10/25/09 Report (Dist. 12-17)

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
10/25

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) checked several duck hunters during the past week. Most were hoping some northern birds would move into the area. He also directed time to fire enforcement and several calls regarding usage of the Snake River State Forest. Enforcement action was taken on burning prohibited materials and ATV registration.

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen, waterfowl and big game hunters. He followed up on a complaint in the Sand dunes State Forest. He attended radio training. He did a conservation/safety talk to a group of Cub Scouts to help them earn their conservation badge.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) gave a presentation to a DNR snowmobile safety class in St. Michael. Reller also checked waterfowl and small game hunters in the area. Enforcement action was taken for shooting after hours, unplugged shotgun while waterfowl hunting and no license in possession.

CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) worked area hunters. There were several people out in the woods getting ready for firearms deer season. CO Schottenbauer had a few complaints of illegal waterfowl hunting, and worked some shining activity. Enforcement action was taken for both activities.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) checked waterfowl, pheasant and bow hunters the past week. Success rates for both duck and pheasant hunters were minimal. Wildlife complaints were handled and the law portion of a snowmobile safety class was presented in Braham. Enforcement was taken for operating motor vehicle in WMA, allow illegal operation of ATV by juvenile, operating class II ATV in ditch and various license violations.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked trappers and worked shining complaint areas. Several animal complaints were handled. A trespassing complaint was investigated.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports investigating an illegally killed early antlerless deer. After arriving at the suspect’s home, it was found that the individual shot two antlerless deer with only one special season permit. Neither deer was registered either. Citations were issued and one of the deer was seized.

District 13 - West Metro area
10/25

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) worked the trapping opener. With the raccoon population high, it brought out several trappers. Pheasant hunters were having little success since the crops are still in. Waterfowl hunters were checked all week with fair success since the back waters of the Crow and Buffalo rivers are flooded holding hundreds of ducks. One hunter who was checked had one duck and was very happy since it was his first duck this year. The CO asked him what it was; he said a hen wood duck. Actually it was a hen ringneck duck. The man thought the CO was wrong and asked him how long he had hunted ducks. The CO responded: 45 years. The CO then showed him how to identify ducks in the 2009 waterfowl hunting regulation book. The man said the CO was correct. Multiple violations were documented for unsigned federal waterfowl stamps, no HIP certification, no small game licenses in possession and hunting waterfowl without first procuring small game licenses.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) responded to several TIP calls included baiting, trespassing, over limit of walleye and a wetland violation. He checked anglers and hunters in and on Metro areas lakes and WMAs. He spoke with SEA anglers of fishing regulations and answered their questions of hunting regulations.

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) patrolled Dakota and Scott counties and checked pheasant and waterfowl hunters. He answered hunting law questions. CO Neitzke patrolled Ft. Snelling State Park. He also checked fishermen in Hennepin and Ramsey counties.

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) worked deer and small game complaints. Time was also spent on a public waters violation. CO Block attended a meeting in St. Paul and spent the weekend working boating and angling activity in the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River area with CO Thor Nelson.

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) focused mainly on fishing this past week. The CO patrolled Lake Minnetonka for evening walleye and musky fishing. CO Kahre also checked archery deer and waterfowl hunters along the Minnesota River Valley.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) checked fishing and boating activity on Lake Minnetonka and Courthouse Lake. Several nice walleyes were seen. She also patrolled the Luce Line State Trail, checked waterfowl hunters on area lakes, and patrolled the Carver Refuge for hunting activity.

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) worked deer poaching investigations throughout the week. Anglers and waterfowl hunters were also checked. He investigated a wetland filling complaint in Corcoran. He also spoke to three Outdoor Adventures classes at Champlin Park High School about firearms safety, wildlife management and natural resources law enforcement.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) checked small game hunters and worked waterfowl enforcement in the metro area. He worked at a Lao Family office answering many questions on big game regulations. Officer Lee certified a family transporting ginseng in St. Paul and talked to a Lao family about becoming a conservation officer. Violations included no HIP certification, unsigned federal duck stamp, and no angling license in possession.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) gave career presentations at a local high school and attended Intoxilyzer recertification training. CO Nelson and CO Block worked a special boat and water detail on the Rainy River. Other time was spent on waterfowl, deer hunting, shining, angling, boating and ORV enforcement.

