1 00:00:08,967 --> 00:00:13,367 I got another fish, state park, on the ice. 2 00:00:13,533 --> 00:00:15,467 [Gorno] It's not our normal enforcement 3 00:00:15,467 --> 00:00:17,367 as far as law enforcement division. 4 00:00:18,100 --> 00:00:19,266 [McManus] This is normal for us. 5 00:00:19,433 --> 00:00:21,400 This is one of the things that's not a matter of if, 6 00:00:21,567 --> 00:00:23,266 it's a matter of when we fall through. 7 00:00:23,266 --> 00:00:25,767 -Any drug use today from anybody? -[suspect] No, no. 8 00:00:25,934 --> 00:00:26,867 Not that I know of. Nope. 9 00:00:26,867 --> 00:00:27,700 [suspect #2] Didn't. 10 00:00:27,867 --> 00:00:28,834 [Lasanen] Today, yesterday? 11 00:00:28,834 --> 00:00:29,867 -[suspect #2] Didn't. -[Lasanen] You didn't? 12 00:00:29,867 --> 00:00:32,100 [suspect #2] I did not smoke up in Michigan. 13 00:00:32,266 --> 00:00:35,266 [Mapes] Said they've all been using this morning. 14 00:00:35,433 --> 00:00:37,667 They smoked this morning before we even saw them [indistinct]. 15 00:00:37,834 --> 00:00:39,867 I'm getting a different story from the three other guys 16 00:00:39,867 --> 00:00:41,667 that are with you. 17 00:00:41,667 --> 00:00:42,767 [narrator] Wild animals 18 00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:46,767 and wild places. They're more than a picture. 19 00:00:46,934 --> 00:00:50,567 They're inspiration, excitement, and adventure. 20 00:00:50,734 --> 00:00:53,700 Patrolling and protecting these natural resources is 21 00:00:53,867 --> 00:00:56,800 a first-class band of peace officers. 22 00:00:56,967 --> 00:01:01,166 These are the wardens, dedicated to the preservation 23 00:01:01,333 --> 00:01:03,266 of our great outdoors. 24 00:01:03,433 --> 00:01:06,900 [theme music plays] 25 00:01:08,000 --> 00:01:14,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 26 00:01:24,266 --> 00:01:27,767 [from radio] Black lake sturgeon crew from Gaylord 710. 27 00:01:27,934 --> 00:01:30,066 I have 8:00. Season's on. 28 00:01:31,200 --> 00:01:34,300 At precisely 8 AM on the first Saturday in February, 29 00:01:34,467 --> 00:01:37,767 one of the more unique fishing seasons in the country begins. 30 00:01:37,767 --> 00:01:40,300 Welcome to Black Lake. 31 00:01:40,467 --> 00:01:43,000 It's the lake sturgeon season on Black Lake 32 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:45,734 in northern Michigan's District 3. 33 00:01:48,200 --> 00:01:50,667 This particular sturgeon season, this spearing season, 34 00:01:50,667 --> 00:01:54,266 is the only one in the state of Michigan where this year 35 00:01:54,433 --> 00:01:57,667 they can take six fish, and they can use an actual spear 36 00:01:57,834 --> 00:01:59,700 to spear the fish. 37 00:01:59,867 --> 00:02:04,467 In the other areas in northern lower Michigan, for example 38 00:02:04,634 --> 00:02:09,367 Otsego Lake, they have a minimum 50-inch 39 00:02:09,367 --> 00:02:11,600 requirement and it has to be hook and line. 40 00:02:11,767 --> 00:02:14,000 So this is the only place in the state where you can 41 00:02:14,166 --> 00:02:15,767 actually spear a sturgeon. 42 00:02:15,934 --> 00:02:19,000 More than 300 registered anglers brave the snow and cold 43 00:02:19,166 --> 00:02:21,767 temperatures for their shot at one of six Michigan sturgeon. 44 00:02:24,066 --> 00:02:27,800 The total limit in 2017 for all sturgeon taken on Black Lake is 45 00:02:27,967 --> 00:02:30,967 seven, but they stop all fishing after the sixth harvest. 46 00:02:31,133 --> 00:02:33,166 In an effort to keep them from going over, 47 00:02:33,166 --> 00:02:35,000 no one can take more than one. 48 00:02:35,166 --> 00:02:38,166 So we'll have conservation officers and fish, 49 00:02:38,333 --> 00:02:41,367 wildlife, or I'm sorry, fisheries techs at these little 50 00:02:41,533 --> 00:02:44,600 shanty towns, and then as soon as that sixth fish is caught 51 00:02:44,767 --> 00:02:49,500 over the radio, the cannon will go off, and then we go through, 52 00:02:49,667 --> 00:02:51,467 you know, these shanty towns and make sure that everybody 53 00:02:51,467 --> 00:02:54,567 stops fishing we do it as fast as we can because obviously 54 00:02:54,734 --> 00:02:58,166 we don't want to get over that quota over that number of six. 55 00:02:58,333 --> 00:03:01,367 -It has happened in the past. -The year before, the entire 56 00:03:01,367 --> 00:03:04,000 season lasted less than 40 minutes. 57 00:03:04,166 --> 00:03:06,166 -It was a half an hour. -Yeah. 58 00:03:06,166 --> 00:03:08,667 -36 minutes exactly. -Yeah, a new record. 59 00:03:08,834 --> 00:03:11,500 Most use some type of decoy to attract the sturgeon 60 00:03:11,667 --> 00:03:13,667 to a large hole they've cut in the ice. 61 00:03:13,667 --> 00:03:16,667 [fisher] Well, you can see here, I got it all twisted up. 62 00:03:16,667 --> 00:03:20,367 Basically, this decoy spins around on the bottom slowly 63 00:03:20,533 --> 00:03:24,367 and, or not on the bottom, I usually put mine about... 64 00:03:24,533 --> 00:03:27,300 -[cameraman] Halfway up? -[fisher] Yeah, halfway up, and then... 65 00:03:27,467 --> 00:03:28,667 [cameraman] You get them up close to you. 66 00:03:28,667 --> 00:03:31,100 [fisher] Yeah, and a lot of times they come, they'll swim, 67 00:03:31,266 --> 00:03:32,600 they're just kind of curious, so they swim 68 00:03:32,767 --> 00:03:34,033 underneath the decoy. 69 00:03:34,767 --> 00:03:37,667 But I've had them come up on top of the decoy in Wisconsin 70 00:03:37,667 --> 00:03:39,967 and actually like -- -[cameraman] Bump it? 71 00:03:40,133 --> 00:03:41,367 [fisher] And you'll see their mouth go down like they're 72 00:03:41,533 --> 00:03:42,800 trying to suck it up. 73 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,166 [suspenseful music plays] 74 00:03:59,567 --> 00:04:01,367 Yeah, this is the place to be, though. 75 00:04:01,533 --> 00:04:04,567 -This is where five of the fish -- -Four. 76 00:04:04,567 --> 00:04:06,667 Four, last year and then the year before, 77 00:04:06,667 --> 00:04:08,767 it was another hot spot, too. 78 00:04:08,934 --> 00:04:10,767 Yeah, three out of the five. 79 00:04:10,934 --> 00:04:12,867 -Yeah. -We normally fish down there 80 00:04:13,033 --> 00:04:15,467 off the point a little closer. There's a little deeper water 81 00:04:15,467 --> 00:04:17,467 because of the clarity. -I think it was 2011. 82 00:04:17,467 --> 00:04:20,467 Remember, we had like 11, and they were flying out 83 00:04:20,467 --> 00:04:21,667 on the ice constantly. 84 00:04:21,667 --> 00:04:23,567 Couldn't get it shut down fast enough. 85 00:04:23,734 --> 00:04:25,367 -No, yeah. -You guys got a tough job 86 00:04:25,367 --> 00:04:27,000 ahead of you today. -Yeah. 87 00:04:27,166 --> 00:04:29,567 Just a few minutes after the 8:00 start, 88 00:04:29,734 --> 00:04:32,100 Conservation Officer Mark Depew gets called to 89 00:04:32,266 --> 00:04:33,600 the first sturgeon of the season. 90 00:04:33,767 --> 00:04:37,300 [Depew] We're going to our first fish on the ice, state park. 91 00:04:37,467 --> 00:04:39,166 I'll advise here in a minute. 92 00:04:39,166 --> 00:04:42,367 Black Lake is Michigan's seventh largest inland lake. 93 00:04:44,667 --> 00:04:47,600 It's more than 10,000 acres in size, and once called 94 00:04:47,767 --> 00:04:50,200 to a sturgeon, it can take COs several minutes 95 00:04:50,367 --> 00:04:51,567 to get to the shanty. 