DNR Conservation Officer weekly reports
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) continued the field training process with COC Cannon. They investigated a wildfire in Kittson County that burned over 100 acres, and assisted local law enforcement with several calls throughout the week. Officers continued working bear-baiting activity this week. Violations encountered included unregistered bait, non-biodegradable materials in bait, untagged bait barrels and leaving a trail camera in a wildlife management area. Anglers were checked on Lake of the Woods, and the main violation encountered was no fishing license in possession.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers, monitoring ATV traffic, and working with the U.S. Coast Guard. Violations encountered were failure to display watercraft registration, no license in possession, angling with extra lines, and making a false statement on an angling license.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) continued field training with COC Carlson. They taught the law and ethics portion of the Thief River Falls firearms safety class and monitored ATV use, bear baiting and angling activity. Enforcement action was taken for expired ATV registration, angling with an extra line, and bear-baiting violations.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports monitoring angling and bear-baiting activity throughout the past week. Time was spent handling calls of bears causing damage to crops, patrolling area recreational vehicle trails and monitoring the wild rice harvest activities. No PFDs topped the list of violations encountered and addressed this past week, along with public-land trespass by bear hunters cutting shooting lanes, and harvesting decorative birch poles on Buena Vista State Forest land without a permit.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports sporadic activity on bear baits in the area. Time was spent patrolling for illegal bear baits as well as ATV activity.
Baudette East – vacant.
Baudette West – vacant.
Thief River Falls East – vacant.
Karlstad – vacant.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) continued field training with CO Bruesewitz. Area lakes were monitored for angling and boating activity. Time was spent checking bear baits and completing deer farm inspections.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week working boating and ATV patrol. Swedberg patrolled area forests for bear-hunting activity as well. Many people were seen and most were law-abiding. Other time was spent investigating a complaint of illegal burning.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) continued work on a background investigation for the 2024 CO Academy.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) monitored bear baits and worked ATV enforcement and ongoing cases. Peterson also spoke to a firearms safety class about laws, safety and ethics.
Perham – vacant.
Bagley – vacant.
District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Andrew Goodman (Fergus Falls) completed equipment inventory and maintenance in addition to fielding questions about the upcoming hunting seasons. ATV and angling enforcement remained the primary focus before hunting seasons begin to kick off next weekend. Enforcement action included ORV and ATV operation and registration violations and an ATV DWI arrest.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) continues to work on a background investigation for a potential employee. Plautz investigated the illegal use of an ATV in a WMA and checked bear baits in the area. Anglers and boating safety equipment were checked.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) worked a detail at the State Fair. He also did maintenance on state vehicles.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) continued field training with COC Scholz. Area lakes saw heavy activity. Many good contacts were made with anglers and boaters. Enforcement action included having northern pike within the protected slot and operating a PWC after legal hours. COs also worked the State Fair booth and answered a variety of questions. The annual Youth Outdoor Day was worked. It was a huge success and there were thousands of attendees.
Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent her time working mostly angling and boating safety. Anglers report having good luck finding panfish. Various violations were encountered throughout the week.
CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) spent the past week working on her background investigation and scouting for birds for the upcoming early goose/teal season. She also assisted CO Caleb Silgjord with a firearms safety field day.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) continued working on a background investigation. Questions were answered regarding ATV regulations.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and boaters. Additional time was focused on checking ATV operators and following up on wetland violations and burning complaints.
District 4 - Walker area
CO Jordan Anderson (Wadena) spent time patrolling area lakes and trails. Fishing and boating activity was slow over the weekend, but a few people were finding fish. Time was also spent completing training and equipment maintenance.
CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) continued field training a new conservation officer. The officers patrolled Cass County lakes throughout the week for angling and boating activity. The officers worked with a DNR hydrologist regarding a complaint about a dock that was possibly obstructing navigation waters. Numerous violations were detected and addressed.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked bear baits and worked on a background investigation of a CO applicant. Mathy also assisted in teaching a firearms safety class. Calls from people with questions regarding the early teal season and bear hunting were answered.
CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) checked ATV and angling activity. She responded to an injured-coyote call, an injured-osprey call, and assisted with a medical incident.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports attending monthly K9 training at Camp Ripley. He also participated in several K9 demonstrations at the Minnesota State Fair with the K9 Team.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) continued field training COC Jahn. Time was spent on bear-baiting enforcement and fishing enforcement. Enforcement action was taken on bear-baiting violations. A wildlife complaint regarding a great horned owl was handled.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) fielded questions about the upcoming bear season along with other hunting and recreational changes. Administrative tasks were tended to.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports checking bear-baiting activity. Numerous inquiries on wild rice were received. Angling and boating activities were checked. Some geese have shown up, but very few local ducks were observed.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily bear-hunting enforcement. Larson spent time checking bear baits and checking anglers around his station. He also spent time following up on complaints related to public waters, wetlands, and public lands.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling enforcement. In addition, time was spent continuing to monitor bear-bait stations, completing training, and attending an ATV club event. Violations encountered included ATV speed, taking fish with an angling license, and bear-bait violations.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time working on a complaint involving a dumped watercraft on private property during the week. He also completed a snowmobile lesson plan for future Academy use. Several bear-bait stations were checked for compliance as well.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, ATV, and bear-baiting activity. Recreational activities appeared lower this week. Anglers continued to report limited success. Bear hunters reported baits getting hit regularly. Broughten also assisted local law enforcement with a felony warrant arrest.
Cook – vacant.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports a fair amount of angling activity and success was seen over the weekend. Bear baiting continued to increase, but overall bear activity seems to be down. Violations included failure to display watercraft registration, no PFD on a watercraft and no fishing license in possession.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week focusing on bear-baiting activity. The officer also patrolled in the BWCA checking anglers. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent most of the week inspecting bear-bait stations. Ledeen also spent time working at the State Fair. Lots of people asked great questions and shared fun stories about the outdoors.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued field training with COC Nick Ambroz. Bear-baiting, ATV, boating, and angling enforcement was conducted. Violations included angling with extra lines, angling without licenses, failure to transfer ownership of boats and ATVs, insufficient PFDs, driving after revocation and ATV speed. A TIP complaint was also investigated.
CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) checked bear baits as hunters get ready for the first of many fall seasons. Anglers are still out on the waters, and ATV trails saw consistent activity. One ATV group stopped had no idea that ATV safety would be required for their juvenile. Riders are encouraged to review the regulations before riding. Enforcement action was taken for boating and ATV violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked bear baiting and angling activity during the week. Lake Superior continued to see good fishing this week with some nice salmon and lake trout being caught. Fall colors are starting to show in the maple trees and cool nights are signaling a change to the fall season.
Ely #2 – vacant.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers and monitored bear-baiting activities. Numerous teal-related hunting questions were answered and TIP calls were investigated. An individual without a fishing license was found in possession of five sunfish. A citation was issued for taking fish without a license and the sunfish were seized.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, boaters, and anglers. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored wild rice activity, and worked bear baiting. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also provided a demonstration at the State Fair. Enforcement action was taken for a license violation, ricing during closed hours, and failure to display registration on a watercraft.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked anglers in the area. They had limited success as fall fishing patterns are starting to set up. Sutherland gave a talk to the Itasca inter-governmental group explaining the duties of a conservation officer. Sutherland also prepared equipment for fall sporting seasons.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and boating safety during the previous week. Time was also spent working at the Minnesota State Fair. Holt investigated TIP complaints and monitored recreational vehicles.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) talked with several people who had placed bait for bear hunting. Most hunters have had limited activity at their bait piles, likely due to a large number of acorns that have been dropping in the area. Enforcement action was taken of operating an ATV on a state highway, not having enough PFDs onboard a watercraft, and expired watercraft registration.
Pengilly – vacant.
NE ATV officer – vacant.
District 8 - Duluth area
CO Jake Willis (Brookston) working angling activity this week. Willis also worked multiple shifts assisting with policing at the Minnesota State Fair. Multiple regulatory and complaint-related calls were fielded.
