- Hello everyone.

Welcome to Michigan Out-of-Doors.

I'm Jenny Ciolek and we've got an exciting show for you this week.

I'm here on the Banks of the Black River outside of Sheboygan and Onaway for the Sturgeon Guard.

We're here with a big group of people that has a passion for our lake sturgeon here in Michigan.

We're gonna show you what that's all about, and Jimmy and Jordan have some other excitement in store for us this week.

- Well, that's right, Jenny.

We do have another story on this week's show.

We're gonna kick things off and we're talking deer on this week's episode.

You may be aware of this, you may not.

But last week in the town of Gaylord, our Natural Resources Commission met and have some big changes for the upcoming deer season.

We'll have all that information for you on this week's episode as well.

Make sure you stay tuned, I'm Jimmy Gretzinger.

It's time for Michigan Out-of-Doors.

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(tense music) (rifle booming) (upbeat music) - Well everybody, we are here today at the NRC meeting in Gaylord, Michigan.

It's the 13th and there's gonna be some voting happening here in a couple hours.

We got here about halfway through the public comment where folks from around the state can sign up ahead of time and get five minutes to talk in front of the Commission.

Or I think if you're here, just sign up today.

You can do three minutes.

But that's kinda happening right now behind us.

And it's kind of an interesting thing.

They're gonna be voting on whether the state of Michigan is gonna adopt a one buck rule, but over the last couple of weeks there's been some movement, partially because of the NRC, some stuff we don't know, maybe some politics are coming into it.

They're really looking at an earn a buck situation as well.

So there's kind of the one buck rule group.

There's kind of a earn a buck and that would be where you'd shoot your first buck and then you had to shoot a doe to get a second buck tag.

So they're discussing all that stuff so they could adopt one, they could adopt the other.

I guess they could really do nothing and we'd have the same regulations as last year.

But it has caused a lot of interest.

As you probably can imagine, deer hunting and deer regulations in this state are talked about all the time at every deer camp and turkey camp and fish camp you go to.

So we're here to kinda see what happens kinda live and in person and see what the vote is.

It'll be interesting to see if sound science has anything to do with what's happening here today or if it's just not that.

So yeah, it's interesting group of concerned sportsmen in there.

They're very passionate and that's coming through loud and clear.

But I think at the end of the day we all love deer hunting and we all love the state of Michigan.

And so hopefully today would be a positive thing.

But time will tell.

- Beginning with the 2027 license year, the single deer license will be one buck with an antler point restriction of three points on his side or an antlerless steer for the entire Lower Peninsula subject to restriction as described below.

The deer combination license will be one antler deer tag with no antler point restriction and one antlerless deer tag.

The antler deer tag may be used to harvest antlerless deer.

- Okay, well we are here with Chad Stewart and we are just fresh out of the meeting and people are still coming out the doors.

Kind of a whirlwind of a meeting because I think a lot of the proposals that the DNR had put forth to the NRC, a lot of those were, I don't wanna say ignored, but somewhat ignored and they kind of did some new things.

So we don't need your opinion on that.

We do need you to kind of explain, I think again, these are the changes for 2027 for some of it, some of the dates.

Some of the new dates are gonna take effect this year.

Shortening, lengthening some of the seasons, whatever in there.

But from your perspective, Chad, just kind of walk us through what are some of the big picture things here that are changing.

- Yeah, a whirlwind but a marathon at the same time.

We've been here for a while.

Yeah, so I hope you don't mind if I look down, I'm trying to, I've got some notes.

- This is as new to you as it is to me.

- Very scribbled out here, so yeah.

Apologies for that.

So a few holdovers from our original order, what we proposed, right?

The Liberty hunt, which is the youth season in September and the early antlerless season also in September.

Previously they were separate weekends.

They're gonna be now joined.

So two weekends now become one.

It was like that years and years ago.

They were split off and now they're back together again.

So early antlerless and liberty hunts are together.

The muzzle loader season, which is a big change for a lot of folks, is going from 10 days to three days.

So in the UP, it's obviously gonna still remain a muzzle loader only season.

- And that's actual muzzle loaders?