96 00:04:51,734 --> 00:04:53,667 [upbeat rock music plays] 97 00:05:00,867 --> 00:05:03,000 [motor humming] 98 00:05:25,166 --> 00:05:26,400 [Depew] Yeah, that's a nice fish. 99 00:05:30,900 --> 00:05:33,000 [footsteps crunching] 100 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:36,166 -[Depew] Congratulations. -Thank you, sir. 101 00:05:36,166 --> 00:05:38,367 [Depew] Yeah, nice fish. Good work. 102 00:05:38,533 --> 00:05:40,166 -[fisher] You want to know what the best part is? -[Depew] Yeah. 103 00:05:40,166 --> 00:05:42,367 -[fisher] Two years in a row. -[Depew] Wow, good for you. 104 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:45,200 [on radio] We got another one coming up here. 105 00:05:45,367 --> 00:05:48,900 It's gonna be number two. 106 00:05:49,066 --> 00:05:51,166 [narrator] As Conservation Officer Mark Depew 107 00:05:51,333 --> 00:05:52,967 checks on the first sturgeon harvested 108 00:05:53,133 --> 00:05:55,166 during the Black Lake spearing season... 109 00:05:55,333 --> 00:05:57,567 Second one just came out of the hole. 110 00:05:57,734 --> 00:05:59,000 Second sturgeon. 111 00:05:59,166 --> 00:06:01,100 ...he gets a call to check on another sturgeon 112 00:06:01,266 --> 00:06:02,867 pulled from below the ice. 113 00:06:03,033 --> 00:06:05,667 It's just a few hundred feet from the first one. 114 00:06:05,834 --> 00:06:06,767 [Depew] So this would be number two. 115 00:06:06,767 --> 00:06:08,867 [suspenseful music plays] 116 00:06:16,500 --> 00:06:17,967 [Depew] Clear fish number one. 117 00:06:18,133 --> 00:06:20,066 They're gonna be en route here shortly 118 00:06:20,233 --> 00:06:21,266 to the check station. They've been advised 119 00:06:21,433 --> 00:06:22,867 to immediately go there. 120 00:06:23,033 --> 00:06:25,000 [motor humming] 121 00:06:34,300 --> 00:06:36,400 [suspenseful music intensifies] 122 00:06:43,166 --> 00:06:47,100 [Depew] Well, congratulations. Good work. 123 00:06:47,266 --> 00:06:49,166 -I think we've met before. -[Depew] Yeah, when? 124 00:06:49,166 --> 00:06:51,367 When you checked in my last one. 125 00:06:51,367 --> 00:06:52,433 [Depew] Probably. 126 00:06:52,433 --> 00:06:54,200 -God, this is the number two... -This is number two. 127 00:06:54,367 --> 00:06:55,967 ...from last year you were here? -Year before last. 128 00:06:56,133 --> 00:06:58,000 [Depew] Nice, good work. That's a nice one too. 129 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,166 Have you got your fishing, or driver's license with you? 130 00:07:00,166 --> 00:07:01,500 Yeah, I do. 131 00:07:01,667 --> 00:07:02,934 [Depew] Quick, tag it for me. 132 00:07:02,934 --> 00:07:06,367 This year we want them as fast as we can to the check station. 133 00:07:06,367 --> 00:07:07,867 So as soon as you get him tagged, 134 00:07:08,767 --> 00:07:12,767 get to the check station and congratulations. 135 00:07:12,934 --> 00:07:14,700 Two years. 136 00:07:14,867 --> 00:07:16,600 That's awesome. 137 00:07:16,767 --> 00:07:18,066 That's a nice fish, too. 138 00:07:19,266 --> 00:07:21,767 With both of the fish being speared, just a few minutes 139 00:07:21,767 --> 00:07:24,100 after the official 8 AM start time, 140 00:07:24,266 --> 00:07:27,500 part of CO Depew's duties include making sure 141 00:07:27,667 --> 00:07:29,967 no one got a head start on the season. 142 00:07:30,133 --> 00:07:31,767 One concern that we have 143 00:07:31,767 --> 00:07:36,967 when we go up and check the fish is if people are, 144 00:07:37,133 --> 00:07:38,467 you know, let's say they speared the fish at 145 00:07:38,634 --> 00:07:41,266 7:00 in the morning, we're looking for, 146 00:07:41,266 --> 00:07:43,100 you know, the vitals of the fish. 147 00:07:43,100 --> 00:07:45,767 So in other words, if the fish is moving, the gills are moving, 148 00:07:45,934 --> 00:07:48,100 which would indicate that the animal or the fish 149 00:07:48,266 --> 00:07:51,600 was still, you know, just speared 150 00:07:51,767 --> 00:07:55,600 because we've had rumors in the past of people 151 00:07:55,767 --> 00:08:02,100 trying to skirt the system by getting an early one where 152 00:08:02,100 --> 00:08:03,767 they wait five, ten minutes and then throw it out 153 00:08:03,934 --> 00:08:06,467 on the ice. "Oh, we got one, we got one." 154 00:08:06,467 --> 00:08:09,634 But again, so making sure that the animal is still, 155 00:08:12,100 --> 00:08:16,266 has some life in it is pretty important for the overall, 156 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:18,867 keep everything fair. 157 00:08:27,400 --> 00:08:29,634 [cheerful acoustic guitar plays] 158 00:08:32,066 --> 00:08:34,500 The state of Michigan has placed a high priority 159 00:08:34,667 --> 00:08:38,100 in recent years on restoring the lake sturgeon population. 160 00:08:38,266 --> 00:08:39,367 This is the Black River. 161 00:08:39,367 --> 00:08:44,767 It's one of the only spawning areas for the sturgeon 162 00:08:44,934 --> 00:08:48,367 coming out of Black Lake. -Where we are today, 163 00:08:48,533 --> 00:08:53,100 having captured population estimate data, genetic studies, 164 00:08:54,266 --> 00:08:57,667 information on natural recruitment versus hatchery 165 00:08:57,667 --> 00:09:02,500 production, we are light years ahead of where we were in 2000, 166 00:09:02,667 --> 00:09:04,967 but we had to start somewhere in 2000 167 00:09:05,133 --> 00:09:08,567 to put, to start looking at the recovery of this species. 168 00:09:08,567 --> 00:09:11,800 One of the ways they did this was through 24/7 surveillance 169 00:09:11,967 --> 00:09:14,400 of the river during spawning season. 170 00:09:14,567 --> 00:09:18,000 They're easy prey right now in the river, very easy prey, 171 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,300 and so we're just here to make sure they're not as easy prey. 172 00:09:21,467 --> 00:09:24,266 The volunteer group, Sturgeon for Tomorrow assists 173 00:09:24,266 --> 00:09:26,600 conservation officers keeping watch in an effort 174 00:09:26,767 --> 00:09:27,967 to limit poaching. 175 00:09:28,133 --> 00:09:31,467 We started our sturgeon guarding program in 1999. 176 00:09:31,467 --> 00:09:33,667 We've been at it 18 years, 177 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:36,567 and it's been proven successful. 178 00:09:36,567 --> 00:09:41,000 Vehicles and cars scare people, and campers, so you don't have 179 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,100 to be up all night, but yeah, it just scares them. 180 00:09:43,100 --> 00:09:46,000 We all volunteer, but we take it very seriously. 181 00:09:46,166 --> 00:09:47,700 We're very passionate about it. 182 00:09:47,867 --> 00:09:49,900 And we make it known, we advertise that we're gonna 183 00:09:50,066 --> 00:09:52,900 be out here 24/7, that Sturgeon for Tomorrow 184 00:09:53,066 --> 00:09:56,100 and sturgeon guards are gonna be out here 24/7, 185 00:09:56,100 --> 00:09:59,567 and it's advertised, and it's a huge deterrent, 186 00:09:59,734 --> 00:10:02,367 and it's helped. 20, 30 years ago 187 00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:05,600 that wasn't the case, and we lost lots of fish. 188 00:10:05,767 --> 00:10:08,700 In addition to protecting the sturgeon, the Michigan DNR 189 00:10:08,867 --> 00:10:11,667 and local universities are helping to produce sturgeon for 190 00:10:11,834 --> 00:10:14,100 stocking and researching everything they can 191 00:10:14,100 --> 00:10:15,600 about the species. 192 00:10:15,767 --> 00:10:18,000 [Scribner] We don't want to be in the business of stocking forever. 193 00:10:18,166 --> 00:10:20,367 We want these animals to do well not only here 194 00:10:20,533 --> 00:10:22,300 but throughout the range, but they face a lot of 195 00:10:22,467 --> 00:10:25,000 impediments, things that are there that human beings have 196 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:28,767 put in rivers that they haven't evolved to deal with, right? 