District 1 – Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted Thief Lake DNR Wildlife staff in moving a moose away from a highway. Snowmobile training was attended with the U.S. Border Patrol and other conservation officers. Anglers were checked on Lake of the Woods.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) worked a detail on Lake of the Woods with CO Elwell, seeing moderate fishing success. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, unattended lines, no angling license, and snowmobile registration violations. Complaints about trespass by hunters with hounds were fielded and ice shelter removal was monitored. Woinarowicz also assisted with the execution of a search warrant.
CO Tony Elwell (Thief River Falls) worked Lake of the Woods for ice-angling activity with CO Woinarowicz and patrolled the station for snowmobiling activity. Nuisance-animal calls were taken.
CO Hannah Mishler (Baudette) spent time checking anglers and snowmobilers on Lake of the Woods. She also attended a Red Lake Technical Advisory Committee meeting. Assistance was given with executing a search warrant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports working snowmobiling enforcement on area grant-in-aid trails. Time also was spent checking anglers.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored area snowmobile trails and lakes for activity. Slush and deep snow continued to get worse on area lakes.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports most anglers were able to remove their shelters before the deadline. Enforcement action was taken on those who made no attempt to remove them. A late-week snowstorm brought 15-plus inches to the area.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week monitoring ice shelter removal in the north and south zones. Other time was spent patrolling on snowmobile trails and checking ice-fishing activity.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) worked aeration inspections and miscellaneous case follow-ups.
CO Steve Chihak (Moorhead) spent the week working fishing and snowmobiling enforcement. Time also was spent working with individuals attempting to remove their ice shelters from area lakes before the deadline.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) reports fish house removal is in full swing with many questions being answered about removal deadlines (March 18) and difficult lake conditions. People are reminded that all portions of a fish house need to be removed, as well as litter.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) answered regulation questions at the Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Classic.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports the latest heavy snowfall has essentially crippled ice-fishing activity for the month. Significant water from flooding on top of the ice will make towing portable shelters with snowmobiles difficult.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) continues to monitor and work with fish house owners to get their property off lakes. Fishing has slowed dramatically. A road-killed bobcat was taken care of, as was an injured owl.
CO Andrew Goodman (Elbow Lake) reports that a fish house found on Ten Mile Lake was emptied of personal property and identification.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) reports heavy snow made fish house removal hard for lots of shack owners. Trucks with plows were needed for almost all of the remaining houses.
CO Brian Holt (Osakis) reports multiple wildlife-related complaints were received regarding dogs chasing deer, nuisance deer and turkeys, and an injured owl.
District 4 – Walker area
CO Jacqueline Hughes (Longville) reports checking area lakes for fish houses left after the removal deadline. She also patrolled snowmobile trails and checked anglers and responded to an injured-deer call.
CO Randy Posner (Staples) worked on fishing enforcement this past week. A few ice anglers were out trying their luck for panfish. All but a couple of fish houses were removed before the deadline. Complaints about garbage and wood blocks left behind were reported and investigated. Ice pressure ridges and snow drifts continue to be problems for folks, and some snowmobiles were damaged because of them.
District 5 – Eveleth area
CO Shane Zavodnik (International Falls) spent time working with local law enforcement in determining logistics regarding the upcoming spring walleye season for the Rainy River. Looking at the long-term forecast, Zavodnik doesn’t expect the river to be ready for boats anytime soon.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes and snowmobile trails. Fish house-removal problems have started for people who chose not to take preventive measures this winter.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers and snowmobilers, investigated a littering complaint and garbage-burning complaint, and dealt with calls about a train hitting a wolf and a deer stuck in the snow. Assistance was provided to the Hibbing Police Department regarding an intoxicated pedestrian and a hit-and-run call. Two individuals were found illegally taking forest products from public land. One of the two gave the CO a false name. The person was arrested for false name and for two felony warrants.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) reports enforcement action was taken on several owners of snowmobiles who neglected to display their current registration decal. One snowmobiler purchased his registration decal in December 2017. When asked why he never stuck it on his sled, the owner said that he never had a chance to do it.
