2/1/10 Report (Dist. 1-5)

[Woody]

District 1 - Baudette area
Last updated: 2010-02-01




CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored snowmobile and ice angling activities throughout the week. Time was also spent maintaining his snowmobile and working with an individual from an area food shelf to donate some seized meat.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) reports that fishing continues to be good on Lake of Woods. Ice and slush conditions have improved with the cold weather. Follow up continues on a number of fishing complaints. CO Birchem monitored snowmobile activity on area trails. Time was also spent in court on an over limit case.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) assisted CO Benson with the law and ethics portion of a trappers education class in Crookston. He also checked hunters with Lt. Znajda during a local coyote hunting contest and monitored angling activity during a local fishing derby. CO Woinarowicz monitored snowmobile trail use and took enforcement action for registration, trail permit, and speed violations. Fishing success on the Red Lake River remains spotty with aggressive northern pike eager to bite.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) handled calls of a possible sick deer, car-hit deer and a snowmobile hit deer. Area snowmobile trails were monitored with enforcement action taken for registration issues, speed, fail to yield at roadways, and snowmobile safety certifications. CO Warren monitored angling on the Red Lake River and took care of some equipment maintenance issues.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored angling activity on Red Lake during the week. Near white out conditions on the lake much of the week made travel and fishing very difficult. The walleye bite had slowed some over the week with the colder weather moving in. While checking one group of four anglers, CO Vollbrecht located 15 tip ups set up around the house. The group also had 8 lines down in the house. Other violations encountered during the week included angling with extra lines, illegal length walleye, over limit of walleye and angle without license in possession.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing activity on Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake. While checking anglers on Lake of the Woods, CO Gorecki received a call from CO Birchem with information that two individuals fishing on the lake were currently revoked. CO Birchem had previously charged them with a large over limit of walleye and their fishing privileges had been revoked. CO Gorecki conducted surveillance and made contact with the suspects. The individuals initially denied fishing, but after being confronted with the information, admitted to fishing the past two days. When asked why they were fishing since they knew they were revoked, one suspect stated, “I love fishing, and couldn’t help myself.” Both individuals were cited for fishing after revocation, and all of their fishing equipment was seized.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.


District 2 - Bemidji area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) spoke to the Win-E-Mac Snowmobile Safety Class about laws, safety, and riding ethics. The officer also spoke to a trapper’s class about laws, and participated in an interview with a regional newspaper about predator hunting. Cold temperatures kept outdoor activity levels low. An injured deer was dispatched.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) investigated a wolf depredation complaint. Outdoor enthusiasts seemed to switch from angling to snowmobiling after the winter storm.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked snowmobiles and anglers. Outdoor activity levels remain about average.

CO Mike Hruza (Bemidji) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Angling success is poor. Snowmobile activity has been above average.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) reports poor success amongst anglers. Snowmobile and cross-country ski activity has increased. Area trails have been groomed and are in great shape. Reports of slush and water on top of the ice have been received. Shelter owners are moving or blocking houses to stay out of the slush. Shelter owners are reminded that houses cannot be left on public accesses.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) observed some success by anglers pursuing panfish. Snowmobile trails are in good condition and being enjoyed. A TIP Call involving litter and fish carcasses left on the ice was investigated. Complaints of dogs chasing deer and deer depredation to standing corn were also investigated.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers and monitored snowmobile activity. The crappie and northern bite has been pretty good on some lakes. Slush and deep snow remain a challenge for travelers on the lakes. Shelters on the ice are being mapped and inventoried, in the event litter or shelter parts are left on the ice. Snowmobile trails are in pretty good conditions. Some trees and branches are down and snowmobilers should be careful. Activities related to a predator hunt and snowmobile run were monitored. Dogs chasing deer complaints were investigated.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) reports angling activity remains low. Access to lakes is difficult after the storm. The panfish bite has been pretty good. Administrative duties and equipment maintenance were completed. Planning for a volunteer safety instructor appreciation banquet is underway.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked anglers, snowmobilers, and predator hunters. A snowmobile trespass complaint was investigated. Lake aeration sites were inspected.


District 3 - Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) checked anglers and snowmobilers. Success by anglers varied from lake to lake. The snowmobile trails are in good condition and activity was high. The officer and CO Plautz held a Snowmobile Safety Class in Underwood. The officer testified in court in a hunter harassment case.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) checked anglers and snowmobilers. The officer and CO Richards held a Snowmobile Safety Class in Underwood.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) checked anglers, snowmobilers, trappers, and predator hunters. Complaints of predator hunters trespassing and shooting from motor vehicles were investigated. The officer participated in a work crew checking predator hunters where an enforcement aircraft was used to watch hunters.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, fish houses, predator hunters, and snowmobiles. One fish house checked had three occupants found with methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. The officer spoke to a Snowmobile Safety class in Evansville, where 31 students were certified.

CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) assisted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation of a fatal snowmobile crash. Anglers, snowmobilers, and coyote hunters were checked. Spring Firearm Safety Class planning is underway.

