10/18/09 Report (Dist. 6-11)

[Woody]

District 6 - Two Harbors area
10/18

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked grouse hunters this past week, as hunter success improved. CO Velsvaag also checked several moose hunters as the season wound down. CO Velsvaag received several complaints, including ATVs, illegal road hunting and complaints from last trapping season.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked grouse and duck hunters and encountered lots of activity even with the snows and rain. Grouse hunters are reminded to wear orange. Duck hunters are reminded that lead shot is illegal. The deer are showing up in the ditches again, so stay alert while driving.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled forest roads and trails checking moose and small game hunters. Manning patrolled area campgrounds and spent time extinguishing several campfires left smoldering by former occupants. Manning also checked anglers on inland lakes and rivers. Manning assisted DNR Wildlife, investigated ATV and public waters complaints, and patrolled areas SNAs and WMAs. Enforcement action was taken for no ATV Safety Certificate and a parent allowing a child to ride an ATV without a helmet.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that most of the moose hunters quit and didn’t show up for the last weekend. The CO encountered a non-hunter calling moose for a hunter which is not allowed. He also talked to a young hunter who was walking behind his mother with a shotgun. He was sweeping the muzzle of his gun back and forth across his mother's back as they walked down a trail. Warnings for failing to wear hunter orange while hunting for small game were also given out. A few people had the ATVs out putting up deer stands. The CO also did a wilderness patrol in the Boundary Waters.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) followed up on a couple of outstanding investigations and concluded one of them with a summons being issued. The 2009 moose season came to a close with what appears to be a lower than normal success rate, but stay tuned for the official numbers from the Division of Wildlife. The leaves are rapidly coming off the trees allowing the grouse hunter’s greater success. Officer Thomasen also taught a firearms safety class at a remote wilderness lodge.

Babbitt - vacant.

Silver Bay - vacant.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area
10/18

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked duck hunting activity with some spotty hunter success. It seems some ducks came through fast with the strong winds and now hunters are waiting for the next push of ducks. Enforcement action was taken for tagging a deer with a firearms tag that was taken with archery equipment over the weekend.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) spent time checking duck hunters this past weekend. She also finished an investigation on a wanton waste case for big game. She took numerous trespass complaints pertaining to bough harvesting and hunting. Also, an illegal bough harvesting case was worked with charges relating to harvesting without the proper permit and paperwork.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked ATVs, bough cutters, small game and waterfowl hunters. He also several tip complaints during the week.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked waterfowl and grouse hunters. Met with forestry on bough harvest and buying regulations and enforcement. Investigated trespass complaints and wanton waste of a bear.

CO Jon Paurus (Hill City) worked small game and duck hunters. Both groups are having some success. Trespassing complaints were investigated and equipment maintenance issues were worked on.

CO Jeff Koehn (Grand Rapids - OHV Specialist) patrolled for OHV activity. He spent time patrolling the Mesabi Trail and other non-motorized areas. He conducted some follow up conferences in reference to a recent forest certification audit. CO Koehn investigated a report of dogs pursuing deer, the dogs were located and the owner advised of the legal ramifications if the activity persisted. CO Koehn patrolled several state forests and checked many small game hunters using ATVs to access the woods. Enforcement activity for the week included, transport a loaded firearm on an ATV, operate an unregistered ATV, allow illegal juvenile operation of an ATV, allow illegal juvenile operation of an OHM and leave a campfire unattended.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked waterfowl hunters, worked ATVs, worked shining complaints, checked grouse hunters checked anglers and checked archery hunters. Many nice walleye taken. Waterfowl success was on the down side. Grouse harvest was excellent as the leaves started to fall. Enforcement action was taken for no bough permit, no small game license in possession, transport live fish and operate ATV in non motorized area.

Bigfork - vacant.

District 8 - Cloquet area
10/18

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) worked with district officers on a deer shining detail. Several contacts were made, with two being arrested for Gross Misdemeanor violations. Officer Duncan also worked area lakes for waterfowl hunting activity which was very slow. Lots of grouse hunters were checked during the week. Moose and archery deer hunting enforcement was also worked during the week. The home office phone has been very busy during the week which required lots of call backs and follow-up work.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cloquet) worked angling, ATV, and hunting enforcement throughout the week. Calls continue with questions, concerns, and complaints about recent law changes, ATVs, and deer licensing. Assisted in district detail for unlawful deer shining activity. Investigated complaint of illegal bough harvesting. Waterfowlers were reporting mixed success in the area with mallards and ringnecks being taken. Violations for waterfowl license, stamps, unplugged guns, use of motorized watercraft in WMA were encountered. Other violations included watercraft lights, PFDs, litter, and possession of small mouth bass.

