1/4/10 Report (Dist. 12-18)

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen and snowmobiles on area lakes and trails. He issued summons and written warnings for angling with extra lines, expired snowmobile registration, failure to display registration and expired trail sticker. He followed up on a big game case.

CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) worked area anglers and snowmobile activity. There were many trespass complaints where snowmobile operators were leaving the groomed trail to go cross country on farmers’ fields, in several cases damaging crops and trees. Lakes in the area are starting to firm up as well.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) reports checking ice anglers and snowmobiles throughout the week. With the recent cold weather, outdoor activities have slowed a bit. Wildlife complaints were handled and the law portion of a snowmobile safety class was taught in Braham. Enforcement was taken for no license in possession, no shelter ID, no snowmobile safety certificate and registration violations.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports that the cold weather did not stop the fishermen and snowmobilers from heading outside over the holiday weekend. Angling success was spotty at best. The snowmobile trails were busy all weekend even with sub-zero temps. Many riders were unaware that the Sunrise Prairie Trail, running from North Branch to Washington County, does not allow studded tracks.

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) spent time on area lakes and snowmobile trails during the past week. Many stated the trails were in great shape and the cold kept numbers down which made for good riding. Some sections have not been groomed due to the low-lying areas not freezing up enough to hold a groomer. Ice fishermen were also out but ice depths still remain a concern. Some ice is up to 17 inches thick in areas but on the same lake in other spots the ice is only 8 inches think. Enforcement was taken on several snowmobile registration issues and illegal operation of a snowmobile by a juvenile.



District 13 - West Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) patrolled the Luce Line State Trail for snowmobile activity. With the good trail conditions, the officer saw many snowmobilers enjoying the trail. Violations included no safety certificate, no state trail sticker, fail to display registration, and dog off leash. She also checked fishing activity in Hennepin and Carver counties and issued a car-kill deer permit.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked at the Lao Family office answering questions to people in the community. He returned phone calls and attended a meeting with the DNR SEA Outreach Program for a workshop coming up on January 16, 2010. He worked snowmobile and ice fishing enforcement in the metro area. Officer Lee also checked hunters, patrolled state parks and state trails.

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) focused on fishing enforcement this past week. He also worked ATV, snowmobile, and ORV enforcement on Lake Minnetonka. The CO also provided ORV training for local police department personnel. CO Kahre also started an investigation from last hunting season.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) worked snowmobile and angling enforcement activities and checked aeration systems. He assisted CO Kahre teaching an Off-Highway Vehicle enforcement class in conjunction with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. Last week’s weather patterns made the fishing tough for most of the anglers contacted.



District 14 - East Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) patrolled his area snowmobile trails with a few sleds seen. Fishing remains active with panfish mostly biting. CO Gutierrez saw a nice northern pike, almost 14lbs, taken on 4lb test line. The angler said he thought at first it was a crappie and it took him just over 45 minutes to reel it in.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) spent time with fishing and snowmobile enforcement. Snowmobile trails remain in fair condition in Washington and Dakota counties. Ice anglers are finding a few fish and decent ice conditions. CO McGowan continues to follow-up on trespass cases from this fall. Enforcement action was taken for expired snowmobile registration, no state trail sticker, no ice shelter identification, and no fishing license in possession.

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) handled several phone calls regarding ice houses and trespassing issues. Snowmobiles and ice anglers were checked and enforcement action was taken for studded tracks on a prohibited trail, speed, no registration, and angling without a license. CO Salo also received a TIP call in Lakeville. A young adult attempted to educate an older gentleman that the fish he just caught was a Tiger Muskie and he should release it. The older, but not wiser angler said he was going to call it a “northern pike” and keep it. The younger fishermen called the TIP line and CO Salo located the fishermen in possession of a 30 plus inch Tiger Muskie. When asked if someone told him it was a Tiger Muskie when he caught it, the fisherman said, “He was just a kid, what does he know?” Enforcement action was taken.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled for angling activity in Dakota County. CO Salzer assisted in preparations for a firearms safety banquet. He also dealt with some equipment issues.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) patrolled for snowmobiling activity around the metro lakes and trails and checked ice anglers. He spent some time at his Cambodian Center office meeting and answering questions on fish & game laws. He also responded to miscellaneous animal and tip complaints.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) reports that he checked hunters, anglers, ATVs, and snowmobiles throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and snowmobile violations. One group of four snowmobilers accounted for seven violations.



District 15 - Marshall area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the majority of the week working snowmobile and fishing enforcement. Ice fishermen continue to struggle with the deep snow on area lakes. Snowmobiles were out in full force with a lot of groomed trails. Cold temps and a lot of snow made for a quiet end to the pheasant season. The law and ethics portion of a snowmobile safety class was taught in Belview

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) completed an investigation where an individual had illegally harvested multiple bucks. Enforcement action was taken which included the seizure of two sets of antlers. The deep snow continues to stress the local pheasant population. The birds can be seen in open fields from dawn until dusk trying to scratch up something to eat.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking hunters, snowmobilers, and fishermen. The cold and snow helped end the pheasant and deer seasons with only a few additional complaints. A snowmobile safety class was taught in Kerkhoven. Fishing was slow for the most part this past week, with deep snow a concern.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking hunters and anglers, conducting investigations, and patrolling snowmobiles. All fields are full of snow. Several complaints were received of people shooting pheasants from truck windows while the pheasants were scratching for food. Enforcement action was taken for shooting from a truck, trespass, operate snowmobile on inside shoulder of highway, speeding, no snowmobile safety certification, and license/registration violations.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) focused on ice fishing and snowmobiling activity. The final week of the pheasant season was also monitored. Assistance was given to local authorities with numerous vehicles in the ditch, as a result of the holiday snowstorm. A snowmobile safety class was taught in Madison.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports that snowmobile trespassing have been the main complaint this past week. Remember to stay on the trail and off of agriculture land. An investigation of an illegally taken deer within the city limits of Montevideo was conducted with charges pending.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.