- Actual muzzle loader.

Muzzle loader only, yep.

The way it's been and the Lower Peninsula has been any legal firearm, that is going to remain.

So we're gonna call it the December firearm season.

So I know that has always caused a lot of consternation with continuing to call it a muzzle loader season.

You know, the reason that sort of maintained is because, you know, we've been evaluating at this time, so we wanted people to just continue to understand what that was.

But you know, that change seems to be a little bit more conclusive now.

But it is going from a 10 day to a three day season.

So that's gonna be a big change for some folks.

And then concurrently, that late antlerless season that always follows the muzzle loader season in the Lower Peninsula is gonna be moved up.

So it's gonna continue to start right after muzzle loader season ends.

- And that season will now end January 1?

- Yes, so that was one of the amendments that came out of today, one of I believe six amendments that came out of today.

All deer hunting is going to-- - Stop at the end of the year.

- At January 1.

So that means in the Lower Peninsula, that extended late antlerless season is no longer, it is gone.

- I like that one.

A lot.

- As well as the January archery hunt.

So in certain counties in the Lower Peninsula, you could archery hunt throughout January.

That's gone as well.

That was removed as an amendment by the Commission.

So there's one other change that happened in 26 that they passed.

And that was county specific antlerless use limits.

So that's a big one too.

In the Lower Peninsula, you know, basically anybody can get up to 10 anterless licenses and use them wherever.

What they've done now is structure it so we have specific county limits.

So you can still go out and buy up to 10 anterless licenses, but maybe in this county you can only use three.

In this county you can use five, maybe in this county you can still use 10.

So it's much more of a concentrated county specific focus.

- Okay.

- So that is a change for 26 as well from an amendment.

There are no buck regulation changes in 2026, but what they did was they passed a series of changes in 2027.

In the Upper Peninsula, there's really, there's really no change.

- You can shoot two bucks in the UP.

- You can still shoot two bucks.

You've still got the hunter's choice option available.

And what I mean by that is if you buy the combo, you've got the three and four point restriction.

If you buy the single tag, it's the unrestricted three inch, you know, tag.

So yeah, so 27, so no changes anywhere in the state in 26 and in 27, no changes in the Upper Peninsula.

- And then we get down to the Lower Peninsula.

- Lower peninsula is different.

So they did pass a one buck limit in the Lower Peninsula.

But there are some differences with that and especially in terms of how the Department presented it.

So this is where I need my sheet.

I'm sorry.

- That's perfectly fine.

- So let's start in the Northwest 13, right?

- No change.

- No change except you have, you're only limited to one buck now, right?

- Oh, okay.

- So the entire Lower Peninsula, you can only harvest one buck.

In the Northwest 13, which is our APR area, the APRs will remain.

So that's a three point to a side.

So if you buy a combination license, the buck you can harvest has to have a three point to a side.

And then the other part of that combination license is an antlerless only license.

- For the 13.

- Yes, for the Northwest 13.

Yes.

- But for all of the Lower Peninsula, that goes to a one buck tag.

And then but if you buy the combo license, unrestricted for the buck.

- Yes, yes.

So finishing off the Northwest 13, that single tag is also a three point on a side.

So everything stays there.

What you're saying is correct, like the rest of the Lower Peninsula, again, single buck limit total.

If you buy this, if you buy the single tag, you now have a three point restriction per side or on a side that you have to abide by.

If you buy the combination license-- - Don't have to add the antler point restriction.

- Correct, it's unrestricted tag on one of the tags and then an antlerless only on the other tag.

- And then the kicker part of that whole situation, which is I'm sure they factored this in.

So if I live in the Lower Peninsula, which I do, so if I shoot a buck around my house, I'm done shooting bucks because I only have a doe tag left.

However, if I go above the bridge, I can now harvest a second buck in the UP with that as a restricted tag.

- Technically your tag would be eligible to be used for a buck north of the bridge, yeah.

- So that's a little tricky.

- It is.

- Enforcement on that I think is gonna be, I mean it's hard to be a CO anyways, but man, some of these things, it's getting really tough.

