Minnesota DNR weekly report

[Lee Borgersen]

4/23/12
                        Minnesota DNR weekly report

District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports completing training in how to use a state issued credit card. He has begun reviewing training materials and refreshing on how to use the radio. Other time was spent returning phone calls, calls and comments about the AIS sticker requirement, and other various computer and administrative tasks.


CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports attending training at Camp Ripley and patrolling for illegal ATV riding activity. An ATV safety class was assisted in Cook. Numerous phone calls continue about when and if a grey wolf season will occur. The same number, if not more calls were received questioning when the fishing opener will be. Folks have been told, just to be safe, plan on May 12. Please remember to drain all water, remove all weeds, and remove all drain plugs from watercraft and equipment prior to transporting water related equipment.


CO Dan Starr (Tower) worked on some public waters issues and monitored some wetland project work. Fish run continues, despite cold weather and snow. Assistance was given to Officer Frericks on a trapping case. Trappers should remember to call in any and all incidentally caught animals that are out of season. A firearms safety class was given the law/ethic talk, which numerous questions were answered. One individual was coached through the adult ATV training CD. Complaints of Tribal netting continue to come in.


CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) attended in-service training at Camp Ripley and prepared materials for teaching at the Conservation Officer Academy.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) took a report of a timber wolf that was caught in a snare. Upon arrival CO Frericks could see that the snare had cut into the wolf’s leg down to the bone indicating that the animal had been there for some time. CO Frericks removed the snare from the timber wolf with assistance from members of the State Patrol and Hibbing Police Department. Once the wolf was removed the snare was examined and found to be untagged. The wolf was checked several hours later and had left the area.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) attended annual in-service training at Camp Ripley. Time was also spent working problem ATV/OHM areas. He received a complaint of dogs chasing deer. The owner was located and advised this CO he received a citation a few days back from the sheriff’s office for allowing his dogs to harass the neighbor’s domestic animals.


Ray - vacant.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked spring fish run activity as well as ATVs. CO Velsvaag also attended training at Camp Ripley and worked on invasive species.


CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked some areas and checked various people utilizing the great outdoors. Officer Stage attended a meeting concerning the upcoming Aquatic Invasive Species laws.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) assisted DNR Forestry with a timber theft investigation. He also found where someone was cutting live cedar trees on federal lands. An interview was done on the theft of beaver traps. Questions about the AIS stickers on watercraft continue to pour in.


CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended annual training at Camp Ripley. Manning also taught a basic introduction to sidearms class, assisted with a trapper education class and checked river anglers.


CO Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) reports that angling activity picked up along the North Shore rivers and streams. He issued a summons to an ATV driver travelling on the roadway in Two Harbors. CO Johnson had the radio shop complete program updates for his squad radios.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time at Camp Ripley instructing firearms qualification and training to Officers.


CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) continues to work area rivers and monitor fish run activities. Recent rains have put more water in the rivers, prompting a fresh run of fish and anglers. Continued cool weather has largely stalled the smelt run. CO Thomasen investigated a report of wolf depredation in which the property owner lost 5 goats. Equipment maintenance was taken care of in preparation for fishing opener.


Babbitt - vacant.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, worked ATV traffic, investigated a wetlands complaint and instructed at the CO academy. Enforcement contacts were made for illegal atv operation on a roadway and for angling license violations.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) worked aquatic invasive species enforcement activities concerning bait trappers, spring fish run activities and general water craft use at area infested and at other waters. Spring beaver trappers were checked, public waters inventory cases were tracked and academy training work continued.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) spent the week dealing with timber wolf issues and eagle calls.


CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked on ATVs, fishermen, spring beaver trappers, and watercraft. He also taught a firearms safety class and attended a training session during the week.


CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) assisted with training at Camp Ripley. He handled of several wildlife complaints, including a wolf depredation call.


Hill City - vacant.


District 8 - Duluth area


CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) worked streams and rivers for spring fish run. Officer Schmidt attended training and taught emergency vehicle operations at the academy. Officer Schmidt worked a MN Deer Hunters Banquet and the TIP Wall was displayed. ATV complaints were investigated and wolf complaints continue.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continued to spend the majority of the week working North Shore rivers for the steelhead run. Water level has been much better, bringing many people out fishing. The smelt run along the shore has picked up. Trapping enforcement was also worked during the week. Officer Duncan spent several nights working illegal netting with neighboring officers.


CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) checked area anglers, but few panfish were being caught. Complaints of people dumping trash continue to come in. A report of dogs chasing deer was received. An area MDHA Banquet was attended. Lots of questions are being fielded about issues happening at the legislative level in regards to a possible early fish opener and wolf season.


CO Scott Staples and K-9 Schody (Carlton) worked spring fish run and other fishing activity in the area. Complaints of using seines in the rivers along the shore and taking fish with nets were worked. A fur committee meeting was attended, dog training was conducted, and annual in-service training at Camp Ripley was also attended.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (NE) attended in-service training at Camp Ripley instructing officers and staff on firearms and defensive tactics. Officer Scott attended training on commercial minnow harvesting and transporting in the state. Officer Scott attended lake service provider training in Ely where business, resort owners and others were present for the required training. Officer Scott talked with Sam Cook of the Duluth News Tribune reference Aquatic Invasive Species and what anglers, boaters and others need to know before they head this spring and summer for fishing and boating as well as gearing up for the summer season with installing their boats and other water related equipment.




Lake Superior Marine Unit


CO Keith Olson (Unit Leader-Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along the North Shore rivers. Assisted in instructing the water safety, drown proofing class for the academy. Checked smelters as well. Assisted the sheriff’s office with a house fire in Lakewood Twp. Questions fielded on various AIS topics.


CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) spent the week checking river anglers and smelters. Responded to complaints of illegal length seines, seining in rivers, and snagging. Also assisted in teaching class at academy. Worked on fire investigation report. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.


CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) attended in-service training at Camp Ripley. Anglers were checked along Lake Superior tributaries. Maintenance was performed on a new patrol watercraft. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.