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[Lee Borgersen]

12/30/2010 11:02:00 AM   
CONSERVATION OFFICER WEEKLY REPORT for Dec. 27, 2010
District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) patrolled area snowmobile trails and monitored ice fishing activity. Favorable ice conditions on Lake of the Woods have welcomed many anglers.  Several antique snowmobiles were registered in Roseau.

CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) spent most of the week working on Lake of the Woods. Fishing success has improved along with ice conditions. Full-sized vehicles are now using the lake from all access points. The snowmobile trails have been staked but more snow is needed for grooming. Enforcement action taken for angling, fish shelter and snowmobile violations.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) taught the law and ethics portion of the Thief River Falls snowmobile safety class and monitored area snowmobile trail activity. CO Woinarowicz checked local anglers and conducted follow up on an open bear out of season case. Enforcement action for the week included no snowmobile registration, no state trail sticker, failure to stop snowmobile at road crossing, and no snowmobile safety training certificate.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked snowmobile activity on area trails and on the Red Lake River. Ice angling activity was worked with more anglers getting their houses out.  Station equipment maintenance was performed.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked ice fishing on area lakes and snowmobile activity. Travel by full-sized vehicles should be done cautiously and snowmobilers and ATV operators should be cautious of flooded ice. Enforcement action for the week included a waters violation from early this fall.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) spent the week monitoring fishing activity on Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake. Anglers are reporting a slower than normal bite on Lake of the Woods. One angler thought it was so slow that he wanted to improve his chances by attempting to fish with 8 lines. Enforcement action was taken, and the angler stated that he didn't even catch a single fish while using the extra lines. Snowmobilers are reporting good trail conditions as groomers have been doing an excellent job maintaining trails.  Enforcement action taken throughout the week included angle with extra lines, angle w/o a license, unattended lines, over limit of walleye, expired snowmobile registration, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful operation by a juvenile.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports ice conditions on area lakes continue to improve. Anglers and spearers are having good success. The snowmobile trails are being groomed and in good condition.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) monitored angling and snowmobile activity. Complaints of deer depredation and trespass were investigated. An investigation of a cow that was shot continues. Planning for a Firearms Safety Instructor Class was completed. Anyone interested in becoming a FAS Instructor in the Fosston/Mahnomen area should contact the officer for details.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) reports 12-16 inches of ice on most lakes, but some thin spots exist. Anglers are having some success. The perch bite seems to be the best. Snowmobile trail conditions are deteriorating as traffic increases. Several calls regarding injured or nuisance animals were received.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers and spearers. Ice conditions continue to vary on the lakes; some spots still have thin ice. Snowmobile trail conditions are good and the groomers are out. Expired snowmobile registration is a common violation.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports snowmobile trails are in good condition in Becker and Clay counties. The trails are groomed. Lake ice conditions continue to improve, with many people starting to drive vehicles onto the ice. Ice heaves are starting to occur on some lakes. Angler success varies. Complaints of shooting at a pheasant from a vehicle, trespass, and deer baiting by archery deer hunters were investigated.

CO Joseph Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers and snowmobiles. Fish house, wanton waste, and litter complaints were investigated.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked anglers, snowmobilers, and pheasant hunters. Angler success has been low, and snowmobile activity continues to increase. Aeration system inspections were done, and an injured deer complaint investigated.

District 4 - Wadena area

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) focused on ice anglers, snowmobilers, and trappers. He assisted local enforcement officers with a case involving the recovery of a stolen jet ski. Officer Parthun issued several permits for car killed deer and took complaints of injured eagles. Enforcement action was taken for no ID on ice shelters and no license in possession.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) worked primarily ice anglers. He received several phone calls regarding the marking and registering of ice shelters. Officer Oldakowski also monitored predator hunting and snowmobile activity. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines and for no spearing license.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) reports that snowmobile operators have welcomed recent snow. Ice fishermen however are dealing with more slush resulting in truck travel on ice becoming more common. Officer Mathy received a call about a fox pulling a leg hold trap around the city of Bemidji. Unfortunately, the fox couldn't be located.