District 14 - East Metro area
10/25

CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) checked fall turkey hunters in his area along with archery deer hunters. CO Gutierrez assisted the Maplewood CO with the removal of tree stands left overnight in a WMA. CO Gutierrez checked angling activity on his local lakes with both anglers and fishing picking up in the fall. CO Gutierrez checked several anglers in canoes; one group had no PFDs for any of the three anglers in the canoe. The CO explained how quickly hypothermia can take effect in the cool fall waters and although he recommends everyone wear a PFD while on the water, the law requires everyone aboard a watercraft to have one accessible for each person.

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) worked waterfowl enforcement in Anoka County. A few baiting complaints were taken leading up to the firearm deer opener. CO Muyres also investigated a wanton waste deer case in Linwood.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) spent time checking anglers, deer and waterfowl hunters throughout the week. Anglers are finding a few walleyes on the river systems; however, ducks hunters are seeing very few birds. CO McGowan also assisted a Montana Game Wardens with an illegally taken bull elk. Time was also spent with burning and trespass complaints.

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) worked on baiting issues and waterfowl hunters. Several questions were answered concerning trespass and waterfowl hunting on metro lakes. CO Salo also investigated an incident where two large dogs have been chasing deer for several weeks.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) attended a training detail at the MPLS/ST. Paul airport with several other law enforcement agencies. CO Salzer assisted CO Kruse with a baiting case. Enforcement action was also taken for a deer hunter hunting without a license.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) checked waterfowl and archery hunters and patrolled state parks and wildlife management areas. He spent some time at his Cambodian Center office meeting people and answering questions. He also responded to miscellaneous complaints and calls.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) assisted an investigator with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on a large elk case. She worked with CO Salzer and handled a TIP call in Anoka County which resulted in finding an individual deer hunting over bait and another individual deer hunting without a license. CO Kruse checked waterfowl and small game hunters finding little success and also did equipment maintenance.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) checked hunters throughout the week. He removed three deer stands from the Bayport WMA that were left there illegally. CO Johnson gave a safety talk on hypothermia to the employees at Excel Energy in St. Paul. He issued a possession permit for a road-killed otter in Oak Park Heights.

District 15 - Marshall area
10/25

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports that farming fieldwork has come to a stop and pheasant hunters are frustrated. Goose hunters are seeing more birds. Enforcement action was taken on no license and uncased firearms.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) states that pheasant hunters continue to struggle with persistent rain making for slow soybean and corn harvest. With duck numbers down, a lot of waterfowl hunters have turned to goose hunting with good success. Assistance was given to DNR Wildlife and the MN Board of Animal Health with a missing game farm elk that was seen in southern Lyon County. An inspection was also conducted on a ginseng dealer. Archery and firearm deer hunters are reminded, again, to read about the new regulations dealing with the new “Youth Antlerless Only Areas.”

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking fishermen, hunters and ATV operators. Waterfowl and pheasant hunting remained slow this past week. The fall walleye bite is hot at the Marsh Lake Dam near Appleton.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports ducks and geese are slowly starting to trickle into the area. Pheasant success remains slow and walleye anglers continue to have good success. A group of hunters were charged with taking geese during the closed west-central goose zone season on Marsh Lake.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking hunters. Pheasant and duck success is poor. Archery deer hunters are out in full force. Enforcement action was taken for fail to tag deer, transport illegally taken deer, trespass, no blaze orange, camping on a WMA and license/stamp/registration violations.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) monitored pheasant, waterfowl, and fishing activity throughout the week. More waterfowl have moved into the area, but standing crops and wet conditions have hampered the pheasant hunt. Infractions for the week: over limit of duck in season, angle w/extra lines, and no HIP certification. This officer also spent time picking up trash left by hunters and anglers. Please take the time to put trash in its proper place.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) checked duck and pheasant hunters, and issued several out-of-state minnow transport permits. The Worthington Pheasants Forever Chapter hosted a youth pheasant hunt. Numerous members volunteered their time, dogs and expertise to mentor youngsters who might not otherwise have the opportunity to hunt. Many area landowners graciously made more than 1,500 privately owned acres available to the young hunters. The youngsters were able to hone their shooting skills at the Worthington Gun Club. CO Nordseth attended their pre-hunt meeting and had an opportunity to visit with the young hunters.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.

