District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports cold weather arrived, as did strong winds and even frost. The early teal and goose season opener was not well attended. Although some birds were seen, most hunters checked had not fired a shot. Violations included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking ATV and off-highway motorcycle operators. AIS compliance and fishing and boating activity were also monitored. Time was also spent checking bear hunters. CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the opener of bear season, checked area lakes, and worked AIS. He assisted the county with several calls. Time was also spent patrolling on his ATV.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) reports a mixed bag of success among bear hunters. Some folks tagged out early while others are fighting wet conditions and elusive bears. The grouse season starts next weekend, and people are reminded to read up on the new regulations regarding the spruce grouse bag limit being lowered to two birds daily and four in possession. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations. CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed field training with COC Kristopher Ryan.Timewasspenton bear, goose, and teal hunting, wild rice, and fishing/boating enforcement as well as patrolling state parks. Activity slowed after the weekend and with the cold weather. Bear hunters had moderate successonopeningweek.The officers participated in a firearms safety class in Babbitt. Thanks to the volunteers who helped. Enforcement action included leaving garbage at a public access, insufficient PFDs, bear baiting violations, unplugged shotguns, toxic ammunition, and loaded firearms in motor vehicles.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV activity and bear-hunting activity around the area. Time was also spent investigating TIP calls. Ricers and teal hunters were seen on a handful of the local lakes, and bear hunters in the area have been reporting success. CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on bear-hunting, angling, and ATV enforcement over the holiday weekend. Bear hunters reported mixed success for the first week of the season. Variable weather conditions led to a tough bite for most anglers. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft-related violations. Grouse hunters are encouraged to review the updated bag limits for spruce grouse before the season begins.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling the area for bear-hunting activity. Block also focused efforts on patrolling ATV routes.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that despite a fresh hatch of mosquitos and temperatures in the mid-80s, bear season got off to a successful start. Several hunters were contacted who had harvested a bear and were working quickly to get the carcass cooled off to avoid spoilage. As the weather cooled, bears were reported staying active at sites with several hunters passing on smaller bears waiting for something more. Assistance was provided with removing an eagle that was still alive after colliding with the front end of a pickup truck and becoming stuck in the grill.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports bear hunting was short lived with most done after the third day of the season. Wild rice harvest came to a quick end. Access sites were checked between rain events. The phone calls continue to come in on a variety of subjects.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week focusing on bear hunting in the area. Numerous bear hunters reported having successful hunts, which is not surprising with the number of bears in the area and natural food sources drying up. The early teal and goose opener was worked. There were very few teal and no teal hunters seen. Goose hunters checked had a successful opener with a fair number of geese in the area. COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily bear-hunting activity in his station. Bear hunters seemed to be having a successful season with many bears being taken early in the season. Larson also spent time checking for waterfowl hunters and working a firearms safety class. Violations were related to illegal bear baits. He also assisted a local agency with a case resulting in various violations.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, big-game, and angling activity. In addition, time was spent assisting with a firearms safety class in Virginia and working the early teal and early goose opener. With small-game and archery season opening next weekend, hunting activity should start to increase substantially.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) and his trainee, Conservation Officer Candidate Jacob Peterson, patrolled local trails and parks for ATVs.
