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DNR Conservation Officer weekly report ending February 10

District 6 - Two Harbors area
CCO Sean Williams (Ely #1) continued to focus on angler and snowmobile activity through the week. Fewer anglers were seen as success continued to slow and many lakes patrolled had few or no people. Violations included failure to display current snowmobile registration and no angling license in possession.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) attended training at Camp Ripley during the week. He also worked angling and snowmobile activity.
CO Tom Wahlstrom (Grand Marais #1) attended annual training at Camp Ripley. Trout lakes and snowmobilers were worked throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for multiple snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily snowmobile and angling enforcement this past week and attended the annual awards and training conference at Camp Ripley. Bermel came across a lone snowmobiler after dark who was standing on the trail after he had gone off trail and crashed into several smaller trees, causing damage and minor injury. Speed and alcohol consumption appeared to be factors and appropriate enforcement action was taken. The rider was very fortunate the crash wasn’t much worse. This is a good reminder that alcohol and snowmobiling don’t mix. It is also imperative to stay on the right side of the trail, especially on corners and hills, as this seems to be a continual problem.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and snowmobile activity. He also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports putting on many miles this past weekend on the snowmobile trails as gorgeous weather graced the North Shore. Compliance with snowmobile laws was outstanding with only one citation being issued to a rider for violating multiple laws. Ski pass compliance is getting better as word is getting out that officers are putting their time in checking passes. Time was put into cases from this past fall and equipment maintenance was handled. Hill also attended training at Camp Ripley.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports attending annual the annual Enforcement Division awards and training conference at Camp Ripley. Snowmobiling and ice fishing continue to be the main focuses of work activity. Animal-related complaints and a report of a bear possible being killed illegally were investigated.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) followed up on abandoned property left on public lands and attended training at Camp Ripley. He also checked anglers, snowmobile activity, and trapping activity, and assisted with a medical emergency on Rainy Lake.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) checked area snowmobile trails, monitored area forest roads, and checked area lakes. Little angling activity noted. Snowmobile activity was light. Computer work and administrative tasks were completed.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers and snowmobile riders, finished a deer-license-violation case, monitored a fishing tournament and a vintage snowmobile run with over 200 sleds, and attended training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines, fish house violations, unlawful party hunting, taking deer with an invalid license, taking deer over the limit, and snowmobile violations consisting mainly of registration and speed.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the past week monitoring fishing and snowmobiling activity. Anglers reported limited success this past week.

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