In a world that is drowning in performative moralizing, this story about a Michigan man who made it his personal mission to harass local hunters doesn’t fall short of that label. Fortunately for law-abiding hunters in the Upper Peninsula this self-appointed forest busybody was finally cornered by law enforcement and charged for his playground-level spite after admitting he trashed blinds (among other annoyances) simply “to be a pain”.
According to a Michigan Department of Natural Resources enforcement report, Conservation Officer John Kamps and Sgt. Mark Leadman responded late last year (during the 2025 deer season) to a complaint from a hunter in Marquette County who reported ongoing harassment.
The complainant described the suspect driving his vehicle directly up to the hunter's deer blind on multiple occasions, parking in front of or behind their bait setup to disrupt the hunt. Officers also had evidence that the same individual had earlier maliciously destroyed the hunter's blind during the season.
When the officers located and questioned the man at the scene, they observed him in the act—driving up and parking to interfere once again. Confronted about his actions, the suspect didn't mince words.
"The suspect confessed that he was out there to ‘be a pain’ and interfere with the complainant’s hunt," the DNR report states bluntly.
This wasn't the man's first encounter with DNR enforcement either. Earlier in the year, Officers Kamps and Jackson Kelly had cited him for hunting without a license and for having a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle after he flipped over another hunting blind and got into a verbal altercation with the hunter.
Hunter harassment is a misdemeanor under Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, which prohibits intentionally interfering with or obstructing the lawful taking of game. Malicious destruction of property, such as damaging a hunting blind, can carry additional penalties.
The DNR has referred the case to the Marquette County Prosecutor's Office for review and potential charges, including hunter harassment and malicious destruction of a hunting blind. As of right now, no court outcome has been reported.
With laws like Michigan's on the books, it’s important to keep our wits about ourselves when these situations inevitably arise. We’re all aware that there are some folks out there (sadly) confusing agitation with a legitimate personality trait, but the hunter’s calm demeanor followed the right playbook by letting DNR officers handle the situation.
If nothing else, this story should serve as a reminder that our freedom includes the right not to have our lawful pursuit ruined by some sad sack—no virtue signals required.
