Outdoors TV show host, Michigan elk guide charged with wildlife violations

[JohnJak]

OTSEGO COUNTY — An outdoors television show host and local elk guide is facing misdemeanor wildlife violation charges in Otsego and Cheboygan counties, according to district court records in both counties.

Kevin Johnson, 54, of Gaylord is charged with baiting elk and deer as well as trapping raccoon in Otsego County.

According to Richard Treusch, Otsego County assistant prosecuting attorney, three of the Otsego County counts stem from illegally baiting for deer and elk and one of the counts is for trapping raccoons out of season.

Treusch said in an email that each of the counts is punishable by a maximum of 90 days in Otsego County Jail.

“Additionally, there could be sanctions against his hunting privileges. Meaning that the defendant would not be able to obtain hunting license for a period of time,” he said.

The records did not specify if the incidents allegedly took place on public or private land.

According to Cheboygan County District Courts records, Johnson also has charges in the county amounting to two counts of wildlife conservation violations.

https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...an/2763219001/

[Sledhead]

If he can't obtain a hunting license for a period of time; can he still guide hunts?

[luckless]

I wonder if they are trying to make an example of someone. Seems like pretty minor stuff. Why do we have a raccoon season, anyway? Are we running short of raccoons?

[Jackam]

Why do we have a raccoon season, anyway? Are we running short of raccoons?

We're not really running out of deer either.

[josey wales]

We're not really running out of deer either.

Or elk,

[Jackam]

“It's unfortunate that the department has focused its limited resources on a case in which no deer or elk was shot or killed at a time when the state is facing a true poaching epidemic,”

Using "poaching" as a transitive verb, the party is guilty as charged if he indeed was using bait to lure in the elk.

[Jackam]

If he can't obtain a hunting license for a period of time; can he still guide hunts?

Eight line of the commercial hunting guide application:
Have you or any of your subpermittees ever been convicted of a hunting/fishing violation in Michigan or any other State within the last five (5) years? No Yes,
if Yes Who, When, Where and How long ago?

I can't find anything on renewals or even how often they need to file for the permit.

[bentstick]

IMO they will plea the case,Mr Johnson will throw money at his fines and it will be over.
If he happens to not to beable to guide hunts his daughter will take over until time he can partake again,they are well known in the area,with multiple businesses in the area,the courts up here are full of misdermeanor cases as his from the firearm deer season,I myself just hope they've (the DNR) put as much zealous in finding the low life that has shot and left 5 elk to rot up here.