District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: early teal and goose hunting activity was very limited to non-existent in and around Ely. Bear hunting however continued and by all report’s success was high. Problem bear reports continued to be fielded near the city however and residents are again reminded to put away things like bird seed and to secure trash if possible.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent most of the week checking fishermen and watercraft operators on area lakes. He also monitored bear hunting activity. Additional time was spent patrolling for ATV, OHM, and ORV activity on area trails.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking bear hunters. Wahlstrom worked with are officers on ATV’s. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
COHudsonLedeen(Hovland) reports bear hunters in the area are starting to show success for their efforts. Many questions regarding the new licensing system have been dealt with. Time was also spent working at the MN State Fair.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the busy Labor Day weekend working the following activities: wild ricing, ATVing, boating, angling, bear hunting, early goose, and early teal. Assistance was provided to other law enforcement agencies. Time was spent patrolling in the BWCAW. A ride along was provided to an interested college student. Enforcement action was taken for numerous instances of not having a life jacket in a watercraft, unregistered OHM, unregistered bear bait, and no trout stamp.
COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring big game and angling activity. Time was spent working on a background investigation for a hiring applicant as well as handling bear hunting related calls. Time was also spent working at the state fair for security as well as the informational booth at the DNR building.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ATV, bear hunting, and angling enforcement over the busy Labor day weekend. The lakes, trails, and woods were full of late summer activity and overall compliance was very good. Bear hunters reported active bears with a few nice ones checked taken in the field.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) Spent time this week patrolling the area for bear hunting activity. Block responded to various complaints. Block also spent time at the State Fair doing K9 demos with the K9 Unit.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (International Falls #1) monitored bear hunting activity throughout the week. Some hunters reported successful hunts in the opening days of season. He took several calls with questions about bear baits in the area. Kennedy also attended a security detail at the MN State Fair for a few days.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Bear hunters were active as the season opened and were rewarded for their efforts. Reports were heard of multiple bears being on baits, and in two instances wolves and bears were taking turns chasing each other out of baits as the hunter watched from the blind. Wild rice harvesters were checked returning with their bounties. Complaints about illegal camping at a public access site, and campfires at public access sites were responded to corrective action taken. Time was spent at the MN State Fair answering a variety of questions about the new license system and changes to the way we do things as season openers approach.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports goose and teal hunting was nonexistent with no hunters found afield. Area lakes and forest roads were checked. Equipment work and administrative tasks were tended to. Holiday weekend activities were down considerably from previous years.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent the majority of the week monitoring Bear hunting activity. Many hunters reported early success with bear hunting this year. Area forest roads were patrolled and ATV activity was monitored. Time was spent on the water checking anglers and monitoring boating activity. Time was also spent working early Teal and early Goose waterfowl hunting over Labor day weekend, some birds were seen, but numbers were low. Enforcement activity this week included a number of bear baiting issues, ATV registration and equipment issues, hunting license issues, and taking Mallard out of season.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily bear hunting, ATV, and angling activity. Larson spent the bear opener checking several successful bear hunters. Bear hunting success seemed to be up with many hunters filling their tag on opener. He also worked a fire complaint and an angling complaint. Violations were related to burn without a permit, fail to validate tag, and transport uncased firearm.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, big game, and waterfowl activity. In addition, time was also spent presenting at a firearms safety class and working the early goose and teal seasons. Few waterfowl hunters reported much success, but anglers reported an improving bite as fall begins.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Time was spent checking anglers, working ATV activity, and checking waterfowl hunters over the weekend.Earlygoosehunters reported a much slower weekend when it came to early goose harvests throughout the area. CO Zavodnik and a neighboring CO encountered an early teal hunter who shot a mallard and decided to pitch it in the woods. Zavodnik also collaborated with DNR Fisheries, Wildlife, and Forestry on a news piece involving a generous donation of taxidermy specimens to the DNR divisions.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring bear hunting, waterfowl hunting, ATV and fishing activity. Bear hunters reported having good success. Few hunters were encountered during the early teal and early goose seasons. Hunters reported limited success. ATV activity was lower than expected. CO Broughtenfield calls regarding bear activity, posting requirements, and injured animals.
