District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports forest product thefts continue to be an issue in the area and time was spent assisting neighboring officers with several complaints. Hunting activity was very low as most small-game hunters have begun preparing for the upcoming regular deer season. Violations included trespass, failure to carry consent while harvesting forest products, and no fishing license in possession.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week continuing to check anglers and watercraft operators. Ihnen also patrolled for deer, waterfowl, and small -game hunters. Additional time was spent monitoring AIS compliance near area lakes and public accesses.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) assisted with the Cook County ATV safety field day. More than 30 excited students attended and enjoyed the day. He completed equipmentmaintenanceon his watercraft and responded to many questions about whitefish netting.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) spent the week checking anglers and hunters. Cooler weather has set in, and people are reminded to be prepared for the elements, especially in scenarios where self-rescue might be required. Several calls were fielded about trapping and hunting regulations. Work was also completed for seasonal equipment maintenance.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent most of the week working decorative material thefts. Time was also spent on hunting enforcement and calls for service. Enforcement action was taken for decorative material and traffic violations.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring small-game-hunting activity. Time was also spent attending a training in Grand Rapids. Wildlife-related calls and local agency assists were also handled throughout the week.
CO Trent Anderson(Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting enforcement for the week. Time was spent answering angling related questions. Equipment maintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking hunters in the area. Block also spent time patrolling for ATV activity. Time was spent completing training and working with K9 Jet as well.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) checked anglers, ATV activity, and small-game-hunting activity throughout the week. Several calls were taken regarding the upcoming firearms deer season. He took a call about an injured eagle, which he picked up and turned over to Wildlife staff for further evaluation. Kennedy also took a report of dogs chasing deer. Enforcement action for the week included operating an ATV without lights, operating an ATV without registration/decal displayed, and allowing dog to pursue big game.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) r eports d eer s eason prep continues to be a priority for most outdoor users. Some brave folks have been out plying the waters for whitefish. Slatinski also started a decorative materials theft investigation. One shack group was having a pumpkin-carving contest. The contest ended in a tie and the group requested assistance with the tie-breaking vote.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports waterfowl hunting and lack of ducks resulted in little activity noted. Area forest roads were checked, public access sites were visited, and assistance was given to other DNR divisions over the week. He’s responded to public inquires and round-the-clock phone calls over the week on a variety of outdoor topics. Other time was spent completing administrative tasks. CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking small-game hunters and anglers. He also monitored ATV activity and responded to wildlife-related calls. Complaints of ATVs on state snowmobile trails were followed up on. As a reminder, unless otherwise marked, no ATV use is allowed on snowmobile trails. Time was also spent investigating decorative materials harvest and getting ready for the upcoming deer season.
COAaronLarson(Tower) primarily worked smallgame and decorative materials enforcement.Larsonspent time checking small-game hunters around the station as well as checking for spruce top theft. Larson also spent timepreparingfortheupcoming deer season and worked on annual training.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, ATV, and decorative material enforcement. Grouse hunters continue to report few opportunities, but those willing to get out and walk trails are having more success than those sticking to the gravel. A training in Grand Rapids was attended and maintenance was completed on station equipment. CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time working on several cases regarding illegally harvested balsam boughs and spruce tops. Additionally, Zavodnik worked with a landowner who’s been having trespass issues, including duck decoys being stolen and people littering on their property. Duck hunting remains slow around the area, most likely due to warm weather.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting and trapping activity. Outdoor recreational activity was lower than expected this week. Few duck and grouse hunters were encountered. Hunters reported limited success. Warmer fall weather continued to benefit ATVusers.Deerhunterswere found prepping for the firearms deer opener. Broughten also fielded calls regarding nontoxic shot requirements and trespass.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) patrolled state forests looking for illegal decorative materials harvesting activities, checked small-game hunters, and monitored ATV activity. Wildlife-related calls were handled and questions regarding deer and waterfowl hunting were answered. Enforcement action was taken for harvesting decorative materials without a permit, no small-game license in possession, and transporting loaded firearms.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, boaters, anglers, and biggame and waterfowl hunters. 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 anglers, worked shining complaints, investigated TIP complaints, responded to trespass and decorative material thefts, and monitored trapping activity. Angler success was great this week. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also searched for evidence in an ongoing investigation and assisted with a warrant arrest. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and cutting decorative materials without permit.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked waterfowl- hunting and other small-game-hunting activity. Waterfowl activity is slow with most of the local population gone from the area. The northern birds still haven’t arrived. Sutherland also took calls of deer being hit on the roadways. Permits were issued.
COJimmyVanAsch(Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on small-game, biggame, angling, boating, and ATV activities throughout the surrounding areas. Enforcement action was taken for various angling and ATV violations.
CO TaylorHochstein(Hill City) finished field training COC Jake Kaden. The week was spent patrolling forest roads for grouse hunters and ATV activity. They also followed up on a trespassing case. Enforcement action was taken throughout the week for various minor violations. CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked big- and small-game hunting during the previous week. Time as also spent attending training and following up on TIP complaints. Holt patrolled ATV trails and monitored trapping activity.
