District 1 – Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) and COC Marc Johnson checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, and duck hunters on Thief Lake. Violations encountered during the past week included hunting ducks with an unplugged shotgun, transporting a loaded firearm, failure to retrieve ducks, and leaving a tree stand overnight on a WMA.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) and COC Hanna Wood studied waterfowl identification and monitored area waterfowl-hunting activity. They also taught the law and ethics portion of the Newfolden ATV safety class and fielded numerous calls about the upcoming youth deer season.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports checking goose, duck, and grouse hunters throughout the past week. The recent cold weather, wind, and rain have knocked down a lot of the forest cover, and grouse hunters report they are seeing and encountering more birds.
District 2 – Bemidji area
CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked hunters and completed a firearms safety field day for Clearwater County youth.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) completed Step 1 of field training with COC Calie Kunst. Time was taken to patrol areas for ATVing activity and for individuals driving highway-licensed vehicles on grant-in-aid ATV trails. One vehicle was stopped for being operated on a GIA ATV trail and the driver was issued a citation. The occupants were smoking marijuana and were found to be underage and in possession of alcohol. As the individuals drove away, they started the citation on fire and threw it out the window for Vollbrecht to see. After picking up the burning paper, he stopped the vehicle a short distance away and issued another citation for littering.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) worked small-game and waterfowl-hunting activity. Area trails were patrolled for ATVing activity. Questions were answered about firearms safety and beaver-related issues. Area lakes were worked for angling and boating activity.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) and COC Adam Seifermann spent the past week checking anglers as well as archery deer and waterfowl-hunting activity in the Pelican Rapids station. Enforcement action was taken for a nonresident purchasing hunting licenses designated for a resident, hunting without a license in possession, no HIP certification, and possession of smallmouth bass in a closed season.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the past week focused on checking anglers, ATV operators and small-game hunters, and following up on trespass complaints. Additional time was spent fielding calls about the upcoming youth deer and pheasant seasons.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) started field training with COC Emily Leeb this past week. They checked waterfowl hunters and gave a two-day presentation to fifth- and sixth-grade classes about wildlife conservation.
CO Andrew Goodman (Elbow Lake) reports monitoring hunting and fishing activity throughout the past week. Rain and wind reduced the activity in the area but those who braved the elements were able to find fish and ducks.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, waterfowl and archery hunters, and ATV-related activity. A littering case was completed and a fishing complaint was handled.
CO Brian Holt (Osakis) reports several complaints related to trespassing were handled, including motor vehicles on a WMA.
District 4 – Walker area
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) started field training with COC Mattson this past week and worked ATV/OHM, fishing, small-game, big-game, and boating safety enforcement. Calls were fielded regarding boat registration, legal water access, and the youth deer season.
CO Randy Posner (Staples) reports a trapping investigation is under way following a complaint about snare use on private land without permission. Litter complaints were received regarding discarded tires and garbage dumping.
District 5 – Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports that despite rain, wind, and cooler weather, people were still out fishing on the Rainy River with fairly good success. A youth firearms safety class was held during which 50 youth battled the elements to complete the certification process.
CO Shane Zavodnik (International Falls) spent time teaching a firearms safety class at Border Patrol with approximately 50 class attendees. Despite the wet weather, there was great participation from all. Time was spent successfully recovering an ATV from a felony fleeing case that occurred this summer.
CO John Slatinski (Ray) reports investigations into two incidents of vehicles abandoned on state lands were initiated. Evidence of illegal use of state snowmobile trails has been common, with additional time spent focusing on contacting responsible parties. A report of criminal damage to property was taken. These are senseless acts that just cause animosity among the different trail user groups. Animal-related complaints involving bears and a moose were heard.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports numerous beaver-related complaints were fielded during the week.
CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) spent the past week working small-game hunters and ATV riders. Two individuals were dealt with who had loaded firearms in their vehicle.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked small-game and waterfowl hunters, ATV riders, the state park, a multi-ownership trespass complaint, and a WCA complaint. Deer-baiting complaints are starting to come in.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) is investigating an incident in which a large buck was shot and killed – likely from the roadway – in Wouri Township north of Virginia. The person responsible removed the buck’s head and neck and left the rest to waste. If you know anything about this incident you can contact Frericks directly at (218) 404-0600. You can also use the TIP line. You can remain anonymous.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting and angling activity. Waterfowl and grouse hunters report limited success.
