District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused his attention this week on fishing and boating activity. Ihnen also patrolled for AIS violations. Additional time was spent monitoring ATV activity.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) taught at the CO Academy, worked commercial enforcement, followed up on calls for service,spenttimeonaBearCommittee item, and patrolled lakes and ATV trails throughout the week. A ride-along was provided to aDNR intern. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, insufficient PFDs, ATV operation and registration violations, failure torenewaDNRcommerciallicense,and passing in a no-passing zone.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent time this week monitoring angling and ATV activity around the local area. Anglers reported varied success over the weekend, and a fair number of people were encountered enjoying good weather on the ATV trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling related violations.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling, boating, and ATV enforcement for the week. Many folks were out enjoying extended daylight hours outdoors despite the bugs. Time was spent on Lake Superior and anglers on the big lake noted cold conditions with a few lake trout being seen. ATV operators are reminded that anyone on board under 18 needs to be wearing a DOT-approved helmet.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fishing, boating, invasive species, and ATV enforcement continue to be the focus of the work. He also responded to a complaint of burning prohibited materials and afew animal-related complaints. People are reminded if dealing with a nuisancebear issue to removal all food sources for a week or two.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working AIS enforcement this past week, checking anglers, and working ATV activity.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports an aquatic invasive species detail was worked with other district officers. People from all over the United States were educated about invasive species and regulations when transporting watercraft. Anglersare still reporting a fair walleye bite. A call of illegal burning was addressed, and the fire put out.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring fishing over the week. Public access sites continue to be checked, as do area forest roads. Fishing remains generally poor with little observed caught over the week. Other time was spent working on equipment and completing administrative tasks.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of this week checking anglers and monitoring boating activity. Activity has picked up, but the bite is still not very good, with many anglers having a tough time catching many keepers. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activityandhandlingnuisance-animal calls. An AIS detail was also worked with area officers.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling, aquatic invasive species, and ATV enforcement. He spent time checking anglers on area lakes, and many people were having a hard time getting on fish. He also worked an AIS check station checking many boats for AIS violations resulting in several violations related to transporting aquaticmacrophytes, failuretoremove drain plugs, and illegally transporting water-related equipment. Nuisancebear complaints were also fielded, and he also responded to a forest fire.
CO ShaneZavodnik(Virginia)spent time working on CO Academy training material over the week. Additionally, calls about trespass and angling regulations were fielded.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) spent timecheckinganglers,conductingboat safety enforcement, and responding to wildlife-related calls for service. Enforcement action was taken for several violations of fishing without licenses, no fishing license in possession, and ATV-related violations.
COJaysonHansen(Bigfork)worked ATV, boating, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, responded to animalrelated
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complaints, monitored OHV activity, and investigated TIP complaints. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennecalsoattendedtrainingandgave a presentation at the CO Academy. Enforcement action was taken for giving a false name and date of birth, angling in aclosedarea,anglingwithoutalicense, and insufficient PFDs.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling, ATV, and boating activity. Sutherland worked on a site visit with multiple county and state officials on a restoration order for altering lakeshore property. Sutherland also worked area angling activity, with locallakesstartingtogiveupsomefish.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and recreational vehicle activity throughout the previous week. Time was also spent investigating a public waters complaint and patrolling ATV trails. Several injured-animal and nuisance-bear complaints were handled. Enforcementactivity involved angling license and ATV violations.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on sport fishing, boating, ATV, and AIS complaints. Van Asch also attended training and follow-up work was completed on pending investigations.Enforcementaction was taken for various ATV violations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) continued to monitor fishing and boating activities. ATV activity is high and continues to increase as the summer rolls on. Assistance was given at a firearms safety class and enforcement actionwastaken forseveralfishingand boating violations.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reportsflyingfisheriescreelflightsand working local ATV trails. Enforcement action was taken for no registration displayed.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) attended to aircraft maintenance and yearlytraining.Heassistedotheragencies with flight requests.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) spent timerepositioningplanes for upcoming missions and training time. He assisted District 2 officers with general patrol.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) patrolled area lakes for angling and boating violations. Everyone checked LAKE
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was in compliance. Hanna also scheduled maintenance on DNR aircraft.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) attended an advanced autorotation and instruction course. Proficiency in autorotations is crucial to safety while flying single-engine helicopters.
Enforcement Education
Please check the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Education Courses and instructor training sessions.
If you missed a fall class and are over 18, check online for the online course information. (It is also at www. mndnr.gov.)
Please check the DNR website www. mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth and Adult Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions.
Please direct questions to 1-800-3668917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
Reminder: Anyone born after December 31, 1979 cannot purchase a license to hunt in Minnesota without first taking a DNR Safety Training Course and receiving a certificate. In addition, many states have even more stringent mandatory Hunter Education requirements. Check before you go!
Reminder: Any resident born after December 31, 1976, who operates a snowmobileinMinnesotamustpossess a snowmobile certificate. Two options are available to complete certification. Ages 11 and older can take the online course and hands-on day or attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the online course.
Reminder: Anyone born after July 1, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training online course. People under age 16 must complete the ATV online course and riding component before riding on public lands. Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
