MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

 
                      MN DNR Weekly Report

Published February 27, 2014



District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports attending Rainy Lake Sportsmen’s Clubs Annual Fishing derby on Rainy Lake. Little activity was observed during the week and weekend as snow and wind kept most people close to home. A complaint was received of an individual possibly shooting grouse along county roads. The individual was located and was found to be in possession of two spruce grouse; individual was cited for taking grouse in closed season. Snowmobile activity was minimal over the weekend. People are reminded that registration needs to be displayed and non-residents need a state trail sticker to operate on trails.


CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports checking on ice fishing and snowmobile activity throughout the week and weekend. Heavy snow late in the week appeared to keep people inside since the snowmobile trails had very few sleds on them. Ice fishing is very slow and the heavy snow has a few ice house owners wondering how they are going to get their fish houses removed from the ice.


CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked snowmobiles, anglers, a vintage snowmobile race, took an on-line training course and investigated a recent illegal deer hunting complaint. Fish houses were marked to monitor litter and shelter removal. Anglers that have not removed fish houses should consider removing them now, as snow continues to accumulate in large quantities creating round two of slush problems. Enforcement action was taken on angling without a license and a number of snowmobile violations.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time patrolling area snowmobile trails. Numerous sled have been turning up with expired registration from several seasons ago. In each instance the operator claimed it the first ride of the season. CO Frericks encourages owners of snowmobiles to get them registered before taking them out on the trails; after you are stopped by a conservation officer it is too late. A specific stretch of snowmobile trail was marked after receiving reports for two serious accidents. Heavy snow that arrived in the area has brought slush back to area lakes. Owners of ice houses are encouraged to start the process of removing them now.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) worked snowmobile enforcement on the area trails. Fredin came upon two sleds with one stuck from going off the trail into the woods, and two men attempting to get it out. While talking with the men alcohol was apparent and one man took off running up the trail in an attempt to flee CO Fredin. He was apprehended a short time later by Fredin on his sled and both were brought out to the road. Babbitt Police assisted processing and transporting both individuals to St. Louis County Jail where they were booked for DWI. Fredin assisted the Hibbing and Virginia Officers with snowmobile enforcement in their stations.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.


Ray - vacant.


Tower - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports the Ely area was hit hard again with over a foot of snow falling over the last week. Snowmobile trails were in excellent condition although the new snow drifts and banks did make it difficult to navigate outside of the groomed trails. A snowmobile safety class was held over the weekend at Vermilion Community College where 23 of the state’s newest snowmobile operators were tested and certified.


CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked snowmobilers and the last of the walleye fishermen. Fishing was poor and the slush after the big storm was terrible in places. On one spot on a river, the slush was nearly to the officer’s knees. The officer found out that he was extremely disliked by an individual because the man had called and wanted to keep an owl for himself. The officer had informed him that he could not do so, but that he could work with the local schools to get it done if they wanted to have it mounted as a display for educational purposes. The man said he will be angry about it for the rest of his life.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a few more snowmobiles during the week, but angling activity remains very quiet. Reports of slush returning started coming in even before the last big snow. The lake trout have been cooperating and the CO saw a few dandies during the week. Most snowmobiles encountered were registered and had trail stickers, but a few reminders were needed that registration and trail stickers belong on the sled and not in the pocket. The CO also encountered people without fishing licenses in possession.


CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent time patrolling area snowmobile trails and lakes. More heavy snowfalls in the arrowhead region are resulting in increases in deer moving down to the Lake Superior shore and many more animals utilizing snowmobile trails rather than wade through deep snow. The officer spoke with a party who was not happy that some many folks are feeding deer along the Superior shoreline, drawing deer across the state highway and into the paths of many vehicles.


CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked Eelpout Festival in Walker with CO Mathy. Violations were again prevalent with enforcement action taken for unattended lines, extra lines, fishing without a license, under 21 consumption of alcohol, small amount of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, ATV DWI, unregistered ATV, and too many passengers on an ATV. One angler who had lines down in a fish house was eventually found socializing in another fish house. He said he was cited last year at Eelpout for unattended lines because he went to town and left his lines down. He thought he was okay this time because he wasn’t very far away. CO Bermel realized he was the officer that issued the citation the previous year. A citation was again issued for unattended lines. In addition, the angler never purchased a fishing license and an additional citation was issued for that offense.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked a snowmobile detail with Lt. Schottenbauer in the Tofte and Silver Bay stations. The officer checked anglers, worked state park complaints and monitored cross country ski trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.


CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked snowmobiling and angling activity on area trails and lakes. Several instances were encountered where snowmobilers were riding too fast for trail conditions and overshot corners after the recent winter storm. Enforcement action was taken for speed, failure to stop at road crossings, and various registration violations.


Silver Bay - vacant.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Randy Patten (Northome) processed confiscated fur, completed DVS and I mobile training, and worked on equipment inventory issues.


CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked angling, small game, and snowmobile activities. Violations included no license in possession, operate snowmobile on county roadway, and fail to display registration. He also marked some fish houses on area lakes due to the projected snowfall. Slush develops on many lakes after the deep snow and anglers are reminded to plan ahead for fish house removal.


