MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

                  MN DNR Weekly Report


District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports snowmobile activity in the area increasing and the ice fishing on Rainy Lake slowing with little success. A snowmobile safety class was attended in Littlefork. Enforcement action for the week involved excessive snowmobile speed.


CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports the cold weather continues and not much outdoor activity going on. A few snowmobiles were observed, however the operators said that they were not putting many miles on due the cold. There is some local concern about the health of the deer herd due to the extreme cold and deep snow.


CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked snowmobiles, a complaint of fish house litter, continued follow up on several snowmobile violations committed by one snowmobiler, and on snowmobile and equipment maintenance.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) investigated reports of dogs chasing deer. Dog owners are reminded that it is a dog’s natural instinct to chase and dog owners are responsible for their dog’s actions if their pets are seen chasing or killing deer. Area snowmobile trails are in excellent condition. Enforcement action was taken for operating a snowmobile on the shoulder of the roadway. When CO Frericks stopped the snowmobiler he asked him why he was riding on the shoulder when a grant-in-aid trail was about 50 yards away. The snowmobiler replied that the trail was usually very rough. Having ridden the trail earlier in the day CO Frericks knew it was a great shape. A citation was issued.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) spent time on area snowmobile trails checking for registration compliance and state trail speed enforcement. One individual stated he wasn’t watching his speed because he was busy reading the signs along the trail that said - speed kills. An individual was contacted whose sled was sitting on a trail broke down for the last two weeks. Fishing activity was checked with few people out and few fish being caught.


Ray - vacant.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports angling and snowmobiling activity was down this past weekend in spite of the warmer weather and a decent trout bite on Burntside Lake. Officer Williams responded to a call from an Ely resident who reported that she had a wolf living in her garage. When he arrived no animal was found but there was evidence of a canine being in the garage but the species could not be identified. Violations included angle without license in possession, fail to display shelter ID, and operating an unregistered snowmobile.


CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked fishermen and snowmobiles throughout the week and found little activity with the cold temperatures. Snowmobile registrations continue to be an issue and people are reminded to follow the law concerning sticker and number placement on snowmobiles to avoid special attention from law enforcement. Slow down on the trails, there are families with young children out there trying to use the trails as well.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that the designated trout lakes gave up some nice fish during the week. The CO saw some nice splake and rainbows. The nice weather brought out lots of anglers over the weekend and the snowmobile trails were also busy. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.


CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked cross country ski passes on state funded ski trails. The officer also patrolled lakes checking anglers and houses, as well as snowmobile trails, checking registrations and trail permits. Snowmobile riders are reminded that trail permits are required on all out-of-state sleds and any sled with registration expiring in 2014.


CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports teaching a snowmobile law class to officers from local law enforcement agencies. Thanks for the cooperation amongst agencies. A career class presentation was given to Vermillion Community College law enforcement students along with CO Williams. Administrative items and work planning were also attended to.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) attended tactical medicine/ response to active shooter training in Chaska. The officer checked anglers on area lakes and snowmobilers along the state trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations.


Silver Bay - vacant.


Two Harbors - vacant.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers and patrolled area snowmobile trails. Enforcement action taken for failure to display valid snowmobile registration and speeding.


CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) patrolled for snowmobile and angling activity. He also assisted with a big game investigation. Violations of snowmobiles operating on the roadway and fail to display registration were encountered.


CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) spent time checking anglers this past week and working snowmobile enforcement on local trails. She also did two radio interviews. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) continued ice angling work throughout the week with limited success had by anglers. CO Sutherland worked snowmobiling activity with the local trails looking great. CO Sutherland took action for snowmobiling it a closed area.


CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, trappers, ski and snowmobile trails. He also taught about Minnesota wildlife in four preschool classes during the week.


CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working snowmobile and fishing activity. Enforcement action was taken for operating a snowmobile in excess of posted speed and failing to display registration. Wichmann followed up with a big game investigation from the deer season that resulted in violations and seized firearms.


CO John Velsvaag (NE Regional ATV Officer) finished up a trapping complaint this past week and took several phone calls relating to the case. CO Velsvaag also assisted with multiple stranded and stuck vehicles, and also received calls on coyotes with mange.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) checked anglers, dark house spearers and respective bait on infested and on other areas waters. Angling and spearing success slowed with the cold fronts moving through the area. Some crappie angling success was observed. CO Arhart also issued a Wetland Conservation Act restoration order. Rental fish shelter license issues were investigated.




District 8 - Duluth area


CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) spent a lot of time on his snowmobile during the past week checking anglers and snowmobilers. Time was also spent working on a few reports and preparing for some upcoming court cases. A talk was given to nearly 60 youngsters who showed up for a class to receive their snowmobile safety certificate. A few calls were taken about the concern for local deer that appeared to be injured or suffering due to the extreme winter.


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority of the week completing a pre-employment background investigation for a possible new hire Conservation Officer. Field work consisted of checking winter fishing, snowmobile activity, and answering calls from the public.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) reports working ice angling and snowmobile activity throughout the week. Unlawful speed and operation complaint areas continued to be worked. Anglers were reporting a much slower bite during the week. One angler spent hours fishing for his eye glasses from the bottom of the lake with the aid of his underwater camera. A trapping complaint involving a domestic animal was investigated. CO Humphrey assisted Jay Cooke Park staff with persons skiing on designated trails without passes and pets on the trails. Angling, skiing, and snowmobile violations were encountered.


CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked snowmobile and fishing activity in the area. Fishing success remains slow in the area. Snowmobile trails are in good shape. Enforcement action was taken for speed, angle without license in possession and registration violations. A talk was given to a snowmobile safety class in Barnum. An investigation into illegally set snares in the area is ongoing where several snares were seized. K9 training continues with K9 Schody.


WREO Mike Scott completed a background investigation on a person who has applied for a position with DNR Enforcement. A visit with Beltrami County was conducted to learn more about their records management systems.




Lake Superior Marine Unit


CO Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked anglers on Fish Lake and island and worked DWI on snowmobilers over the weekend. Commercial records were reviewed.


CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked ice anglers on some of the frozen bays of Lake Superior. Salmon, whitefish, and a few pike are turning up in the bag. Cold temps have allowed much of the lake to freeze over, but wind continues to break up the ice on the main lake. Snowmobiles were worked on area trails, and calls of injured and car-killed deer were handled. Enforcement action taken for angling and snowmobile violations.


CO Troy TerMeer (Marine Unit) last week worked snowmobile, angling and off-highway motorcycle enforcement. He also worked on reports, evidence, and court preparation.