District 6 – Two Harbors area
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers and hunters. He taught an ATV safety class at the Cook County middle school. Time also was spent assisting with an ATV work detail along the North Shore.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and small-game hunting activity during the week. Salmon have begun to move into area streams, but recent rainfall has made for challenging fishing conditions on North Shore streams.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the week checking ATVing and small-game hunting activity. Time was spent checking anglers as well. Schottenbauer hosted a group of officers from around the state to work on hunting, angling, and ATVing activity in the area.
District 7 – Grand Rapids area
CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked grouse hunters and anglers, worked ongoing cases, and patrolled for AIS violations related to watercraft transportation. He also handled calls about taking deer illegally, various permit issues, and nuisance bears.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHVing activity and checked waterfowl hunters. More ducks were seen in the area this past week.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) and COC Ryan Hanna assisted the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office with a medical emergency that resulted in a person being transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) spent time assisting Aitkin County officials in the search for a missing person.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) patrolled the area for hunting and fishing activity. Hochstein also checked several permits of folks who were cutting balsam boughs.
District 8 – Duluth area
CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) assisted with the handling of a nuisance bear in the city of Duluth. Multiple deer-hunting calls were fielded and preliminary investigations started. A possible wetlands violation near a public access was handled. The wet weather kept field activity low around the area.
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth) has been field training CO Derek Schneider. They have been dealing with calls about nuisance bears and deer-baiting complaints.
CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) conducted patrols on county and state forest lands for hunting activity. Humphrey took several calls/complaints about nuisance beavers, public-water access concerns, deer licensing, and waterfowl hunting.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended a Minnesota Trappers Association board of directors meeting in Brainerd. Hunting and recreational vehicle activity were worked in the Nemadji State Forest. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession, hunting during a closed season, and equipment violations.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along North Shore rivers. The large amount of recent rain has North Shore rivers and streams running at spring water levels. Olson also responded with fellow officers to a nuisance-bear complaint. A bear was creating a ruckus in a local neighborhood. A pollution complaint was investigated at a local marina.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers along Lake Superior tributary streams. State parks were checked and training was attended. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
District 9 – Brainerd area
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked fall hunting activity. Time also was spent covering outdoor topics on the local radio station and issuing road-kill permits. Mlynar gave a sickly immature eagle a free ride to the Garrison Animal Hospital.
CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) worked ATVing activity around the Foot Hills State Forest. He also worked big- and small-game hunting activity.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) focused on waterfowl-hunting enforcement and deer-shining activity. Enforcement contacts were made for waterfowl hunting during the closed central duck and goose zone, and illegal deer shining.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports time was spent patrolling the SRA for hunting, fishing, and other recreational activity. Assistance was given to a neighboring officer with a firearms safety field day.
District 10 – Mille Lacs area
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Malmo) spent time patrolling for big-game and small-game enforcement. She also followed up on complaints about a moose near a highway and a nuisance bear. Many sightings of moose in the area have been reported. Whiteoak also followed up on a trespassing complaint regarding a landowner mowing and placing a deer decoy on a neighboring property.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) patrolled the Nemadji State Forest, checking small-game hunters. Speldrich also assisted at Camp Ripley with interviewing potential new hires for conservation officer positions.
CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent most of the week conducting interviews for potential new hires with the DNR. Time also was spent checking on anglers and OHV usage.
District 11 – St. Cloud area
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) started training with COC Jessica Lambertz, who is in her second phase of field training. They spent time this past week monitoring angling and hunting activity in the station. A possible wetland violation was located, and an investigation is ongoing. COC Lambertz took a call from an area police officer who had located a person shining a light near an apartment complex. The officer informed Lambertz the man said he was assisting his cat, who was also on the scene, with a nighttime small-game hunt. Lambertz provided information to the officer regarding shining laws.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked angling and hunting activity this past week. He confirmed local reports of elk in the area with game camera photos.
CO Leah Kampa (Annandale) reports working small-game and archery hunters. Time was spent on equipment maintenance and attending in-service training in Dakota County. A littering complaint was investigated, and anglers were checked on area lakes and rivers.
