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

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) divided most of his time between checking ice fishermen and patrol of snowmobile trails. The trails are in need of some snow but for the most part the trails are in fair condition. Ice thickness has improved but some lakes still have a small layer of slush. The bite remains slow. Enforcement action was taken on snowmobile registration and unmarked fish houses.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) worked ice anglers and snowmobilers. Violations were found for speed, no registration, and no state trail sticker. Several animal complaints were also handled.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) worked ice anglers and participated in a snowmobile work crew the past week. Fishing has been spotty and some of the snowmobile trails are in need of a little fresh snow. Enforcement was taken for fish shelter ID issues, snowmobile speed, no snowmobile safety certificate and registration violations.

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen on area lakes issuing summonses and written warnings for extra lines and angling w/o a fishing license. He followed up on a deer hunting case. He checked snowmobilers and took enforcement action on a number of violations.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) checked anglers and spearers and found that the catch was spotty on most lakes in the area. Reller also participated in a snowmobile detail in the Aitkin and Mille Lacs county area. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed and registration and trail sticker violations. Trail conditions were very good but a low number of snowmobilers were out due to the colder temperatures.

CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) worked area angling activity. CO Schottenbauer assisted with a work crew checking snowmobile activity in the central part of the state. Time was also spent on aeration inspections on area lakes.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports a lot of outdoor activity despite cold temperatures. Anglers on area lakes were seeing some success but most saw very little. CO Langevin encountered several anglers fishing with extra lines or unattended lines. Snowmobilers enjoyed the trails in the area. Some spots are getting rough but for the most part the trails seem to be in good shape.


District 13 - West Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) checked ice anglers on area lakes. He patrolled lakes and trails on snowmobile. He spoke at a youth snowmobile safety class in Delano. He also attended training at Camp Ripley and attended a meeting with Hennepin County Court Administration.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked anglers and snowmobilers in the metro area. He worked at the Lao Family office answering questions to the community on fishing and state park regulations. He gave a talk at the Lao Family Center, to a family gathering about hunting and fishing regulations. Violations included failure to display valid snowmobile registration and no shelter identification.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) spent the week checking fishing and snowmobiling activity on Lake Minnetonka and in Carver County. Violations included angling with extra lines, no fishing license in possession, various shelter violations, failing to stop for road crossings, no snowmobile safety certificate, no state trail sticker, and no taillight. She assisted local agencies with a man who had fallen on the ice while fishing and broke his femur. She also assisted with a call for service and testified in court for a hunting violation from this past fall.

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) spent time checking fishermen on Lake Minnetonka and area lakes this past week. The CO also worked an evening snowmobile detail with the HCSO Water Patrol. CO Kahre patrolled the area trails for snowmobile activity finding a couple of sleds had broken through the ice on an area creek.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) participated in a snowmobile work detail from Mora to McGregor. He took a TIP call in Bloomington. He also spent time on equipment maintenance. He checked ice anglers and snowmobilers in the west metro area.

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) patrolled Scott and Dakota counties for snowmobile enforcement. He checked fishermen. CO Neitzke patrolled Ft. Snelling State Park. He also answered law questions.

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) registered furs for trappers. He checked anglers all week but the fish were not cooperating. He assisted several people with vehicles stuck on Lake Waconia. One individual was helped out by CO’s Walter and Le. When Le told him to drive off the lake and find a plowed road the person did not listen and was stuck again. The man was helped out for a second time and then took the officer’s advice. Several injured deer calls were handled.


District 14 - East Metro area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) patrolled the snowmobile trails in his area. The CO checked many sleds with several violations found. CO Gutierrez followed a group of snowmobiles for a bit, finding them not stopping at road crossings. He stopped them and informed them of the violation. They stated that at the last two road crossings they did not stop for the trail stop signs because they were not really visible. CO Gutierrez explained the laws pertaining to all road crossings and provided the proper paperwork for the violations. CO Gutierrez is still receiving TIP calls from the deer season. One call received was of a WI resident purchasing MN resident licenses. When the CO interviewed the suspect he stated he used to live in MN in 2008 and only hunts in MN, so he figured it was alright, again the proper paperwork was issued.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) patrolled for snowmobiling activity around the metro lakes and trails and checked ice anglers. He also spent some time at his Cambodian Center office. Violations included no identification on fish house and no fishing license in possession.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) spent time throughout the week checking snowmobilers and coyote hunters. Coyote hunters are finding hard hunting conditions while snowmobilers are enjoying excellent trail conditions. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration and trespass. A ride along experience was also given to a law enforcement college student.