District 6 – Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely) worked with area officers focusing on snowmobiling enforcement west of Ely. Anglers who still have their shelters on lakes are reminded that the deadline for removal is March 18.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) received several calls regarding fishing regulations and litter.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) reports local search-and-rescue squads have been getting a workout this winter. Riders and anglers are encouraged to carry a good map and at least one form of GPS or ride-tracker when traveling in areas with which they’re unfamiliar.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports working snowmobile and angling enforcement throughout the week. All anglers encountered remembered to buy their new fishing licenses. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile speed, failure to display current registration, and failure to obey trail signs. A ride-along was provided to an intern candidate.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers on remote trout lakes. Deep snow and slush have continued to limit travel for some anglers.
District 7 – Grand Rapids area
CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked area lakes for anglers and fish house removal, patrolled area snowmobile trails, investigated a report of illegal birch pole cutting, and worked ongoing cases.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored snowmobiling activity, and attended training this past week. The recent wind and snow made for harsh conditions on area lakes.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and snowmobiling activity, with enforcement action taken for operating an unregistered snowmobile and failing to transfer a snowmobile title.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) monitored the first round of fish-house removal in the southern part of his station. Hochstein was pleased that all the shelters were removed on time and little debris was left behind.
District 8 – Duluth area
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent a day at an officer field-training class. Field work consisted of checking area lakes for fish houses and documenting the remaining houses on the lakes.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spent extra time working area lakes to make sure fish houses were removed by the deadline and there was no garbage left behind. Enforcement action was taken for an unmarked fish house. Snowmobile trails continue to be in excellent condition in the area. Enforcement action was taken for operating a car on a snowmobile trail and snowmobiler speeding. A complaint about a bobcat that was killing house cats was received, and information was given to help remedy the situation. Also, a permit was issued to possess a bobcat that was hit and killed by a car.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked ice anglers on Lake Superior during the week.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers on Lake Superior as the ice there remains. Changing winds may bring about different conditions, and anglers need to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
District 9 – Brainerd area
CO Tim Collette (Brainerd) monitored continued fish house removals, checked late-season anglers, and spent time on snowmobile enforcement activity. He also answered questions related to CWD monitoring of deer and addressed areas of deer feeding in violation of the ban.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked snowmobile and trail enforcement this past week. Guida also assisted Brainerd-area DNR Wildlife with a couple of illegal deer feeding complaints that resulted in enforcement action.
CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) checked area lakes for remaining shelters and spoke with individuals who were struggling to remove shelters due to current lake conditions.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports fish house owners were found to be in excellent compliance with the removal deadline.
CO Chelsey Best (Crosslake) continued to patrol ice-fishing and snowmobile activity this past week. Many individuals encountered issues while removing their houses, given the current ice conditions. Those people who did not make arrangements prior to the deadline may be facing enforcement action.
CO Amber Ladd (McGregor) reports many folks out enjoying the good trail conditions by snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Many anglers had quite the chore getting their houses off by the deadline. Ladd also assisted with removing from a lake a deer that fell through the ice. It had been there far too long and didn’t survive.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports checking for fish houses left out on the ice as the deadline approached. He also checked for snowmobiling and fishing activity around the area. A ride-along opportunity was given to a person interested in becoming a conservation officer. A call about someone feeding deer in violation of the feeding ban was investigated.
CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) patrolled for angling and snowmobiling activity throughout the week. McGowan also attending training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobiling violations.
District 10 – Mille Lacs area
CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked angler activity and monitored fish-house removal as the Mille Lacs-area deadline passed. Verkuilen also attended training, answered turkey-hunting questions, and assisted at a sports show.
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Malmo) followed up on a fish shelter that was left behind and was partially blocking a public access.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) reports a call was taken from a fish house shelter owner who was unable to get his shelter off the lake in time. Plans were made to get proper equipment to remove the shelter.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) assisted with a snowmobile accident that resulted in a fatality. Snow continued to pound the area and resulted in more snowmobiling traffic.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) reports time was spent meeting with game farm owners and doing inspections.
District 11 – St. Cloud area
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) received a garbage-dumping complaint in which someone had dumped 20 bags of household garbage in a road ditch. The garbage owner was tracked down, cited, and told to clean up the mess.
CO Annette Kyllo (Pierz) spent time contacting the owners of all fish shelters remaining on area lakes. Assistance was given to some individuals who had gotten their car stuck by going out on the ice to see if they would be able to get their truck out to their ice shelter later. They were attempting to shovel their way out with an ice scraper when Kyllo arrived. While riding snowmobile trails, Kyllo encountered a father and the man’s two sons. One son had his safety certificate, the other son waited until being contacted by Kyllo to tell his dad that he hadn’t actually finished the online course and did not have a snowmobile safety certificate like his dad believed he did.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) attended training for his newly issued computer. He also worked snowmobile activity with neighboring officers.
