Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are seeking information on a bear poaching incident in southwest Kalkaska County. On April 30, a recreational river user found a large black bear carcass in the Manistee River near Rainbow Jim’s Bridge Boat Launch, a DNR-managed boating access site near Coster Road in Springfield Township, located approximately 6 miles southeast of Fife Lake. The river user contacted the DNR Report All Poaching (RAP) Line to report the deceased bear.
According to Sgt. Jeremy Payne, conservation officers responded to the location. After a metal detector confirmed metal within the bear, its carcass was taken off-site and a necropsy – an autopsy of an animal – was performed by DNR conservation officers. The necropsy revealed the 500-pound male black bear died from a shotgun wound during the last week of April.
“Anyone who has information that may assist us in finding the person or persons responsible for the poaching of this bear is asked to contact the DNR,” said Sgt. Jeremy Payne.
Those with information regarding the incident are asked to call 1st Lt. Glenn Gutierrez at 989-275-5151, ext. 7100 or the 24-hour DNR Report All Poaching (RAP) Line at 800-292-7800.
Information may be left anonymously. A monetary reward is offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the violator or violators.
Poaching a black bear is a misdemeanor crime subject to penalties of up to 90 days in jail and fines and restitution totaling up to $4,500.
The Red Oak bear management unit, which encompasses the location of the carcass, is open for firearm bear hunting Sept. 18-26 and archery bear hunting Oct. 7-13. Hunters are selected for a bear license using a preference point drawing system that began in 2000.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations in the communities they serve. Learn more about Michigan conservation officers at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.