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snowmobile activity and responded to a call of a tree laying across the snowmobile trail. The tree was located and removed with assistance from a deputy and the local fire department. Further investigation showed that the tree was intentionally cut and left. Enforcement action was taken for angle with extra line, no angling license in possession and snow mobile registration issues.


CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked angling activity last week, some panfish limits were being caught. She also checked snowmobile activity for registration and trail passes. She helped with public safety and law enforcement activities at Eel Pout this past weekend. The weather played a huge role in the decrease in attendance this year. She also helped with ensuring the safety of snowmobile riders and spectators at the USXC Snowmobile Race in Park Rapids.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobiling activity over the past week with enforcement action taken for unregistered snowmobiles, speeding and operating down the shoulder of a county road. CO Sutherland also attended a snowmobile trails appreciation meeting and gave an update on snowmobile activity for the winter. A snowmobile safety class was also attended where a laws talk was given.


CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) monitored ice fishing, snowmobile and trapping activity. Reports were completed and calls answered. Wichmann assisted with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office with vehicles driving off roads due to blizzard conditions. A driver of one vehicle that was checked had driven off the road and had his window rolled down and radio turned up. Wichmann woke the driver and enforcement action was taken for driving under the influence of alcohol.


CO John Velsvaag (Region 2 ATV officer) followed up on a complaint in the Orr station this past week. CO Velsvaag also patrolled on snowmobile on Lake Vermilion and Crane Lake. CO Velsvaag also checked fishermen on several designated trout lakes having slow to moderate success.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) checked anglers, dark house spearers, and respective bait on area infested waters. Perch success appeared moderate. High winds and deep snow closed most plowed ice roads over the weekend. CO Arhart also worked snowmobilers and Wetland Conservation Act restoration orders. Some deer feeding questions were received and answered.





District 8 - Duluth area


CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) spent time returning calls about concern for deer and other wildlife. A deer needed to be dispatched after its leg got caught in the crotch of a cedar tree. Apparently the deer was standing on its hind legs attempting to get to the boughs when its leg was entangled. Lots of owls are reportedly coming down from Canada in hopes of finding food. Complaints of people harassing the owls in attempts to photograph them are currently being investigated.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent some time working fishing and snowmobile enforcement. Weather conditions limited access to most lakes, but a few anglers were still out. Complaint areas for snowmobile enforcement were worked. Officer Duncan talked with a Cub Scout group about the job of a Conservation Officer and also talked about natural resource laws and reasons for them. Time was also spent on office work, verifying issued equipment for an accurate inventory and following up on calls from the public.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) reports working ice angling and snowmobile activity throughout the week. CO Humphrey received several calls from concerned citizens about the condition of deer in the area and deer feeding plans. Snowmobilers were reporting some rough trail conditions over the weekend. Several snowmobiles were observed stuck on and off trails. Snowmobilers were also reporting lots of wildlife observed on the trails due to the deep snow. CO Humphrey checked on a local fishing tournament held in the Cromwell area. Area anglers were having some success on pan fish. Fish house removal has begun for many anglers with the close of the pike, walleye and bass seasons. CO Humphrey assisted State Patrol with several vehicles going off the road due to drifting & blowing snow. Angling and snowmobile violations were encountered during the week


CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spent the week working on equipment inventory and patrolling the lakes and trails. Some fish houses remain on area lakes and with the recent storm may have a tough time accessing them. Snowmobile trails in the area were in great shape until we received another 12 inches of snow. After they get groomed they are expected to be back in excellent shape. Enforcement action was taken for speed and registration violations. Some snowmobilers are reporting lots of deer on area trails. And with the deep snow they are very reluctant to get off the trails. Snowmobilers are advised to wait for them to find a reasonable exit off of the trail before continuing. They are very stressed this time of year and making them run for even a short distance on the trail could be fatal.


WREO Mike Scott met with local DNR Fisheries staff about current Aquatic Plant Management cases that are being worked on and updates on recent excavation of area trout stream last fall. Time was spent working the Sax-Zim Bog area over the weekend talking with many birders who are in the area to view snowy owls, great grey owls, and other winter birds. Information was exchanged with many birders from other states about not over stressing the birds that are already stressed from the winter we are all dealing with. Folks from Boston, Colorado, Indiana, and North Dakota were talked to along with many Minnesota residents.




Lake Superior Marine Unit


CO Keith Olson (Marine Unit) assisted area agencies with traffic items relating to the large amount of snow received in the Duluth area. Worked snowmobile enforcement in the West Duluth area, checked anglers in the Two Harbors area and anglers in the Duluth-Superior Bay were also monitored.


CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked ice anglers and snowmobiles. Registration and snowmobile safety training violations have continued to be a regular issue this season. High winds left some very deep drifts across trails in some areas; riders need to be wary of the risk these can present. Work was completed on annual inventory and a complaint area was worked along the state trail. Enforcement actions were taken for snowmobile violations.


CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) checked anglers on the Duluth Harbor and the St. Louis River, some walleye were found. He worked a vintage snowmobile run in the Proctor and Duluth areas, investigated a possible big game violation and performed equipment and office maintenance. Enforcement action taken for snowmobile violations.