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) checked ice fishing activity on Rainy Lake, people are still advised to use caution when venturing onto the ice, whether by truck, car, ATV, snowmobile, or by foot. No such thing as safe ice! Snowmobile activity increased over holiday weekend, even with the trails not in the best shape, yet! CO Kittelson took care of a couple of deer stands placed in the middle of the state snowmobile trail.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports working on administrative tasks, reviewed statues/rules, cleaned and organized seasonal equipment and monitored outdoor activities.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports checking ice fishing and snowmobile activity. All the snowmobile trails in the area are now groomed and in good shape. Snowmobilers are reminded to help keep them in good condition by slowing down in the corners and not riding aggressively. Very few ice fishermen were observed. One popular access point had no tracks onto the ice until late in the week when one angler ventured out. Follow up work was done on incidents from the fall hunting seasons.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) spent time working snowmobiles, trapping activity and a call of a deer being shot with a rifle. Snow continues to pile up making things difficult to navigate in the woods, but making it very conducive to snowmobiling. Enforcement action taken for snowmobile violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time patrolling the Virginia area for snowmobile activity. Numerous citations have been issued for operating an unregistered snowmobile and other simple registration violations. CO Frericks would like to remind all snowmobilers to inspect the snowmobiles they are going to ride and insure it is currently registered and if they will be on a state trail that it has a state trail sticker. Registration and a trail sticker is a lot cheaper than a citation for a registration violation. Ice conditions are slowly improving among the Virginia area lakes. Most people have taken to driving on area lakes by now.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked snowmobile enforcement. He followed up on fall poaching cases. Fishermen are reminded to have their identification and information on their portable fishing shelters even if they are taking them off the ice daily.

 CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) reports a new blanket of snow has fallen, catching the area up to the rest of the state for snow depth. Area snowmobile trails are in fine condition.  Ice fishing success continues to be on the slow side, but that hasn't kept anglers from trying their luck. CO Thomasen recovered a grey wolf in the Finland area, which appeared to have died from mange.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that a man encountered a mangy wolf on a snowmobile trail. The wolf refused to leave the trail so the man followed at a safe distance until there was a wide spot for him to pass. As he passed the wolf, it lunged at him and snapped. The moose are starting to lose their antlers as the shed hunters are starting to find their trophies. Many of the places accessible by snowmobile are being searched for these antler treasures. Time to strap on the snowshoes.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobiling activity and anglers this past week. She also checked for bow hunting activity, but with the recent snow it seems most people have turned their attention to more winter activities. Ice conditions are pretty fair on most lakes, but use caution as there has been some slushy spots in specific areas. Please remember to put your ID on your fish house/shelter, even if it is a portable it is still required.

 

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, trappers, state parks and snowmobiles. He also handled several snowmobile complaints during the week.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked pan fishing activity in the area with catch rates up! Enforcement action was taken for no shelter license on a permanent house, no ID numbers on a portable and expired registration on a snowmobile. Enforcement action was also taken on individuals who were jumping the ditch of a local county road and landing in a farmer's field.

District 8 - Cloquet area

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) assisted with the seizing of a live raccoon from a game farm that was taken illegally and being kept alive. A complaint of someone burning prohibited materials is being investigated in the Barnum area. Snowmobile activity is up in the area.  Trails are in decent condition. Some trails are not open yet because of open water on rivers and creeks. Snowmobile are asked to drive cautiously on trails you have not yet been on.  Enforcement action was taken for speed and registration violations. An off-highway motorcycle was stopped for operating along a state highway. Enforcement action was taken for operating on a public road and no valid registration. Time was spent patrolling area state parks. Enforcement action was taken for no vehicle permit and no ski pass.

Marine Unit

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked snowmobilers and ice anglers. A grey wolf was picked up along Hwy 61 and calls returned to passersby who wished to keep the carcass. They were advised of the wolves continued endangered classification and the inability for the officer to sign it over to another person. He took enforcement action for snowmobile violations.

District 9 - Brainerd area

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) gave a talk on local radio station regarding snowmobile and fish house compliance. Shoutz also assisted with delivery of "Christmas for Kids" toys, etc. for less fortunate families in the area on Christmas Eve morning. Law Enforcement officers and local "Santas" team up every year for this great event. Ice angling enforcement action included no ID on fish house, no current license on fish house, no angling license in possession, no current license on ATV's and snowmobiles and snowmobile operation with no snowmobile safety certificate. Snowmobile operators born after 12-31-1976 are required by law to have valid snowmobile safety certificate.