- Well, and then the other additional piece of what they passed with the amendment is that in some area, which we've not determined yet, that'll be determined at a later date is there will be an earn a second buck pilot study area.

- Okay.

- I think I got my words right there and I don't know, I don't know where that's going to be yet.

I don't know what the size of that area is going to be yet.

But the theory is or the concept is that in that area, if you report an antlerless deer, you will now be eligible to purchase a second antler tag, which would be four point restricted on that side.

- Okay.

And this one I thinkis a big deal is that we eliminate the rifle line starting in 27.

- Yeah, yeah.

It's a good point.

So that was one of the other amendments and that's actually a change for 26.

- Oh, that's for 26.

- That'll happen this year.

So that the limited firearm line, I don't wanna say it separates zone two and zone three 'cause they don't pretty close track exactly.

But they track pretty similarly, that goes away.

So the rifles that you could use in zone one and zone two are now eligible to be used in zone three.

- Wow, that's a big one.

- There's a lot of big ones in this.

So yeah, we're gonna have a lot of communication coming out about this.

We just kind of have to compile everything and go from there.

- Well I just think it's interesting, you know, a lot of people out there and me considered to lump myself into this.

I just figured this is all the DNR does what they're gonna do.

But I mean these were all, a lot of changes that the NRC made that were different from what the Department recommended.

- There were six amendments from the Commission to our original order.

So the holdovers from us are shortening the muzzle loader season.

The combination of the early anterless and liberty hunt.

The senior deer license in the UP, the maintaining hunter's choice, the earn a second buck, the one buck limit.

Of course we proposed a one buck limit, but that was the statewide.

- No antler point restrictions.

- Well they would still stay in the Northwest 13, but yeah, we had a one buck limit statewide proposed, that one got altered and amended by our Commission.

The anterless use limits, the no hunting after January 1st.

Those are all NRC amendments.

- Well a lot of information.

We sure appreciate your time with us and being generous with that.

And I know there's a bunch of people probably still want to talk to you, but hopefully they're all gone by now.

So, but thanks.

- Absolutely.

- Appreciate it.

- Yeah.

- Well special thanks to Chad again for sitting down and just chatting with us for a little bit.

We had just come outta that meeting and it was a lot of brand new information so hopefully we got all that information out to you and we'll be talking more about that obviously as we get closer to the deer season for the changes for this year and obviously changes for next year as well.

And I just kinda wanted to say a couple things about that meeting.

It was really cool to see so many people that were so passionate about deer hunting and passionate about the outdoors and there was a lot of younger folks in there too, 20s and 30s and 40 year olds and stuff like that where usually that tends to have been kind of something for the guys that are 50, 60 and 70.

And so it's good to see some of those younger hunters caring about the resource and wanting to have their voice heard.

So special thanks to everyone who came there.

And no matter what you think, whether you think we should be doing a two buck rule or one buck rule or whatever the regulations are that you're either happy about or sad about, we need to come together as sportsmen to make sure that we supporting each other in every way that we can.

And just because someone was on the side of two bucks instead of one buck, that doesn't make them a bad person.

That doesn't make the people that wanted a one buck the right person or the bad person, stick together as hunters.

And no matter what the regulations are, make sure you remember the main thing that is to get out and enjoy time in the outdoors.

And so if you don't like the regulations, I know we've heard some people say, I'm not gonna hunt in Michigan anymore.

Don't do that.

Make sure that you go buy that tag, whatever it is and enjoy your time in the outdoors.

Spending time with friends, spending time with family.

That's what it's all about.

Putting some meat on the table is icing on the cake.

So support your local hunters, your buddies that maybe they don't think the same as you, maybe they do, but let's stick together as sportsman and hopefully if we do that we'll have a good deer season for years and years to come.

- There is no doubt that the people of Sheboygan and the Sturgeon for Tomorrow chapter here have a passion for our lake sturgeon.

We are here on the banks of the Black River for sturgeon spawning season to protect those fish.

There is something special about our lake sturgeon population here in the Great Lake State that folks connect with and embrace, its roots trace back to prehistoric times, making it the oldest surviving species of its kind.

