10/18/09 (Dist. 18)

[Woody]

District 18 - Rochester area
10/18

CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) spent the week on small game, migratory waterfowl, and archery deer hunting. The weekend brought better weather for pheasant hunting but with the large amount of crops in the fields success was very limited. More goose hunters are out in the Rochester area with scattered success.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports checking turkey hunters during the first fall season. Success was limited as attempting to stay dry was difficult. A few birds were seen in the bag. Compliance was high. Archery hunters have also been out in force. Hunters are stating deer movement has slowed as the October “lull” is upon us.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports spending time on night hunting complaints and checking duck hunters. Duck numbers have varied from area to area and day to day but several limits were checked. There have been many people trying to catch walleye but success has been poor. Hemker had a ride-a-long from a local college. He also closed out a snowmobile case and transported the confiscated snowmobile.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports working turkey hunting, deer hunting, small game hunting, waterfowl hunting, shining and fishing activity this past week and weekend. The duck numbers in the area are very low but fall fishing continues to be good with many limits of fish being checked. Some fishing, waterfowl hunting and shining violations were detected.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly hunters during the week. Waterfowl hunting was slower compared to the previous weekend, but hunters managed to shoot some ducks. Heyn also assisted at an orientation for the Whitewater WMA youth deer hunt, and talked with the kids throughout the MEA weekend.

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports ducks were on and off all week. A couple of day hunters did very well when new ducks arrived in the area. Fall fishing is in full swing. The walleye / sauger bite is on. Fall turkey hunters had moderate success the first season. Investigating illegally shot deer and trespass complaint.

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports the long awaited sunshine brought people out over the weekend. Bow hunters and small game hunters are still finding things a little slow. Boats are coming out of the harbors for the end of the season and trail users are getting in their last rides. Some trespass complaints were received.

Rochester #1 - vacant.