St. Martin Island Deer Harvest

Fellow hunters,

I just got off the phone where I spoke directly with Debbie Munson Badini of the Michigan DNR’s Marquette office. She is VERY familiar with this story.

First off, the pictures are legitimate, and were from a deer camp on St. Martin’s Island in the U.P. However, the implications of the original e-mail are incorrect.

Debbie informed me that there was no poaching or other large-scale illegal hunting going on. She did say there were some tickets issued for some incorrectly tagged deer, and wardens are investigating a few other possible violations, but that, again, this was NOT some sort of “poachers camp” [my quotes on that phrase].

She said that Michigan DNR has not publicized this as yet since they are waiting until their officers wrap-up and tie off some of the outstanding issues.

I hope you’ll pass this e-mail around to, hopefully, correct any misconceptions.

Thanks!

Evan

I am assuming that the island is free of coyotes, wolves, or other large predators.

Either it’s not managed by the same DNR that has helped destroy the rest of Michigan’s deer herd or those deer are imports! I haven’t seen that many bucks in 22 years of hunting “all over Michigan”, they must be doing something right…..

If trapping deer and transporting them is illegal that would make this whole act illegal correct? This isnt hunting its killing. I am an avid hunter and this is the kind of stuff that gives us a bad name thanks guys!! Deer management also the correct amount of does and seems as though there are far more bucks on this “island” and as for the conservation officers from the looks of the picture you guys should look for new careers. Have one question though 1200 acres and over 50 deer why didnt you guys just tie them up and shoot them. I bet you all made the other michigan hunters very happy for spending all those cold hard days in the tree well worth it.