11/29/09 Report (Dist. 18)

[Woody]

District 18 - Rochester area
11/29

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports the duck hunters continue to have a slow go. The fish bite has slowed down. Deer hunters had mixed success with the warm weather. Responded to a shooting from a road complaint where two suspects were apprehended with the help of the witness. Investigated two antlerless deer with the backstraps removed that resulted in an over limit of deer, fail to site tag, and fail to register. An unacceptable event took place on a state campsite where campers at the Reno State Forest campground were being harassed by a couple on an ATV. The Houston County Sheriff's department is handling the case.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports checking 3B hunters and muzzleloader hunters. The weekend was busy with both groups out. Trespass calls seem to be the most common complaint. Other violations encountered were shooting from a roadway at a big game animal, shooting from a motor vehicle at big game and no blaze orange.

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly waterfowl and deer hunters during the week. Lots of deer hunters were out over the Thanksgiving holiday and muzzleloader opener, but success was slow. A lot of geese are in the Rochester area and hunters were having mixed success.

CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) spent most of the week with goose hunting and deer hunting. Goose hunting is in full swing with many hunters out. Deer hunting for the 3B season was rather slow with most hunters asking, “Where are the deer?” Violations included deer hunting without a valid license, no license in possession, federal waterfowl stamp not in possession, unplugged gun, and failure to validate tag. Hunters are reminded that the electronic federal waterfowl stamp is only valid for 45 days after purchase and then you are required to have the physical stamp in possession and signed across the face.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week working the late B deer season. Very few muzzle loaders were observed out hunting over the weekend. Fishing pressure remains steady on the river.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) report working another very busy week of the 3-B deer season as well as the opening weekend of the muzzleloader season. Enforcement action involved everything from unlawful taking of buck before the season, hunting deer with no blaze orange, trespass, untagged deer, failure to validate a deer tag to the unlawful taking of another buck and doe without a license.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports deer season continues to be busy. He checked out complaints on trespass, deer baiting, hunting without licenses, and hunting without blaze orange. The deer take appears to have slowed. There are many duck hunters in the area with mixed results.

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports the 3B deer season tailed off significantly as the week wore on. Fewer hunters than expected and success rates seemed low. Violations were usual with complaints of trespass and shooting from the road. Tagging deer and validating tags is also still an issue. This year seemed to have more hunters confused than usual with new laws or changes.

Rochester #1 - vacant.