District 12 – Princeton area
CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) reports continued checks of hunters in the area. Complaints about illegal hunting were investigated in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge along with a federal officer.
CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked hunters and anglers. Several hunting-related complaints were investigated.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused enforcement efforts on waterfowl and archery hunters. Assistance was given to local sheriff’s offices with incidents involving stranded watercraft. One incident involved a flipped kayak and the other involved a mechanical issue with a duck boat.
District 13 – West Metro area
CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Mound) reports focusing on boating and waterfowl-hunting activity during the past week. The CO patrolled area lakes and rivers and answered hunting and wildlife-related questions throughout the week.
CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) spent time checking duck hunters and shore anglers. Numerous wildlife-related calls also were handled. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, angling with extra lines, and hunting with an unplugged shotgun.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) spent most of the past week participating in training in the Willmar area. The central zone waterfowl-hunting reopener was poor due to unfavorable weather conditions. One group of hunters decided to take a few coots to give their dogs something to do.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked duck hunters and anglers during the week. One angler was located with two lines in the water. A few groups of duck hunters were found hunting in the closed southern zone.
District 14 – East Metro area
CO Luke Gutzwiller (White Bear Lake) spent time working waterfowl, small-game, and ATV enforcement throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for taking migratory waterfowl in the closed season and ATV registration issues.
CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) patrolled Anoka County for small-game and waterfowl-hunting activity. Waterfowl hunters reported little success on the second opener of the central zone in Anoka County. Salzer also received information on potential big-game violations.
CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) monitored angling activity in the area. He also handled TIP calls and started working on cases to assist out-of-state wardens.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) reports primarily conducting patrol for archery and small-game hunters. Thomas also seized multiple illegal stands and blinds left overnight and unattended in local state wildlife management areas and WPAs. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of things, including three instances of hunting waterfowl out of season, unplugged shotguns, and unsigned stamps. All illegally taken birds were seized.
District 15 – Marshall area
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the past week conducting investigations and attending training. Virtually all crops are still in the field. Periodic rain with more in the forecast is hampering crop harvest as well as small-game and archery deer harvest.
CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) monitored archery deer, small-game and waterfowl hunting during the past week. Angling activity also was monitored; shore anglers are having moderate success.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the past week working fishing, ATVing, and small-game and archery deer-hunting enforcement. The waterfowl season reopened in the central zone with mixed success.
District 16 – New Ulm area
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls regarding a trespassing incident, sick and nuisance animals, and hunting rule clarifications. He also attending training.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) completed Phase 1 field training with COC Aaron Larson. Miller fielded numerous TIP calls during the week. Bowhunters were worked heavily during the end of the week as colder weather and a couple of days without rain improved daylight deer movement. Anyone who observes a game and fish violation is encouraged to contact their local conservation officer by calling #TIP on their cell phones.
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) attended the Joe Duggan Family WPA and WMA dedication in Jackson County.
District 17 – Mankato area
CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) checked small-game and archery deer hunters during the past week. He also checked anglers, boaters, and ATV operators, and patrolled wildlife management areas, state parks, and waterfowl production areas.
CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) worked archery deer hunters and small-game hunters this past week. Constant rain made it difficult for hunters to get in the field. Nearly 100% of corn is still in the fields, which may make for a tough pheasant opener this weekend.
District 18 – Rochester area
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) monitored waterfowl hunting on the Mississippi River. The Wisconsin season was ongoing while Minnesota’s was closed.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) certified ginseng and issued a possession tag for two bucks that were found dead locked together.
CO Kylan Hill (Zumbrota) reports there were a few violations surrounding storing personal property at access sites, with enforcement action being taken. Because of parking issues at the Lake Zumbro public access, “no parking” signs have been put in place in a few locations to make it easier to park boat trailers. Hill assisted the State Patrol with a crash as he located a car that had blown a stop sign and crashed into the woods.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester) reports spending time on angling enforcement. In one instance, Kyllo observed an individual using two lines at the same time for over 10 minutes. Upon contact, the individual insisted he had just tossed one line out and was going to reel the other one up when Kyllo contacted him. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Clint Fitzgerald (Rochester) assisted Olmsted County deputies in an attempt to locate a man who fled on foot following a vehicle pursuit. The man was arrested by local law enforcement at a later date.
The post Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – Oct. 11, 2019 appeared first on Outdoornews.
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