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) worked the Chisago County area with CO Langevin and found several anglers using extra lines and leaving their line unattended while they run to town. Enforcement action was taken. CO Salo also participated in a snowmobile work crew in the McGregor area. Very few sleds were on the trails and enforcement action was taken for fail to display registration, no registration, speed, and no trail sticker. CO Salo also spent time on snowmobile maintenance.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) worked snowmobile and angling enforcement on area trails and lakes. She assisted with fur registration, did equipment maintenance and handled nuisance animal calls. CO Kruse met with 5 Eyewitness News to do an interview regarding vandalism to fish houses, and she also did aeration system inspections in the area.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) checked snowmobilers and ice anglers throughout the week. He received a request for a collector snowmobile registration. CO Johnson spoke to a snowmobile safety class in Oakdale.

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) worked anglers on area lakes. CO Muyres talked to the Anoka County 4H group about the career of a Conservation Officer. CO Muyres also investigated a dumping complaint in Linwood.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled for angling activity in Dakota County. CO Salzer assisted CO McGowan with an investigation of a deer that was found with an arrow in it after the archery season had closed. CO Salzer also patrolled for snowmobile activity in Dakota County and worked a snowmobile detail in Aitkin County.


District 15 - Marshall area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) worked a saturation detail with neighboring officers patrolling a coyote tournament. Overall, the violation rate was very low. There were a couple violations of shooting from a motor vehicle and transporting a loaded firearm. Event organizers said that they stressed following the rules and laws which helped with enforcement efforts. Extra attention has been given to complaints of snowmobile trespassing.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports assisting a DNR Wildlife manager with pheasant feeding. Deep snow has created a sharp increase in snowmobile enforcement activity compared to recent years.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, snowmobile and coyote hunting enforcement. Another blizzard that dumped another 6-10 inches of snow along with 40 mph winds made for a tough week for outdoorsmen. Assistance was given with placing and refilling pheasant feeders. A special thanks goes out to all those people that have spent time placing feeders and spreading corn for the pheasants.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) spent time patrolling the local snowmobile trails. Recent snowfall and the local snowmobile club, have the trails in good condition in the Ortonville area. Fishing and predator hunting activity were also monitored, with fishing action being slow. A snowmobile safety course was taught in Ortonville. Infractions for the week: no fishing license in possession, no identification on fish house.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) focused on snowmobile enforcement and predator hunters. On one of the evenings where the temperature fell to the -20 F range, the officer discovered an individual walking down a rural highway without adequate clothing. The individual was in extreme pain due to frostbite. The officer transported the individual to a local hospital where they were treated.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking hunters and anglers and patrolling snowmobiles. A snowmobile was reported to have gone through the ice on Lake Shetek. An instructor certification training program was completed. Enforcement action was taken for operate snowmobile on inside shoulder of highway, speeding, no snowmobile safety certification, and license/registration violations.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking hunters, snowmobilers, and fishermen. The cold kept snowmobiling and fishing activity lower than normal. Questions and concerns of the public about feeding of pheasants was the number one topic of the week. Several illegal deer hunting investigations continue.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.


District 16 - New Ulm area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking snowmobiles, ATVs and fishermen. Time was also spent on snowmobile checking ice fishermen. The fishing has been slow and lake conditions are tough for vehicle travel. Fishing has been slow for the most part with a few walleyes being caught. Fishing pressure is still heavy.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) checked anglers, trappers/hunters, snowmobiles, and spoke at a Snowmobile Safety Class. Officer Graham also assisted with a call that came in of a downed airplane, turned out that the pilot/co-pilot had to perform an emergency landing in a field and everyone was unharmed. A predator hunt in Renville County was also worked with several other officers, and resulted in various citations and warnings being given.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) monitored angling activity. Shelter identification and permits are common violations. Snowmobile activity continues to be strong. Recent severe weather put a damper on numerous days of recreational activity. Reports of fish over-limits were investigated.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his radio program with KKOJ/KRAQ discussing topics including snowmobile safety and ice fishing. Officer Gruhlke also worked snowmobile activity in the Jackson and Cottonwood county areas. More sleds began to appear on Sunday when the temperatures began to become more reasonable. The Des Moines River hosted most of the activity. Gruhlke also worked ice fishing activity too.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked angling and spearing activity. Additional time was spent checking snowmobile and ATV activity. Hatlestad also checked predator hunting activity, and spoke at a snowmobile safety class in Cedar Mills.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) received and followed up on multiple complaints involving predator hunters shooting from motor vehicles/snowmobiles, chasing wild animals with a motor vehicle/snowmobile, trespassing, and shooting within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling or livestock. Enforcement action was also taken on transporting loaded firearms, operate snowmobile with expired registration, without a safety certificate, and angle with extra lines. One arrest was made for operating an ATV while intoxicated.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) worked mostly snowmobile enforcement this past week. Fishing has been slow in the area. CO Oberg and CO Graham responded to a call of a downed aircraft in McLeod County. Fortunately the pilots of the plane were both instructors and were practicing emergency landings; the plane was landed successfully without damage. Officer Oberg also spent time checking predator hunters during the week.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports working on shooting from motor vehicle cases, meeting with a county attorney regarding deer cases from the past season, assisting District 17 officers with snowmobile enforcement work crew, and finding a lot of trail sticker violations along with registration and speed violations.

