10/11/09 Report (Dist. 12-17)

[Woody]

District 12 - St. Cloud area
10/11

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked the early deer season in area 227. He followed up on an ATV complaint charges pending. He followed up on a dumping complaint in the Sand Dunes State Forest investigation that is ongoing. He checked duck hunters and observed a variety of ducks in the bag. He checked fishermen on area lakes and rivers.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) found the waterfowl hunters were doing better with a push of northern birds coming in to the area. Several bag limits were seen with ringnecks, redheads and canvasbacks in many of the bags. Enforcement action was taken for unplugged shotgun, possession of toxic shot, no federal and state waterfowl stamps, transport loaded firearm and no HIP certification.

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) answered questions at the Rice Sportsman’s Club meeting. CO Musatov worked boating safety and checked anglers on a work detail on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. Violations were found for no PFD's and illegal length walleye.

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) worked the pheasant opener and the early antlerless deer season over the weekend. The pheasant hunters that were out had a tough time getting any birds. Waterfowl hunters and anglers also continue to be worked. Enforcement was taken for insufficient blaze orange during open deer season, hunting during closed hours and various license violations.

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) directed time to waterfowl, small game and big game enforcement. Several hunters were check on pheasant opener. Most remarked about not hearing lots of shots and the apparent low numbers of birds. Deer hunters were also check during the early antlerless season. Enforcement action was taken on blaze orange requirement, hunting waterfowl during closed hours and archery hunting deer while possessing a rifle.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports busy weekend. With early antlerless season and pheasant opener, the area saw a lot of hunter take to the woods and water. Deer hunters saw some success but pheasant hunters did not. Duck hunters saw pretty good success with the cold weather. Several hunters shot their limits or close to.

CO Dave Schottenbauer (Princeton) reported stopping and taking enforcement action on illegal operation of ATV’s along TH 65 last week. He also reported a brief influx of ducks into the area last week with a cold front, but total duck numbers were still somewhat low. Officer Schottenbauer also worked the early antlerless deer season and pheasant opening weekend.

District 13 - West Metro area
10/11

CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) focused on waterfowl hunting activity. The CO found opening day success pretty good but it tapered off quickly. He investigated several TIP calls during the week with investigations ongoing. CO Kahre also met with safety instructors to plan upcoming classes.

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) worked the pheasant opener, early season antlerless deer opener and waterfowl hunters. The pheasant opener was very poor due to most of the crops still in the field; only one pheasant was seen in the bag. The early season antlerless deer season was also very poor; the only deer seen was from hunters cutting off the antlers from a car-kill. The waterfowl hunting was very good with the strong northwest wind and snow pushing in many ducks. The average number of ducks shot per hunter was four. Several hunters were nervous when checked because they did not know what they had shot, two hunters were happy to know they had two pintails and were not over their limit and two hunters had four redheads and were not over their limit, they all thought they had gadwalls. Only one group of hunters was able to identify all their ducks. Waterfowl found in the bag included canvasbacks, redheads, bluebills, ring bills, green wing teal, gadwalls, pintails, mallards, geese and one coot.

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) worked waterfowl enforcement in Dakota and Scott counties. He patrolled Ft. Snelling State Park. CO Neitzke worked the early antlerless deer and pheasant opener with CO Walter. He also answered many questions regarding new law changes.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) checked several archery and early season deer hunters in Carver County. She followed up on several TIP calls in reference to baited deer stands. Many duck hunters were checked with few ducks being shot. Equipment maintenance was completed on station boats and she also issued a beaver permit.

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) checked waterfowl hunters and anglers. Violations included transporting uncased and loaded firearms in motorboats, shooting during closed hours, no life jackets and no required licenses. A variety of ducks were harvested by area hunters. He also issued a restoration order for unlawful work in public waters.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked the Pheasant Opener and checked duck hunters in the metro area. He worked on equipment maintenance, winterizing boats with district COs. He responded to injured animal calls, answered law questions and provided a ride along to a criminal justice student. He took enforcement action for no federal duck stamp, no HIP certification, no angling license and illegal operation of an ATV.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) worked waterfowl, deer, small game, angling and boating enforcement. He assisted a warden from another state with a case. He worked with a National Wildlife Refuge Officer on a possible baiting case and cases of hunting equipment left on the refuge/preempting a hunting area. Waterfowl numbers appear to be picking up in the area. Deer and pheasant hunting were slow, probably due to the large number of standing corn and soybeans.