District 16 - New Ulm areaLast updated: 2010-01-04



CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking fishermen, atv and snowmobilers and late season pheasant hunters. Snow conditions are good with lots of snowmobilers taking advantage. Fishing has been good for pan fish on some area lakes. Time was also spent working on deer cases from the past deer season.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) monitored snowmobile and angling activity. He noted a significant decrease in ice fishing activity primarily due to the weather which has made ice travel difficult. He took enforcement action for a deer carcass illegally dumped in a ditch and checked end of the season archery hunters. He also noted many pheasants scratching for food in the fields at all hours of the day.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked angling and spearing activity. Additional time was spent checking snowmobile and ATV activity. Hatlestad also checked pheasant and predator hunting activity. Time was also spent speaking at a snowmobile safety class in Fairfax.
CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) spent the majority of his time working snowmobile enforcement. CO Oberg found numerous violations related to operation and registration. CO Oberg also spent time working on a TIP call.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) averaged 1-2 complaints per day last week regarding the shooting of pheasants, Hungarian partridge, fox, and coyotes from motor vehicles. In one case a covey of Huns was ground swatted and 5 dead birds left in the field. Large numbers of pheasants and partridge seen dead along roadways and in fields. Officer Abraham also received two reports of hunting dogs caught in snares; found one dog in serious condition and transported to an area vet.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) assisted local and state law enforcement agencies with vehicle accidents on icy roads this past week. Snowmobile safety class was attended in St. James for 47 students. Snowmobiling activity is strong. Trespassing complaints continue to plague the sport. Snowmobile club members continue to attempt to keep snowmobilers from leaving the trails by means of more signage. Predator hunting activity is high. The pheasant hunting season came to a close with a few hunters taking advantage of harsh survival conditions for the pheasants. Hunters were reported for trespassing by shooting from roadways onto private property. Aeration systems were inspected.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his weekly radio program discussing topics including snowmobiling, ice safety, archery deer season and pheasant season. Officer Gruhlke worked archery deer hunters this past week as well as snowmobile activity. He also gave the law talk at the Jackson snowmobile safety class. Enforcement was taken for over limit of deer and failure to register deer within 24 hours of the close of the respective season. Some ice fishing is taking place as folks wade through the deep snow back out onto the area lakes. Aeration inspections were also completed.

Windom - vacant.


District 17 - Albert Lea area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working angling and hunting activity. A complaint on a taxidermist is also being investigated. Violations include shooting from a motor vehicle, no small game license, and wanton waste.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) had a busy week checking snowmobilers and fishermen. Time was also spent checking last minute pheasant hunters as the 2009 season came to a close. Several issues were dealt with including registration issues and moving violations. Fishing remains slow on most area lakes, with only a few hot spots steadily producing “keeper” size fish.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) worked snowmobile and ice angling activities. Geving also conducted flight training activities and a snowmobile/fish shelter flight. Enforcement actions included trespass, unregistered snowmobile, and no state trail sticker.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) spent much of the week on snowmobile enforcement. Area trails have better snow coverage than they have had in a long while. Snowmobile activity was heavy, in spite of cold weather. Cold weather has helped firm up some of the slush on area lakes. Howe also worked predator and small game hunting activity. Heavy snow cover has many pheasants out in the open, looking for food.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) checked ice anglers and snowmobilers. The last day of pheasant season brought a shooting from vehicle complaint. The vehicle was located and enforcement action was taken for shooting wild animals from a vehicle and take small game without a license.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) spent time riding local trails addressing snowmobile violations. Ice angling activity continues to pick up despite the cold weather. Investigations involving pheasants being shot from vehicles are also being looked into.

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports spending checking many archery deer hunters out during the last few days of the season. Pheasant hunters, predator hunters, and anglers were also checked. Time was also spent checking ATV and snowmobile operators.

Spring Valley - vacant.



District 18 - Rochester area
Last updated: 2010-01-04



CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports working on a case from the past deer season. Time was also spent checking ice anglers and snowmobile activity. Some fishing violations were detected.

CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) spent the week on equipment issues, snowmobile, and fishing. The bitter cold kept the number of people out snowmobiling to a minimum, but a few braved the cold and had good riding conditions. The fishing has been slow on area reservoirs with limited success. Persons fishing are reminded that you are required to carry your license with you when you are fishing.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports following up on deer cases from the fall. A few snowmobile complaints have come in as well. CO Boyum checked a few predator hunters that were out and having some success.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports heavy ice fishing in the area including driving on ice in areas that usually do not allow it until much later in season. Hemker had several wildlife complaints including a deer that was found dead lying against a warm spot next to a house. He also checked on deer hunting complaints and followed up on filing charges for old deer cases.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) reports closing out another investigation from the deer season with several summon being issued. He also served a search warrant involving another case from the deer season and finally checked some late archery hunting and fishing activity.

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports ice fishermen are having varied success. Bluegill, northern, and sauger are being caught. Ice around the dam sites has improved. Coyote hunters have been taking advantage of the second full moon. The recent cold temperatures have improved snowmobile trails. Continue follow up investigations involving complaints from this past deer season

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports the panfishing is slow with normal snowmobile traffic.

Rochester #1 - vacant.