11/1/09 Report (Dist. 12-17)

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
11/1

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports checking duck hunters with some success and bow hunters that are seeing deer. Wetland violations were also investigated. Trespassing complaints are starting to come to a head with the deer season approaching. Some anglers are braving the cold temperatures and finding some success on area lakes.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) investigated a possible wetlands fill that resulted in a Cease and Desist Order being issued. Reller also assisted Wright County and Buffalo PD on a shooting of a motorist in Buffalo. A trespassing incident was worked with CO Musatov in Sherburne County. Numerous other TIP calls were followed up on.

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked waterfowl hunters and deer hunters. He issued summonses and written warning for Hunting on a closed SNA, unplugged guns, no state duck stamp, No HIP and no life jacket. He followed up on a baiting case. He answered a number of hunting and trapping questions.

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) checked many bird and duck hunters during the week. Recent rains have slowed most fishing activity to a stop. Waterfowl hunters are reporting seeing some birds. Enforcement action was taken on failure to remove animal from trap when tending them, burning prohibited materials, and operating an ATV in a closed state forest.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) worked waterfowl and small game hunters throughout the week. Archery deer hunters were checked and trapping activity was monitored. Many people were out scouting and getting things ready for the upcoming firearms deer season. Enforcement was taken on various hunting complaints and a possible wetland violation is being investigated.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) worked shining complaint areas. Two hunters were charged with trespass. CO Musatov assisted with the bow hunt at Camp Ripley. Other cases were made for hunting on a public access, no small game license, and possession of a controlled substance.

CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) worked area water fowl hunters. CO Schottenbauer checked area lakes and river for angling activity as well. Time was spent in Camp Ripley for the weekend archery hunt where there were several uncased bow violations in the game refuge.

District 13 - West Metro area
11/1

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) returned telephone calls all week on deer hunters trying to figure out the regulations. The mink, muskrat and beaver trapping season opener was worked with lots of trappers observed. Pheasant hunters were checked with poor success, waterfowl hunters were checked with good success on diving ducks.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) attended radio training at Fort Snelling State Park. He spoke with approximately 30 Vietnamese anglers regarding fishing regulations. He received and responded to TIP calls. CO Le made arrests for angling without a license, angling with extra line and over limit of northern pike. He patrolled Metro areas for angling and hunting activities.

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) checked waterfowl and deer hunters. The migration is starting to show up in some areas and the deer are really starting to move. The CO provided radio training to division employees. He also checked fishermen on Lake Minnetonka and area lakes.

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent the week working waterfowl, pheasant and deer hunting activity. Time was also spent working on a wetlands case, nuisance beaver issues and division training. CO Block spoke to a sportsmen’s group regarding the upcoming deer season.

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) focused efforts on deer shining activity, waterfowl hunters and angling activity. He also investigated deer baiting violations and a deer poaching case. He spoke at a youth firearms safety class in Rogers and attended training at Fort Snelling.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) checked waterfowl and deer hunters. One duck hunter was found hunting with a revoked small game license. His license was revoked due to too many small game violations. His 12 gauge shotgun and ducks were seized. She checked fishermen on Lake Minnetonka finding most were catching nice walleyes. She also attended radio training at Fort Snelling State Park.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked anglers and waterfowl enforcement in the metro area. He attended 800 MHz radio training at Ft. Snelling State Park and talked to a group at Lao Family Center about CO duties, hunting and fishing regulations. He also patrolled a state park and a state trail, and returned phone calls on big game regulations.

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) patrolled Dakota and Scott counties. He checked bow hunters, small game hunters and waterfowl hunters. CO Neitzke worked with CO Le checking fishermen and investigating a TIP call. He also worked the trapping opener.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) spent the week concentrating on waterfowl and deer hunting enforcement. He also checked commercial licenses. Increased numbers of waterfowl have given local hunters brief periods of better duck hunting.

District 14 - East Metro area
11/1

CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) spoke at a Firearm Safety class in Stillwater over laws and ethics and attended a training session held at Fort Snelling State Park. CO Gutierrez also investigated a truck in wetland. The stuck vehicle had to be towed by a wrecker service and owner was issued the accompanying paperwork.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) checked goose and archery hunters around the metro area lakes and fields, patrolled state parks and trails, and worked at his Cambodian Center office. He assisted a neighboring Conservation Officer in a litter investigation in Dakota County. Officer Pril also had a college student intern ride along with him over the weekend. The intern was given the opportunity to see the duties and responsibilities of a Conservation Officer.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) checked duck, pheasant, and deer hunters throughout the week. He attended radio training at Ft. Snelling. CO Johnson participated in a Wildlife Rehabilitation meeting in Sauk Rapids. He took calls on an injured deer and a nuisance fox.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) checked duck and deer hunters throughout the week. Some hunters are reporting seeing a few birds in the area, but many hunters are waiting for another cold snap to bring in new birds. The Hastings officer also investigated trespass and baiting complaints. Enforcement action was taken for illegal OHM operation, burning prohibited materials, and stamp violations.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled Dakota County for waterfowl and big game activity. Salzer also patrolled for trapping activity and checked archery hunters in Dakota County. CO Salzer also assisted in radio training at Fort Snelling.

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) inspected a ginseng shipment in Oak Grove. CO Muyres worked waterfowl enforcement in Anoka County. The numbers of ducks as well as hunters has decreased since the season opener. CO Muyres also responded to a TIP call of deer hunters trespassing in Oak Grove. The investigation led to charges for hunting over bait and no hunting license.

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) reports finding several duck hunters still waiting for the big “northern push” of ducks. Several duck hunters report seeing very few birds. CO Salo was interviewed by a young Boy Scout who was doing a report on the job of a CO. Several animal complaints were handled and enforcement action was taken for allowing illegal operation of an ATV by a juvenile.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) checked waterfowl and small game hunters in Anoka County, worked WMA enforcement and handled calls with questions regarding deer hunting laws. She attended radio training at Fort Snelling State Park and is working on a few TIP calls. CO Kruse handled a couple injured deer calls and had an intern ride along.

District 15 - Marshall area
11/1

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working on investigations dealing with illegal big game and small game hunting activities. Pheasant hunters continue to struggle with a lot of standing corn. Hope might be on the horizon for duck hunters with a few northern ducks starting to arrive. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing, leaving a portable stand on a WMA overnight, illegal motor vehicle operation on a WMA, and license and stamp violations.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports assisting with a youth hunt that was sponsored by the Canby Sportsman’s Club. Several youths from the area had a great time in the field finding many birds. Enforcement action was taken on loaded firearms and using a motor vehicle on a WMA. Waterfowl have been noticed in the area. Pheasant hunters are finding times tough with large amounts of corn & beans in the fields.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking fishermen, hunters and OHV operators. The waterfowl / pheasant hunting remained slow this past week.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) responded to several nuisance animal complaints and assisted a Nebraska CO with a big game investigation. The DNR has received numerous reports of an elk in Rock and Nobles counties. The officer requests that any further sightings be reported immediately to the area Wildlife Manager or the MN State Patrol Dispatch Center at 507-537-6278.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) monitored pheasant, waterfowl, fishing, and trapping activity. Pheasant action has been slow due to continuing rainfall and standing crops. A morning on Marsh Lake was spent w/CO Picht. Infractions for the week: shooting from a motor vehicle, no hunting license in possession, and no HIP certification.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the past week checking hunters and conduction investigations. Pheasant and duck success is still poor but hunter numbers are still fairly high. Enforcement action was taken for trespass, operating an ATV on a roadway, and license/stamp/registration violations.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.

District 16 - New Ulm area
11/1

CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking waterfowl, pheasant and archery hunters. Shore fishermen were also checked at many places that have flowing water. Walleye and crappie are biting in certain areas. Pheasant hunting remains slow with the crops still in the field. Deer hunters are starting to have some luck with the rut starting.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) checked anglers, pheasant hunters, waterfowl hunters and trappers. He followed up on trespassing complaints and monitored Wildlife Mgmt Areas for deer stands being illegally left up overnight. He noted a slight increase of duck numbers but overall the duck and pheasant hunting continues to be very slow.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked TIP complaints in regards to late shooters on geese and over limits of deer. Wetland impact sites were investigated. WMA and WPA areas were patrolled. Small game and waterfowl hunters were checked.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) checked small game, archery and waterfowl hunters. Time was also spent working ATV enforcement with enforcement action taken for several violations. Waterfowl hunters started bagging more divers with some limits of blue bills being checked. CO Oberg also answered several questions on the upcoming firearms deer season.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked waterfowl, pheasant, and archery deer hunting activity. Additional time was spent checking angling and trapping activity. Hatlestad also enforced state forestry fire laws, and investigated a solid waste violation.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his radio program with KKOJ/KRAQ discussing topics including trapping season opener, pheasant season, waterfowl season, and firearms safety. He also assisted the State Patrol with a vehicle accident with injuries. Gruhlke continued to work pheasant, waterfowl, angling, trapping, and deer seasons. He also followed up on other complaints ranging from vehicle trespass to illegal taking of big game.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports working the mink/muskrat opener as well as coon and fox trappers. He checked fall walleye anglers. He also checked archery deer hunters, pheasant hunters, and waterfowl hunters.

Windom - vacant.

District 17 - Albert Lea area
11/1

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) worked big game, small game, waterfowl, and trapping activity. Lots of geese moving in the area, and a few more ducks are being taken in the area. CO Howe found early water sets as well as untagged traps. A deer shining work party was conducted. Violations detected included taking migratory waterfowl with a gun capable of holding more than three shells, untagged traps, and using a motor in a waterfowl feeding and resting area.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) attended a safety committee meeting this past week in Windom. Several complaints of shining and shooting deer out of season have been received. A number of waterfowl and pheasant hunters were checked with few birds seen in the bag.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent the majority of last week patrolling his station for deer, pheasant, and waterfowl hunters. Some northern flights are continuing to pass through the area and goose hunting activity seems to be picking up. Trespass and animal dumping complaints are also beginning to come in and are being dealt with accordingly.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) checked traps and trappers, small game hunters, waterfowl hunters and archery deer hunters. Time was spent working shining complaint areas and following up on baited tree stands. He took complaints of injured deer and nuisance animals stuck in window well. He also took complaints of hunter trespass and dogs chasing deer.

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports spending much of last week working on deer hunting complaints. Time was also spent checking waterfowl and pheasant hunters. Area WMAs and state parks were also checked. An illegal deer stand in a state park was seized.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) gave a TV news interview regarding hunting safety issues. He facilitated a meeting between two adjacent landowners involving ongoing hunting/trespass/harassment complaints. Geving also worked waterfowl and shining activities.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working mostly hunting and angling enforcement. The laws and ethics portion of a firearms safety class was instructed. Traps were also inspected for tags in the area. A trespass complaint was investigated.

Spring Valley - vacant.