Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer weekly reports
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and the Roseau River and patrolled area state parks. Assistance was given to a firearms safety class in Warroad, and Huener assisted with a detail in the metro area. A citation was issued to an angler using an extra line on Lake of the Woods.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area anglers, monitoring ATV traffic, and attending a district firearms safety field day. He also assisted with the search for a missing person in the Beltrami Island State Forest. Violations encountered included transporting unmeasurable fish and transporting dressed fillets.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) assisted with the recovery of a 13-year-old drowning victim, and he also participated in a detail in the metro area.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) assisted with the District 1 youth firearms safety class held in the Warroad area, investigated a violation of the Wetland Conservation Act, and patrolled for ATV violations. Enforcement action for the week included youths operating ATVs without required helmets and ATV trespass.
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports checking anglers and boaters throughout the past week. Regas noted most anglers reported a slow bite but a few anglers had success for walleyes and were rewarded with a few eater-sized walleye fishing the weed edges in 7 to 9 feet. Time was spent patrolling area recreational vehicle trails, investigating a wildfire that burned approximately 3 acres of state land, handling several wolf-depredation complaints of losing cattle to wolves, and assisting with firearms safety instruction at the District 1 firearms safety field day in Warroad. Enforcement action for the week included negligent use of fireworks causing a wildfire and angling license violations.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) was part of a work detail in the metro.
Baudette East – vacant.
Baudette West – vacant.
Thief River Falls East – vacant.
Karlstad – vacant.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports assisting other officers on a work detail out of the area this week. Time was also spent checking anglers and watercraft operators. Various angling violations were encountered.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) monitored angling activity on area lakes and assisted with a work detail in the metro area.
CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) spent the week in the metro area conducting background interviews for a candidate for the next CO Academy. Time was also spent answering miscellaneous fish- and wildlife-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for numerous off-highway motorcycle violations in which a juvenile was stopped for operating an OHM on a county road without a helmet. Parents of children with OHMs are reminded to read the regulations and make sure your child is legal and safe.
CO Brett Fox (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling for ATV, watercraft, and angling activity. Fox investigated an attack on a calf that the farmer suspected to be a large cat. Fox also facilitated a ride-along for an Itasca State Park ranger. Violations this week included watercraft-registration issues.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) attended training, assisted with a search warrant, conducted follow up on a complaint of stored property in a state forest, and assisted with a report of two trailers in a public access that had possible zebra mussels. The owners had their trailers decontaminated before pulling out the boats for decontamination as well. Follow up tests for zebra mussel confirmation is pending.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time at Camp Ripley assisting Academy staff. A wolf depredation of a calf was investigated.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking boating and fishing activity in the area. There were many people in the area during the busy We Fest weekend but not many of them ventured away from the festival and area lakes were fairly quiet. Other time was spent in the metro area for a work detail.
Perham – vacant.
Bagley – vacant.
District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Andrew Goodman (Fergus Falls) received reports of trespass and fielded general questions about new hunting regulations. Goodman continued working with a specialist on complaints and violations relayed to wetlands, public waters and aquatic plants.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) handled complaints of dogs running on a neighbor’s property and injured animals this week. Plautz worked fishing and ATV enforcement and prepared for upcoming CO Academy instruction. A background investigation is being worked on for a potential new employee.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) checked angling and boating activity throughout the week. A possible crappie-overlimit case was also worked. Calls about nuisance animals were taken and fielded.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) this past week monitored anglers and boaters while receiving numerous phone calls on various topics. A public waters violation was investigated on the shores of Rachel Lake with a DNR hydrologist. Summer lake water temperatures are at the highest level observed in several years, and a sudden algae bloom on Lake Miltona was a direct result of such temperatures. Citations for angling without a license citations were numerous this past week. He also cited a pair of personal watercraft operators for not wearing PFDs.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) focused on angling and ATV enforcement. PWC-related complaints continue to be high within the Osakis station. Znajda has received numerous raccoon-related complaints and has been educating people on methods for resolving the issue.
CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) spent the week assisting with the Academy and working on her background investigation. Wildlife-related phone calls were answered, and time was spent assisting other law enforcement agencies.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and recreational activity. Enforcement action was taken for fishing and boating related issues. Work continues on a background investigation for the Division and assistance was given to other agencies when requested.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers and ATV operators. Additional time was spent following up on wetland violations.
District 4 - Walker area
CO Michael Cross (Lake George) worked watercraft patrol, angling enforcement, ATV enforcement, and took multiple calls for service. Additionally, time was spent with the soil and water conservation district and wetlands specialist, looking into wetland violations. Enforcement action was taken for watercraft, angling, and other miscellaneous violations.
CO Jordan Anderson (Wadena) spent time on boating and ATV enforcement and completed training. Some people were finding fish, but not many people were out.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) spent most of the week out of state working on a pre-employment background investigation. Calls were also taken from people with questions related to the upcoming hunting seasons.
CO Jacqueline Hughes (Longville) attend training and responded to an injured-eagle call. She also investigated various water-related calls. Enforcement action was taken on expired registration, failure to remove boat plug, and passing in a no passing zone.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports assisting other agencies, patrolling area lakes and rivers, and conducting equipment maintenance. Some enforcement action consisted of no angling license in possession, insufficient number of life jackets, no watercraft registration, no fire extinguisher and failure to transfer watercraft.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fishing on Rainy Lake continues to be good with most people having fish in the bag. Animal-related complaints and ATV issues were handled throughout the week as well. Bear hunters are starting to prepare for this weekend as bear baiting starts. People are reminded to be thinking safety when riding ATVs. Enforcement action was taken for fishing with extra lines.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) spent time assisting with trapping enforcement instruction at the CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Other activities monitored this week include angling, boating, and ATV use. Even though summer isn’t over yet people are already starting to focus on fall activities.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reporting monitoring area lakes and rivers and checking area public access sites. Area forest roads were checked. Assistance was provided to DNR Forestry. Equipment work is ongoing.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and wetlands violations in his station. He spent time investigating both wetland violations and complaints related to boat houses. Larson also spent time assisting state park staff with violation and looking into a hunter/angler harassment case.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ATV, fishing, and boating activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Warmer weather brought out more recreational boating activity. Broughten fielded calls regarding bear-hunting regulations and ATV registration. He also assisted with youth ATV class.
Cook – vacant.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity on many of the normally popular lakes in Ely has slowed to a crawl. Angling success for smallmouth bass and northern pike continues to be strong. Violations included no fishing license in possession, no PFD on a paddleboard, and harvesting live freshwater mussels.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week patrolling area lakes and trails. Anglers were reporting a slow bite on inland lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license, failure to display watercraft registration, no license in possession, and failure to remove a drain plug.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time in the BWCAW with a DNR volunteer early in the week. ATV trails, remote lakes, and busy station lakes were worked the remainder of the week. Enforcement action was taken for cans in the BWCAW, camping not in a designated site, and unregistered canoe. The most common violations found this week were not having PFDs in watercrafts and fishing without licenses. One group was even found on a BWCAW trip without any PFDs. Thankfully, this is a rare occurrence, but of all the gear to possibly leave behind this would be at the bottom of the list.
CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) checked ATV activity and monitored issues in state parks. Boaters are enjoying the warmer waters of summer and finding cooperative fish in some spots. Canoeists are reminded that PFDs only work when you wear them. Watercraft training and enforcement details were handled. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending training with the U.S. Border Patrol. Hill also responded to the metro for a work detail. Some nice king salmon were also checked coming from Lake Superior, but the lake water temperatures dropped drastically late in the week.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Lake Superior has been producing some nice fish when light winds allow for good conditions. Murray also assisted with a detail in the metro area.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, anglers and boaters. 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 OHV activity, and performed safety inspections on watercrafts this week. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also assisted in locating a missing person, located evidence for an ongoing investigation, and tracked a suspect who fled into the woods. Angler success was fair this week. Enforcement action was taken for failure to stop at a stop sign, passing in a no passing zone, no navigational lights after sunset and no trailer lights.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity, with fishing in the area slowing down. Investigations into overlimits of walleyes were done and are ongoing. Violations were detected for driving an ATV on a non-motorized trail, failing to have valid watercraft registration, and angling without a license in possession.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) noticed that fishing success and the number of anglers in the area was down significantly, likely due to recent hot weather. Several calls were followed up on and a nuisance-bear issue was handled.