 

[Lee Borgersen]

Published April 09, 2012, 02:42 PM

WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Early fishing, ATV activity, fires etc.
CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked area angling activity on area rivers. The public is reminded that it is illegal target fish including walleye and northern pike during a closed season even if they are caught and released.
By: Minnesota DNR,




Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for April 9:


District 1 - Baudette area


CO Ben Huener (Roseau) investigated and took enforcement action on an individual that started a non-permitted fire that got out of control. The Roseau River was patrolled and boaters are reminded to use caution as the water levels are very low for this time of the year. CO Huener instructed a class with CO Woinarowicz at CO Academy 13.


CO Larry Milbridge (Warroad) spent the week checking anglers, ATVs, invasive species, and illegal fires. Equipment updates were handled along with calls from the public.


CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) taught the law and ethics portion of the Firearms Safety class in Argyle and spoke to members of the Argyle Sportsmen's Club regarding new regulations and the gray wolf delisting. Angling activity was monitored as well as area ATV activity. CO Woinarowicz and CO Huener taught classes on GPS, compass use, and Landview to the new conservation officer candidates at the training academy. Enforcement action was taken for allowing illegal operation of ATV by juvenile.


CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked area angling activity on area rivers. The public is reminded that it is illegal target fish including walleye and northern pike during a closed season even if they are caught and released. ORV activity was worked including ATV's and OHM's on area trails and gravel pits. CO Warren assisted the State Patrol with recreational registration issues. Problem areas of illegal burning activity were patrolled and some trapping activity was checked.


CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) monitored fish run activity and area angling activity. Assistance was provided to the sheriff's department with a boating accident on Clearwater Lake. CO Backer worked fire investigations on the Wildfire Investigative Team.


CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and fire activity throughout the week. Anglers continue to report excellent fishing despite windy conditions. Fire danger continues to be high due to dry fuels and high winds. Invasive species checks continue to be a top priority and several citations have been issued for violations for those rules. Anglers are reminded to always drain all livewells, bilges, and compartments prior to transporting watercraft.



Blackduck #2 - vacant.


Karlstad - vacant.


Warroad #2 - vacant.


District 2 - Bemidji area


CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked anglers, boaters, and leech trappers. A number of nuisance beaver permits were requested. Malinowski spoke to civic clubs about invasive species and boating.


CO Tim Gray (Bagley) attended Use of Force instructor training. Gray assisted other law enforcement officers with the overturned sail boat and multiple drowning's on Clearwater Lake.


CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored spring fish run activity. Anglers and ATVs were checked. Litter and taking walleye out of season complaints were investigated. ATV trails and forest roads were patrolled.


CO Chris Vinton (Perham) checked anglers pursuing suckers on several rivers, success has been very good. Panfish activity is increasing. OHM and ATV complaints were investigated and extra patrols done in the problem areas. AIS boat stickers were handed out, and the number of calls about AIS laws has increased.


CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports a slow panfish bite in the area. The water temperature has not warmed up much since ice out. Anglers are reminded: You cannot intentionally pursue fish species during the closed season. A complaint of shooting too close to a residence resulted in charges for shooting muskrats, geese, and turkeys during the closed season, and shooting from a motor vehicle, against two juveniles. Seefeldt assisted LOW officers with an investigation of a fish house left on the ice after the deadline. He also assisted with training at the CO Academy, and spoke to a Turkey Hunting Clinic in Moorhead.


CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) reports an increase in angling activity; the activity is primarily people fishing from shore. Several burning complaints and TIP calls were investigated. Two wild fire arson investigations are underway, and wetland and public waters alterations are being checked. Stattelman spoke to two Firearms Safety Classes about laws, safety, and ethics. He also attended Use of Force instructor training.


Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson (Northwest Region) assisted with Lake Service Provider training in Onamia and finalized AIS training for law enforcement officers. Hanson assisted with boating and AIS enforcement efforts on Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. She also handled an ATV violation.


Crookston - vacant.


Natural Resources Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew wetland photos for Forest Assessment and assisted with an overturned sailboat .

