11/1/09 Report (Dist. 1-5)

[Woody]

District 1 - Baudette area
11/1


CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted DNR Forestry with a wildfire arson investigation in the Caribou area. Illegal deer baiting and deer shining were both investigated during the week.

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) took care of seasonal boat storage issues, checked grouse hunters, and checked waterfowl hunters that were happy to see some new ducks in the area. Deer hunters were sighting in rifles and putting final touches on deer season preparations. Numerous phone calls on disability permits, gun case law changes and last year’s problems were handled.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) worked with other CO’s checking waterfowl hunters, conducting after sunset boat and water patrols, and checking anglers in the Lake of the Woods area. Windy conditions kept walleye anglers pretty much restricted to fishing the Rainy River, where success was poor. Follow up continued on a protected waters violation. Enforcement action for the week included over limit of walleye and boating safety violations.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) spoke to the Minn-Dak Border Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association on new regulations, posting procedures, and ethics. A boat and water safety detail was worked on the Rainy River with CO’s Gorecki and Birchem. CO Woinarowicz prepared for the upcoming firearms deer season by locating deer bait locations with Lt. Znajda. Calls of nuisance beaver, a possibly sick bear, and car struck deer were answered. Enforcement action taken for leave stand in WMA, boating safety violations, and operate motor vehicle in WMA where prohibited.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked waterfowl hunters with hunters commenting on the low numbers of birds. Wildlife Management Areas were patrolled for activity with some individuals scouting for the upcoming firearms deer season. Beltrami Island State Forest was patrolled and ATV activity was worked. CO Warren worked areas for shinning activities.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked duck hunters, grouse hunters, and archery hunters. The cold weather and storm seemed to improve the diver hunting on area lakes. CO Backer investigated complaints of trespass related to people crossing private property to put up deer stands. Enforcement activity for the week included hunting deer over a baited area where a buck deer was also seized.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored grouse hunting and ATV activity throughout the week. Despite the cold wind and rain during the week, grouse hunters that went out in the weather managed to find birds. Shining activity was monitored in the area. CO Vollbrecht met with the county attorney to discuss a shining case that occurred earlier in the year. Time was spent winterizing station equipment and preparing for the upcoming firearm deer season.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) focused on fishing and hunting enforcement throughout the week. Fishing continues to be fair on the river as the water temperature continues to fall. CO Gorecki investigated several complaints on the upcoming firearm deer hunting season. People are reminded to always wear blaze orange when venturing out into the forest during the firearms deer season.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.


District 2 - Bemidji area
11/1

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports goose hunters continue to success but few ducks are in the area. Trespass and deer shining complaints have increased. Property line disputes have started as hunters put their hunting stands up. An interview with a local newspaper was done concerning hunting topics and youth recruitment into the outdoors.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) investigated wetland and riverbank alteration complaints. Waterfowl and archery deer hunters were checked. Calls about a bear with three cubs, and disability permits were addressed. Assistance was given to other law enforcement agencies during the blizzard type weather. Many vehicles were in the ditch or involved in crashes due to the wet heavy snow.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked small game hunters, waterfowl hunters, archery deer hunters, and trappers. Questions about the firearm deer season have increased.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) investigated complaints of deer baiting, deer shining, and trespass. Waterfowl hunters were checked. Duck numbers appear to be increasing in the area and Canada goose numbers remain high. ATV activity was monitored. Many state and county trails are closed due to wet muddy conditions.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) responded to a number of cars vs. deer calls, investigated TIP calls, and patrolled for deer shiners. The officer was a guest speaker at the Rotary Club luncheon. Seasonal equipment maintenance and repairs were completed.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports an increase in the number of ducks in the area. Flooded fields have created good hunting opportunities for hunters to take advantage of the migrating birds. Complaints of trespass, deer baiting, illegally set traps, and deer shining were investigated.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) responded to complaints of deer baiting, trespass, and deer shining. Several deer bait sites are being monitored for activity. Waterfowl hunters were checked and a complaint of people shooting non-game species investigated. Calls regarding convicted felons hunting, the firearm deer season, and trapping were addressed.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) investigated complaints of taking furbearers out of season, deer shining, deer baiting, and late shooting. A black smoke cloud was investigated and enforcement action taken for burning prohibited materials.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked waterfowl, archery deer, and pheasant hunters. Complaints of tree stands left in a WPA, illegal trapping, deer baiting, and deer shining were investigated.


