A dead duck can be seen lying on the ice near an area of open water on the Saginaw River in this photograph provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. DNR officials are searching for two snowmobilers they say rode through the open water killing several ducks.

BAY CITY, MI — Authorities from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are seeking help in identifying and tracking down two snowmobilers they say plowed through an area of open water on the Saginaw River, killing several ducks.

Sgt. Ron Kimmerly of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division in Bay City said the incident took place about 4:50 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, on open water located along the east side of Middlegrounds Island, about a half-mile south of the Lafayette Street Bridge.

The section of open water — located across from where 29th Street ends on Bay City's East Side — measures about the length of a football field. At one spot, the water bubbles feverishly.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources authorities said a duck can be seen on the right ski of a snowmobile as it travels through an area of open water on the Saginaw River in this photograph provided by the DNR. Officials are searching for two snowmobilers they say rode through the open water killing several ducks.

The source of the bubbles is a Michigan Sugar Co. warm water discharge pipe that travels from the company's plant at 2600 S. Euclid Ave. in Monitor Township, about a half mile to the river. The water is naturally treated and safe for discharge, and it's been pouring in to the river for sometime now, Ray VanDriessche, a spokesman for Michigan Sugar, told The Times for a Jan. 30 story.

Kimmerly said a witness near the area at the time of the incident photographed the snowmobilers, who both wore helmets, going through the water and alerted DNR officials.

He said the pictures show at least one dead duck lying on the nearby ice and another stuck to a ski on one of the snowmobiles. He said DNR officials responded to the scene and found at least nine dead ducks.

“We saw a dead mallard, goldeneye and mergansers,” said Kimmerly. “There were nine you could see plain as day and more that were just parts.”

The area of open water has become a sanctuary of sorts for avian wildlife. At times, hundreds of geese and ducks can be found there, Kimmerly said, noting he’s seen mallards, goldeneyes, bufflehead, black ducks and three varieties of mergansers — common, hooded and red breasted.

Kimmerly and Sgt. Tony Soave, who are heading the investigation, said they spent time on the river both Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9, interviewing ice fishermen and searching for clues.

Soave noted that at the time of the incident, several witnesses were in their cars bird watching near the area. A father and son who frequent the area took the photos of the two snowmobilers and sent them to the DNR, he said.

Soave added that a female witness yelled at the two snowmobilers, which caused them to turn their sleds toward shore and begin swearing at the woman.

“Then, they took off,” Soave said.

“We’re actively searching for these guys,” said Kimmerly. “Both guys looked right over at the guy taking the pictures. They’re both wearing helmets, but the sleds are pretty identifiable.”

Kimmerly said the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Protection Unit will pay a reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in this case.

Tips can be made anonymously by calling the “Report All Poaching” hotline at 1-800-292-7800.

Kimmerly said the penalties in this case could be substantial.

“It’s against federal law, state law," he said, noting the official charge would be "taking waterfowl with an illegal device during closed season."

He said, if convicted, the penalties could include a fine of up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail. In addition, he said restitution per duck would be between $100 and $1,000.

"I would be asking the court for $1,000 per bird," he said.

If convicted, the suspects could lose hunting privileges for life and have their snowmobiles seized and forfeited to the state.

Officials at the U.S. Coast Guard Saginaw River Station in January said they’re not required to monitor sections of the river that melt drastically due to discharges from companies.

“It’s up to people who are enjoying recreational activities to take responsibility and the proper course of action,” said Petty Officer Second Class Don Hamilton. “You’re held accountable for enjoying activities safely.”