[Lee Borgersen]

Conservation Officer Weekly Report 8-20-2012
District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) worked with two state trappers regarding nuisance wolf trapping.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) responded to calls of a car struck bear and an injured Hooded Merganser. He investigated complaints of ATV trespass and early bear baits. During the first weekend of bear baiting, Woinarowicz monitored baiting activity finding violations for using ATV's in WMAs and non-biodegradable bear bait.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) focused efforts handling calls on nuisance bear complaints. Several nuisance bears were shot by hunters and landowners.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing, boating, and bear baiting activity throughout the week. Gorecki worked in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area checking campers and anglers in the area. Time was also spent handling ATV and nuisance bear complaints.

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports checking fishing, boating, and invasive species checks on Rainy Lake. Beginning of bear baiting brought lots of questions.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports checking angling and boating activity throughout the week. Bear baiting has started and baits were checked for compliance with baiting rules. Nuisance animal calls continue. Bear tag holders were put in contact with people reporting nuisance bears.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) checked bear baiters and answered questions from them regarding when they need to and how to register their baits. Prospect for wild rice in the area looks to be in poor condition.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) continues to receive nuisance bear reports. Bear hunters are out baiting and with the lack of berries their baits should get hit well this year. Received a call questioning if there was any recourse when their old lab got shot by the neighbor claiming it was chasing deer; the caller believes the dog wouldn't chase deer.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked fishermen throughout the week and spent time on annual leave. Fishermen are reminded that not having your fishing license in possession is a violation and takes valuable officer time to sort out. Please remember to bring it with you no matter how close you plan to be to your campsite.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers this past week. CO Velsvaag also checked bear baiting activity and handled a protected waters violation on an area lake.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) investigated a complaint of tampering with fish nets. Wahlstrom responded to calls about injured wolves and checked bear bait stations.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) responded to a bear complaint in which a bear had entered a home owner's porch in search of food. Bear baiting activity is in full swing, with some baits appearing to be hit. A smattering of berries still remain in the woods, but should be gone soon. Angling on Lake Superior continues to be decent, with salmon still showing up in the bag. A few successful moose applicants have been seen out scouting their moose zone, which should help greatly in their upcoming hunt.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Brent Speldrich (NE ATV REC) worked a detail at a local event over the weekend. During the detail he had enforcement contacts for no ATV registration, failing to display current registration, operating an ATV against traffic after sunset, operating an ATV with too many people on it, youth operating w/o a helmet, parent allowing illegal operation and operating an ATV w/o required lighting. During the detail, he also arrested two intoxicated ATV operators. One, while getting a free ride to the Crow Wing County Jail, found out that he was losing his ATV because of his driving history and level of intoxication. The state is retaining this machine, as it is in the process of being forfeited.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) dealt with wolf livestock depredation problems, bear damage complaints, a road-killed moose, an ongoing wetland case, and an injured deer complaint.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) took an interesting call over the past week. CO Sutherland was called to the local sports complex where a young man decided to get a closer look at some Canada geese. As he approached, the flock of geese started to take off from the grassy location. The young man threw his baseball bat at the flying geese. One goose was struck and knocked down to the ground. The goose's wing was broken and another individual standing nearby thought that he should dispatch the goose since it could no longer fly. An individual living close by saw the whole thing happen and called TIP. Enforcement action was taken for taking a goose out of season and by using an illegal method of take.

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked complaints of early bear baiting and checked on calls of a dead wolf on the interstate. Assistance was given to a nuisance wolf trapper that had incidentally caught a bear. By using a piece of plywood, the bear was able to be released without any injury.

[Lee Borgersen]

District 1 - Baudette area
Last updated: 2012-08-29




CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted a cattle producer and a turkey producer with wolf depredations. Bear baits were checked and a regional meeting was attended at Itasca State Park. Assistance was given with a missing person in the Beltrami Island State Forest. CO Huener assisted other members of the district with an aquatic invasive species (AIS) detail.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) monitored area bear baiting activity, finding some hunters using ATV?s in closed areas of Wildlife Management Areas. A regional enforcement meeting was attended as well as an OHV Monitoring meeting. CO Woinarowicz checked anglers and investigated a large plume of black smoke visible for many miles. Upon arrival enforcement action was taken on the landowner for burning prohibited materials that included multiple tires.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked angling and boating activity and checked area trails for ATV activity. CO Warren monitored bear baiting activity and a regional meeting was attended at Itasca State Park.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) worked on complaints of over limits of fish being taken. Wild rice harvesters were checked, angling activity was monitored on area experimental regulation lakes, and nuisance bear reports were handled. Enforcement activity for the week included ATV violations.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and bear hunting activity. Anglers continue to report good fishing in 30-32 feet of water. Numerous bear baiting stations were inspected and ATV activity was monitored. An AIS detail was worked in the Baudette area.