District 3 - Fergus Falls area
11/1

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) spoke with waterfowl hunters during the week. Redheads along with ring-necks still seem to persist as the most prevalent species in the area. Migrant geese seem to be finding some food in the area due to increased numbers observed in the Fergus Falls area. Richards attended a meeting called by Aastad Township in regards to a wetland/public waters violation. He participated in a work crew concentrating on shining in a district station. The CO also found time to check for baited areas for the upcoming deer season. Unfortunately, baiting still seems to be a persist issue. Enforcement action was taken for hunter harassment, waterfowl, trapping violations, and possession of marijuana. With beaver season starting over the weekend, permits are no longer needed for those that are causing damage.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent time working night shining activity and road hunting complaints. Pheasant hunters are hard to find, as are birds. Plautz monitored some late fall fishing activity and checked some waterfowlers. Several calls came in regarding trespass and potential problems for the deer season.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) concentrated on checking fishing, waterfowl, pheasant and bow hunters. Nelson also investigated complaints of baiting and tree stands in WMAs, WPAs. This past week brought in some additional geese but duck numbers are still poor. Nelson also responded to questions about the upcoming deer season.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) continued to investigate complaints of deer baiting, vehicle trespass on a WMA, leaving stands over night in a WMA, and cutting trees in a WMA. Osborne checked deer, waterfowl, and pheasant hunters. Osborne continues to get numerous phone calls regarding the deer season and the new regulations. Osborne assisted CO Shelden with a law talk in Alexandria.

CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) spent the week working on walleye overlimit complaints, litter and archery deer baiting complaints. Additional time was spent working on deer shining work crews and checking waterfowl and pheasant hunters. Duck hunters enjoyed some success this past weekend due to new divers in the area on Lakes Osakis and Johanna. Enforcement action was taken for litter, taking a deer by archery over bait and no pheasant stamp.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) spent time checking waterfowl, pheasant, small game and archery deer hunters throughout the week. Additional time was spent checking trapping activity, fishing activity, scouting for the firearms deer opener, and working shining activity. COs Johanson and Shelden responded to a deer hunting complaint and after a short investigation, determined that a man had shot a deer over an area baited with corn. The deer and bow were seized and the man now faces a substantial fine including restitution for the illegally taken deer.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) reports waterfowl numbers in the area are still low, with a few swans and geese moving into the area. Enforcement efforts for the week included equipment maintenance, checking bow hunters, fishermen, waterfowl hunters, and pheasant hunters. CO Baumbarger participated with a work crew in Todd and Stevens counties. Calls were fielded concerning the upcoming deer season and injured deer. Enforcement action was taken for careless operation of an ATV and shooting waterfowl from a motor vehicle.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) reports pheasant hunter numbers continue to fall due to lack crop harvest and lack of birds in the Morris area. CO Anderson found a few more ducks and geese in the area but numbers still well below historical averages. CO Anderson assisted CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) with waterfowl and pheasant hunter checks in the Grant and Ottertail county area this past weekend. They found hunters getting a few ducks but no pheasants. CO Anderson received a complaint about someone shooting from vehicles at pheasants near a home near Chokio. CO Anderson received a TIP complaint about someone chasing waterfowl with a boat. Anderson fielded calls about firearms possession law, a sick looking deer and waterfowl season questions.

CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) reports rain continued to keep hunter numbers down during the week even with waterfowl numbers remaining stable in the local area. Additional geese have moved into the area as well during the past week offering some additional opportunities. Nelson also participated in a shining work crew, checked trapping activity and answered questions about the upcoming deer season.


District 4 - Wadena area
11/1

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) completed two wetland violation investigations, issued a citation for a solid waste offense, and discussed some active cases with the Hubbard County Attorney. Officer Parthun executed a search warrant on a residence and seized an illegally taken deer, firearms, and other evidence. The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office assisted him; deputies seized drugs and drug paraphernalia. The homeowner was arrested on drug charges. Charges for the big game violations are pending.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) received a call of a great blue heron tangled up in fishing line that was hanging from a power line over a bridge. The heron was gone on arrival, but was seen some time later near the edge of the river. Officer Oldakowski continued to receive shining complaints and made several contacts. He also seized an accidentally trapped fisher and donated it to the Minnesota Trappers Association.