Windom - vacant.


District 17 - Albert Lea area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) worked area lakes checking ice anglers. Many anglers are reporting that the pan fish bite is picking up. Snowmobile trail activity continues to be steady as the trails are in excellent shape. Administrative duties were also attended to.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) patrolled his station checking fishermen and snowmobile operators. Officer Ihnen also checked predator hunters. Several issues were dealt with including various registration issues and angling violations.

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports spending most of the week checking ice anglers and snowmobile operators. Time was also spent checking area state parks, public water access sites, and aeration systems. Predator hunters were also checked. Violations included no angling license, leave fish house at public water access site, and various snowmobile violations.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) worked mostly angling and snowmobile enforcement. Taxidermy and aeration inspections were also completed. Violations included no snowmobile registration, no safety certificate, no state trail sticker, speed, no shelter ID and unregistered turkey.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) taught the laws and ethics portion of a firearms safety class. He checked a coyote hunter that had a fox in the truck and no small game license and a loaded firearm. He also assisted with a couple of work details in LeSueur County and Nicollet County that focused on snowmobile activity.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) spent much of the week on snowmobile enforcement. Angling, small game, and predator hunting activity were also monitored. Snowmobile trail conditions are as good as they have been in recent memory. Lots of snowmobile activity, in spite of last week’s cold weather. Two snowmobile enforcement work details were conducted in the St. Peter station. Numerous contacts were made, with enforcement action taken for a variety of snowmobile offenses, including safety certificate, speed, registration, and trail permit violations.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) worked angling, snowmobiling and predator hunting activities. Geving also conducted flights for a turkey survey and predator hunting detail. Enforcement actions included angling license not in possession, unmarked fish shelter, and snowmobile registration.

Spring Valley - vacant.


District 18 - Rochester area
Last updated: 2010-01-11



CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports many injured wildlife complaints being received. Most calls are deer with bad legs hanging around houses. Snowmobile trails in the area are in good shape. Hemker assisted on Lake of the Woods and found good compliance. Violations found included use extra lines, take over limits of fish, unattended lines, along with various snowmobile violations.

CO Dan Mc Broom (Rochester) spent the week on fishing, snowmobiling, predator hunting, and dogs chasing deer complaints. Fishing on area reservoirs has been slow. Snowmobilers are out in good numbers and enjoying the good trail conditions. Dogs chasing deer complaints are increasing. Dog owners are reminded that they are responsible for keeping their dogs under control and if the dog is caught chasing deer they may be destroyed, so please keep your dogs at home.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked anglers and snowmobiles during the week. Some anglers were doing very well on bluegills. Heyn also followed up on a deer case, and when he found the individual, the man was arrested on the 3 outstanding warrants.

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

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports checking snowmobile complaint areas, trespass being the most common complaint. A few injured deer calls are coming in and being dealt with. Time was also spent checking coyote hunters and a few rabbit hunters.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) reports working ice fishermen and snowmobiles this past week and weekend. The area trails are in very good shape and were very busy over the weekend. The bite has slowed a bit since first ice, but those with patience are still picking up a few fish.

CO Scott Moran(Wabasha) reports attending a meeting to discuss deer season results ideas for next year. A snowmobile safety class was attended in Wabasha to teach regulations. Ice conditions are good but fishing is a little slow. Snowmobilers are enjoying fair snow conditions for this part of the state.

CO Scott Fritz (La Crescent) reports snowmobile trails are in good shape. Fishing improved this past week. In the back channels there’s about 18 inches of ice. Sauger, northern, bluegill and crappie were being caught. He finished up on deer cases from this past fall. Enforcement included no angling license in possession, no Id on fish shelter, and expired registration on an ATV.