MN DNR Weekly Report

[Lee Borgersen]

March 05, 2014
 
                          MN DNR Weekly Report


District 5 - Eveleth area


CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports activity for week centered on snowmobiles, ice shelters, and ice fishing, activity was minimal with continued bitterly cold weather. Enforcement action was taken for operating motor vehicle on grant aid snowmobile trail, burning ice shelter on ice, and improper crossing of street or road. People are reminded that March 31st is the last day to remove ice shelters from border waters, considering the conditions. CO Kittelson’s suggestion is to start working on them now, don’t wait until the last moment.


CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports assisting a couple anglers with removing their ice houses from an area lake. Area snowmobile trails remain in good shape, however there are not many sleds using the trails due to the extreme cold temperatures.


CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, snowmobiles, fish house litter, and investigated a wetland violation and issued a wetland Resource Protection Notification. The officer dealt with a sick deer call, a dead wolf investigation and a citizen report of a mountain lion in Hibbing that the officer verified via paw prints in the snow as a house cat or a very small bobcat. The officer closed out a deer hunting case that entailed shooting too close to a dwelling, from the roadway and failing to register a deer.


CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spoke at a snowmobile safety class in Gilbert and held the riding portion of the class. Area snowmobile trails throughout the Virginia, Eveleth and Britt areas are in good shape but not seeing much use due to colder temps. Numerous anglers have started to remove their ice shelter from area lakes well ahead of the deadline for the northern third of the state. CO Frericks encourages owner of remaining ice shelters to get started and to take all garbage with them.


CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) reported little activity was seen throughout the week due to cold temperatures. A number of questions were asked about the deer feeding program with people believing CO’s were responsible for feed allocations.


I. Falls # 2 - vacant.


Ray - vacant.


Tower - vacant.




District 6 - Two Harbors area


CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports that he along with other DNR officials attended and testified at the Wildlife Research Institute hearing in St. Paul. Officer Williams was made aware of a possible incident where a barred owl attacked a resident, although the story could not be confirmed as no one involved had yet stepped forward. Violations included litter, operating an unregistered snowmobile, and fail to display snowmobile registration.


CO Marty Stage (Ely) ran the lakes checking for fish houses in peril and seeing how bad the lakes were. There were places beyond description. It’s bad and be careful. The trails are fantastic, but beware of creeks and lakes. There is so much snow on the ice that it is like the officer experienced with “overflow” on the rivers in Alaskan arctic. After being stuck many times and being soaked from the slush, the officer can’t stress enough to travel in groups and stay away from the back bays and other usual bad spots. If you do go off trail, bring a shovel, rubber boots, extra gloves, and a long rope.


CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) took several calls and talked to people about the slush conditions on area lakes. Snow is very deep on many lakes and slush can come up fast after holes are drilled. The CO recommends carrying snowshoes to be able to walk out on if you get stuck. With knee deep snow on the lakes, walking any distance becomes a greater challenge. It is best not to travel alone, let people know where you are going and when they can expect you back. It is recommended to cut your fishing day shorter because being stuck in the slush is bad, being stuck in the slush in the dark is even worse. There is no greater stress test than the workout you get when getting your snowmobile out of the slush.


CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a conference for training officers. Manning also patrolled snowmobile trails and area lakes and took calls regarding deer on Lake Superior’s ice and cross country ski passes.


CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) testified in court and worked with the St. Louis County attorney’s office on other cases. Snow conditions are great, but temperatures remained bitterly cold making for a slow week of snowmobile activity. Ice houses were monitored for removal and litter. Enforcement action was taken for fail to transfer snowmobile ownership, fail to stop at road crossing, and fail to display trail sticker. Reminder to purchase your 2014 fishing license, as the 2013 licenses are now expired.


CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time on his patrol snowmobile working trails and checking backcountry trout lakes. Time was spent in the vacant Silver Bay station as well. Mandatory online training was completed and lesson plans for the upcoming in-service were prepared.


CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked snowmobile and angling activity during the week and responded to several car injured deer calls. Deep snow along the North Shore has increased deer activity along area roads and trails. Areas of deep slush have again reappeared on area lakes making lake travel a challenge for anglers.


Silver Bay - vacant.




District 7 - Grand Rapids area


CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers, assisted Grand Rapids Officers with a subject who fled, worked on items for the upcoming bear committee meeting, and attended a meeting in Squaw Lake for proposed ATV trails.


CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked angling, small game, and snowmobile activities. Violations included no license in possession, operate snowmobile on county roadway, and fail to display registration. Slush on area lakes and cold temperatures caused angling activity to almost cease.


CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snow mobile activity and assisted the county with a welfare check. The bitter cold kept most people indoors this week. Those who braved the cold were able to catch a few panfish. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration issues and angling license issues.


CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) spent time this past week checking anglers. She spent time working on division equipment inventory. Now is a good time to start preparing for the house removal deadline, which is March 17th in the northern part of the state. Remember to take all iced in blocks and garbage with you when you remove the house.


CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and snowmobile activity over the recent days. Walleye and pike season is over and some panfish anglers are out searching for some schools of fish. CO Sutherland gave career talks to three different classes at the Grand Rapids High School last week explaining the possible pathways to becoming a Conservation Officer.


CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, snowmobiles and state trails. He also taught a snowmobile safety class during the week.


CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) completed required training. Wichmann also spent the week checking snowmobile and fishing activity. Ice shelter removal was also monitored.


CO John Velsvaag (Region 2 Rec Vehicle officer) reports worsening slush conditions in many areas and few fishermen or snowmobilers. CO Velsvaag also attended a couple of meetings including a proposal for opening roads and new trails in northern Itasca County.


Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) worked snowmobilers, anglers and he tracked Wetland Conservation Act cases. The Itasca County wetland Technical Evaluation Panel meeting was attended. Anglers are finding difficult lake travels on most lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angle with no license and for public lake access violations.




District 8 - Duluth area


CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent some time working winter fishing on area lakes with some extra time spent on Lake Superior. Ice conditions on Lake Superior have allowed anglers the opportunity to ice fish for lake trout, rainbow trout and salmon. Enforcement work was also completed on snowmobile patrolling complaint areas of the area snowmobile trails. Officer Duncan also assisted a neighboring officer with complaints of harassment of wildlife from wildlife photographers. Several calls were returned and office work was completed.


CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) reports working ice angling and snowmobile activity throughout the week. CO Humphrey continued to receive calls from concerned citizens about the condition of deer in the area and deer feeding plans. Snowmobilers were reporting some excellent trail conditions after last week’s snow storm. CO Humphrey monitored area lakes for fish house removal. Slush has once again appeared on the lakes and some anglers had to resort to using bobcat/skid steers for moving snow to get to those houses. A few anglers were reporting a good panfish bite during the week. CO Humphrey assisted other area law enforcement officers conducting mock interviews for high school students in Esko. Angling and snowmobile violations were encountered during the week.


CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended a meeting on upcoming trapping training for the officers and the academy. A K9 meeting was attended at Carlos Avery and continuing training was conducted with K9 Schody and other K9s in the unit. Assistance was given to Esko High School seniors as they participated in mock job interviews to help ready them for the real world. Time was spent checking area lakes for fish houses that may not try to make it off in time for the upcoming deadline. Several calls were received from fish house owners that were concerned about not being able to get their house off in time. Car kill deer permits were issued to people wanting deer that were found alongside area roads.



WREO Mike Scott worked with academy staff planning the training for the new academy starting this spring. Calls from local anglers that have their ice fishing houses still on the ice were answered. Several folks were asking for extensions from the March 17 removal date due to the last snow storm. All were advised they had until the 17th of the month to have them removed from area lakes north of Duluth.




Lake Superior Marine Unit


CO Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked anglers along the North Shore and inland lakes. Fish shelters are being worked on for the upcoming deadline for removal.


CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked ice anglers on Lake Superior. A wide ice shelf in front of Duluth has allowed access for anglers that we haven’t seen in a few years; anglers need to remember, however, that a change in the wind can make a fun day of fishing into a life threatening float on an ice berg. Some anglers are struggling to remove their ice houses in the Duluth Harbor; this deadline is going to be important, however, as the USCGC Alder is scheduled to begin breaking ice on Tuesday. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.


CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) checked anglers fishing the ice of Lake Superior. Lots of anglers were taking advantage of the ice on Lake Superior. Some ATVs and snowmobiles were seen on the ice. Remember to use caution as some ice had moved from the shore, giving a few anglers wet boots as they returned to their vehicles. The bait shops did a good job of reminding most anglers that they needed a new license this year on March 1st as the license year changed back to the end of February. A few other anglers were spending time trying to access their ice houses on Superior Bay to get them removed before the deadline. The officer also spent time on reports and follow-up. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.