[Lee Borgersen]

        9/17/12        MN DNR Weekly Report

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports grouse hunting was poor at best with no birds observed in the bag and few hunters. Fishing remains poor. Limited ATV use observed on area forest roads over the week.


CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports the small game opener went about as expected. Most of the grouse hunters contacted had at least one bird. It is still very thick in the woods and once the leaves fall the hunting should improve. Lots of folks in the area checking on their hunting shacks.


CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked the small game and archery deer opener, other on-going hunting seasons, a wildfire investigation, and fall firearm requalification training. Ruffed grouse hunters found that their quarry was scarce on the opener and few were taken. Three hunters transporting handguns were encountered during the weekend with two doing it illegally. Handgun hunters are reminded that handguns must be cased and unloaded unless one has a carry permit. Enforcement action was taken on transport uncased handgun, illegal operation of a motor vehicle on a state trail, careless or negligent fires, and a number of ATV violations.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent a very busy weekend checking wide variety of hunters. The extremely favorable weather brought out high numbers of grouse hunters for the opening weekend. Hunters report seeing good numbers of birds but fewer birds were seen in the bag. Archery deer hunters and bear hunters are out in full force. Complaints concerning trespassing were taken and dealt with. Deer are on the move and motorists are reminded to be more cautious this time of year. One such motorist unfortunately hit two deer in less than 15 minutes. CO Frericks and the motorist’s insurance company were contacted.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked archery and grouse hunters throughout the opener. Most stated conditions were not favorable with warm temperatures and lots of leaves on the trees. Bear hunting continues with some hunters believing due to the lack of food in the area the bears have moved on to other areas. He also attended district training in Hibbing.


Ray - vacant.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and grouse hunters this past weekend. Grouse hunting success was slow in the Ely area. CO Velsvaag took enforcement action after a complaint of a boat without lights was reported. The operator had been cited for the same offense within the last several weeks. CO Velsvaag also took several nuisance animals complaints and gave the law enforcement portion of the moose orientation for the moose hunters.


CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked the opening grouse and archery seasons, dealt with road killed animals, and assisted with traffic control at a car accident. Moose orientation class was conducted in Ely for successful moose license applicants. CO Stage also investigated a big game case in the BWCA. Fishing has been a little slow and the leaves are turning colors. People are reminded that even though there are a lot of deer hit each year on the highways, there is still a process that must be followed in order to possess a deer. Failure to notify an officer or dispatch center will result in enforcement action being taken.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports not many grouse hunters out and not many grouse seen during the small game opener. Many people decided to get that boat out for one more time instead. The CO took an arson team callout to investigate a fire in northwest Minnesota. Enforcement action was taken for young children on an ATV without helmets, taking bears in wrong zone, failure to register bears, bear guide violations and failing to register bear within 48 hours.


CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent a busy weekend checking grouse and bear hunters; birds were hard to come by for most. The officer checked anglers fishing Lake Superior tributaries for salmon. CO Manning also patrolled state parks and WMAs, answered phone calls, and caught up on paperwork.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) followed up on bear hunting investigations, bear hunters and checked bear bait stations. The Officer finished up on a detail working a fire and checked small game hunters.


CO Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) reports that he worked the small game opener checking grouse hunters. He also checked ATV’s on local trails, and anglers on Lake Superior. CO Johnson patrolled at several state parks along the north shore.


Babbitt - vacant.