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) says thanks to a TIP call from an eyewitness, in addition to evidence found at the scene, two men did the honorary thing and confessed to the less than honorary shooting of a swan while waterfowl hunting. Fines and restitution for this case of mistaken identity will certainly provide additional incentive for obeying the creed of “knowing your target before you shoot” that most hunters follow. A gross misdemeanor shining case was made during a recent late night detail that included multiple state and tribal Conservation Officers.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) followed up on ongoing TIP complaints. The officer had numerous complaints regarding baiting in the area. A report of an illegal fire resulted in a citation for burning a stack of old tires, insulation and aerosol cans. A hunting party was contacted regarding a bridge that was constructed in public waters and onto state land without permits. The group was unaware it was a violation and they were going to formulate a plan for removal. Deer shining complaints continue in the area. While working a complaint area, a vehicle was stopped for shining during closed hours.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked a health and wellness fair at the Cromwell School where children of all ages were talked to about safe handling of all different types of wild animals. Shining and shooting complaints were investigated in the area and a wolf complaint was investigated where a dog was killed.

District 9 - Brainerd area
10/18

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) assisted at the Camp Ripley archery hunt on the 1st day with bad weather prevailing over both days of the 2-day hunt. Enforcement action was taken for a misdemeanor deer shiner in Barclay Township near Pine River. He was unaware of the law change restricting recreational shiners to 2 hours past sunset. Officer Shoutz also gave a presentation with a neighbor officer on TIP at monthly Crosslake Chautauqua. Many calls were handled regarding issues with upcoming firearms deer season including trespass, and baiting.

CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) reports increased calls of trespass as people prepare for the upcoming firearm deer season. Shoutz assisted a neighboring officer with a deer shining complaint, attended a firearm safety class and also assisted TIP with a program in Crosslake. He completed an investigation on an illegally tagged deer and issued a citation.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) completed casework on a big game case. Waterfowl success appeared to be down but numerous birds were observed flying around the area. A couple of grouse hunters were checked. One hunter, appearing visually nervous due to the uncased and unloaded gun on the seat which he believed to be a violation, was relieved to be educated on the new law that allowed for the uncased gun.

CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) reported larger numbers of birds from the week before, but still not where the numbers should be. Grouse hunters are reporting a very good year in the area and many were checked during the week. Officer Speldrich checked the few bear hunters left in the area and issued citations for non-biodegradable bait left in bear bait sites. He worked ATV operation, took reports of illegal shining and made several arrests for Gross Misdemeanor shining.

CO Chad Sherack (Pequot Lakes) checked bear hunters, deer hunters, waterfowl hunters, and followed up on TIP complaints. Officer Sherack also took wolf depredation complaints at local ranches near Pequot Lakes.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) worked on angling and hunting related enforcement issues. Anglers continue to have mixed success in some areas. Deer bow hunters report that the deer are on the move. An increase in car vs. deer accidents also indicate they are on the move. Posner worked the Camp Ripley archery hunt where enforcement issues include use of two-way radios to assist taking deer and hunters who left their deer stands down range overnight. Reports from duck and goose hunters indicate that the northern birds are not migrating through the area yet and the success is low. ATV and trespass complaints have also come in.

District 10 - Mille Lacs area
10/18


CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking waterfowl and small game hunters. A few ducks were seen taken but overall hunters advised it was slow. Fishing on Mille Lacs was slow with a few parties picking up some walleyes. The Malmo officer also monitored shining activity in the station. A complaint of trespassing was also investigated. A TIP of illegal taking of deer was also followed up on. The Officer also assisted the county with an alarm call. An equipment inventory and inspection was also completed. Enforcement action for the week included various waterfowl violations.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent some time talking to youth hunters that were preparing for the upcoming youth deer hunt at St. Croix State Park. The hunters, along with their parents, spent time scouting for deer signs, reviewing hunting laws, and learning how to hunt safely. The state park youth hunt will be the first time deer hunting for many of the kids. Trespass complaints were taken along with a lot of questions about deer hunting regulations.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) monitored waterfowl activity throughout the week. Duck numbers have been sparse. A group of hunters ran across a dead swan that was decayed but had a neck collar on it. The collar was turned over to DNR Wildlife. Croatt also had students from the local high school law class ride along for an afternoon to see what a conservation officer’s job is like. Croatt also assisted the sheriff’s office on a medical call.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent time during the week answering questions about the upcoming deer season. He worked on an upcoming OHV class, spent time getting equipment ready for inventory, and prepped some equipment for winter. He received calls regarding car injured bear and deer, and recovered a dead bear off I-35. CO Eugene Wynn assisted the Pine County Sheriff’s Department with a late night search and rescue of a lost hunter. Fortunately the State Patrol helicopter was able to locate the subject who was eventually brought out of the woods unharmed. Lesson learned as the hunter was in familiar territory - Always, always bring a compass and or GPS when venturing out in large tracts of land.