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent the week checking waterfowl, small game and pheasant hunters. Limited success was found among those pursuing game. Numerous calls were returned regarding ongoing and upcoming hunting seasons.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked anglers, duck and small game hunters in the metro area. He talked to a firearm safety class in Blaine and worked at the Lao Family office answering questions from the general public on big and small game hunting regulations. Violations found were unsigned federal duck stamp and hunting ducks without HIP certification.

District 14 - East Metro area
10/11

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) worked waterfowl hunters and still found several uncased (and sometimes loaded) firearms in duck boats. Remember, if you are in Anoka, Hennepin, or Ramsey counties, you need to have your gun cased and unloaded when motoring around in your duck boat. CO Salo also spoke to some students and their counselor at the St. Michael High School about becoming a conservation officer. A report of a cougar sighting was investigated and several baiting issues are still be dealt with.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) spent time checking waterfowl and deer hunters throughout the week. A good push of ducks was seen on the Mississippi River with the recent cold snap. Some hunters did well and found a mixed bag of birds. Enforcement action was taken for possession of toxic shot and failure to retrieve waterfowl.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) checked waterfowl and archery hunters around the metro areas lakes and fields. Several hunters were checked, however, only a few were seen with some birds. He also patrolled and checked for angling activity around the metro area lakes and rivers, patrolled state parks, trails, and wildlife management areas.

CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) checked waterfowl hunters in his area, with hunters not seeing much for Canada geese. CO Gutierrez followed up on several TIP calls involving bow hunters. CO Gutierrez checked on a public waters violation along with a burning complaint.

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) received a TIP call of a deer hunter in a closed area of Bayport WMA. The violating hunter’s stand was placed in the closed area where he could read the posted sign from his stand. He claimed not seeing it. The hunter was cited. CO Johnson also took enforcement action on a liter violation. He spoke to a firearms safety class in Oakdale.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled Dakota and Anoka counties for waterfowl hunting activity. One hunter was found with an uncased firearm in a motorboat in Anoka County. Several archery hunters were found not wearing blaze orange during the early antlerless season. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) handled TIP calls and checked waterfowl hunters on area lakes. She is working on a couple deer cases and handled many calls regarding hunting law questions and nuisance animals. CO Kruse checked pheasant hunters and early antlerless deer hunters over the weekend finding very little success. Violations encountered included unplugged gun, no HIP certification, operate motor vehicle off-road in a WMA, extra lines and no small game license.

District 15 - Marshall area
10/11

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports pheasant opener is off to a slow start. Waterfowl hunting is still slow. Hopes are high that the weekend’s snow will bring some birds down. Violations include using an archery bonus deer tag in a lottery area, no pheasant stamp, no small game license, and burning prohibited materials.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking fishermen, hunters and ATV operators. The waterfowl hunting remained slow this past week. The West-Central zone remains closed to the taking of Canada geese till October 15th, and then closes again on the 18th. The pheasant season has had a slow start.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) reports the pheasant opener was quiet with a lot of the soybeans and corn still not harvested. One group of pheasant hunters that didn’t let the slow opener affect them was a big group from Hawaii, California, Florida, and Colorado. Although they were a little cold and the pheasants didn’t cooperate they still had a good time. Waterfowl hunters continue to struggle with low numbers of ducks in the area. Mixed bags of mallards, teal, wood ducks, shovelers, and geese are still being seen. Investigations continue in reference to trespassing and other illegal hunting activities. Enforcement action was taken for taking pheasants before legal hours and license and stamp violations.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) worked a busy pheasant opener. Many hunters endured cold, snowy, and windy conditions. Success was varied, with some groups of hunters bagging their daily limit. Duck hunting activity was also monitored. Infractions for the week included no pheasant stamp, unplugged shotgun, and no HIP certification.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking hunters. Pheasant Opener harvest was only fair on Saturday but poor for most hunters on Sunday. Corn and beans in the field are probably holding most birds. Very few ducks were seen in the area. Enforcement action was taken for trespass, toxic shot, no blaze orange, possess hen pheasant and license/stamp/registration violations.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) reports a large number of pheasant hunters in the area for the opener. With almost all cornfields still standing, most hunters had moderate success at best. Violations encountered included no blaze orange and taking pheasants during prohibited hours.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.