197 00:10:28,934 --> 00:10:31,767 So we have to understand that and how we can overcome that 198 00:10:31,934 --> 00:10:35,567 and, and the science is the basis for that management. 199 00:10:35,734 --> 00:10:38,200 And with conservation, research, and law enforcement 200 00:10:38,367 --> 00:10:40,266 all working together, the DNR believes 201 00:10:40,266 --> 00:10:42,266 the restoration of the lake sturgeon is headed 202 00:10:42,266 --> 00:10:43,567 in the right direction. 203 00:10:43,734 --> 00:10:47,066 We know where we're going in the next 20, 30, 40 years 204 00:10:47,233 --> 00:10:51,166 with recovery of this species, where it should be in terms of 205 00:10:51,333 --> 00:10:52,600 an adult population. 206 00:10:53,667 --> 00:10:56,367 The ice on Black Lake at the beginning of February 207 00:10:56,367 --> 00:10:58,467 can be more than a foot thick. 208 00:10:58,467 --> 00:11:00,767 There's very little chance of a CO falling through 209 00:11:00,767 --> 00:11:03,700 during the sturgeon season, but they know it can happen 210 00:11:03,867 --> 00:11:07,166 at any time and are always prepared for it. 211 00:11:07,166 --> 00:11:10,000 Preparation for falling through starts at recruit school, 212 00:11:10,166 --> 00:11:12,567 where prospective conservation officers must 213 00:11:12,567 --> 00:11:14,166 endure the ice bath. 214 00:11:14,333 --> 00:11:16,266 -[McManus] Slowly sit down. -Slowly get in there. 215 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:19,100 Slowly down. 216 00:11:21,166 --> 00:11:22,800 All the way in. All the way in. 217 00:11:22,967 --> 00:11:26,200 -Hands in. -[McManus] Down, down, down, down, 218 00:11:26,367 --> 00:11:27,500 down further. 219 00:11:27,500 --> 00:11:31,100 The ice bath is just one of the many rigorous tests 220 00:11:31,266 --> 00:11:34,467 recruits must endure over the 22-week-long school. 221 00:11:34,634 --> 00:11:36,567 [McManus] This is designed for the recruits so that 222 00:11:36,734 --> 00:11:40,000 they experience a small bit of hypothermia as if they were to 223 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,200 fall through the ice at any point during their career. 224 00:11:43,367 --> 00:11:44,467 This is normal for us. 225 00:11:44,467 --> 00:11:46,467 This is one of the things that's not a matter of if, 226 00:11:46,634 --> 00:11:48,100 it's a matter of when we fall through. 227 00:11:49,000 --> 00:11:51,667 For four minutes, recruits sit in a tub full of ice, 228 00:11:51,667 --> 00:11:55,500 answering questions and performing dexterity tests. 229 00:11:55,667 --> 00:11:57,200 Got a written test on Thursday night. 230 00:11:57,367 --> 00:11:58,400 What do you have coming up? 231 00:12:02,100 --> 00:12:04,467 -[indistinct reply] -[both trainers] Ah. 232 00:12:04,467 --> 00:12:06,000 [McManus] Have you studied for that yet? 233 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:08,667 -Yes, sir. -100%, right? 234 00:12:08,834 --> 00:12:10,166 -[trainee] Yes, sir. -Cause it goes towards your GPA? 235 00:12:10,333 --> 00:12:12,367 -[trainee] Yes, sir. -You're starting to chatter. 236 00:12:12,533 --> 00:12:15,567 [McManus] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1. 237 00:12:15,567 --> 00:12:19,000 [trainee] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1. 238 00:12:19,000 --> 00:12:20,266 [McManus] Do it one more time for me. 239 00:12:20,266 --> 00:12:24,667 [trainee] 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1. 240 00:12:24,834 --> 00:12:26,066 [McManus] Good, go ahead and lower it. 241 00:12:26,233 --> 00:12:29,767 And what those do is prove to the recruit that indeed 242 00:12:29,934 --> 00:12:31,867 in their mind, they're trying to get through it, but their body 243 00:12:32,033 --> 00:12:33,166 just won't push them through it. 244 00:12:33,166 --> 00:12:36,100 So they know later when they are conservation officers 245 00:12:36,266 --> 00:12:38,166 in the field that they can push through it 246 00:12:38,166 --> 00:12:39,867 because they've been here before. 247 00:12:40,033 --> 00:12:41,567 It's a mental test that the recruits weren't 248 00:12:41,567 --> 00:12:43,100 necessarily looking forward to. 249 00:12:43,266 --> 00:12:45,667 [Luther] I was slightly dreading today. 250 00:12:45,834 --> 00:12:46,934 I know I can do it. 251 00:12:46,934 --> 00:12:50,166 I'm happy to have done that, but it was a challenge. 252 00:12:51,166 --> 00:12:53,500 It's a way of life. It's what we do. 253 00:12:53,667 --> 00:12:55,500 It happens. 254 00:12:55,667 --> 00:12:56,867 Like I said, we've all gone through it. 255 00:12:56,867 --> 00:12:59,066 I've fallen through the ice before, and I've swam 256 00:12:59,233 --> 00:13:01,367 in cold water before, but this, 257 00:13:02,400 --> 00:13:03,667 it's a unique experience. 258 00:13:03,667 --> 00:13:06,000 And when they poured the bucket of ice water over my head, 259 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:07,767 it just took my breath away immediately. 260 00:13:07,934 --> 00:13:13,867 -H, Henry, A, Adam. -[McManus] Come on. 261 00:13:13,867 --> 00:13:16,900 -N, Nora, S, Sam, O. -[McManus] There you go. 262 00:13:17,066 --> 00:13:18,100 -Ocean. -[ice clattering] 263 00:13:19,400 --> 00:13:20,600 -[McManus] Come on. -N, Nora. 264 00:13:22,700 --> 00:13:25,667 The pouring more ice on is actually, that is by design. 265 00:13:25,667 --> 00:13:28,567 That is one of those things that if they do go through, 266 00:13:28,567 --> 00:13:31,100 it's very, very possible that more of that water will run 267 00:13:31,266 --> 00:13:32,500 over the top of their heads. 268 00:13:32,500 --> 00:13:34,700 This, just like the rest of the water safety program that's 269 00:13:34,867 --> 00:13:37,967 going on next to us right here, basically tests mostly 270 00:13:38,133 --> 00:13:41,867 their mental capacity. Anybody can do this physically. 271 00:13:42,033 --> 00:13:43,266 It's them being mental, 272 00:13:43,433 --> 00:13:44,800 them fighting through it mentally. 273 00:13:44,967 --> 00:13:47,900 Afterwards, recruits are taken through a series of showers to 274 00:13:48,066 --> 00:13:50,266 bring their temperatures back to normal. 275 00:13:50,266 --> 00:13:53,066 And they wouldn't rule out taking a second ice bath. 276 00:13:53,233 --> 00:13:54,467 [Luther] I'd do it again. 277 00:13:54,467 --> 00:13:57,567 The more experience I have at it, the better I'll be able to 278 00:13:57,567 --> 00:13:59,700 survive in a real-life situation. 279 00:13:59,867 --> 00:14:02,266 Doing this definitely prepares us for 280 00:14:02,266 --> 00:14:03,800 what it's gonna feel like, 281 00:14:03,967 --> 00:14:06,467 and now we know that we are able to 282 00:14:08,166 --> 00:14:12,066 do the dexterity and be able to think quick 283 00:14:12,233 --> 00:14:14,600 when we're in a situation like that. 284 00:14:14,767 --> 00:14:16,467 [McManus] How long you think you've been in for? 285 00:14:16,467 --> 00:14:18,100 -[Hanson] I'm not sure, sir. -[McManus] Give me a guess. 286 00:14:18,100 --> 00:14:20,300 -[McManus] "I'm not sure," is not an answer. -[Hanson] Three minutes? 287 00:14:20,467 --> 00:14:22,000 [McManus] Four minutes. Get out. 288 00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:23,867 Slow, slow, slow. 289 00:14:24,033 --> 00:14:24,967 [trainer #2] Slowly, though. 290 00:14:25,133 --> 00:14:27,066 [upbeat rock music plays] 291 00:14:36,967 --> 00:14:39,100 [indistinct murmuring] 292 00:14:40,300 --> 00:14:42,500 [man #1] Wow. 293 00:14:44,166 --> 00:14:46,467 -Wow. -[grunting] 294 00:14:50,467 --> 00:14:52,000 -[man #2] Huge. -[man #1] Yeah! 295 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:54,667 -[man #1] Whoo hoo! -[group cheering] 296 00:15:01,567 --> 00:15:02,900 [officer over radio] So just to be clear, 297 00:15:03,066 --> 00:15:04,467 we have one that Depew reported 298 00:15:04,467 --> 00:15:06,467 and one that you just now reported. 