We are lucky enough here in Michigan to have a few concentrated populations of sturgeon.

One in the Black Lake and Black River Watershed in Sheboygan and Presque counties, one in Otsego Lake and one in the southeast part of the state that stretches from Lower Lake Huron down the St.

Clair River through Lake St.

Clair and into the Detroit River.

In Michigan, we have two chapters of Sturgeon for Tomorrow.

A conservation organization aimed at preserving, protecting and growing our sturgeon populations here in Michigan.

The chapters work with MSU, the DNR and US Fish and Wildlife Service and join together for many ongoing sturgeon research projects in these waters.

They take biological data through tissue samples, measure, weight and tag these fish to better understand not only the health of the population, but the quality of their environments.

School kids are learning all about lake sturgeon through the Sturgeon in the Classroom program sponsored by Sturgeon for Tomorrow.

Each year, several classrooms across the state are able to raise a young sturgeon, study the biology of it and then release it back to its home waters.

This incredible program has made a huge impact on the awareness of sturgeon here in our state.

But science and conservation are only part of the sturgeon's story here in Michigan.

With the great success in growing numbers of a species that was once in danger of dwindling to extinction, we are lucky enough to have the opportunity to fish for these amazing creatures too.

You should check the most current rules and regulations before fishing, but in some areas, anglers are able to keep a sturgeon caught on hook and line.

As most of you know, there's a highly regulated sturgeon spearing season that happens on Black Lake every winter.

The sturgeon season and chivalry party are steeped in decades old tradition that are aimed at fish management and ceremonially honoring these creatures.

Of course, the small number of fish speared won't be returned to the water but will be used to feed the families and friends of those lucky enough to connect with one.

Local Native American tribes also contribute to conservation efforts for our sturgeon and consider it a great honor to harvest one.

(Native Americans singing in foreign language) Many ceremonies complete with song and dance are performed by the tribal community to celebrate the sturgeon and harvest season.

In Port Huron, an annual festival is held every June to honor the lake sturgeon who call these waters home.

The festival coincides with the spawning season and even the local tour boat gets involved offering sturgeon viewing cruises, with all of the awareness and celebration of the mighty sturgeon in Michigan, there's another event to mention, the annual Sturgeon Guard that happens on the banks of the Black River in Sheboygan County.

We headed there a couple of weeks ago to check it out.

- Well we're having a tour, it's in conjunction with Earth Day and basically what we do is we take people back to the spawning grounds back there where we have the sturgeon guard set up.

We will have the DNR back there, fisheries division, law enforcement division, and then MSU researchers will be back there.

And basically we're gonna tell everybody everything we know about sturgeon, probably a lot more than they want to know.

A sturgeon guard is just basically we put people up on the river so that they can be visible to keep the poachers away from taking the fish out at their most vulnerable time, when they're up in the river spawning, the water's very shallow, they're easy to, you know, take out of there and we just don't want people up in there.

And that's what we do is we put people on the river and if they see anything that looks suspicious, just call the DNR.

We don't wanna approach anybody, we don't want to cause any kind of confrontation.

That's not our job.

We're just there to try to keep people away.

- [Jenny] Is it mostly volunteers that do that?

- 100% volunteers.

Everybody in this organization is a volunteer, that includes me.

There is fish spawning.

It was a really slow start.

We have as of yesterday, I think we're up to 54 or five total and 17 of those were yesterday.

So they're just really starting to get up there right now.

- [Jenny] So how do you get 'em Charlie?

- You dive down, you're watching for 'em.

I kinda like to take my left hand and direct their nose into the net, kind of once you get their head and pectoral fins in the net, usually it's a done deal by then.

But not always.

- [Jenny] They'll let you get right up to 'em, eh?

- Sometimes yeah 'cause they're concentrated on spawning but other times they will try to get away from you.

- [Jenny] Charlie was here to help with the spawning research.

Another team of divers and biologists would arrive shortly to aid in the efforts.

The spawning activity was ramping up today.

- It's going really well.

We're about 70 fish into the year so far.

We're doing the adult population assessment survey right now and we're also looking for spawning activity for lake sturgeon in the Upper Black River.