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) and COC Saewert spent time enforcing ATV laws throughout the week. A citation was issued for failure to transfer title of an ATV within 15 days. The officers assisted teaching a youth firearms safety class in Malmo. The officers investigated a littering/trespassing complaint. Time was spent patrolling Fish Lake. Several warnings were issued for various violations.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) and COC Aimee Hand started the week investigating a public waters complaint. Investigation into a trespass complaint was also started and included follow up with the landowners. A firearms safety field day was held in Wealthwood and 21 students were moved through multiple stations covering items including shoot-or-don’t-shoot scenarios, trespassing, and safe gun handling. The week ended with angling enforcement on the St. Louis River and Lake Superior.
CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored bear baiting and ATV activity this week. Calls with questions about upcoming hunting seasons were answered, and wild rice harvesters were checked. Enforcement action this week was taken for ATV, OHM and wild rice-related violations.
CO Mikeena Wehr (Willow River) worked sport fishing, boating, ATV/OHM, open burning, and big-game activity this week. Enforcement action was taken for various violations, which included failure to extinguish a campfire. Remember that all fires need to be completely extinguished before leaving the area. Dousing the fire with water and stirring helps ensure that the fire is out. Completely extinguished fires will be cool to the touch.
CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week finishing background investigations. A possible wolf-depredation call was investigated. Karon worked at the Minnesota State Fair. ATV patrol was done and bear baits were checked. An unattended fire was addressed in the state forest and extinguished.
Carlton – vacant.
Hinckley – vacant.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
Unavailable.
Lake Superior Unit – vacant.
District 9 - Brainerd area
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked as the primary field training officer for COC Jamis Veit. The two patrolled area lakes and fielded calls relating to AIS violations and injured animals. A work detail on Mille Lacs Lake was done and angling license, overlimit, and special size regulations were enforced. An evening patrolled yielded numerous personal watercraft violations including operating after hours, without a required fire extinguisher and the new rules decal.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Pine River) spent time patrolling for ATV and angling activity. He completed training for an upcoming assignment in the metro. He would like to remind hunters to purchase their licenses early and ensure their equipment is ready for the upcoming seasons.
CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking anglers and boaters throughout the past week. Enforcement action included license violations and failure to remove drain plugs from watercraft during transport. The recreation area was busy over the weekend with near-record attendance for the Cuyuna Crusher races.
CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) worked on a background investigation for a possible new hire. He assisted other officers with a field day firearms safety class at the Wealthwood Rod and Gun Club.
District 10 - Mille Lacs area
CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) checked ATV riding activity, bear baiting, and wild ricing activity. Enforcement action was taken for burning prohibited materials, unlawful dirt bike operation, angling without a license, and failing to remove a drain plug. Benkofske also assisted other local COs with a youth firearms safety field day event.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked fishing regulations on Mille Lacs, focusing on the night-ban regulation. Nuisance-bear issues were followed up on. Starr also fielded numerous calls about the new laws and clarification of deer limits. Nuisance beavers were also dealt with.
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling for aquatic invasive species, boating, fishing, bear baiting, wild rice harvesting, and ATV riding activity. The officer also assisted with a couple of firearms safety classes at the Wealthwood Rod and Gun Club and provided a ride-along opportunity for a local student. The officer also found some successful wild rice harvesting in the area.
Wealthwood – vacant.
Malmo – vacant.
District 11 - St. Cloud area
CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) patrolled area lakes and rivers for angling and boating activities. He received a trapping complaint with enforcement action taken. He spoke with a concerned party about a dumping complaint in the area. Investigation continues on an out-of-state violation. Enforcement action was taken on an ATV rider who was operating in a wildlife management area.
CO Tou Vang (Pierz) monitored ATV activity, patrolled public water access and checked for AIS compliance, checked bear bait stations, and conducted commercial deer farm inspections. Enforcement action was taken for allowing illegal youth operation of a Class II ATV, youth on an ATV without a helmet, various ATV registration violations, operating an ATV without ATV safety training, and operating a Class II ATV in the lanes of traffic.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) followed up with deer season and waterfowl hunting questions. The officer worked with neighboring officers with new equipment. The officer assisted with a firearms safety class and at the State Fair.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) continued training new CO Derek Peterlin. Anglers and boaters were worked on area lakes. Time was spent inspecting weed roller permits along with hydraulic jets on lake shores. A DNR firearms safety class was conducted in the Sauk Centre/Melrose area. Officers worked the DNR info booth at the State Fair and also participated in a radio show at the fair. Enforcement activity included no PFD, no weed roller permit, illegal-length northern pike and various boat equipment violations.
