Portland's Natural Resources and the Man Who Protects Them

Michigan has a wealth of natural resources, and a rich history of sporting in the outdoors. Many from our community live their lives to take full advantage of all the various opportunities we have in our collective “back yard,” whether kayaking down the Grand, fishing with friends and family, or sitting in a blind waiting for the right deer to walk into view, the opportunities for enjoying the outdoors and Michigan’s natural resources abound.

For Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Jeremy Beavers, this time of year is his favorite. I had a chance to meet with him recently at Thompson Field. The chill in the air carried the scent of decaying leaves, while the many geese floating by on the river made their presence known with their constant honking. It was a perfect fall morning, the sort that really urges my inner outdoorsman to get out into nature. I suspect I am not alone in this feeling. Currently, there are several hunting seasons open, and prime fishing for salmon as they make their fall spawning runs into our rivers and creeks. “You get it all around here,” said Beavers. Turkey, small game, waterfowl, and deer are all available to pursue in Portland.

While the DNR is responsible for enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, when faced with a major rule change, like this year’s mandatory harvest reporting for deer, the DNR opts to approach the changes from an educational standpoint first to allow people time to adjust. For people who use smart phones, the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish application allows users to purchase and maintain their licenses on their phones, as well as view maps, regulation guidebooks, and report their deer harvest. For those who might not be tech savvy, there are other workarounds for reporting. Over the past several years the DNR has been making incremental moves toward mandatory reporting. Last year, harvest reporting was optional. The move to mandatory reporting will be a benefit to the sport by providing accurate numbers for management of the herd.

With so much variety in our area, CO Beavers stays quite busy, but one of his favorite things to do is check in with anglers. An outdoorsman himself, he enjoys seeing other people’s success and sharing a fish story or two. If you happen to be encountered by a conservation officer out in the field, you can expect it to be like talking with another sporting enthusiast—a conversation between people that love the outdoors and everything it has to offer. If you play your cards right, you might even get a good tip from Beavers on where the fish are and what they’re biting. With his six years working in Ionia County, he's sure to know all the right spots!

If, like me, you haven’t had time to partake in fishing and hunting this year, you still have plenty of time! Be sure to say “hi” to CO Beavers if you see him and look for him on the Outdoor Channel’s show “Wardens.”