District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports waterfowl hunting saw a slight temporary uptick during the week as the first snowflakes fell along with a strong north wind. Local COs and the Ely Police Department investigated a deer that was shot with a bow inside the city limits. Anyone with information related to incident is encouraged to contact the TIP hotline.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused on checking anglers and small-game hunters this week. Ihnen also patrolled for ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity. Additional time was spent checking archery deer hunters.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking small-game hunters. He checked remote trout lakes and monitored ATV complaint areas. Time was also spent completing online training.
COAnthonyBermel(Babbitt) reports checking anglers, duck hunters, grouse hunters, and ATV riders throughout the week. A small push of ducks was observed, but most quickly passed through the area. here continues to be good numbers of geese around. Enforcement action included transporting loaded firearms in vehicles and on ATVs, expired ATV registration, transporting grouse without attached wings, and litter. If anyone has any information about the eight-point buck that was arrowed in Ely near the snowmobile club building on or around Oct. 22, 2025, please call Bermel or the TIP line.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking small-game hunters and monitoring angling activity. Grouse hunters report varied success and seeing lower numbers of birds this season than last. Enforcement action was taken for ATV-related violations.
CO Trent Anderson(Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent answering questions related to sport netting. Preparations were made for the upcoming firearms deer season.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) focused efforts on hunting and ATV activity in the area. Block also spent time this week attending training with other K9 handlers at Camp Ripley. Block also followed up on various complaints.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) continued monitoring ATV and small-game-hunting activity throughout the week. Grouse hunters were reporting better success as the week went on. He worked on some follow up regarding a big-game violation. He also fielded several calls about the upcoming firearms season.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the past two weekends have created new opportunities for outdoor activity. Trapping is in swing and another excuse to spend time outdoors. People continue to prepare for the upcoming firearms deer season and are seizing the opportunity to chase grouse at the same time. Those venturing out on area waterways have no need to worry about someone being on their favorite spot and the weather has been cooperating.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports visiting public access sites over the week. Waterfowl hunters were scarce and the birds few. Area forest roads and trails were monitored as those hunters continue looking for grouse keep searching. Assistance was provided to DNR Forestry. Administrative reporting and answering a variety of questions over the phone rounded out the week. CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers, grouse hunters, and waterfowl hunters. Many people were out with the continued nice weather. Time was also spent monitoring forest roads, investigating spruce top cutting, and working on equipment.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily ATV and small-game activity. Larson checked grouse hunters, investigated a big-game complaint, and took miscellaneous wildlife-related calls. He also spent time working decorative materials around his station.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, big-game, and ATV activity. In addition, time was spent working a special firearms deer hunt inside McCarthy Beach State Park and investigating a variety of complaints that remain active. Violations encountered throughout the week included license/registration, decorative materials, and burning violations.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, trapping, and ATV activity. Fewer hunters were encountered this week. Broughten found multiple hunters preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season. Theft of spruce tops continues to be a problem in the area. Broughten also fielded calls regarding trespass, car-hit deer, and deer license questions.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) spent time checking grouse hunters and patrolling for illegal decorative materials cutting and illegal deer shining. Hunters are seeing decent grouse and woodcock numbers in the area. Enforcement action was taken for no small-game license in possession, no HIP certification, using an unplugged shotgun while hunting migratory birds, and hunting small game without a license. One grouse and three woodcock were seized.
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.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored decorative material harvest, investigated TIP complaints, and worked a shining detail. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also searched for evidence in a shining case, attended training, and searched for evidence in an ongoing investigation. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and illegal-length fish.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked small-game, ruffed grouse, and waterfowl hunters. Roadkilled deer tags were also issued. The deer on the move. Sutherland also attended a Fisheries technology group meeting where forward-facing sonar was discussed.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked sport fishing, small-game, big-game, ATV, boating, and decorative forest materials activities. Follow-up work was also conducted on pending investigations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) continued field training Conservation Officer Candidate Jake Kaden. They focused efforts on patrolling ATV trails, checking smallgame hunters,andmonitoring angling activity. Anglers had mixed reports, but some people were able to get a nice box of walleyes and panfish. CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) worked grouse hunters and waterfowl hunting during the previous week. Time was also spent investigating complaints on wildlife management areas and trespassing. Holt attended a meeting of the local Rotary Club answering questions and providing updates on CWDandtheupcomingdeer season.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) continued flight training with CO Pilot Shaw and CO Pilot Hanna. Scott also conducted shining and decorative materials flights. Follow up with recurring aircraft maintenance filled out the week.
CO Pilot Brianna Shaw (Brainerd) completed ground training for cold weather operations. Shaw assisted CO Pilot Gray and the K9 Unit on innovating safe transportation methods for future mission opportunities. Shaw also completed a solo training flight in variable wind conditions.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) patrolled multiple areas in the state looking for violations for the upcoming deer-hunting season. Hanna also provided aerial support for an officer on the ground as the officer interviewed two hunters for potential hunting violations. CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) flew several fall aerial observation flights. Gray also flew into a remote DNR cabin to remove items that are difficult to portage out. When weather wasn’t flyable, Gray spent time on the ground working fall hunters and assisted local COs with a shining detail.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) worked on improving and updating weight and balance manifests for the fleet for easier electronic use. Zeller assisted in troubleshooting aircraft maintenance and scheduled upcoming flights.
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.
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 snowmobile in Minnesota must possess 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.
