District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: Snow and colder temperatures finally arrived in time for the muzzleloader deer opener. Hunting activity was monitored, and several hunters reported some deer although no success was found. The first snowmobilers were also seen, and riders are reminded to check their registrations before heading out.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) continued checking small game hunters and trappers this week. CO Ihnen also patrolled for fishing activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on big game investigations from the firearm deer season. The officer checked small game hunters and worked on equipment maintenance.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) spent time patrolling forest roads and trails. Smaller lakes are freezing up in quick order and should be fishable in a matter of days. Grouse hunters are reminded towearablazeorangecapand vest/coat during the muzzleloader deer season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) finished up the final phase of field training with COC Kris Ryan. Time was spent on a trespass case resulting in citations. Time was also spent on spruce top cutting complaints and investigations. A quiet muzzleloader deer opener was worked. AsDecemberbegins and there is snow on the ground,pleaseberemindedto stay off of snowmobile trails with ATVs and pickups.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and small game hunting activity across the area. Several days of snowfall midweek brought the first snowmobile riders out onto the trails, and more snow over the weekend increased the overall snowpack. Enforcement action was taken for angling related violations.
COTrentAnderson(Tofte) focused on late season grouse hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Winter has arrived and pockets of the area are covered in ice and snow. Early ice anglers are encouraged to be cautious as no ice is safe. Ice conditions are highly variable with current and snow accumulation inmind.Vehiclemaintenance was conducted.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors)Spenttimethisweek patrolling the area for hunting activity. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity. Block would like to remind folks with ice forming, to use caution as no ice is ever 100% safe.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) finished up field work and follow-up related to cases from the firearms deer season. He took several calls from hunters looking to participate in the muzzleloader deer season. Few hunters were contacted over theweekendwithmostshacks already closed for the season. Deerpossessionpermitswere issued for car struck deer in the area.
CO Curtis Simonson (Int’l Falls #2) reports working ATV activity this past week and checking small game hunters.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Calls were taken and questions answered leading up to the muzzleloader deer season and the upcoming trapping seasons. A slow start was noted for the muzzleloader opener. Decorative materials harvest complaints were taken and responded to. Although we have some ice and snow, travel on area waterways is definitely discouraged at this time.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored area forest roads and lake ice conditions, area ice conditions remain unsafe. Much like the rifle deer season, the muzzle loader deer opener proved a non-event with little activity noted. Area lake access sites were checked and computer training on going. Spare time was spent working on equipment.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) worked on finishing up some ongoing cases this week, time was also spent working on equipment and following up on some illegal decorative materials harvesting. CO Cannon also assisted on an ice rescue on Lake Vermilion. Theindividualhadgoneoutto get their dog, which had gone through the ice, and ended up needing to be rescued themselves. Please, do not go out on the ice yet, most areas are far from being safe.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time checking for muzzleloader hunting activity around the Tower area. Little activity was present in the woods over the opener weekend. Ice is progressing, but portions of lakes remain open in the area. Many lakes have capped over with ice, but remain unsafe for travel. Larson also spent time working on equipment and yearly training.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, small game, and big game activity. In addition, time was spent maintaining station equipment and tending to required annual training. Snow arrived throughout the state over the week and a thin layer of ice is starting to form on local lakes.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) continued to work with his trainee, COC Jacob Peterson as they closed out field training. They continued to investigate big game cases stemming from the firearms deer season throughout the Viginia station.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) spent time with follow- up from firearm deer season related cases, answered wildlife related calls, and questions regarding ice fishing and trapping. Calls of trespassing and decorative materials theft were taken.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) WorkedATV’s,boating, big game, small game, and fishing a ctivities. H e p atrolled area trails and campgrounds. Numerous game and fish questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) conducted follow up inspection on a waters violation, checked hunters, monitored OHV activity, investigated trespass/ theft of decorative materials and assisted the state patrol with motor vehicle accidents this week. CO Fairbanks and his K9 partner fennec also responded to a lost hunter call and assisted the county in locating suspects who fled into the woods. Enforcement action was taken for alter cross section of lake bed and operate snow mobile on roadway.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked the last few days of waterfowl season with plenty of birds around even though the season was soon to be closed. CO Sutherland worked to close out rifle deer season cases and was still giving road-kill deer tags out. Ice anglers were first observed with panfish being caught.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) – reports working big-game, small-game, angling, and decorative materials activity throughout the surround areas. Time was also spent completing pending investigations from the firearms deer season.
CO TaylorHochstein(Hill City) reports that hunting activity has slowed significantly since the close of the firearms deer season. Many ice anglers are gearing up for the upcoming season but are reminded to keep ice safety a top priority. Ice picks and other safety equipment should be brought along every time an angler ventures out on early season ice.