CO Frank Rezac (St. Cloud) reports good compliance by ice anglers removing shelters from station lakes before the March 4 removal deadline. With snowmobile trails in good condition, patrol efforts during the week focused on snowmobiling enforcement.
CO Leah Kampa (Annandale) spent the week checking area lakes for shelters left after the deadline and litter. Kampa also spoke at the Kimball firearms safety class about hunting laws and ethics.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent the week working on fish houses remaining on lakes after the removal deadline. One lake was found to have a fish house left frozen in up to the wheel hubs. A few hundred yards away a snowmobile was found frozen in the lake after the driver drove into a large area of slush.
District 12 – Princeton area
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the week working snowmobilers and following up on fish houses left after the removal deadline.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused enforcement efforts on anglers and snowmobile operators. Once again, trails were in great shape with all the snow. Seamans would like to remind anglers that it is unlawful to target smallmouth bass (even for catch and release) from now until May 11 in the Sherburne/Wright county portion of the Mississippi River.
CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) gave presentations to firearms safety classes in Waverly and Buffalo this week.
CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) reports enforcement action was taken for possession of marijuana, not stopping for stop signs on snowmobiles, loud exhaust, and trespass. A taxidermy inspection also was completed during the week.
District 13 – West Metro area
CO Tim Maass (Osseo) continued to assist with a big-game violation investigation. Time also was spent on area lakes and trails, checking ice anglers and snowmobile riders.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked area lakes for fishing shelters and fishing activity. Good numbers of anglers were observed out on the ice. Ice conditions are still fair, but there is more slush due to the rain last week. A resident on Prior Lake was talked to about putting fill on the ice to make more shoreline.
CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers, and following up on complaints. Grewe also attended a district meeting and continued training with K9 Shelby, preparing for upcoming trials.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reminds anglers not to forget to buy their 2019 angling licenses before heading out to fish.
District 14 – East Metro area
CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) patrolled Anoka County for angling activity. He also dealt with fish houses left out after the deadline.
CO Luke Gutzwiller (White Bear Lake) spent time working angling activity throughout the week. Follow-up was conducted involving anglers who failed to remove fishing shelters by the required removal date. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines and failure to have identification/registration on a fishing shelter.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) continued to work on numerous ongoing investigations and spoke at a local middle school regarding careers in conservation. Thomas also spoke at a firearms safety class and issued multiple wildlife possession permits for road-killed deer to be used for coyote bait.
District 15 – Marshall area
CO Andrew Dirks (Worthington) checked area lakes for fish house removal and monitored snowmobiling activity throughout the area.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) worked snowmobiling, coyote-hunting, and ice-fishing enforcement.
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week conducting investigations and patrolling snowmobile trails.
District 16 – New Ulm area
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) spent the week focused on snowmobiling activity. He continues to receive calls regarding snowmobilers trespassing.
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls regarding injured animals and fishing law clarifications. He spent the majority of the week on snowmobiling and angling enforcement.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) conducted angler and shelter checks. Shelter removal compliance was good on area lakes.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) conducted aeration inspections during the past week. Enforcement efforts were focused on snowmobiling activity and coyote hunting.
District 17 – Mankato area
CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked angling, snowmobiling, and ATVing activity this past week. The area has recently experienced rain, snow, and high winds. Rain has begun to shrink snow cover. Anglers are experiencing difficulty moving around on area lakes due to deep snow, drifts, and slush.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) continued to monitor ice/lake conditions. Several individuals are still working to remove their shelters due to deep, wet snow and ice build-up.
CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) reports time was also spent assisting State Patrol troopers and county deputies with crashes and vehicles off the road during the weekend snowstorm.
District 18 – Rochester area
CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports working ice fishing and snowmobiling enforcement. Access has been the main issue with ice fishing on the backwaters with several feet of snow still covering close to another foot of slush in some locations.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports a few trout anglers are out with mixed results.
CO Phil George (Rochester) took complaints about injured animals and assisted with a vehicle in the ditch.
CO Tom Hemker (Winona) received many calls about sick and injured deer in unusual locations – usually in yards of homes. He also continues to spend time listening to opinions on CWD in the area.
The post Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – March 15, 2019 appeared first on Outdoornews.
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