Conservation Officer Report

[Lee Borgersen]

      ..Conservation Officer Report


 

 


 
       



District 5 - Eveleth area
 
•Conservation Officer Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) and a CO cadet (COC) spent time checking small game hunters, anglers, and investigating wetlands complaints. CO Kittelson and the COC assisted local law enforcement on a medical. CO Kittelson and the COC worked a border detail with neighboring officers and two canine officers at the International Falls Port of Entry. Enforcement action was taken for youth riding ATVs without helmets on county roads, over limit of waterfowl, loaded shotgun on an ATV, transporting water in a live well, improper packaging of fish for transport, and no license in possession.
•CO Jimmy Van Asch (International Falls) reports another busy week for small game and waterfowl hunters in the area. The grouse hunters continue to produce results on forest roads and walking trails. Several groups of small game hunters were contacted during the week, with hunters trying to enjoy some mid-week time in the woods on the MEA break. CO Van Asch also attended a work detail at the International Falls Port of Entry that included neighboring officers and K-9 units. Enforcement action was taken for unlawfully transport loaded firearm, ATV passenger under 18 without a helmet, and failure to display federal duck stamp.
•CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports fall hunting activities were monitored. ATV activities have increased and monitoring is ongoing. Numerous citizen questions were responded to-forest roads continued to be monitored. Equipment work is ongoing and public water access sites were checked.
•CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked ongoing hunting seasons, invasive species, balsam bough cutters, and ATVs. More grouse hunters were having success, no doubt due to the loss of foliage in the forest. Three individuals out road hunting grouse were found with open containers of alcohol in the vehicle. The driver was turned over to the State Patrol and was arrested for DWI. Three vehicle drivers involved in cutting balsam boughs were found with either revoked or cancelled driver’s licenses. Enforcement action was taken on unsigned federal duck stamp,  no small game license in possession, no balsam bough permit, driving after cancellation, driving after revocation, and a number of ATV violations.
•CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) noted an increase of people in the woods over the past week. Most seemed to be getting their deer stands or hunting shacks ready for the upcoming deer season. CO Frericks also followed up on numerous trespass complaints and met with the landowners reporting the violations. Time was spent locating and photographing baited deer stands and some shining complaints were addressed.
•CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) Received reports of hunters finding deer stands with bait around it. A bald eagle was picked up and arrangements were made for it to be transported to rehab. Some fall fishing was checked and a few nice walleye are being caught.
•Cook - vacant.
•Ray - vacant.