CO Trent Anderson (St. Cloud) focused on angling and boating enforcement for the week. Time was spent at the State Fair and instructing alongside neighboring officers at a youth firearms safety class in Sauk Center. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, and various boating related violations.
CO Leah Kampa (Annandale) spent time monitoring angling and AIS activity. Miscellaneous wildlife-related calls were handled. A public water violation was investigated. Time was spent teaching at a firearms safety class.
District 12 - Princeton area
CO Adam Stennett (Sauk Rapids) worked anglers this last week. Attention was also paid to areas for the upcoming fall hunting seasons. An aquatic plant management complaint was investigated and illegal camping on state forest land was also looked into.
CO Blong Lor (Center City) spent the week working anglers. Lor also worked recreational boaters. Time was also spent presenting at a firearms safety class in Cambridge.
CO Ryan Hanna (Milaca) assisted with a complaint in the Sand Dunes State Forest. Multiple littering complaints were received where people left large amounts of trash on the side of the road. It’s important for people to understand that leaving trash on state property is illegal.
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the week checking anglers. Krauel also worked security details at the State Fair and did K9 demos at the State Fair.
Cambridge – vacant.
District 13 - West Metro area
CO Thephong Le (ELCO) checked anglers and returned calls regarding hunting regulations. He assisted with work details at the State Fair.
CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) assisted with the security detail at the State Fair. Time was also spent putting the final touches on his background investigation. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing.
CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week continuing to work on an applicant’s background investigation. He worked security shifts at the Minnesota State Fair.
CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Mound) focused on a background investigation during the week. In addition to continuing work on the background investigation, he also assisted at the State Fair.
CO Ben Ulrich (Osseo) spent the week working angling and boating enforcement as well as following up on complaints. Time was also spent dealing with feeding ban and wetland complaints.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) worked a security detail at the Minnesota State Fair. Fogarty also took phone calls in relation to wildlife-related complaints and hunting questions. Fogarty talked about regulations to a group of adults learning to hunt.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) spent part of the past week assisting with security operations at the Minnesota State Fair. Additionally, time was spent monitoring local lakes for the upcoming waterfowl seasons. Water levels are very low so hunters should check ahead to see if lakes can actually be accessed before the openers arrive.
Ft. Snelling – vacant.
District 14 - East Metro area
CO Matt Paavola (White Bear Lake) patrolled area lakes for angling and boating activity. He also spent time instructing a firearms safety course in Lino Lakes and worked the DNR booth at the State Fair. Enforcement action for the week included angling without a license, operating an unregistered watercraft and insufficient number of PFDs.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) spent time checking anglers and boaters on local lakes and rivers. Time was also spent teaching safety classes and handling various wildlife-related complaints. A trespass investigation was initiated and local hunting areas were patrolled in preparation for upcoming seasons.
CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) assisted with getting the TIP trailer and other equipment to the State Fair. Salzer also assisted with a detail at the fairgrounds. Salzer received questions regarding trapping and hunting.
CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week patrolling area lakes checking boaters, anglers and doing AIS enforcement. He continued field training COC Frisch and also investigated several TIP calls. Violations for the week included insufficient PFDs onboard, no registration, fishing without a license, failure to remove drain plug and failing to register a bear-bait station.
CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) spent the week assisting operations at the State Fair. He also returned calls to the public and patrolled area lakes and rivers for anglers. No enforcement action to note this week.
CO Chris Tetrault (Maplewood) continued with an ongoing background investigation for a potential new hire. Equipment maintenance was conducted on various state-issued equipment for the upcoming season changes and openers. A handful of phone calls were fielded about regulations and law-related questions.
Metro Officer – vacant.
District 15 - Marshall area
CO Mason Bulthuis (Madison) focused on ATV and angling activity this week. Numerous ATV and OHM operators were checked as the Appleton OHV Park saw a busy weekend after a week of hot weather subsided. Anglers continue to find limited success, although popular fishing locations continue to see consistent use. Bulthuis also addressed several questions this week regarding the upcoming early teal and early goose season. Bulthuis reminds hunters to review this year’s waterfowl hunting regulations prior to the Sept. 2 opener for early teal and early goose.
