU TO USE ILLEGAL ARM.

IF ONE OF YOUR OFFICERS STUMBLE THAT AND THERE IS A BULLET HOLE HERE.

>> YES.

OKAY, WE GOT MORE QUESTIONS TO ABOUT INTERACTIONS WITH DEER.

THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID WITH THE REGULATIONS AND STUFF SO WE DON'T PASS THE REASONS ON.

WILL IT BE FISHERMAN FRIENDLY AND WHEN IS COMPLETION DATE?

>> I BELIEVE.

THAT'S THE FISH PAST PROJECT.

I BELIEVE THERE WILL BE FISHING ALLOWED.

I HAVE NOT HEARD THERE WON'T BE.

IT IS ONE THAT AND IT IS NOT IN MY SPECIFIC AREA SO I HAVE NOT PAID ATON OF ATTENTION TO IT.

I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT BIG TIME AND GOTTEN A LOT DONE.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT NEXT SUMMER IT WILL BE DONE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KNOW, GIVE HEATHER A CALL AT OUR OFFICE.

SHE'S WELL-VERSED THAN I AM.

>> HE WANTS TO GIVE HIS MEAT TO A FELLOW HUNTER, WHO SHOULD THE LICENSE STAY WITH?

>> THAT'S GOOD QUESTION.

>> THE LICENSE SHOULD STAY WITH THE HAD UNTIL IT IS COMPLETED.

>> IN TEXAS WHEN I GO DOWN THERE AND HUNT IN DECEMBER, IN TEXAS, THE LICENSE MUST STAY WITH THE MEAT.

>> UH-HUH.

>> IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

HEY, HOW ABOUT THIS ONE?

CAN YOU FEED UPON PUNISH FOOD TO MENOS IN THE LAKE?

>> I DON'T KNOW ANY REGULATIONS AGAINST THAT.

>> I DON'T KNOW, CAN YOU FEED -- YOU DO WORMS AND -- >> YES.

LIVING OFF AT THE END OF YOUR DOCK.

>> YES.

>> THE ONLY THING YOU CAN'T DO IS YOU CAN'T CHUM IN A STREAM.

SO THAT'S ONE THING YOU CAN'T DO.

IN A LAKE, CHUMMING IS STILL ILLEGAL.

>> OH, COOL QUESTION.

EASY ANSWER.

LAPEER COUNTY, IF I JUST CATCH AND RELEASE, DO I NEED A FISHING LICENSE?

YOU HAVE TO BE OVER 17?

>> 17 OR OLDER, YOU NEED A FISHING LICENSE FOR CATCH AND RELEASE.

>> YES, I SHOULD ASK YOU GUYS, WHAT'S THE STRANGEST QUESTION YOU WERE ASKED.

WE ARE ABOUT DONE.

>> I HAD FELLAS UP IN THE UP FROM WHAT I CAN TELL LEGAL WAS WHAT THEY WERE DOING, THEY BUILT A CANNON AND THEY WANTED TO HUNT DEER WITH THAT.

NO WEAPONS ALLOWED DURING OUR DEER SEASON.

THAT WAS AGAINST THE LAW.

THAT WAS AN INTERESTING ONE.

>> THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

YOU, CHAD?

>> OH MY GOSH, I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES.

I LIKE THE ONE THAT TEND TO HAVE LIKE AN FOLKLORE WITH IT.

I GOT ONE, HOW MANY BLACK PANTHERS RELEASED BY THE DNR?

>> OH YES.

LIKE AN OLD GEEZER LIKE ME, I HAD MORE GUYS TELLING ME THAT A GOOD FRIEND OF THEIRS WHOSE BROTHER-IN-LAW SAW IT HAPPENED AND SAW IT WHEN THE DNR RELEASED COYOETS INTO SOUTHERN MICHIGAN, TAKING CARE OF THE DEER POPULATION.

I HEARD THIS STUFF 50 SOMETHING YEARS AGO, OKAY?

I CAN TELL YOU HOW MANY COYOTES ARE RELEASED.

BUT THEIR BROTHER-IN-LAW SAW IT.

ANYWAY, OH YES, SO YOU HAVE TO BE PRETTY CAREFUL DON'T YOU WITH LEAVING MUCH OF THE OLD, SOME OF THE OLD TECHNIQUE.

CLAM RIVER REGULATIONS, WE ARE GETTING SHORT ON TIME HERE.

WHY DID THEY EXTEND THAT YOU COULD NOT FISH IN ATLANTA AT THE END OF THE DOCK, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA ON THAT?

>> AGAIN, IT IS NOT MY TURF.

I COULD ONLY SURMISE THAT.

SNAGGING ISSUES?

I DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

HEATHER AND TRAVERSE CITY COVERS THAT AREA.

SHE KNOWS THE PROGRAM VERY WELL.

I NEED TO GET UP THERE AND CATCH MYSELF ONE.

I HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET.

GIVE HEATHER A CALL.

>> WHY DID WE GET MANY 30 POUNDS SALMON?

>> YES.

IT JUST DEPENDS.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, WE WERE CATCHING QUITE A FEW.

OUR ANGLERS WERE CATCHING QUITE A FEW 30 POUNDS KINGS.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THEY DIMINISHED A LITTLE BIT.

IT IS ALL BASED ON WHAT THEY HAD TO EAT.

THAT'S WHAT THE GROWTH IS BASED ON.

WE ARE GETTING PRETTY CLOSE TO DOWN TO THE FINAL MINUTE HERE.

ANY RATTLERS?

YOU WOULD KNOW THAT.

>> I AM NOT NO SNAKE EXPERTS BUT I GOT TO BELIEVE THERE ARE A FEW, NOT MANY.

>> EXACTLY, WE HAVE TO WRAP THIS UP.

MARK WILL MAKE THE DECISION OF WHEN WE'LL COME BACK IN APRIL, I WOULD ASSUME WE'LL BE THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL.

I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO JOIN US.

JOE, YOU ARE WELCOME ANY TIME.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLKS THAT ANSWERED THE PHONES AND CHAD, YOU HAD SELF-DOUBT OF BEING ABLE TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND I AM SO GLAD YOU WERE.

THANK YOU, MARK.

YOU ARE ALWAYS LEADING THE WAY AND GERALD, NICE TO MEET YOU AND NICE TO GET A CHANCE ASK SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH YOU.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE.

>> FOLKS, PUBLIC TELEVISIONS, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT CARED AND HUNDREDING AND FISHING STUFF.

THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN FIND IT LIKE THIS.

WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN IN APRIL.

♪ ♪ ♪