Two Harbors - vacant.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) worked the small game and archery opener, investigated hunter harassment complaints, monitored OHV activity, and checked anglers. The grouse hunters had varied success due to all the cover in the woods. The area walleye and panfish bite was excellent. Enforcement action was taken for no throwable, no angling license in possession, bear bait issues, and hunter harassment.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked small game and archery opener over the past weekend. Some successful hunters were spoken with, but the local grouse numbers seem down. CO Sutherland took a TIP call of an over-limit of bluegills being taken below a local dam. CO Sutherland investigated the complaint and found the group of individuals more than triple over their allowed limit. Citations were issued and restitution was paid for the bluegills.


CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers, bear hunters, and small game hunters. Investigated a trespass complaint, attended a district shoot, wrapped up wolf controller activities, looked at a possible wetland violation, and worked a deer baiting case.


CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) began step 4 training with COC Wichmann. Officers worked a bear hunter harassment investigation and checked area hunters. Information was passed on to the U.S. Forest Service for a hunter blocking a forest service trail. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms and having an unregistered ATV. Assistance was provided to the wildlife division in the recovery of a dead cow moose that local hunters had found.


CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, watercraft, ATVs and bear hunters. He also worked small game and archery hunters. He also handled a waters complaint and attended a training session during the week.


CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) performed equipment maintenance this past week. She checked small game hunters and bow hunters. She also worked ATV enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for deer hunting violation.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) worked the small game opener, finding a few grouse in the bags. He also checked some angling, early goose, and bear hunting activities. Conditions remain very dry. He tracked wetland and public waters cases. Enforcement action was taken for removing aquatic vegetation and for working in a public waters without a permit.


ATV Rec. Officer - vacant.


Hill City - vacant.




District 8 - Duluth area


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (NE MN) provided Use of Force training for Conservation Officers in northwest Minnesota for two days. Lake Service Provider training for new lake service providers was given in Grand Rapids with Ecological services. Officer Scott worked with Carlton County Planning and Zoning on several wetland cases that are ongoing and one new one. A complaint on trees being cut near a trout stream in the Duluth area is being looked into by DNR Fisheries and Enforcement.


CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) worked small game and archery opener. Grouse hunters reported few opportunities. ATV complaint areas and enforcement action taken for illegal operation by juveniles. Illegal burning and fires were investigated.


CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports time was spent checking small game and archery deer hunters on the opening day of the Minnesota hunting seasons. Unfortunately two moose were killed by car collisions during the week, however the meat was salvaged and went to several good causes. Several concerned calls of trapped skunks were also fielded. A meeting was attended to discuss issues of the Duluth city bow hunt.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) reports working on a bear case for multiple days. Phase four of field training began with COC Mueller. Both officers attended a regional meeting. Time was spent checking small game and archery hunters. Officers also investigated a wolf depredation case. CO Duncan and COC Mueller responded to a moose kill and assisted in taking samples for wildlife biologists.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked the archery and small game opener as well as OHV enforcement throughout the week. CO Humphrey conducted patrols in the Fond Du Lac State Forest. CO Humphrey spoke to a Firearms Safety class at Cloquet School with CO Staples. CO Humphrey attended a fall regional meeting in the Metro area and division firearms qualification and defensive tactics training in Hibbing. Violations for misc. OHV, trespass, and fleeing a peace officer were encountered.


CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spoke at two firearms safety classes in Cloquet and one trapper education class in Cromwell. Assistance was given to the sheriff’s office when a deputy stopped a vehicle for driving on the Munger Trail near Carlton. The driver was arrested for numerous violations which included driving after revocation, felony drug charges, and two outstanding warrants. A complaint resulted in the arrest of two individuals for trespassing when they were found dressed in camouflaged clothing and running through a yard where they hid a compound bow with arrows tipped with broad heads. A track with K-9 Schody showed that both individuals had been on an agricultural field where they did not have permission to be. This incident is still under investigation. While investigating another incident, CO Humphrey tried to stop an ATV with two individuals on it which immediately fled. CO Staples ran after the ATV on foot and caught them about a half-mile away across two hay fields trying to hide behind a large hay bale. The driver was taken into custody and the ATV was seized and being held for forfeiture. The passenger and the three live chickens they had with them on the ATV were allowed to leave with no charges being filed against any of them. K-9 Schody was instrumental in assisting Cloquet PD with searching for evidence in an armed robbery that occurred in the City of Cloquet. Evidence was recovered and the case remains under investigation by the police department.