CO Dustin Roemeling (Worthington) spent the week working angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. Assistance was given to local agencies. Hunters are preparing for the upcoming dove, early teal and goose seasons locally.
CO Shawn Wichmann (Slayton) spent the week checking for area anglers and monitoring ATV traffic. Questions were fielded related to the upcoming dove, early teal and goose seasons.
CO Dallas Cornell (Ortonville) focused enforcement efforts on ATV activity throughout his station and at the Appleton ATV Park. Boating activity and AIS were worked on Big Stone Lake. Waterfowl-hunting questions were fielded regarding the upcoming opener.
Benson – vacant.
Montevideo – vacant.
District 16 - New Ulm area
CO Jesse Drown (Jackson) patrolled Jackson County’s WMAs and waterfowl production areas. Questions regarding early goose and teal season were answered and complaints were fielded. Assistance was provided to local agencies. Drown also worked the info booth at the State Fair.
CO Luke Gutzwiller (Windom) spent time with K9 Earl at the State Fair. The DNR K9 Unit conducted multiple K9 demos throughout the weekend. K9 Earl enjoyed meeting people and showcasing his skills used in the field with his daily duties. Time was also spent training at Camp Ripley.
CO Cassie Block (Willmar East) spent time this week continuing efforts on a background investigation. Time was also spent patrolling the area and monitoring ATV activity. Block also fielded various questions about upcoming hunting seasons.
CO Nick Klehr (Litchfield) has been field training COC Dingmann. They patrolled area lakes for boating and fishing activity. They spoke with a local landowner who had questions about minnow traps. Assistance was provided to Wright County Sheriff’s office for a vehicle off road.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) attended the Fairmont Pheasants Forever conservation youth day. Many events were held and many youth and their families attended. Lots of questions were answered regarding upcoming hunting seasons and laws. Public properties were patrolled. Anglers were checked and AIS inspections were completed.
CO Zachary Larson (Hutchinson East) worked the DNR information booth at the Minnesota State Fair this past week. Larson also continues to work on a background investigation on a candidate for the next CO Academy.
CO Shane Vernier (Willmar) continued Phase 1 of field training with COC Manteufel. The week focused on boating and water safety enforcement and sport fishing. ATV enforcement action was taken and a follow up on information provided about personal property left overnight at a public water access was conducted.
CO Brett Wiltrout (Hutchinson – West) spent time this week working the DNR info booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Other activities included completing a wetland violation case and working shore anglers. The end of the week included phone calls about public hunting lands and assisting Parks and Trails with questions about park violations related to campers.
Redwood Falls – vacant.
District 17 - Mankato area
CO Tyler Lusignan (Faribault) reports working boat and water safety and checking anglers on local lakes. Lusignan is investigating a case of cutting aquatic plants and not removing them from the lake.
CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked anglers and ATV riders this week. Lots of questions coming in about upcoming fall hunting seasons. Howe addressed a group of people illegally camping and storing equipment on a public water access site. COs Howe, VanThuyne, and Wiebusch helped officers from local police departments and sheriff’s offices put on a youth firearms all day field and range day for firearms safety students.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato #2) assisted with a youth field day in the district. ATV activity was worked as complaints continue to filter in. Some fishing, boating and AIS work was also worked in the area.
CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) checked boaters, anglers and ATV operators during the week. He patrolled aquatic management areas, wildlife management areas, state parks, and waterfowl production areas.
CO Meng Moua (Spring Valley) focused on fishing, ATV, and boating activities. The high temperatures kept many activities to a minimum this past week. Kayaking picked up and was busy over the cooler weekend. Time was also spent assisting with a firearms safety class in Spring Valley.
CO Jamie VanThuyne (Mankato #1) focused on fishing and boating activity. VanThuyne also assisted at a youth firearms safety class and checked watercraft for AIS compliance.
District 18 - Rochester area
CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) finished a background investigation for the hiring process. Time was spent checking angler and boating activity. Schneider also assisted at the State Fair.
CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) continues to field train COC Matt Brodin. During the week they checked anglers on shore and boats on the Mississippi River Pool 4 and Lake Pepin. The high temperatures may have deterred some people from coming out, however they were able to find some dedicated anglers catching fish. Officers checked one boat when they noticed a bobber floating near the bow of a boat with a perch on the hook with no fishing line coming from the boat. It turns out it was attached to a rod and reel that had accidentally fallen over without the anglers noticing. The owner was very happy and told the officers his grandson would have been very disappointed if he had lost it.
CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly anglers during the week. Heyn also handled other calls and prepared for the upcoming hunting seasons. A number of calls and questions were answered as well.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) spent time on angling enforcement as well as getting equipment ready for the fast approaching waterfowl season. Kyllo attended a Rochester City Park Hunt hunter orientation meeting and answered questions regarding deer-hunting regulations. Online training was completed.
CO Ryan Christenson (Rochester #2) fielded several calls regarding the upcoming hunting seasons. Time was spent checking anglers, ATV riders, and wildlife management areas. Activity slowed with the heat.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports working security details at the State Fair. Time was also spent dealing with dogs wandering loose, ATV trespass and upcoming deer season questions. Boyum fielded calls about trail cameras and deer stands on private property without permission.
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) continued field training COC Levi Brown. They checked shore anglers and patrolled into the Winona station on the river. While there they checked shore anglers and boat anglers. Enforcement action was taken for violations regarding angling. During the week they conducted a deer farm inspection. Throughout their travels they stopped multiple ATV riders for various violations.
Training Section
Planning is ongoing for training activities, including ordering equipment and supplies and reserving training areas at Camp Ripley.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Bob Geving (Mankato) worked on a pre-employment background investigation and attended to other administrative tasks.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) worked at the State Fair, checked anglers and trained for future flights.
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports working on FAA web based training courses and checking area shore anglers.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) finished the last plots for this year’s cattail spraying project near Appleton. Other sites south near Heron lake and Windom were dropped due to drought conditions and cattail plants beginning to senesce. He also worked on clean up and removal of spray equipment and some helicopter maintenance items, and administrative tasks.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Grand Rapids) reports wild rice survey flights were rescheduled. Enforcement flights were scheduled for requested checks by COs. Duluth Civil Air Patrol cadets toured the Grand Rapids hangar and learned about aviation careers with the DNR.
Standby CO Pilot Jake Willis (Grand Rapids) organized a hangar tour for the Duluth Civil Air Patrol Cadets at the Grand Rapids hangar. The cadets got to see the aircraft and use the Kodiak Simulator.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) assisted in removing the cattail equipment from the helicopter. She was present for the Duluth Civil Air Patrol cadets’ tour of the DNR hangar and spoke about how helicopters are used in natural resource work. She also met with people from several agencies to discuss the potential for future projects.
Water Resource Enforcement Officers
WREO Dustie Speldrich (North Metro) assisted field officers with ongoing Wetland Conservation Act complaints. She also patrolled for bear-baiting activity and ATV violations. Enforcement action was taken for passengers under 18 without a helmet.
WREO Joseph Stattelman (NW) spent the week working on open cases. The majority of attention and time was spent on a background investigation and gathering final information for summary report.
Enforcement Education
Please check the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Education Courses and instructor training sessions.
If you missed a fall class and are over 18, check online for the online course information. (It’s also at www.mndnr.gov.)
Please check the DNR website www.mndnr.gov for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth and Adult Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions.
Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
Reminder: Anyone born after December 31, 1979 cannot purchase a license to hunt in Minnesota without first taking a DNR Safety Training Course and receiving a certificate. In addition, many states have even more stringent mandatory Hunter Education requirements. Check before you go!
Reminder: Any resident born after December 31, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota must possess a snowmobile certificate. Two options are available to complete certification. Ages 11 and older can take the online course and hands-on day or attend the traditional youth course. Those 16 or older can take the online course.
Reminder: Anyone born after July 1, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training online course. People under age 16 must complete the ATV online course and riding component before riding on public lands. Please direct questions to 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.
SCHEDULED INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SESSIONS
If you are 18 or older and would like to become an instructor for Snowmobile Safety, ATV Safety, Firearms Safety, Trail Ambassador or one of the Advanced Hunter programs, contact your local conservation officer or regional safety training officer. Instructor clinics are scheduled throughout the state and are listed on the DNR website.