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) assisted the Douglas County SO with a fatal snowmobile crash. State lands and trails were patrolled. Anglers, snowmobilers, and predator hunters were checked. The officer participated in a television interview regarding litter on the lakes.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) completed issues related to the recovery of a stolen snowmobile trailer, two snowmobiles, and a snow blower. The owners (from Fargo and West Fargo) were located and the property returned. Anglers, snowmobilers and predator hunters were checked. The officer participated in a work crew checking predator hunters. A department aircraft was used. Enforcement action was taken for chasing wild animals with a motor vehicle and using radios to take coyotes without a permit.

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on complaints related to predator hunting. An enforcement aircraft was used to locate and watch hunters and a work crew on the ground checked hunters. Chasing animals with motor vehicles and illegal use of radios violations were identified. Anglers and snowmobilers were checked. Planning and scheduling of Firearm Safety Classes is underway.

CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) assisted the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department with a fatal snowmobile crash. Snowmobile trails are in good condition and activity is high. Anglers are out but success has been low.



District 4 - Wadena area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) assisted the sheriff’s department with a disturbance call, checked anglers and spear fishermen, attended a day of training, and worked setting up a snowmobile class and an appreciation banquet. Officer Parthun observed many snowmobilers out enjoying the trails and noticed a few area lakes are starting to have some crappie activity but many of the lakes are experiencing flooding. CO Parthun spent a few hours rescuing an injured skier who had fallen in a remote area of Itasca State Park. Enforcement action included no ID and no reflective material on ice shelters, failure to display snowmobile registration, no snowmobile safety certificate, no license in possession, and no state park permit.

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked ice anglers and snowmobilers. Officer Hunter checked on a complaint of vehicles going thru an area lake. CO Hunter also received a call of an eagle nest that had fallen down alongside a highway.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) worked snowmobile patrols and checked ice anglers. Lake conditions are improving, but slush remains a factor for many anglers. Officer Oldakowski also noticed predator callers and dog handlers were out this week taking advantage of the full moon and snowy conditions.

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) focused on ice fishing and snowmobile activity. In addition, he hosted a volunteer firearms safety instructor certification class in Walker which was attended by 12 people from around the area. Officer Sommers also participated in an ice rescue training session sponsored by the Cass County Sheriff’s Department and received a call regarding an injured deer.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked anglers and snowmobiles. Officer Mathy attended several training sessions during the last week including ice rescue training, firearms safety instructor training, and field sobriety training. Enforcement action was taken for failing to stop a snowmobile at a road crossing, no trail sticker, unregistered snowmobile, unattended lines, possessing filleted walleye on special regulation lake, and no angling license in possession.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) monitored angling and snowmobiling activity during the past week. Angling success still remains low but snowmobile trails in the area are in good shape due to recent snowfall. Some lakes in the Longville area had some slush which made traveling on the ice a little difficult. CO Broughten also performed maintenance on patrol equipment. Enforcement action was taken on snowmobile and fishing violations.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked snowmobilers, fishermen, and assisted at the Fish Trap Ice Fishing Contest. Officer Halverson also received a complaint of an individual taking a musky during the closed season.


District 5 - Eveleth area
Last updated: 2010-02-01



CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) checked snowmobilers and fishermen on area lakes. He also assisted CO Kittelson on a rules and regulation meeting for a winter endurance race of skiers, runners, and bikers on a state snowmobile trail.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored snowmobile and angling activities, researched equipment, worked on broken equipment, spent time in the office dealing with computer issues and various administrative tasks.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports the snowmobile trails in the area are in very good condition and quite a few snowmobiles were observed over the weekend. Local businesses were grateful for the influx of snowmobilers. Not much ice fishing going on. Some slush is reported on area lakes. Timber wolf concerns were relayed to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

CO Dan Starr (Tower) noted that fishing pressure is up, even though success is down. No license, extra lines, unattended lines, illegal possession of walleye fillets, and fish house license violations were found. The new snow brought out numerous sleds. Registration, speed, and permit issues were addressed. An area game feed was also monitored for compliance.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) attended a DWI and a DNR licensing system training session and taught the law and riding portions of a snowmobile safety class in Hibbing. The remainder of the week was spent working anglers and snowmobilers. A delivery van that ventured onto an unplowed forest road became stuck and the officer and a U.S. Forest Service Officer helped the grateful driver get out. Enforcement action for the week consisted of several snowmobile violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) prepared reports to be turned into court for angling, snowmobiling, big game and ATV activity. A TIP call concerning some people who apparently shot an eagle is being investigated with personnel from the Fish and Wildlife Service. An anonymous caller advised CO Frericks of a possible over limit of northern pike. The matter is being investigated. With the additional snow and milder temps, snowmobile traffic was heavy over the past weekend. Well over a 100 sleds were seen on one stretch of trail in a short amount of time. Enforcement action was taken for failing to display state trail sticker and speed.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) worked snowmobile trails and found them to be in the best shape all year. Violations of speed, expired registration, fail to display registration, and no state trail pass were found. Fishing activity around the area is slow with a few spots of crappie being caught.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.