District 16 - New Ulm area
10/25

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked pheasant, waterfowl, and archery deer hunting activity. Additional time was spent checking angling, boating, and ATV activity. Hatlestad also investigated solid waste violations, and patrolled state lands.

CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking waterfowl hunters, archery deer hunters, atv and ohm users and fall fishermen. Time was also spent investigating two deer killed illegally at night in a state park; the investigation continues. Fishing remains good for panfish and walleyes. The duck hunting remains quite slow and the pheasant hunting is also slow.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) worked on cattail cutting and wetland violations. He also checked waterfowl and pheasant hunters and noted a significant decrease in hunters observed in the field. He monitored fall fishing activity which has picked up with some walleyes being caught.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) continued to work small game, waterfowl, deer and angling seasons. Gruhlke patrolled Jackson and Cottonwood counties encountering the use of lead shot on WPAs, no pheasant stamp validation, no license in possession violations. Anglers are out for fall fishing along with many individuals’ pheasant hunting. Officer Gruhlke observed there are still few ducks in the area.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked waterfowl and small game hunters. Archery deer hunters are out and doing fine. The Faribault Co. Pheasants Forever chapter was attended at their annual youth hunt. Investigations into poaching of deer are ongoing.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) helped out at the 2nd annual DNR and Pheasants Forever youth mentored pheasant hunt in McLeod County. It was a successful hunt with everyone having fun and most able to down a rooster. Thanks to McLeod Pheasants Forever for putting on a great event. CO Oberg also spent time checking waterfowl hunters. Mallard and teal were the most common birds in the bag. Bufflehead, ruddy ducks, and canvasbacks also are starting to show up more often. Enforcement action was taken for transport loaded gun in a motor vehicle, no Federal Waterfowl Stamp, failure to tag waterfowl, no PFD, and no license in possession. CO Oberg also responded to two trespassing complaints.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) checked anglers, boaters, ATV/OHMs, small game and archery hunters. Waterfowl hunters reported seeing more birds this past week, and shore anglers have been having more success in the last week. CO Graham also responded to calls of trespassing, shooting from road, angling with extra lines and over limit.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports working the raccoon/fox/badger/opossum opener. Duck hunter success still low, pheasants fair. A decent walleye bite is going on and many deer season questions coming in.

Windom - vacant.

District 17 - Albert Lea area
10/25

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) attended an 800MHz radio training class in Rochester. Geving also worked angling and hunting activities. The sunfish and crappie bite was hot at the beginning of the week on local lakes.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) continued checking waterfowl, pheasant, and deer hunters. Bird numbers are still down with only a few northern flocks seen by hunters in the field. Time was also spent attending training in Rochester with area officers.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) attended training in Rochester this past week. Several questions regarding the upcoming deer season were handled. Administrative duties were attended to and several snowmobile safety classes were scheduled.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working small game and angling enforcement. Training was received on the use of the new 800 MHz radio system. A complaint of early trapping was also investigated. A presentation was given at a local youth pheasant hunt. Violations include illegally possess road kill deer, unplugged gun and no license in possession.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked waterfowl, small game, and archery deer hunters. Pheasant hunting is still slow with lots of crops still in the fields. Some waterfowl are moving into the area, with noticeable increases in the number of geese seen. He spoke on laws and ethics to a youth Firearms Safety class in LeSueur with nearly 100 students, and attended 800 MHz radio training in Rochester.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) checked waterfowl and small game hunters. He attended training and gave a safety talk to a group going on a youth pheasant hunt. He took complaints of shining, trespass, baiting, and shooting during closed hours.

Spring Valley - vacant.