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) followed up on a hunter harassment case. While Heaton was getting gas at a local gas station an ATV passed by her squad and then proceeded to pop a wheelie on the edge of the parking lot and then took off down the road. Heaton quickly got in her squad and was able to stop the ATV operator a short time later. The operator was about to pop another wheelie at a road approach. The individual said he didn’t see the squad at the gas station. Enforcement action was taken for careless operation of an ATV and driving after revocation. Heaton worked shining activity, waterfowl hunters and small game hunters.

CO Mike Lee (Isle) continued checking small game hunters, and archery hunters who were reporting only so-so success. While checking an archery hunter this past weekend who had just taken a nice size doe, Officer Lee was informed by the party that his wife would probably keep him at home from now on until the rifle opener, because he had already shot two deer this season with his bow. At that point Officer Lee explained to the individual that it was good they had talked before the rifle season. Since the hunter was in a Managed Deer Area he was only to tag two deer, but could party hunt with other individuals in his hunting party. At that point the individual became very irate, and stated that the officer was wrong, and he could tag five deer. Officer Lee attempted to calm the individual, but to no avail. At that point Officer Lee informed the individual that he had a hunting synopsis with the 2009 Firearms Deer season map. The hunter stated, “Yeah, let’s see it, and I’ll prove you wrong.” After retrieving the map Officer Lee again asked the individual what area he was hunting in, and he stated, “156, right where we are now.” Officer Lee opened the map and showed the individual the color coded section along with the back area of the map that states, “If you hunt in one of these areas, you can take a deer of either-sex with your initial license. You can also use one bonus permit in one managed deer area.” The individual looked up from the map, grabbed it from Officer Lee’s hands and jumped into his vehicle. He slammed his vehicle’s door so hard that it knocked the rear view mirror from the windshield, and left without saying another word. Cautionary note: Be sure to check the map in the hunting synopsis and make sure you are looking at a 2009 synopsis. Some hunting areas have changed designations from 2008 to 2009.

CO Dan Perron (Onamia) reports slow hunting activity during the week. He checked reports of bait near stands but didn't find anyone hunting the stands. He checked anglers on Mille Lacs and found that the perch bite was very slow. Some anglers were picking up a few walleye trolling raps. CO Perron also took calls about the upcoming seasons and the uncased gun law. He also did yearly equipment inspections.

District 11 - Albany area
10/18

CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) checked hunters throughout the week. A waterfowl hunter was cited for hunting on Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The individual was standing on the refuge, hunting behind the “No Hunting” signs. CO Haberman worked the Camp Ripley bow hunt over the week. One lucky individual shot a 32-point buck.

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports checking for duck hunters, but not finding many people out. Bird numbers, as well, are quite low in the area. Pheasant hunters are trying to find birds, but the amount of corn that remains in the fields is limiting opportunities. CO Kuske continues to conduct surveillance of several deer shining complaint areas. CO Kuske fielded numerous inquires about deer licensing and handled an injured deer.

CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) spent the week checking hunters and fishermen. Hunter harvest of ducks and pheasants was very poor. Enforcement action was taken for lead shot, license violations, and deer shining during closed hours with an uncased bow.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) reports working with a neighboring officer, on waterfowl and bog game activities. The officer fielded calls concerning hunting and fishing issues. Enforcement action was taken for big game violations and waterfowl hunting violations.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked deer, duck, pheasant and turkey hunters. Time was spent working the first two-day Camp Ripley Bow Hunt. Despite poor weather both days, a fair amount of deer were taken, including a 32-point buck and a 230-pound buck. Many violations for deer stands left overnight were encountered on the second day of the hunt. CO Thesing investigated several illegal aquatic plant violations on area lakes, resulting in citations. Enforcement action for the week included minor possession, no pheasant stamp, no blaze orange, no license in possession, leaving a deer stand overnight, and destroy aquatic plants without a permit.

CO Mike Martin (St. Cloud) worked big game and waterfowl activities over the last week. Officer Martin gave a Firearms Safety presentation and spoke about new deer laws at a local sporting goods store. Time was spent on boat maintenance and invasive species enforcement.

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers in Wright County. CO Mies checked a commercial fisherman, along with working on TIP calls. CO Mies also checked pheasant and duck hunters.

CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie) taught the law portion for the Eagle Bend FAS class. A game farm violation investigation was concluded, resulting in enforcement action for failing to mark waterfowl as required and inadequate confinement for game farm animals. CO Keniston participated in the Camp Ripley Bow Hunt. There were many uncased bows and deer stands left overnight. A nuisance beaver complaint was handled, where a newly established beaver decided to thin several trees on a lake lot. Unfortunately they were not the trees the landowner intended to thin out.