District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports there was heavy ATV activity on local trails during the warmer days over the week and weekend. Grouse numbers remain poor, as does success. Violations included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, hunting without a license in possession, and a juvenile ATV passenger with no helmet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking anglers and watercraft operators in his station. He also patrolled for grouse and waterfowl hunters. Additional time was spent monitoring ATV and OHM activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) monitored small-gamehuntersandATV riders. A lot of ATV riders are out enjoying the cooler weather. Anglers on remote trout lakes were checked, and nuisance-bear calls here handled.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) reports that nuisance bears continue to persist in the area, and folks should try to keep all food sources and attractants stored in a way that won’t entice bears to the homes. Grouse hunters are still hitting the woods and trails and are showing very limited success for their efforts. Fishing remains consistent for stream trout on designated trout lakes. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV and small-game hunting activity. A day was spent assisting with the investigation of the Crosby fire in a local state park. Franzen also assisted other officers in the southeastern portion of the state for pheasant opener. COTrentAnderson(Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting and ATV enforcement for the week. Nuisance-bear complaints are ongoing. Grouse hunters continue to report low bird sightings despite the leaves falling. Violations encountered included various grouse-hunting and ATV-related issues.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking hunters in the area. Block reports seeing success among grouse hunters. Time was also spent patrolling for ATV activity and training with K9 Jet.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) spent the week checking small-game hunters and anglers. Grouse hunters were reporting low numbers being spotted on area trails. He responded to a report of a problem bear damaging apple trees. Bears are still out looking for easy meals. Several fires in the area were also reported. Enforcement action for the week included expired ATV registration, operating an ATV without lights when required, ATV passengers under 18 without helmets, and transporting loaded firearms. CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports checkinganglersontheRainy River this past week and workingsmall-game-hunting activity and ATV activity. Various enforcement action was taken throughout the week, including illegal-length walleyes, angling with extra lines, operating ATVs without required headlights, and allowing youth to operate ATVs illegally. A friendly reminder that ATVs are not intended to be babysitters. Helmets must be worn by all passengers and operators under the age of 18 years old on public land and trails. Bird reports remain decent throughout most areas.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports more seasonable weather brought grouse hunters to the area in numbers. Some success was noted, with most people hoping for additional sightings. A few instances of transporting dressed game birds have been noted this year. A reminder to plan to prepare game for transport unless they are going to be consumed right away. Advice was provided for various nuisance-animal complaints. More seasonable weather should help, but bears continue to be active so bird feeders may still be a problem.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area forest roads and trails for ATV activity. Fire danger remains high with multiple fires reported over the week. Duck hunters continue to comment about the lack of ducks. Boating and angling activity was worked, and public access sites were checked. Spare time was spent issuing permits and returning phone calls.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spenttimethisweekchecking anglers, along with monitoring grouse-hunting activity, archery deer hunting, and ATV activity in the area. With the return of more seasonable weather, there was a marked increase in the number of people out enjoying the outdoors. Grouse numbers continue to be low, with those willing to get out and walk the woods having higher rates of success.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily waterfowl, ATV, and small-game enforcement. Fishing activity was low due to high winds throughout the week. Violations included no federal duck stamp, no small-game license, no plug in a shotgun while waterfowl hunting, hunting in a state park, no HIP validation, operating an ATV without headlights, and other ATV registration issues. CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game and ATV activity. In addition, time was also spent speaking with a group of students working with DNR Wildlife, and responding to calls for service. Violations encountered included trespassing, ATV speed, and license and registration issues.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time on ATV patrol, working on snowmobile training material, and checking waterfowl hunters over the week. Waterfowl hunters reported a slower weekend of duck flight activity, but some new divers have started to trickle into the area.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting and fishing activity. Anglers continued to report moderate success. Few waterfowl and grouse hunters were encountered this week. Broughten fielded calls regarding posting requirements and youth deer licenses.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers, grouse hunters, and waterfowl hunters. Grouse hunters are reporting good numbers of birds in the area. Waterfowland deer-hunting related questions were answered, and time was spent patrolling ATV trails. Enforcement action was taken for no smallgame license in possession, taking fish without a license, and transporting a loaded firearm.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, boating, big-game- and waterfowl- hunting, and fishing activities. He patrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) checked hunters, investigated TIP complaints, patrolled area lakes, and assisted with the rescue of two people from an overturned paddle boat in the dark. Angler success was great while waterfowl hunters saw fewer birds this week. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also assisted with a warrant arrest and provided a demonstration and meet and greet at an area event. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and insufficient PFDs.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) continued to monitor waterfowl and smallgame hunters. One waterfowl hunter called 911 and said his canoe had overturned.
The hunter was able to hold onto his canoe until rescuers reached him and his dog. The firearm was also located and retrieved from the bottom of the lake with a magnet. It’s always advisable to remember that a dog can get very excited when firearms are discharging and can tip over small canoes. Sutherland also issued multiple road-killed deer possession tags and even a road-killed bear tag.
COJimmyVanAsch(Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on angling, smallgame, waterfowl, and ATV activities. Enforcement action was taken for several waterfowl- and small-game-related violations.
CO TaylorHochstein(Hill City) began field training Conservation Officer Candidate Jacob Kaden. Time was spent patrolling forest roads and monitoring small-game hunting and ATV activities. Time was also spent working with other local conservation officers helping at a firearms safety class. Enforcement action was taken for fishing, waterfowl-hunting, and ATV violations.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked small-game and archery deer hunters during the previous week. Time was also spent working with the Forestry Division investigating a wildfire. Holt patrolled ATV trails and followed up on complaints. Enforcement activity involved boating safety, registration, hunting and fishing license violations, and transporting loaded firearms.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) was on his way to the airport when he observed an unattended grass fire. Hanna used a fire extinguisher and put out the fire and the local power company was notified of debris on the line that was believed to have started the fire. Hanna flew maintenance and ferry flights and prepared the hangars and aircraft for the colder weather.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) completed updating the Brainerd hangar office to make more efficient use of the space. Zeller also focused on ground studies for her fixed-wing training due to poor weather.
COPilotTimGray(Bemidji) flew in supplies to remote areas to get things situated before the lakes start to freeze in the far northeastern part of the state. Gray also flew an aerial observation mission in Region 1. In addition, he assisted District 2 with ATV patrol in a vacant station on days when the aircraft was down for maintenance.