299 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:09,867 [officer #2 over radio] Correct. 300 00:15:11,967 --> 00:15:14,100 -Four. -[officer on radio] OK, do you have a angler name 301 00:15:14,266 --> 00:15:15,767 and was that [indistinct]. 302 00:15:15,767 --> 00:15:17,100 [narrator] Back on solid ice, 303 00:15:17,266 --> 00:15:20,266 Michigan's Black Lake sturgeon season can be very short. 304 00:15:20,266 --> 00:15:23,367 In 2016, it lasted just 36 minutes. 305 00:15:23,367 --> 00:15:27,100 In 2017, more than 300 registered anglers 306 00:15:27,100 --> 00:15:29,600 were trying to harvest one during Michigan's only 307 00:15:29,767 --> 00:15:31,066 sturgeon spearing season. 308 00:15:31,233 --> 00:15:34,300 The total limit for 2017 was set at seven, 309 00:15:34,467 --> 00:15:36,467 but all fishing would be stopped after the sixth 310 00:15:36,467 --> 00:15:39,266 successfully harvested fish to help reduce the chance 311 00:15:39,266 --> 00:15:40,567 of going over the limit. 312 00:15:40,734 --> 00:15:44,000 The personal limit is one, so bringing one up onto the ice 313 00:15:44,000 --> 00:15:47,066 is quite a thrill. -Absolutely overwhelming. 314 00:15:47,233 --> 00:15:48,467 My heart dropped, it was just... 315 00:15:49,166 --> 00:15:51,667 For a second, quick split second, I wasn't exactly sure 316 00:15:51,834 --> 00:15:54,367 what to do, but I'm like, oh, crap, get the spear. 317 00:15:54,367 --> 00:15:57,266 Get the spear, aim, and drop it down on them. 318 00:15:58,367 --> 00:16:00,066 It was crazy. 319 00:16:04,100 --> 00:16:08,300 I got another fish, state park, on the ice. 320 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:11,500 With five sturgeon on the ice, the race was on to bring up 321 00:16:11,667 --> 00:16:13,467 fish number six. 322 00:16:13,467 --> 00:16:16,166 CO Mark Depew gets a call and starts heading toward 323 00:16:16,333 --> 00:16:17,300 the lucky fisherman. 324 00:16:19,300 --> 00:16:20,400 [Depew] Congratulations. 325 00:16:22,400 --> 00:16:24,767 Good work. Congratulations. 326 00:16:24,767 --> 00:16:26,000 -[Depew] Nice job. -[fisher] Thanks. 327 00:16:26,166 --> 00:16:28,800 -[Depew] Yeah, is this your first one? -Yeah. 328 00:16:28,967 --> 00:16:30,166 [Depew] What happened? 329 00:16:31,100 --> 00:16:33,166 -[Depew] She just came in, or...? -Yeah, it came in 330 00:16:33,166 --> 00:16:35,400 real slow, gave me all the time in the world to spear it. 331 00:16:35,567 --> 00:16:38,767 Well, you're the sixth fish. So yeah, good work. 332 00:16:38,767 --> 00:16:40,667 -Shut down now. -As CO Depew was 333 00:16:40,834 --> 00:16:42,667 checking on this sturgeon, two others were 334 00:16:42,834 --> 00:16:44,133 being brought to the surface. 335 00:16:44,133 --> 00:16:47,600 All three sturgeon were brought up practically simultaneously, 336 00:16:47,767 --> 00:16:49,166 and now officials have to figure out 337 00:16:49,333 --> 00:16:50,500 how to shut down 338 00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:52,500 the rest of the people fishing as quickly as possible. 339 00:17:02,767 --> 00:17:05,467 Just over an hour into the sturgeon spearing season 340 00:17:05,467 --> 00:17:08,266 on Black Lake in Michigan's District 3... 341 00:17:10,567 --> 00:17:13,767 Conservation officer Mark Depew gets called to the sixth fish 342 00:17:13,934 --> 00:17:16,667 of the day. -I got another fish, state park, 343 00:17:17,867 --> 00:17:19,133 on the ice. 344 00:17:19,133 --> 00:17:21,867 The total limit for the season is seven, but all fishing is 345 00:17:22,033 --> 00:17:23,700 stopped after the sixth is brought up 346 00:17:23,867 --> 00:17:25,100 so they don't go over. 347 00:17:25,266 --> 00:17:29,567 The sturgeon patrol today is very controlled. 348 00:17:29,567 --> 00:17:33,367 There's about 15 to 20 conservation officers 349 00:17:33,533 --> 00:17:37,367 and fish division people out here so it's not our normal 350 00:17:37,533 --> 00:17:40,467 enforcement as far as law enforcement division. 351 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:45,767 But we do -- our main purpose for being out here is when 352 00:17:45,934 --> 00:17:50,266 we hit that six fish limit, we need to contact 353 00:17:50,266 --> 00:17:54,200 every fisherman out here that's in the -- fishing for sturgeon, 354 00:17:54,367 --> 00:17:57,767 they'll be flagged and so we'll contact them as soon as 355 00:17:57,934 --> 00:18:01,300 that last fish is speared, and we only have minutes, 356 00:18:01,467 --> 00:18:04,367 especially with the way the fish are moving today. 357 00:18:04,367 --> 00:18:06,667 And we don't want to go over that six fish limit. 358 00:18:06,834 --> 00:18:09,567 So as soon as that sixth fish is speared, we've got to get to 359 00:18:09,734 --> 00:18:12,767 every shanty, over 200 fishermen, and let them know 360 00:18:12,934 --> 00:18:15,667 that the season's closed. -[Depew] Then this is your first one. 361 00:18:15,667 --> 00:18:18,000 -[fisher] Yeah. -[Depew] Good work. 362 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:20,000 [fisher] Came in nice and slow, really easy to spear. 363 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:23,066 -[Depew] Yeah. -[fisher] I put two spears in them myself, and I was yelling, 364 00:18:23,233 --> 00:18:24,667 but nobody came over to help me. 365 00:18:24,834 --> 00:18:26,867 So I said, "Fine, I'll bring them up myself." 366 00:18:26,867 --> 00:18:28,767 -[fisher] Trust me, that was hard. -[Depew] Best way to do it. 367 00:18:28,934 --> 00:18:30,066 Good work. 368 00:18:30,066 --> 00:18:32,567 As Officer Depew was checking sturgeon number six, 369 00:18:32,734 --> 00:18:34,667 two more sturgeon were pulled up almost at 370 00:18:34,834 --> 00:18:36,367 the exact same time. 371 00:18:36,533 --> 00:18:39,400 That made eight total sturgeon harvested, one more than 372 00:18:39,567 --> 00:18:42,000 the quota, two more than they had hoped to catch. 373 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:43,800 You know, I mean, when you have an open fishery, 374 00:18:43,967 --> 00:18:47,166 there's a chance that you can go over your "quota", 375 00:18:47,166 --> 00:18:48,800 if you will. 376 00:18:48,967 --> 00:18:53,467 But we're at 1.2%, and we know we could go up to 5% for 377 00:18:53,467 --> 00:18:56,367 an expanding population, so it doesn't 378 00:18:56,367 --> 00:18:57,867 endanger the population. 379 00:18:59,500 --> 00:19:01,567 And with the open fishery, sometimes that happens, 380 00:19:01,734 --> 00:19:03,000 but we're still safe. 381 00:19:10,166 --> 00:19:14,133 -[officer #1] We went 20 minutes longer than last year. -[Depew] Yeah. 382 00:19:16,567 --> 00:19:19,600 -[Depew] That was another nice fish. -[officer #1] Was that bigger? 383 00:19:19,767 --> 00:19:21,767 [Depew] No, it was about 50 again, somewhere in there. 384 00:19:22,667 --> 00:19:25,166 Back at the check station, all of the fish were brought in 385 00:19:25,166 --> 00:19:27,467 for official measurements and photos, 386 00:19:27,634 --> 00:19:31,000 an unofficial celebration of a truly unique fishing season. 387 00:19:31,166 --> 00:19:32,567 -Five, five. -Five, five? 388 00:19:32,734 --> 00:19:35,767 -Yep. -Full length, five, five inches. 389 00:19:35,767 --> 00:19:38,000 -Centimeters? -1-4-0 centimeters. 390 00:19:43,567 --> 00:19:45,066 [man] 33. 391 00:19:47,367 --> 00:19:51,400 This morning we speared eight fish by 9:07. 