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) focused on small game, big game, and waterfowl hunting activity. He also received numerous calls regarding deer hunting regulation questions and injured/sick animals. Officer Sommers worked a deer baiting case with a neighboring CO, resulting in enforcement action, and ran into a deer-hunting group setting up a camp on the Paul Bunyan State Forest. The party had erected an illegal structure and the officer advised them to remove it. CO Sommers received numerous calls this past week with questions on rules and regulations regarding ATV use and restrictions on the Chippewa National Forest. Users should be aware that there are many miles of roads and trails within the forest that are administered and managed by the US Forest Service, not the State. Please refer to pages 124-126 in the hunting synopsis or call the appropriate Forest Service Ranger District with specific questions. Officer Sommers also investigated a complaint of a deer being shot off a road near a residence in rural Hackensack. The landowner attempted to follow the suspect vehicle to get a plate number, but was not able to. A doe was found shot and left in the ditch; investigation continues into the violation.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked deer, duck, and grouse hunters. He also followed upon deer shining, baiting, trespass, and public water complaints. Officer Mathy assisted CO Parthun with the execution of a search warrant that resulted in a deer hunting and possession violations. Enforcement action was taken for transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

CO Larry Francis (Remer) handled calls regarding to road-killed deer, seized stands from a WMA, and investigated complaints of ATV’s operating on closed forest roads. The number of ducks in the area has decreased, as well as hunting pressure. Officer Francis also observed many people making preparations for the upcoming deer season and issued a cease and desist order for a wetlands violation.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) continued to monitor hunting and angling activities this week. Hunters and anglers are having mixed success when able to adapt to the weather. Trappers are having early success but estimates are showing fur prices may be significantly lower this season. CO Broughten observed several hunters preparing stands and scouting areas for the regular deer season. Hunters are reminded the hunter/trapper exemption for ATVs does not apply on Chippewa National Forest Lands. Enforcement action was taken on operating an ATV on the roadway, no HIP certification, and allowing illegal youth ATV operation.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked hunting and fishing activity in the area and handled many questions on upcoming deer season. He investigated a complaint of an individual burning garbage that resulted in the issuance of a citation. Officer Halverson also investigated a report of a dead fawn deer. The fawn appeared to have been killed, fed upon, and then covered up with leaves by a bobcat.

CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer Park Rapids) worked area forest roads and trails investigating closure violations. Officer Adam noted many ATVs and OHMs out enjoying the last day of riding for the season. She also responded to shining and waterfowl hunting complaints. Enforcement action was taken for expired registrations, failing to display ATV registration, operating an ATV without a valid driver’s license, and hunting deer over bait.


District 5 - Eveleth area
11/1

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) assisted with an ATV Safety Class and riding component in Littlefork. The small game hunting and archery hunting activity was slower as weather was not the most conducive for either. Lots of questions were handled in regards to upcoming deer season.

CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) checked duck and grouse hunters during the week. One duck hunter was found with five ducks over his limit and issued a citation. When asked why he did it he replied, "Just got greedy I guess." Also handled car-kill deer permits, ATV permits, and fielded animal complaint calls.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports returning phone calls, issuing ATV permits and working on equipment maintenance over the week.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports numerous phone calls and personal contacts throughout the week. The deer season changes and the lack of information relayed to the public on the whitefish netting season created some upset people. A moose incident is being investigated. Equipment was put away for winter. A large muskie that was reported to have been caught and released on Lake Vermilion has brought many anglers to the area searching for a bigger one.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked hunting seasons, deer and grouse hunting complaints, a wanton waste/litter case involving geese, issued car-kill deer and bear permits, winterized equipment, checked balsam bough cutters and worked deer baiting complaints with several located. The hunters making the mistake of hunting over the baits will be surprised when the officer visits them. A Halloween night motorist assist to a driver of a car stuck in the ditch was completed. The trick however, was on the driver, as the driver was intoxicated and turned over to the State Patrol, who subsequently arrested her for DWI.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time checking lakes for duck hunters. Upon reaching one out-of-the-way lake CO Frericks observed 28 trumpeter swans. Bough cutters were checked with few in compliance. Equipment was stored for the winter.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.