CO Report: Ice forming

[Lee Borgersen]

   CO Report: Ice forming but varying depths discovered.

 Dec 17, 2016

  ....
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked the close of the muzzleloader season and checked some early ice anglers this week. A TIP call was received and investigated of a muzzleloader hunter hunting within the city limits of Crosby. The hunter was located and was also operating an ATV on a grant in aid snowmobile trail illegally. Illegal party hunting violations are being investigated. Officer Guida issued wildlife possession tags for car killed deer. An accidental fisher was reported and is going to be donated to a local middle school science class for education purposesCO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) spent time patrolling for snowmobile and late season deer hunting activity. Some snowmobile activity was reported with the recent snowfall. Enforcement action was taken for failure to tag a big game animal, failure to validate deer tag, failure to register big game animal, and numerous snowmobile violations.

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked hunters, trappers, ATV's, and snowmobilers. Ice conditions are poor and unsafe. Officer Hunter received calls of hunting over bait, trespass, and rifles used during muzzleloader season.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked muzzleloader, trapping, and grouse hunting activity. Follow up on firearms deer cases was also continued. An ice angler created an unnecessary emergency response by leaving his sled unattended on the ice just before dark.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports activity this week of assisting the Deerwood Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club with their youth snowmobile safety class, removal of a dead deer that died in an area lake, and patrolling hunting activity over the final weekend of the muzzleloader deer season. Ice conditions and early ice fishermen were also checked, ice thickness on area lakes were found to range from 0-4 inches.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports ice has slowly been forming on the shoreline on most lakes, however early ice anglers have ventured out on North Long, Gull, and Crow Wing River. Spear fishermen have had some success and so has the anglers. He checked some sport netters and the fish were not running. Violation was observed where license holder not lifting their own net.

Muzzleloader deer hunters were checked; there were a few successful hunters this week but deer activity has slowed according to some hunters. Reports of deer carcass dumping and unregistered deer were investigated.

CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) continued monitoring the muzzleloader deer season, checked trappers, and a few anglers where some fishable ice has been found. The officer also attended a Fisheries meeting on the walleye status on Gull Lake, and conducted a taxidermist inspection.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked anglers and trappers. Ice formed on area lakes late this week with some anglers seen on thin ice on shallow small lakes. Time was also spent investigating a trespassing/big game complaint and a complaint of someone purposefully blocking a public access with a snow plowed berm.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked muzzleloader hunters and complaints of road hunting. Ice fishing has started, ice is very unsafe in spots with additional snow. Complaint of dogs chasing deer was investigated.

CO Chelsey Best (Remer) spent the week on trapping and muzzleloader enforcement. Nuisance wildlife calls were also handled. Enforcement action was taken for fishers trapped out of season and operating ATVs on a state highway.