392 00:19:51,567 --> 00:19:54,166 Instead of stop at six fish, we ended up with eight. 393 00:19:54,166 --> 00:19:56,066 Nothing that we can do there. 394 00:19:56,233 --> 00:20:00,300 Biologically, it won't hurt the fishery. 395 00:20:00,467 --> 00:20:02,266 I think the season was awesome. 396 00:20:02,433 --> 00:20:05,100 It ended up a lot of work between fish division 397 00:20:05,266 --> 00:20:10,100 and Sturgeon for Tomorrow and law enforcement. 398 00:20:10,100 --> 00:20:11,967 We got the season done. It was safe. 399 00:20:14,367 --> 00:20:18,066 And it just ended up being a beautiful morning 400 00:20:18,233 --> 00:20:19,800 and a great day for fishing. 401 00:20:19,967 --> 00:20:21,900 [upbeat rock music plays] 402 00:20:31,166 --> 00:20:34,400 Conservation officers in Michigan police all aspects 403 00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:35,634 of the outdoors. 404 00:20:35,634 --> 00:20:37,867 In addition to fish and game laws, they patrol 405 00:20:38,033 --> 00:20:40,667 winter recreation sports like snowmobiling. 406 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:48,166 The state of Michigan has nearly 6,500 miles of 407 00:20:48,166 --> 00:20:51,367 snowmobile trails, with 3,100 of those miles 408 00:20:51,367 --> 00:20:53,500 just in the Upper Peninsula. 409 00:20:53,667 --> 00:20:57,367 50% of our trails go through private property, 410 00:20:57,367 --> 00:21:00,066 and we're basically at the mercy of these 411 00:21:00,066 --> 00:21:02,500 private property owners to allow us to have our trails 412 00:21:02,667 --> 00:21:05,700 going through their properties and that's the reason that 413 00:21:05,867 --> 00:21:07,467 we're doing the enforcement. 414 00:21:07,467 --> 00:21:09,600 But that number is down over recent years 415 00:21:09,767 --> 00:21:10,967 due to noise pollution. 416 00:21:11,133 --> 00:21:13,100 [motor revving] 417 00:21:15,266 --> 00:21:18,300 Many of the trails either run near private residences 418 00:21:18,467 --> 00:21:21,667 or through private property with the owner's permission. 419 00:21:21,834 --> 00:21:24,800 When too many noise complaints pile up, those owners can limit 420 00:21:24,967 --> 00:21:28,667 access, making it tougher to get from point A to point B. 421 00:21:28,667 --> 00:21:31,200 To combat that, conservation officers in 422 00:21:31,367 --> 00:21:34,600 Michigan's District 1 conduct sound emissions testing. 423 00:21:40,200 --> 00:21:43,367 Snowmobiles manufactured after 1980 must be equipped 424 00:21:43,533 --> 00:21:46,767 with a muffler that does not exceed 88 decibels. 425 00:21:46,767 --> 00:21:49,300 Conservation officers use a sound level meter 426 00:21:49,467 --> 00:21:51,100 to measure the noise. 427 00:21:51,100 --> 00:21:54,667 They set up about 13 feet away at a height of 4 feet and take 428 00:21:54,667 --> 00:21:57,600 the average of two tests to determine if a snowmobile is 429 00:21:57,767 --> 00:21:59,100 over the limit or not. 430 00:21:59,100 --> 00:22:01,166 [engine revving] 431 00:22:03,367 --> 00:22:05,467 [revving intensifies] 432 00:22:13,100 --> 00:22:15,200 [revving continues] 433 00:22:19,100 --> 00:22:20,667 OK, go ahead and shut it off. 434 00:22:20,667 --> 00:22:23,400 And if you're 88 decibels and below, then you pass. 435 00:22:23,567 --> 00:22:26,266 If you're over 88 decibels, you can see where this is 436 00:22:26,266 --> 00:22:28,166 the four-second average of when you were going. 437 00:22:28,166 --> 00:22:31,000 So you're at 89.1 decibels. 438 00:22:31,166 --> 00:22:33,100 [engine revving] 439 00:22:36,967 --> 00:22:38,100 [engine noise slows] 440 00:22:42,467 --> 00:22:44,700 And just so you can see where your second average is, 441 00:22:44,867 --> 00:22:45,734 this is your second score. 442 00:22:45,734 --> 00:22:47,200 We're gonna average the two together, 443 00:22:47,367 --> 00:22:49,767 but this one was 88.6, so... 444 00:22:50,767 --> 00:22:51,867 [driver] Close. 445 00:22:52,800 --> 00:22:54,800 And actually, the difference between, 446 00:22:55,867 --> 00:23:00,700 the difference -- just the way that it works, 89 is 1.5 times 447 00:23:00,867 --> 00:23:03,767 louder than 88 is, so that's why it's a fail. 448 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:11,266 This rider is issued a ticket for exceeding 88 decibels. 449 00:23:11,433 --> 00:23:13,400 [groovy music plays] 450 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,300 Out on the trails, officers also watch 451 00:23:19,467 --> 00:23:22,266 busy intersections to make sure no one runs stop signs. 452 00:23:23,467 --> 00:23:26,300 [Mapes] This particular stop, there's a lot of foot traffic. 453 00:23:26,467 --> 00:23:27,700 The college is right here. 454 00:23:27,867 --> 00:23:29,767 There's a viewing spot at the top of the hill. 455 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:34,066 Snowmobilers will run this stop sign because it doesn't look 456 00:23:34,233 --> 00:23:37,100 like a road, when in fact it's probably one of 457 00:23:37,266 --> 00:23:39,100 the most important ones to stop at. 458 00:23:39,100 --> 00:23:42,066 Conservation Officers Ethan Mapes and Brian Lasanen 459 00:23:42,233 --> 00:23:45,066 are just getting set up when a group of four snowmobiles 460 00:23:45,233 --> 00:23:47,400 all blow right through the stop sign. 461 00:23:47,567 --> 00:23:49,567 -[rock music plays] -[motor revving] 462 00:23:53,567 --> 00:23:55,667 [rock music intensifies] 463 00:24:06,867 --> 00:24:08,700 It's the middle of the snowmobile season 464 00:24:08,867 --> 00:24:11,066 in the western half of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. 465 00:24:11,233 --> 00:24:13,100 [rock music plays] 466 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,467 Conservation officers from District 1 have 467 00:24:19,467 --> 00:24:22,300 four snowmobiles pulled over for running a stop sign 468 00:24:22,467 --> 00:24:24,066 at a busy intersection. 469 00:24:24,233 --> 00:24:25,867 [Lasanen] What I'm looking for is an updated... 470 00:24:26,033 --> 00:24:27,367 -[driver] This one right here? ...this one is expired, yeah. 471 00:24:27,367 --> 00:24:29,900 -[driver] Sorry, just got it in the mail. -[Lasanen] OK. 472 00:24:31,867 --> 00:24:33,767 Is there a reason why it's not affixed to your snowmobile? 473 00:24:33,934 --> 00:24:36,800 It was cold when I got up here and couldn't get this one off. 474 00:24:36,967 --> 00:24:38,300 OK. All right. 475 00:24:39,200 --> 00:24:40,400 This is supposed to, before you ride 476 00:24:40,567 --> 00:24:42,000 in your snowmobile, it's supposed to be attached. 477 00:24:42,166 --> 00:24:43,600 -[driver] OK. -All right? 478 00:24:43,767 --> 00:24:44,900 -[driver] OK. -So I'll tell you what, 479 00:24:45,767 --> 00:24:48,166 write you a civil infraction for an outside violation 480 00:24:48,333 --> 00:24:51,367 instead of an unregistered snowmobile. -[driver] OK. 481 00:24:51,367 --> 00:24:53,667 -You got a driver's license with you? -[driver] I do. 482 00:24:53,834 --> 00:24:57,667 While CO Lasanen checks this rider, CO Mapes finds marijuana 483 00:24:57,667 --> 00:25:00,500 and a pipe. -That came off the front guy. 484 00:25:01,800 --> 00:25:03,767 One big nugget. The rider, his pipe. 485 00:25:04,800 --> 00:25:08,166 Said they've all been using this morning, and smoked 486 00:25:08,333 --> 00:25:11,600 this morning before we even saw them [indistinct]. -[Lasanen] OK. 487 00:25:11,767 --> 00:25:13,567 -[Mapes] Everyone's eyes are... -[Lasanen] Yeah. 488 00:25:13,567 --> 00:25:17,166 ...pins. So, we'll deal with this guy. 489 00:25:17,333 --> 00:25:20,266 The officers take turns questioning the other riders 490 00:25:20,433 --> 00:25:21,500 on their marijuana usage. 