Despite what was a pretty tumultuous start to the year with some of the flooding, Mother Nature persists.

And we do have sturgeon spawning up here right now.

We're hoping to collect gametes today still.

They've been sort of moving all over the place and so over the last week or so they've been up by the dam and at a waterfall up by the dam.

But it looks like they're starting to move back down here into the spawning grounds that we traditionally capture fish.

My crew should be by here in just a little bit to hopefully pull up some fish for everybody and have a great time.

So the public is crucial to the effort that we have here.

Lake sturgeon, while they are a charismatic megafauna and really engaging to us as scientists, it's even more important that we get public buy-in on events like today so that we can keep momentum going to keep doing this work.

But also making sure that the public is attached to these fishes is a personal goal of mine.

So we do projects like this where we have folks come down and watch fish at the river, protect the fish while they're during their spawning runs, while they are spawning here.

We also have sturgeon that are in classrooms now so that the next generation of community scientists can be engaged by these fish.

Learn about these fish, learn about their life history and it's that public support that allows us to keep doing this work.

You know, in Michigan, everything that we do is publicly funded and so making sure that the public is interested and engaged is part of our mission.

- All right.

- Slippery.

- What's he feel like?

- Slippery, wet.

- Did you see the barbells?

Do you remember what those are?

My friend was out here last year.

Oh, go ahead.

Cool, huh?

How about that?

- [Jenny] It looks like exhausting work fighting the strong current and cold water to bring a fish to shore.

And everyone appreciated Charlie's skills in wrangling a sturgeon.

- He wants to go.

- All right, here we go!

- Tracy Osborne teaches fourth grade in Sault Ste.

Marie and was here to release a sturgeon that she and her students have been raising as part of the sturgeon in the classroom program.

- What's your fish's name?

- Pearl.

This is Pearl.

She's about 14 and a half inches long.

About 3.5 ounces.

- [Jenny] Do you have any kids with you from your class?

- No, I did last year.

- Okay.

- We weren't really sure what day, so I didn't, last year I had a couple girls come, but this year, it's just us.

- And this was from the Sturgeon in the Classroom project?

- Sturgeon in the Classroom.

- All right.

- So we learned all about the sturgeon, keeping the Great Lakes clean and protecting the sturgeon and all the great things that she does for us.

- [Jenny] Our lake sturgeons certainly do a lot for us.

They bring us together from all walks of life to celebrate a victory of surviving and now flourishing in our great state.

They make us more aware of our water quality and how to improve it, and they leave us in awe that a fish swimming in our lakes and rivers can live to be over 100 years old.

We'll celebrate the sturgeon again next month in Port Huron where the annual Sturgeon Fest takes place on June 6th.

For details on the event, visit Friends of the St.

Clair River online at scriver.org.

We hope to see you there.

Thank you so much for joining us this week for Michigan Out-of-Doors.

Make sure you stick around in upcoming weeks.

Lots of great springtime action headed your way, including a trip to the Keweenaw Peninsula up in the UP for some walleye fishing.

If you'd like to see where we are on a more daily basis, you can always check us out online.

- Well, that's right, Jenny.

Online is a good way to see what we're up to.

Instagram and Facebook are probably the two best ways to see what we're up to on a day-to-day basis.

And you can always check out our website at michiganoutofdoorstv.com.

Make sure you are joining us over the next several weeks.

Lots of good stuff coming.

If we don't se you in the woods or the water, hopefully you'll see you right back here next week on your PBS station.

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(bright music) ♪ When I wander far away ♪ A dream stays with me night and day ♪ ♪ It's the road that leads to my home state ♪ ♪ I am a Michigan man ♪ Changing seasons paint the sea ♪ ♪ Like a rainbow trout in a hidden stream ♪ ♪ The white tail deer and the tall pine trees ♪ ♪ I am a Michigan man ♪ I am I am a Michigan man that's where I'm from ♪ ♪ And I'll show you my hands ♪ Lord above I love this land ♪ I am a Michigan man ♪ From the Keweenaw down to St.

George ♪ ♪ Kalamazoo (bright music)