District 16 - New Ulm area
10/11

CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking anglers, duck and goose hunters, archery hunters and recreational vehicle riders. Duck hunting remains quite slow in the area. Pan fish are biting on area lakes as well as walleyes in some areas. Time was also spent preparing for a court case and returning phone calls related to hunting seasons.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked waterfowl, pheasant, and archery deer hunting activity. Additional time was spent checking angling and boating activity. Hatlestad also enforced state forestry fire laws, patrolled WMAs/WPAs, and checked ATV activity.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked opening of pheasant hunting. Reports of birds were slim to none. Waterfowl hunting activity continues to be strong. Site inspections of excavation in a public waters area resulted in Cease and Desist orders being issued. Assistance was given to local law enforcement. WMA and WPA areas were patrolled.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) primarily focused on waterfowl and pheasant hunters. Some pheasants and an increased number of ducks were seen in the bag; however, few waterfowl hunters were out. He followed up on a variety of complaints including dumping of waterfowl carcasses, hunting in a refuge, late shooting, and trespassing.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) worked the pheasant opener as well as duck and fishing seasons. The pheasant hunter numbers were down compared to years past, but the take was decent, with some groups doing well. The duck numbers are still down in the county. Gruhlke also assisted at an ATV class that was sponsored by the Sioux Valley 4-H club. He gave a law talk at the class. He also completed his radio program with KKOJ/KRAQ discussing topics including hunting safety and pheasant opener.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) reports that waterfowl hunters have had an increased success rate the past week on local lakes, while the numbers of pheasants harvested locally appeared to be low. Officer Graham also followed up on several car-killed deer reports, a trespassing complaint, and injured animal calls. Anglers and ATVs were also checked. Enforcement action was taken on transporting loaded firearms, fail to display ATV registration, no federal duck stamp, unplugged gun, operate ATV without safety certificate, shooting from a motor vehicle, and transporting illegally taken small game.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) continues to focus on waterfowl enforcement in the area. CO Oberg reports more divers moving into the area with several hundred ring necks seen on area lakes. CO Oberg checked several limits of ducks with gadwall, widgeon and teal being the most common ducks in the bag. Time was also spent answering questions relating to waterfowl hunting hour change over the weekend. CO Oberg also worked a busy pheasant opener. One Waterfowl Production Area had 30 vehicles parked around it. CO Oberg reports checking only a couple limits of pheasants.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports pheasant opener was fair; virtually all the corn still unharvested. Duck hunting was again poor. Good walleye bite going on area lakes. Archery deer hunting success is improving.

Windom - vacant.

District 17 - Albert Lea area
10/11

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports assisting the Wildlife and Fisheries Divisions with the Pickerel Lake rotenone treatment. Time was also spent checking duck, pheasant, and deer hunters. An illegal fire was investigated. Violations included various license violations and unplugged shotguns.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working mostly waterfowl and pheasant hunters. Both the numbers for pheasant hunters and birds shot was down significantly. Assistance was given at a rotenone project on Pickerel Lake in Albert Lea. Assistance was given to the sheriff’s office on a boat that was left at a public access with a note on it: “I’m sorry, I just can’t keep the boat anymore.” The owner was ultimately tracked down. A shotgun was also found at a local access; the owner is still unknown. Violations include no license in possession and no PFD.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) concentrated his efforts this past week checking waterfowl hunting activity in the station. Time was also spent on administrative duties and equipment maintenance.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) worked small game and waterfowl activity this week; some still out doing some angling. Pheasant opener was slow in the area, with very few birds seen in the bag. Waterfowling continues to be slow in the area. CO Howe assisted with the Pickerel Lake area rotenone treatment in the Albert Lea area. COs Howe, Geving, and Ihnen responded to a report of poachers shooting coot from a bass boat. The two youngsters responsible were apprehended, and enforcement action was taken for a variety of included offenses.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) gave a law & ethic presentation for a firearm safety class. Geving worked pheasant and waterfowl activities. Hunters for both reporting poor results. Enforcement actions included; no small game license, shooting from moving motorboat, transport loaded gun in moving vehicle, and taking waterfowl in open water.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) checked waterfowl and deer hunters during the week. The opening day of pheasant hunting brought a light dusting of snow. Took complaint of waterfowl hunters hunting past the 4:00pm closing. Enforcement action was taken for possession of toxic shot and hunting during closed hours.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent time checking waterfowl and deer hunters. Officer Ihnen also checked pheasant hunters for the opening of the 2009 season. Bird numbers in the bag were lower than expected, with success being limited. In addition, CO Ihnen as well as other area officers assisted with a rotenone application near Albert Lea. Enforcement action taken this week for hunting w/out license, unplugged shotgun, failure to register deer, illegal possession of big game w/out license, and litter.

Spring Valley - vacant.