491 00:25:21,667 --> 00:25:23,667 [anticipatory music plays] 492 00:25:29,667 --> 00:25:30,967 -[suspect] Didn't. -[Lasanen] Huh? 493 00:25:31,133 --> 00:25:32,500 -[suspect] Didn't. -[Lasanen] Today, yesterday? 494 00:25:32,667 --> 00:25:33,700 Didn't. You didn't? 495 00:25:33,867 --> 00:25:35,200 [suspect] I did not smoke up in Michigan. 496 00:25:36,100 --> 00:25:37,266 [Lasanen] How long you been up here? 497 00:25:39,166 --> 00:25:40,667 Any drug use today from anybody? 498 00:25:40,834 --> 00:25:43,367 [suspect #2] No, no, not that I know of, nope. 499 00:25:43,367 --> 00:25:45,667 I'm getting a different story from the three other guys 500 00:25:45,667 --> 00:25:46,867 that are with you. -[suspect #2] Yep. 501 00:25:46,867 --> 00:25:48,900 Well, everybody's a grown man. 502 00:25:49,066 --> 00:25:51,100 You know, I'm the oldest out of the group. 503 00:25:51,100 --> 00:25:52,667 Right, right. I get that. 504 00:25:52,667 --> 00:25:54,567 [suspect #2] I can't watch everybody, what they do. 505 00:25:54,734 --> 00:25:56,900 So what they do is their own business. 506 00:25:57,066 --> 00:25:58,367 -What I do is my own business. -Right. 507 00:25:58,533 --> 00:25:59,433 [suspect #2] But I didn't smoke. 508 00:25:59,433 --> 00:26:00,800 Well, your business is my business today. 509 00:26:00,967 --> 00:26:02,467 -OK? -[suspect #2] Yep, yep. You betcha. 510 00:26:02,467 --> 00:26:06,667 [Lasanen and suspect speaking] 511 00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:16,867 [Lasanen] Do you have a medical marijuana card? 512 00:26:16,867 --> 00:26:18,100 [suspect] I do not. 513 00:26:22,500 --> 00:26:23,767 Do you have any marijuana on you right now? 514 00:26:23,767 --> 00:26:25,767 [suspect] Nope. 515 00:26:25,767 --> 00:26:28,166 -[Lasanen] If I pat you down, I'm not gonna find anything? -[suspect] Nope. 516 00:26:28,333 --> 00:26:31,066 And I don't expect you to tell on your partners, 517 00:26:31,233 --> 00:26:34,266 but everybody else has already caved that everyone's been 518 00:26:34,433 --> 00:26:35,667 using marijuana today. -[suspect #2] Sure, yeah. 519 00:26:35,667 --> 00:26:37,500 OK, so is that true? 520 00:26:37,667 --> 00:26:39,100 -[suspect #2] Has everybody? -Yes. 521 00:26:39,266 --> 00:26:41,767 -[suspect #2] Not what I see. -OK, what have you seen? 522 00:26:41,934 --> 00:26:43,300 [suspect #2] I ain't seen no use today. 523 00:26:43,467 --> 00:26:44,700 OK, not even yourself? 524 00:26:44,867 --> 00:26:46,200 -[suspect #2] No, uh-uh. -OK. 525 00:26:46,367 --> 00:26:47,867 [suspect #] Not when we're gonna be on these things, no way. 526 00:26:47,867 --> 00:26:51,066 Right, well, if everyone had that much common sense, 527 00:26:51,233 --> 00:26:52,400 that'd be nice, right? -[suspect #2] You betcha. 528 00:26:52,567 --> 00:26:54,166 -OK. -As they slowly start to 529 00:26:54,333 --> 00:26:56,867 piece the story together, they switch who they are 530 00:26:57,033 --> 00:26:59,800 questioning to see if everyone's story matches. 531 00:26:59,967 --> 00:27:01,400 You couldn't find anything on him? 532 00:27:02,367 --> 00:27:05,367 -Are they denying it? -He said he smoked two days ago. 533 00:27:05,367 --> 00:27:07,066 OK. All right. 534 00:27:07,233 --> 00:27:08,967 I'll talk to him real quick if you want to switch spots 535 00:27:09,133 --> 00:27:11,500 and talk to them. I'll talk to them. 536 00:27:11,667 --> 00:27:13,166 All right. 537 00:27:13,166 --> 00:27:14,467 I know you don't want to get in trouble. 538 00:27:14,467 --> 00:27:16,600 I understand that, OK? 539 00:27:16,767 --> 00:27:18,400 But you're saying that you smoked marijuana 540 00:27:18,567 --> 00:27:20,467 five days ago? That's simply not true. 541 00:27:20,634 --> 00:27:21,600 -OK. -[suspect] Not five days ago. 542 00:27:21,767 --> 00:27:23,100 OK. How many days? 543 00:27:23,266 --> 00:27:25,367 -[suspect] Two. -OK, what about this morning? 544 00:27:25,367 --> 00:27:27,166 -[suspect] Not this morning. -OK. 545 00:27:27,166 --> 00:27:29,667 Because I got conflicting stories now from your group. 546 00:27:29,834 --> 00:27:30,934 -[suspect] OK. -All right. 547 00:27:30,934 --> 00:27:33,767 So now it's time to be honest, and I can help you out 548 00:27:33,767 --> 00:27:35,767 if you help me out, OK? 549 00:27:35,934 --> 00:27:37,233 -So when's the last time you smoked marijuana? -[suspect] This morning. 550 00:27:37,233 --> 00:27:39,100 -This morning? OK. -[suspect] Before we got on the trail, yeah. 551 00:27:39,100 --> 00:27:42,400 OK, before we saw you guys a couple hours ago? OK. 552 00:27:42,567 --> 00:27:45,300 [hip hop beat plays] 553 00:27:47,767 --> 00:27:51,166 Michigan's District 1 is home to The Carp Lake Mine and other 554 00:27:51,333 --> 00:27:53,667 abandoned copper and iron mines. 555 00:27:53,667 --> 00:27:55,867 The mines are a popular hibernation spot for 556 00:27:56,033 --> 00:27:59,767 the state's bat population, a population that is dying off 557 00:27:59,767 --> 00:28:03,467 at an alarming rate. -We found 92 bats today. 558 00:28:03,467 --> 00:28:07,066 This population in the past has been upwards of 19,000 bats. 559 00:28:07,233 --> 00:28:10,000 So we're looking at a 99% plus mortality rate that's happened 560 00:28:10,000 --> 00:28:11,100 here in the last four years. 561 00:28:12,066 --> 00:28:13,200 It's pretty devastating. 562 00:28:14,500 --> 00:28:18,100 So at one time, this was the fifth largest population 563 00:28:18,100 --> 00:28:20,567 of bats in the state, 564 00:28:20,567 --> 00:28:22,767 and now we're down to less than 100. 565 00:28:24,767 --> 00:28:27,266 The cause for this huge drop in the number of bats 566 00:28:27,266 --> 00:28:29,266 is white-nose syndrome. 567 00:28:29,266 --> 00:28:32,800 You can tell these have died a long time ago. 568 00:28:35,266 --> 00:28:37,767 Basically, you've got a little bit skin left and a little bit 569 00:28:37,767 --> 00:28:40,266 of fur and bones, and that's about 570 00:28:40,433 --> 00:28:42,000 all that's left. 571 00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:46,567 The disease did go through this particular mine two years ago, 572 00:28:46,567 --> 00:28:49,767 so we're not finding anything in the way of 573 00:28:49,934 --> 00:28:51,467 fresh dead bodies. 574 00:28:51,467 --> 00:28:54,700 It's mostly ones that died probably two years ago. 575 00:28:54,867 --> 00:28:58,367 First discovered in 2006, white-nose syndrome is now 576 00:28:58,367 --> 00:29:02,100 found in 29 states and five Canadian provinces. 577 00:29:02,100 --> 00:29:04,367 This disease is unique in that it only affects bats, 578 00:29:04,533 --> 00:29:06,000 multiple species of bats, but only affects bats. 579 00:29:06,166 --> 00:29:09,000 Doesn't affect any kind of livestock or pets or people directly. 580 00:29:10,066 --> 00:29:11,667 It only grows in a cold environment, 581 00:29:11,834 --> 00:29:13,266 so it's a cryophilic fungus. 582 00:29:13,266 --> 00:29:16,000 It only grows below 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and it grows in 583 00:29:16,166 --> 00:29:18,166 these environments when bats are in hibernation 584 00:29:18,166 --> 00:29:20,166 in particular, so it grows on their exposed skin. 585 00:29:20,166 --> 00:29:22,900 Protecting these hibernaculas is really critical for 586 00:29:23,066 --> 00:29:25,867 the recovery of these species over the very, very long term. 587 00:29:26,033 --> 00:29:28,467 White-nose syndrome irritates the skin of a bat 588 00:29:28,634 --> 00:29:30,100 and dehydrates them. 589 00:29:30,266 --> 00:29:33,000 It also interrupts their hibernation patterns. 