Weekly conservation report

[Lee Borgersen]

  CO Report: Reports of slow grouse hunting

Oct 28, 2016

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he worked on fishing enforcement this past week. The anglers are out and the fall bite has slowed. He checked grouse hunters and the report was poor.

AIS complaints were reported and received some enforcement time along with violations of duck hunters not removing plugs and aquatic vegetation. Late shooting by duck hunters were reported and worked on. The archery hunters report that deer hunting is getting better and the deer are on the move searching for food. He worked on complaints of ATVs driving carelessly in the city of Pillager. He also checked fall turkey hunters and they report seeing lots of turkeys with some success.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) investigated reports of hunter trespass, illegal dumping of deer carcasses and large amount of garbage, hunters not retrieving wounded waterfowl, theft of

snowmobile trail signs, and a fire that was started illegally, then left unattended and nearly burned out of control through the woods and into dwellings and cabins had it not been for concerned neighbors who put the fire out. Other activity included checking waterfowl and bow deer hunting activity, monitoring a crappie bite on an area lake, and issuing permits for disabled hunters, target ranges, nuisance beaver, and car kill deer.

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) began final training with a COC. The officers worked the Red Wing area and checked many waterfowl hunters throughout the week. Hunters reported not seeing much for ducks but some still managed to have success. The officers also spent time checking anglers as the walleyes and saugers were biting. Enforcement action for the week included no license in possession, unsigned federal duck stamp, unplugged shotgun, taking a protected species, transportation of a loaded firearm, operate an unlicensed watercraft, take fish without a license, and fail to display registration.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) investigated a shooting complaint involving an individual shooting at dogs chasing deer through his back yard. The individual was advised of the current law regarding dogs chasing deer and the individual was advised to contact animal control. CO Guida patrolled the area in search of the nuisance at large dogs chasing deer but was unable to locate them. Officer Guida also spent time monitoring a fall walleye bite and also prepared some equipment for winter storage.

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) prepared for the upcoming deer season by checking complaint areas from past season and following up on suspicious activity. Some anglers were still on the water with several commenting, "last trip before ice." With most of the leaves off the trees, small game hunters were also out.

CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) checked anglers on Mille Lacs Lake and other area lakes. Small game hunters were checked with hunters having varying success. Questions regarding deer hunting and trapping were answered. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer over bait.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked duck and deer hunters and a dogs chasing deer complaint was handled. Trespass complaints coming in with new deer stands being built on or near property lines. Fall fishing is picking up on area lakes.

CO Chelsey Best (Remer) worked a busy MEA weekend with lots of small game hunters as well as people getting deer hunting spots ready for the rifle opener. The most common violations still involve dangerous ATV activity; roadway operation and no helmets on juvenile operators/passengers. Enforcement action was taken for those violations as well as no small game license, no PFDs and boats left on public property. Nuisance animal complaints were also handled.

CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) worked with area townships with beaver flooding road

problems, and checked small game hunters and recreational ATV riders. Transporting loaded firearms on ATVs continues to be a problem. The officer also responded to a call of an injured swan that had a broken leg and wing.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked archery and waterfowl hunting activity during the week. A call on a dead cow was also investigated.