Weekly Conservation Officer's report

[Lee Borgersen]

  ..      Weekly Conservation Officer's report

District 10 - Mille Lacs area
Last updated: 2017-10-09

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) reports a fall bite and nice weather brought out more anglers this week. Small game hunters were checked but are still having a tough time with dense vegetation. ATV traffic and wet conditions are generating rutting complaints on public property.

 CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) worked in the area checking hunters and anglers. The fishing reports were not so good with all the recent rain. Hunting small game was also not as successful but a few grouse were seen. The officer took enforcement action for parties shining wild animal after hours. One vehicle was observed with a party standing out of the sunroof while the driver was shining deer; a bow and vehicle were seized and charges are pending for gross misdemeanor shining.

 CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking small and big game hunters throughout the week and weekend. A few waterfowl hunters were checked and ATV activity was monitored throughout the Malmo station. The officer worked shining activity in several areas that have been problems in the past and many outdoor law related questions were fielded during the week. Assistance was given to local law enforcement agencies for several calls for service and fishing activity was monitored on many area lakes.

 CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) handled calls regarding nuisance beaver, a dead canine presumed to be a wolf, and small game hunting questions. She also followed up on ongoing cases and investigations.

 CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked small game and bow hunting activities. ATVs were found out in full force with the nice weather. Registration and ride on roadway violations were addressed. A possible stolen boat was looked into, along with possession of a road kill deer without a permit. A fail to register deer case is pending further investigation.

 CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) checked duck and goose hunters on the second waterfowl opener. Many farm fields throughout the area had been harvested and made conditions ideal for hunters to have successful goose hunts. Patrol efforts continued on working bear hunting activity and enforcement action was taken for hunting over illegal bear baits.

 CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) spent the week following up on complaints of deer baiting and trespassing. He spent time checking anglers and boaters as well. Recent rains have brought water levels up in the Pine City area. CO Wynn ended the week taking calls regarding boats and jet skis floating away from docks on area lakes and rivers.

 CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked small game and waterfowl hunters during the week and weekend. Grouse hunters checked reported hearing and seeing a few more birds. Waterfowl hunters reported fewer numbers of ducks around the area but geese remain steady. Two waterfowl hunters flipped their canoe and managed to swim with the swamped canoe to shore. During their struggle to hit shore, one of the hunters called 911 to get a rescue crew because of the onset of hypothermia. When the sheriff?s deputies and I arrived, both parties had made it to shore but were disorientated. They were found and taken to an ambulance to warm up. Both men were experienced swimmers, one being a life guard, said staying with the boat saved their life.