590 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,200 Those bouts become so short that they become awake 591 00:29:35,367 --> 00:29:37,567 continuously, and they burn up the energy reserves they have 592 00:29:37,734 --> 00:29:39,567 for the winter and there's no opportunity to feed 593 00:29:39,567 --> 00:29:41,567 and replenish their energy reserves, so if they burn those 594 00:29:41,567 --> 00:29:44,867 energy reserves prematurely because of the disease they run 595 00:29:45,033 --> 00:29:47,567 out of gas effectively and they'll die en masse. 596 00:29:47,567 --> 00:29:49,500 [overlapping voices] 597 00:29:49,667 --> 00:29:51,767 -Heavily infected. -Yeah. 598 00:29:51,767 --> 00:29:53,166 Unbelievable. 599 00:29:53,333 --> 00:29:55,467 At some of the sites the state is testing a couple of 600 00:29:55,467 --> 00:29:58,367 different treatments they hope will increase survival rates of 601 00:29:58,533 --> 00:30:00,500 bats with white-nose syndrome. 602 00:30:00,667 --> 00:30:02,166 [Depue] We have two different treatment trials going on. 603 00:30:02,333 --> 00:30:05,467 One strategy is to go in and actually treat the site. 604 00:30:05,467 --> 00:30:08,300 There's smaller sites where we go in and treat the site 605 00:30:08,467 --> 00:30:09,734 before the bats are there 606 00:30:10,667 --> 00:30:14,900 to try to kill off the fungus that's causing the disease, 607 00:30:15,066 --> 00:30:16,333 white-nose syndrome. 608 00:30:16,333 --> 00:30:19,300 The second strategy involves treating the individual bats, 609 00:30:19,467 --> 00:30:20,634 not just the site. 610 00:30:20,634 --> 00:30:24,266 If it works well, then we'll continue to test other sites 611 00:30:24,266 --> 00:30:26,166 here in Michigan and then also other states 612 00:30:26,333 --> 00:30:28,100 will start using it. 613 00:30:28,100 --> 00:30:31,100 So we feel fortunate that we're kind of one of the leaders in 614 00:30:31,266 --> 00:30:33,567 field trialing these treatment types. 615 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:36,900 It's exciting, we're hopeful. 616 00:30:45,967 --> 00:30:49,567 With over 3,100 miles of snowmobile trails just in 617 00:30:49,734 --> 00:30:52,100 Michigan's Upper Peninsula, conservation officers 618 00:30:52,266 --> 00:30:54,600 patrol them similar to roads. 619 00:30:54,767 --> 00:30:57,500 They watch for excessive speeds, unsafe driving, 620 00:30:57,667 --> 00:31:00,667 and to make sure stop signs at busy intersections are obeyed. 621 00:31:06,567 --> 00:31:08,166 In Michigan's District 1, 622 00:31:10,400 --> 00:31:13,266 COs Ethan Mapes and Brian Lasanen have a group 623 00:31:13,266 --> 00:31:16,166 of four snowmobilers pulled over for running a stop sign 624 00:31:16,333 --> 00:31:17,600 on trail number three. 625 00:31:17,767 --> 00:31:20,266 One of the drivers had drugs on him, and he admitted to 626 00:31:20,266 --> 00:31:23,567 smoking marijuana earlier that morning. 627 00:31:23,734 --> 00:31:26,600 A second rider eventually admitted to smoking as well. 628 00:31:26,767 --> 00:31:29,166 So now it's time to be honest, and I can help you out 629 00:31:29,166 --> 00:31:30,767 if you help me out, OK? 630 00:31:30,934 --> 00:31:32,667 So when was the last time you smoked marijuana? 631 00:31:32,834 --> 00:31:34,000 -[suspect] This morning. -This morning? OK. 632 00:31:34,166 --> 00:31:35,367 -[suspect] Before we got on the trail, yeah. -OK. 633 00:31:35,533 --> 00:31:38,166 Before we saw you guys a couple hours ago? OK. 634 00:31:38,333 --> 00:31:39,967 All right, you got your license on you? 635 00:31:40,133 --> 00:31:41,567 -Does my partner have it? -[suspect] He's got it. 636 00:31:41,567 --> 00:31:43,567 -OK. -While the COs work to 637 00:31:43,734 --> 00:31:46,367 get the story from the rest of the group, a sound check is 638 00:31:46,367 --> 00:31:48,867 being administered closer to town. 639 00:31:54,200 --> 00:31:57,467 Sergeant Ryan Aho and Officer Mark Leadman are 640 00:31:57,467 --> 00:32:00,567 checking snowmobiles for excessive sound. 641 00:32:00,734 --> 00:32:02,767 88 decibels is the limit. 642 00:32:02,934 --> 00:32:05,867 If you are over that, you are issued a ticket. 643 00:32:05,867 --> 00:32:08,100 That's what we're just trying to, you know, basically, 644 00:32:08,266 --> 00:32:10,667 just so you know why we're running all these tests, 645 00:32:10,667 --> 00:32:12,600 is that we've actually lost snowmobile trails, 646 00:32:12,767 --> 00:32:16,500 because 50% of our trails actually go through public property, 647 00:32:16,667 --> 00:32:19,166 and 50% go through private property, where we're losing 648 00:32:19,333 --> 00:32:21,467 permissions due to sound noises. 649 00:32:23,266 --> 00:32:25,467 OK, and again, have a seat on your snowmobile. 650 00:32:26,367 --> 00:32:28,767 Left hand on the brake, bring it up to 651 00:32:30,100 --> 00:32:32,266 that 4,000 RPMs when I give you the thumbs up, 652 00:32:32,433 --> 00:32:34,400 because that's when the machine will be ready, OK? 653 00:32:34,567 --> 00:32:36,166 All right, go ahead and start your machine. 654 00:32:37,300 --> 00:32:39,400 [motor revving] 655 00:32:57,367 --> 00:32:59,467 [revving slows] 656 00:33:01,200 --> 00:33:03,100 [Aho] Very -- Even I can do the math on this one. 657 00:33:03,266 --> 00:33:04,667 [driver] It's all the same? 658 00:33:04,667 --> 00:33:06,100 [Aho] Exactly the same. 659 00:33:06,266 --> 00:33:08,000 -[driver] Am I good to go? -[Aho chuckles] 660 00:33:08,166 --> 00:33:10,266 [Aho] 90.5, you're way over. 661 00:33:12,600 --> 00:33:15,767 88 is the limit where 662 00:33:15,767 --> 00:33:19,266 if you're over 88, you're in violation. 663 00:33:19,433 --> 00:33:23,100 Aftermarket exhaust systems are the primary cause of engines 664 00:33:23,266 --> 00:33:24,266 being too loud. 665 00:33:24,266 --> 00:33:26,300 -[anticipatory music plays] -[engine revving] 666 00:33:33,467 --> 00:33:35,567 [engine revving] 667 00:33:39,900 --> 00:33:42,100 [engine revving] 668 00:33:43,100 --> 00:33:44,166 [Aho] That's good. 669 00:33:52,567 --> 00:33:54,667 [motor revving] 670 00:33:56,867 --> 00:33:59,000 [revving slows] 671 00:34:00,367 --> 00:34:02,066 You can come over and see where your second score was 672 00:34:02,233 --> 00:34:03,266 if you'd like. 673 00:34:04,300 --> 00:34:05,567 You can see where your average is here, sir. 674 00:34:05,567 --> 00:34:10,066 This is your second score. And your second score is 90.2. 675 00:34:10,233 --> 00:34:11,900 Come on up and check out your... 676 00:34:12,066 --> 00:34:14,967 I put pause... 91 flat. 677 00:34:17,066 --> 00:34:19,867 And you get the average of the two scores, so that's 678 00:34:20,033 --> 00:34:22,567 your four-second average that I took, 93.6. 679 00:34:22,567 --> 00:34:25,000 -So do you have a stock can for the machine? -[driver] Yeah. 680 00:34:25,166 --> 00:34:26,900 OK, what we're asking everybody is if you do have 681 00:34:27,066 --> 00:34:29,567 a stock can to please put it on if you had it with you, 682 00:34:29,567 --> 00:34:31,367 and if not, at your earliest convenience. 683 00:34:31,367 --> 00:34:32,667 [driver] Yeah, absolutely. 684 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:37,100 [engine revving] 685 00:34:45,567 --> 00:34:47,100 [revving slows] 686 00:34:47,100 --> 00:34:48,100 [Aho] Go ahead and shut it off. 687 00:34:48,266 --> 00:34:49,266 Why don't you come on over here? 688 00:34:49,433 --> 00:34:50,767 I like showing everybody where they're at. 689 00:34:52,767 --> 00:34:55,000 He's way over, so. 690 00:34:55,000 --> 00:34:57,467 You're at, just with where you were, 94.9. 691 00:34:57,634 --> 00:35:00,100 -OK, and what is the limit on it? -88 is the limit, 692 00:35:00,266 --> 00:35:03,000 so you're probably one of the loudest sleds of the day. 693 00:35:03,166 --> 00:35:05,000 Today we had a very successful patrol. 