Conservation Officer Report:

[Lee Borgersen]

Conservation Officer Report: Ducklings rescued near Pequot Lakes


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Conservation officer Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) patrolled area lakes, all-terrain vehicle trails and highways. Sullivan contacted two individuals riding ATVs in the Foothills State Forest that had expired registration and no registration on the ATVs they were operating. Sullivan assisted with four red breasted merganser ducklings that were rescued in the ditch off State Highway 371. A state trooper was in the area and responded to ensure the duckling's safety after citizens completed the rescue. Sullivan assisted with the ducklings transport for care.

Officer Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports activity this week of patrolling fishing activity, the Cuyuna Country State Recreational area, and responding to issues of shoreline development and illegal trapping. Hadrits also handled numerous wildlife calls including nuisance fox, beaver, bear, and an unusual report of an aggressive beaver that was shot while attacking a dog and a person in a residential area.

Officer Amber Ladd (McGregor) patrolled area lakes and rivers for fishing and aquatic invasive species. She also patrolled all-terrain vehicle activity and investigated several complaints of ATV trespass. Handled several nuisance beaver calls and a call from a concerned citizen about high wolf activity in the area. Officer Ladd also attended a Memorial Service honoring fallen officers in Aitkin County.

Officer Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked sport fishing and all-terrain vehicle enforcement. Poor weather conditions discouraged some anglers. A call was received and investigated of an individual shooting at geese that were occupying his front lakeside lawn. The individual admitted to being frustrated with the nuisance fowl and also claimed to have removed three shovels full of lawn fertilizer. Five .22 shells were discovered at the scene and enforcement action was taken.

Officer Jeff Halverson (Staples) handled many bear complaints; attacks on garbage, bird feeders, and public/livestock safety were the reason for the calls. "Hooked on Fishing not Drugs" was attended by Halverson and officer Oldakowski in the communities of Staples/Motley and Menahga, many fourth graders got to go fishing. One little girl called herself a "city slicker" and was able to go fishing in a boat for the first time. The Staples/Motley fourth-grade kids received a T-shirt and a fishing pole. Fishing over the weekend was slowed by the poor weather.

Officer Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling, boating, AIS, and turkey hunting activity. Turn In Poachers and nuisance beaver calls were also addressed. The officer attended a memorial service honoring fallen officers in Aitkin County.

Officer Tim Collette (Crosslake) took a report of a bear that had killed a deer and drug it across the person's yard in the daylight. The deer was found a short distance into the woods but appeared to be a car-killed deer. A reminder that bears do not have an abundance of food right now and to remove bird feeders and open garbage containers. Several reports of beavers doing damage were also reported and permits issued to have them removed. Anglers are finding that several days of rain and cold weather have put a damper on angling success.

Officer Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) worked angler activity where boat traffic continued to increase despite cold and wet conditions. Boat plugs were checked. CO Verkuilen also monitored ATV traffic, checked some turkey hunters, and assisted at an ATV safety class.

Officer Chris Tetrault (Isle) checked anglers on Mille Lacs Lake. The water temp lowered and the fishing slowed a bit, but people were still found catching fish. The officer attended training at Camp Ripley and arson investigations continued. Turkey hunters were also found attempting to have some luck with their late season hunts.

Officer Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking fishermen and most reported a fairly good bite for walleye and some panfish on area lakes. ATV traffic was monitored throughout the Malmo station and boating activity was also monitored on area lakes. Patrol was done for AIS violations and the officer answered many outdoor law related questions. A call of a dock related issue was investigated and the officer assisted with the Kids Fishing Day at the Rippleside Elementary School in Aitkin where many kids got to learn fishing techniques, boating safety laws, and fishing laws. Enforcement action for the week included various boating related violations.

Officer Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) attended Law Enforcement Memorial Day with the LEMA

Honor Guard. She assisted Pine County Sheriff's Office and the Pokegama Lake Association with a boat and water safety class in Pine City. Speldrich followed up on nuisance beaver complaints and checked area lakes and state forests for recreational activity.

Officer Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) spent time on area river fishing spots and found quite a few anglers having good luck catching catfish, walleye, and rough fish from shore fishing spots.

Active loon nests were found throughout the area and some boaters and jet skiers had to be educated about keeping their distance from nests along with the importance of not disturbing the nesting loons. Calls about black bear destroying bird feeders and garbage cans also continued to come in regularly.

Officer Eugene Wynn (Pine City) took calls this week regarding trespassing questions, concerns about burning, and questions about trapping. Bad weather for much of the week kept anglers and boaters at home for the most part. High water on the St. Croix River led to a party of campers swamping their canoe. Thankfully they were wearing life jackets, made it to shore, and only lost minimal gear.

Officer Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked fishermen during the week and weekend. Wet weather conditions slowed the enthusiasm but the bite remained good on Mille Lacs. A complaint of trucks ripping it up in a local wildlife management area was investigated. The responsible parties were located with enforcement action to be taken. Time was also spent doing follow up on a fire investigation.