District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: hunting and ATV activity dipped following the busy long weekend. However, warm weather held on for another week in the Arrowhead andmanysmallgamehunters reported success. Problem wolf and bear reports continue to come in and residents are urged to be vigilant with food and attractants.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent the week checking fishing and boating activity. Officer Ihnen also patrolled for small game and waterfowl hunters. Time was also spent patrollingforATVandOHM activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked small game hunters and anglers. Hunters are finding better success with birds as the fall advances. The officer responded to calls about illegal hunting and trespassing. COMeganFranzen(Silver Bay) spent the week primarily monitoring small game hunting activity. Time was also spent conducting equipment maintenance. With leaves mostly fallen and good weather over the weekend, hunters reported increased success.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a variety of outdoor activities throughout the week, including small game, waterfowl, decorative materials, BWCAW, and angling enforcement. A waterfowl hunting complaint resulted in citations being issued for attempting to take waterfowl while under power and possession of lead shot. Other enforcement action was taken for transporting a loaded firearm in a vehicle, transporting grouse without wings, litter, and cutting decorative materials without a permit.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) worked grouse hunting and angling activity for the week. Anglers reported mixed success in windy conditions over the weekend.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors)Spenttimethisweek checking hunters throughout the area. Block reports seeing some success among small game hunters. Time was also spent at K9 training with the K9 unit. CO Block also responded to various calls and complaints.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Paul Kennedy (Int’l Falls #1) reports a slower week with few hunters afield. Groups contacted reported seeing little to no grouse in their travels. He took several calls of bears near homes in the area. Kennedy also followed up with complaints of a wetland violation.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Waterfowl have been trickling through the area with hunters waiting for the “big push.” Grouse hunters are reporting more success although still significantly down from last year. Beavers are busy touching up their wintering areas leading to flooding complaints. Water temperatures are cooling down, creating anticipation for whitefish netting to begin. CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports multiple calls regarding the new ELS system. ATV and small game hunting activities were checked over the week.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week monitoring activity in the woods. Grousehunterswerechecked. Few grouse seen continues to be the report. ATV activity was monitored, a reminder to riders that ATV use is not allowed on the majority of snowmobile trails. Decorative materials harvesting activity was monitored, along with activity related to deer hunting. Waterfowl hunters were checked. Few birds have been seen in the area lately. Time was also spent checking anglers. The bite continues to be slow for the time of year with water temps not dropping much yet. A reported forest fire was also responded to in a remote area. CO Cannon assisted with locating the fire and directing resources to the scene.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily hunting, angling, and decorative materials enforcement.COLarson spent time around his station checking grouse hunters and prepping for the upcoming deer season.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV, big game, and small game activity. Time was spent attending a special deer hunt hosted by Access North and McCarthy Beach State Park. Grouse activity continues to increase as hunters report more success each weekend.