694 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:08,200 We were targeting sound enforcement on the snowmobiles, 695 00:35:08,367 --> 00:35:11,667 so snowmobile sound enforcement, where we tested, 696 00:35:11,834 --> 00:35:14,066 we've probably tested close to 20 snowmobiles. 697 00:35:14,233 --> 00:35:18,900 I think we issued 12 to 15 citations for 698 00:35:19,867 --> 00:35:24,567 snowmobiles that exceeded 88 decibels, which is the maximum 699 00:35:24,567 --> 00:35:27,467 that you can have for a snowmobile to be legal. 700 00:35:27,634 --> 00:35:30,967 The court-ordered fine for exceeding 88 decibels can be 701 00:35:31,133 --> 00:35:32,667 as high as $280. 702 00:35:42,266 --> 00:35:44,367 [calm music plays] 703 00:35:46,066 --> 00:35:48,467 With thousands of miles of trails in the state, 704 00:35:48,634 --> 00:35:51,867 keeping them groomed is a near round-the-clock job. 705 00:35:51,867 --> 00:35:55,767 [Dee] Our club grooms 235 miles of trails. 706 00:35:55,767 --> 00:35:59,467 Behind me is one of the groomers that we get, 707 00:35:59,467 --> 00:36:04,266 $200,000 piece of equipment that is 100% funded by 708 00:36:04,266 --> 00:36:07,367 the trail permits sold by the snowmobiles that are 709 00:36:07,367 --> 00:36:08,667 coming up behind us. 710 00:36:08,667 --> 00:36:10,767 There are dozens of local snowmobile groups 711 00:36:10,934 --> 00:36:13,100 across the state, and their members work all winter 712 00:36:13,100 --> 00:36:15,467 to keep the trails in tip-top shape. 713 00:36:15,467 --> 00:36:19,266 The winter of 2016-2017 in Houghton County saw 714 00:36:19,266 --> 00:36:21,767 180 inches of snowfall. 715 00:36:21,767 --> 00:36:24,867 Because of the high amount of snow that we get up here, 716 00:36:25,033 --> 00:36:29,500 as well as the enthusiasm from the snowmobilers to come up 717 00:36:29,667 --> 00:36:32,600 here and play in all that snow, we have to hit our trails 718 00:36:32,767 --> 00:36:34,100 at least twice a day. 719 00:36:34,266 --> 00:36:35,867 Snowmobiling is huge for this area. 720 00:36:35,867 --> 00:36:39,800 I mean, that's probably our primary winter income 721 00:36:39,967 --> 00:36:43,200 as far as tourism and so forth, so it makes a major impact. 722 00:36:43,367 --> 00:36:45,000 If we don't have the weather for snowmobiles, 723 00:36:45,000 --> 00:36:48,300 then our economy is hurting up here a little bit. 724 00:36:48,467 --> 00:36:54,767 So in a season, our club grooms over 30,000 miles of trail. 725 00:36:54,934 --> 00:36:58,100 That's like circling the globe and going another quarter of 726 00:36:58,266 --> 00:36:59,500 the way around. 727 00:37:01,166 --> 00:37:03,900 Conservation Officers Ethan Mapes and Brian Lasanen 728 00:37:04,066 --> 00:37:07,667 of Michigan's District 1 have four snowmobilers pulled over. 729 00:37:09,367 --> 00:37:11,867 [suspenseful music plays] 730 00:37:11,867 --> 00:37:13,800 The group ran a stop sign at the intersection of 731 00:37:13,967 --> 00:37:16,567 two very busy snow trails, and they found drugs 732 00:37:16,567 --> 00:37:18,200 on one of the drivers. 733 00:37:18,367 --> 00:37:22,800 I found marijuana on the front group. We're gonna deal with that. 734 00:37:24,266 --> 00:37:25,600 They shouldn't be driving. 735 00:37:25,767 --> 00:37:27,100 At least a couple of them shouldn't be driving. 736 00:37:28,467 --> 00:37:29,634 Their sled's staying... 737 00:37:29,634 --> 00:37:32,700 Obviously, it impaired them, which is why they blew this 738 00:37:32,867 --> 00:37:35,166 stop sign right through this intersection with people 739 00:37:35,166 --> 00:37:37,767 walking everywhere. 740 00:37:37,767 --> 00:37:40,066 It would be a good one to get him off the trail. 741 00:37:40,233 --> 00:37:43,867 In addition to traditional fish and game laws, COs police many 742 00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:46,367 recreational sports, like snowmobiling. 743 00:37:46,533 --> 00:37:47,433 I know you guys smoke marijuana. 744 00:37:47,433 --> 00:37:48,500 Everybody smoked marijuana this morning. 745 00:37:48,667 --> 00:37:50,100 before you hit the trails, right? 746 00:37:51,700 --> 00:37:54,000 [suspect #2] Well, if they did, I didn't smoke any marijuana. 747 00:37:54,166 --> 00:37:55,500 Were you guys staying in the same room? 748 00:37:55,667 --> 00:37:56,667 [suspect #2] Yep, yep. 749 00:37:56,834 --> 00:37:58,867 So you're telling me that they were hiding, 750 00:37:59,033 --> 00:38:00,400 or what's going on? 751 00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:01,967 [suspect #2] Well, what they do outside, I go outside and smoke 752 00:38:02,133 --> 00:38:03,300 cigarettes and make sure everything's... 753 00:38:03,467 --> 00:38:05,367 When's the last time you used marijuana? 754 00:38:05,367 --> 00:38:06,767 -[suspect #2] Friday night. -Friday night, 755 00:38:06,934 --> 00:38:08,967 before you guys came up to Michigan? -[suspect #2] Yep, yep. 756 00:38:09,133 --> 00:38:11,467 Two of the drivers have admitted to smoking marijuana 757 00:38:11,634 --> 00:38:12,734 earlier that morning. 758 00:38:12,734 --> 00:38:15,266 So now it's time to be honest, and I can help you out 759 00:38:15,433 --> 00:38:16,767 if you help me out, OK? 760 00:38:16,934 --> 00:38:18,600 So when's the last time you smoked marijuana? 761 00:38:18,767 --> 00:38:20,166 -[suspect] This morning. -This morning? 762 00:38:20,333 --> 00:38:22,467 The other two are denying that they also smoked. 763 00:38:22,467 --> 00:38:25,000 -Any drug use today from anybody? -[suspect #2] No, no. 764 00:38:25,000 --> 00:38:26,867 Not that I know of. Nope. 765 00:38:26,867 --> 00:38:30,667 The COs conduct field sobriety tests on all four individuals. 766 00:38:30,834 --> 00:38:33,600 [driver] 18, 19, 20. 767 00:38:36,767 --> 00:38:42,367 One, two, three, four, 768 00:38:42,367 --> 00:38:49,000 five, six, seven, eight, nine, 769 00:38:54,367 --> 00:38:56,600 OK, at this point, you're under arrest for 770 00:38:56,767 --> 00:39:00,066 possession of marijuana, OK? -[suspect #3] Yep. 771 00:39:01,000 --> 00:39:04,367 To be determined, we're gonna check and see 772 00:39:04,533 --> 00:39:07,967 how much THC is in your blood, see if you're OK 773 00:39:08,133 --> 00:39:10,266 to drive a snowmobile today. 774 00:39:10,433 --> 00:39:11,800 Obviously, you're a little bit impaired. 775 00:39:11,967 --> 00:39:14,367 You drove right through that stop sign, OK? 776 00:39:14,533 --> 00:39:16,767 Based on the results of those tests, coupled with 777 00:39:16,934 --> 00:39:20,367 the snowmobilers' admissions, the COs called the Houghton County Sheriff 778 00:39:20,367 --> 00:39:23,266 and Michigan State Police to help transport all four 779 00:39:23,266 --> 00:39:25,867 to a local hospital for further blood testing. 780 00:39:27,166 --> 00:39:29,500 Will you guys take a blood test for me? 781 00:39:29,667 --> 00:39:31,400 -Volunteer blood test? -Sure. 782 00:39:31,567 --> 00:39:34,200 -OK. -I appreciate you guys cooperating, OK? 783 00:39:34,367 --> 00:39:37,266 [suspect] Yeah, no, I know. I like being helpful. 784 00:39:38,300 --> 00:39:41,266 All four were charged with operating a snowmobile under 785 00:39:41,266 --> 00:39:44,300 the influence of drugs, and all four plead guilty, 786 00:39:44,467 --> 00:39:47,467 paying $850 in court-ordered fines 787 00:39:47,634 --> 00:39:49,600 and spending the night in jail. 788 00:39:49,767 --> 00:39:52,900 They also lost their snowmobile privileges for six months. 788 00:39:53,305 --> 00:40:53,647 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm