11/17/09 Report (District 1-5)

[Woody]

District 1 - Baudette area
 

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) focused on the firearms deer season but also got a call to assist U.S. Customs with an over limit of walleyes. Hunters generally report a slow deer season.  Illegal deer baiting activity was monitored. Citations were issued for hunter harassment and for transporting a loaded firearm. Hunters are reminded to register their deer within 48 hours of the close of firearms deer season.

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) reports that the Warroad registration numbers are down from last year. Mild weather kept hunting pressure up with hunters bagging more deer. Trespass issues are being investigated. Enforcement action for the week included firearms transportation violations.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) continued follow-up on complaints from the deer season. Investigations include trespassing, littering, and taking deer in closed hours. Harvest success appears to be down.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued monitoring firearms deer hunting activity. Additional deer baiting cases were made along with multiple shooting from the road at a big game animal. A TIP call led to the seizure of a 14-point buck that was taken from a roadway while the shooter sat in the passenger seat of a pickup. Further investigation resulted in the seizure of an additional 10-point buck located at the same shooters residence. CO Woinarowicz also worked with a deputy sheriff on shooting from the road cases and with CO/Pilot Don Murray on baiting and trespass cases. Enforcement action for the week included take deer over bait, shooting from road right of way at big game animal, recreational trespass, transport loaded firearm in motor vehicle, and deer tagging violations.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) continued working the firearms deer season. Area hunters reported mixed results with some hunting parties commenting on the many deer they had seen and taken and other groups seeing very few deer. Baiting issues continued to be a problem with more citations issued for hunting over baited areas. While on patrol CO Warren witnessed an individual shoot at two deer from a roadway. When asked about the incident the hunter replied he hadn’t seen any deer and he was getting desperate.  Investigations continue in regards to shooting from roadways, illegally taken deer, and hunting over baited areas.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) continued to check deer hunters and investigated additional baiting complaints. A district shining detail was worked. Enforcement activity for the week included no big game license.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored deer hunting activity throughout the week.  Registration stations in the area reported seeing more deer being registered as the week went on. CO Vollbrecht assisted with a deer hunter that fell 16 feet out of a stand. A shining detail was worked with other district conservation officers in the Baudette area. CO Vollbrecht received a complaint of wanton waste of waterfowl. The violation is currently under investigation. Numerous complaints of shining activity were received during the week.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) checked hunters and responded to complaints throughout the week. Hunters continue to report less deer taken and seen than in previous years. Numerous complaints were handled including shining, baiting, shooting from roadways, trespassing, and property disputes. Anglers were checked and reported good fishing in the Rainy River.  Enforcement taken included loaded firearms in motor vehicles, operate ATV in a WMA, loaded handgun in a motor vehicle, and hunting over bait.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area
 

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) investigated complaints of trespass, shooting from the road, no blaze orange, and deer carcasses dumped in the road ditch. One hunter was found to have a warrant for his arrest. There appeared to be fewer hunters out during the second weekend on the deer season. A college student rode with the officer over the weekend and a radio interview was conducted about the exotic deer shot earlier in the deer season.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) responded to complaints of trespass, transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle, wanton waste, deer tagging issues, shooting from the road, a wetland alteration, and bear/deer struck by cars. The officer also assisted with an assault complaint. 

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) reports an increase in deer shining complaints throughout the firearm deer season. Some complaints involved shots being heard and dead deer found the next morning. The officer assisted other law enforcement officers with a serious injury vehicle crash, and a hunter that fell from an elevated stand.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) reports a quiet weekend for the firearm deer season. Hunters report seeing fewer deer than previous years. Complaints of trespass, deer shining, shooting from the road, and deer struck by motor vehicles were investigated.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports the deer season ended the same way it started, slow. The number of hunters and deer appear to be down. The officer received several complaints of timber wolves killing all the deer, and one hunter asked what the DNR wanted hunters to do that see wolves chasing deer. People are reminded that timber wolves are protected and chasing deer is natural. A hunter with a small fork horned buck down had a set of plastic antlers taped to the rack. His party had a smallest buck contest that he didn’t want to win, not sure how long he could fool his fellow hunters. A TIP Call resulted in a citation for a deer hunter hunting over bait. Failure to validate deer tags was a common occurrence.   

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) observed fewer hunters out the second weekend of the firearm deer season. Some hunters were discouraged by seeing fewer deer than previously, but realized the vast amount of standing corn is a factor. Complaints of trespass, shooting from the road or road right-of-way, possess rifle in the shotgun zone, and shooting from a motor vehicle were investigated. 

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) investigated several deer shining complaints where gunshots were heard. In one case, a witness took pictures of the poachers at the scene.  Trespass and shooting from the roadway complaints were investigated. Several complaints are still under investigation. Overall, hunters and harvest appear to be down.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) assisted a neighboring officer with a shooting from the road complaint, where a trophy deer was shot. The investigation continues. Complaints of trespass, illegal party hunting, late shooting, shooting from the road, and elevated stands left in an AMA were investigated.  The number of complaints during the deer season is down from previous years.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) investigated complaints of deer baiting, trespass, and shooting from the road. Standing crops and mild weather seemed to slow the deer take. Duck hunting activity and duck numbers in the area are almost nonexistent.


District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) answered numerous calls for deer hunting related questions.  Richards responded to complaints of trespass relating to both deer and waterfowl hunting.  Trapping activity was monitored with follow-up needed for a fisher caught out of season.  Enforcement activity for the week included trespass, big game, take migratory non-game bird (loon), angling, ATV, and possession of marijuana. 

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) worked a very busy deer season finding numerous hunters out but having less success than opening weekend. Untagged deer, trespass, and no blaze orange, were common complaints handled. Littering of deer carcasses were investigated, and in one instance two deer heads were dumped into a lake at a public access. This is littering and hunters are advised to dispose of their carcasses properly.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) reports primary enforcement this past week included checking duck, goose, pheasant, and deer hunters. Hunting is good in the local area but deer hunter numbers were down. Nelson also assisted neighboring officers during the week with ongoing complaints.   

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) received complaints of trespassing, shooting deer from the road, and assisted the local sheriffs’ departments with DWI stops, theft of an ATV, and a drug arrest. CO Osborne took enforcement action for failure to validate deer tag, untagged deer, hunt without license in possession, hunt deer without license, transport deer without licensee accompanying, hunt over bait, hunt without sufficient blaze orange, and trespass.

CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) spent all week working duck hunters and deer hunting activity. Officer Shelden also did an interview with KIKV-FM radio in Alexandria regarding deer season and the TIP line. CO Shelden made a duck overlimit case in which a hunter was seven (7) ducks overlimit. Shelden also responded to several deer season calls resulting in enforcement action for untagged deer and an individual taking deer with a borrowed license.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) reports the week was spent checking deer hunters and responding to hunting related complaints. A road hunting detail was worked in Todd County with several other officers, where an individual shot the deer decoy from his vehicle during closed hours. In another incident, excellent information from a tipster led to the apprehension of a man who shot a hen pheasant out of the window of his car. An incident involving a turkey taken during closed season remains under investigation.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) checked deer hunters this past week. Time was also spent working a detail in Traverse and Otter Tail counties. Hunters are reminded that in lottery areas adults are not allowed to shoot antlerless deer for their kids. Harvest numbers were down in the area, with a lot of standing crops still in the field. CO Baumbarger investigated several baiting complaints and numerous complaints of shooting at deer from the road.   Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle, and taking antlerless deer without a permit. 

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) reports the second weekend of deer season was much like the first, lots of hunters and few deer. Waterfowl numbers continue to slowly increase but are still way below normal. CO Anderson assisted CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) with deer hunter checks in the Grant and Stevens county areas this past weekend.  CO Anderson assisted CO Baumbarger with a road hunting and shooting deer from the roadway complaint in Traverse County. CO Anderson received a complaint about someone not wearing blaze orange while hunting near Morris. CO Anderson fielded calls about the firearms case law, injured deer and youth firearms safety classes.

CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) reports the week was spent checking deer hunters and following up on complaints received during the week. The second weekend of the season was slower than the first and hunters were seeing few deer. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession, failure to wear adequate blaze orange, transport loaded firearm.

District 4 - Wadena area
 

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) addressed some equipment maintenance issues, took some evidence to the BCA lab for further processing, and issued several car-killed deer permits.  He received complaints of illegal ATV operation, deer shining, and dogs at large. Officer Parthun assisted the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office with a call and seized a rifle from a firearms hunter who was hunting in the Schoolcraft Game Refuge. Enforcement actions included transporting loaded firearms, operating an ATV on a non-motorized trail, and hunting in a closed game refuge. 

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked deer hunters during the firearm deer season. Several investigations were conducted resulting in several deer and firearms being seized. Enforcement actions were taken for the following: hunting deer over baited area, invalid deer license, illegal lending and borrowing of a license, operating ATV’s during restricted hours, untagged big game animal, failing to validate site tag, hunting big game in state game refuge, hunting in the wrong zone, unattended deer stand in a WMA, allowing juveniles to hunt without immediate supervision, uncased firearm in state game refuge, illegal party hunting, and hunt grouse in closed area.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) reports the deer harvest was generally low in the area, with a few small areas taking a larger number of deer. Officer Oldakowski provided assistance to a neighboring CO and local agency with the execution of a search warrant and donated a road-kill deer. Officer Oldakowski investigated a trespass complaint in which the individual exited the vehicle and crossed over the ditch prior to shooting the deer from private property. The fawn was seized and the shooter, who faces nearly $700 in fines, asked if he could keep the tenderloins and if he would make the weekly report. The deer was donated to an elderly gentleman in the area and the shooter is probably reading his biography now. Other enforcement action included shooting from the road right of way, transporting a loaded firearm, and trespassing. 

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) primary enforcement efforts this past week focused on big game hunting activity. He also received a call from a deer hunter who reported he had shot a sick deer, which was referred to the area wildlife manager. Officer Sommers checked on a complaint of people camping behind a gated non-motorized trail on the Paul Bunyan State Forest. The matter is still pending until he is able to make contact with the Division of Forestry. CO Sommers also had a complaint of a deer being shot from a road.
                                             
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked deer hunters during the past week. He monitored compliance with a public waters restoration order and followed up on baiting and shining complaints. Officer Mathy worked with the Chippewa National Forest Officer regarding several permanent stand violations on national forest land. Enforcement action was taken for shooting deer from roadway and failing to comply with a public waters restoration order.

CO Larry Francis (Remer) deer season continues to dominate work activity. Officer Francis took calls regarding illegal dumping of deer carcasses, shooting from roadway, trespassing within 500’ of a house, and gross misdemeanor trespass. CO Francis also met with the county attorney in reference to a felon in possession of a firearm investigation. Enforcement action was taken for shooting from roadway.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week monitoring fall hunting activities. Deer hunting success in the area remains lower than last season with many individuals asking where the deer are. CO Broughten completed several investigations, which included trespass, operating ATVs in closed areas, and taking a black bear out of season. CO Broughten also responded and assisted a lost hunter find his way back to deer camp. Enforcement action was taken on operating ATVs in closed hours, transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle, failure to display ATV registration, no helmet on youth ATV riders, and operating an ATV in a closed area.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked deer hunting complaints and completed several investigations including road hunting, trespass, hunting over bait, dogs chasing deer, hunter harassment, and a shot timber wolf.  CO Halverson also took a report of a hunter’s parked vehicle being struck by a stray bullet; no one was in the vehicle at the time. Enforcement contacts were made for hunting under the influence, shooting from the roadway, and hunting over bait.

CO Colleen Adam (OHV Recreation Officer – Park Rapids) investigated several complaints during the last week. Some of these complaints included deer shot from the roadway, trespassing, hunting over bait, invalid license issues, loaded handgun and rifles in motor vehicles, operating ATVs during closed hours, and hunting small game in a closed game refuge.

District 5 - Eveleth area
 

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports the mid-point of the firearms deer season brought continued investigation of baiting cases, shooting from roadway, trespass issues, and operating ATV’s during closed hours. CO Kittelson along with CO Steen investigated a complaint of a fox trapper who caught a live fisher and was holding it until martin and fisher season opened; enforcement action was taken.

CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) checked deer hunters and found many disgruntled with poor success; not much deer or deer sign evident. He assisted CO Kittelson with cases involving trespassing, shoot deer from roadway, and taking fisher in closed season.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) deer hunting was monitored during the past week. He reports hunter numbers down and the success rate rather low.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports deer hunting activity is starting to wind down. Numerous hunters complained about the deer numbers being down and the wolf numbers being up.  Muskie anglers are still chasing their prey.

CO Dan Starr (Tower) had an extremely busy week with calls coming in and hunters not making the wisest decisions. A very disturbing investigation led to 3 nice bucks that were thrown away after the antlers were cut off. Wanton waste charges were filed. One person was charged for taking a deer over bait, charged $500 restitution, and lost his rifle. Other baiting issues were addressed, along with trespass, blaze orange, and ATV issues. For the first time in his career, Officer Starr took a cell phone call from a hunter that shot a deer and the wolves surrounded it, making the hunter afraid to retrieve it. The wolves were brazenly bold, resulting in the hunter fearing for his safety. Numerous hunters complained about the numbers of wolves that were seen.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) continued working the deer season and the flow of baiting, hunter harassment, trespassing and associated complaints. More baiting complaints came in with another baiter cited and the rifle seized. A TV interview from the NBC station in Duluth and Hibbing was completed on deer baiting violations. A work detail with CO Frericks netted two separate shooting from the road hunters, including one that decided to shoot out of the window of the car. Other enforcement action was taken on hunt big game without a license.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time checking deer baits for hunters. No one was found hunting over deer bait over the past week. Significantly fewer hunters were seen out in the woods over this past weekend. A deer decoy detail was put together that ended with two hunters being cited for shooting from within the road right of way.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) found deer hunting success down throughout the week, windy rainy weather didn’t help. He checked some trapping areas and found violations of traps unattended; one has been set and unattended for a year. He received TIP calls and office calls ranging from trespass to baiting to hunting without a license. He worked with USFS Law Enforcement Officers within the Superior National Forest on hunting related issues. 

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.