Pengilly – vacant.
NE ATV officer – vacant.
District 8 - Duluth area
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked area lakes and rivers for angling and boating activity. ATV complaint areas were worked, and violations included operating illegally in the road right-of-way, registration issues, and equipment issues were observed. He dealt with squatting campers on state property and littering/dumping complaints. Schmidt also taught the laws and ethics portion for a local firearm safety class.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) assisted with prepping a watercraft for another agency to use. He gave guidance on trespass issues involving ATV operation and fielded questions on the upcoming bear season. Duncan continued to check a few anglers and worked ATV-complaint locations.
CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) handled injured- and nuisance-animal calls and investigated another wolf depredation. ATV patrols were conducted, and Elwell prepared for the upcoming bear-baiting season.
CO Mikeena Wehr (Willow River) completed follow up on various complaints. Time was spent patrolling areas of high ATV and OHM activity.
CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week continuing work on background investigations. Time was also spent working on diversity, equity and inclusion tasks. Case law was studied for radar policy and training was given at the CO Academy. Karon continued ATV patrols in complaint areas.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
Unavailable.
Lake Superior Unit – vacant.
District 9 - Brainerd area
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Pine River) spent time patrolling local lakes for boating and angling activity. He followed up on ongoing PWC violations. He attended a detail in the metro.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked follow up on litter-dumping complaints in an area wildlife management area. Guida investigated a trespassing complaint from an area landowner. The suspect was never located. The landowner was advised to refresh the “No Trespassing” signs on the property. Guida also assisted on a work detail.
CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) spent the week instructing at Camp Ripley for the CO Academy. Time working in the boat found anglers having fair success. A background investigation for a potential new employee was worked on.
CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking anglers, boaters, and assisting at the CO Academy throughout the week.
CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) took enforcement action this week for numerous ATV-related violations. Injured-wildlife calls were handled. Best also helped out at the CO Academy.
District 10 - Mille Lacs area
CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked lake activity where low water and lush vegetation growth resulted in a lot of trailer cleaning. Fishing success was good for the middle of summer. ATV traffic was monitored, resulting in registration and helmet violations.
CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) monitored ATV and angling activity. Wetland-related complaints were followed up on. Time was also spent working a detail with other officers.
CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) assisted with CO Academy training. Cadets were taught methods and equipment used in furbearer trapping along with coinciding enforcement techniques. Benkofske also took reports of wildlife harassment, litter at public accesses, and trespassing on state land.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked fishing activity and found where some walleyes were cooperating. Trespass-related calls were taken, along with calls about bear concerns. Another young calf was killed in Benton County by a large predator. While the calf kill could not be proven to be caused by a wolf, the evidence was similar to a wolf kill. The cattle owner also had wolf pictures on game cameras from earlier in the year.
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling for aquatic invasive species, boating, and fishing activity. Time was also spent on ATV activities in the area. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV violations.
Wealthwood – vacant.
Malmo – vacant.
District 11 - St. Cloud area
CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) patrolled area lakes and rivers for boating and angling activities. Time was spent assisting at the CO Academy with use of force training. He continues working on an investigation with a local enforcement agency. Complaints of fires that were too big and continue to smolder for days was handled. Please look over your burning permits for all information on size and any other restrictions before you start the fire.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked at the CO Academy this week with trapping week instruction. He handled nuisance-animal calls and vehicle maintenance. He also monitored fishing activity.
CO Tou Vang (Pierz) gave instructions and assisted with CO Academy training at Camp Ripley. He also assisted local law enforcement.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) spent time monitoring anglers, boaters and ATV riders. Complaints have been coming in about illegal PWC activity on lakes. A work detail was attended in the metro. Enforcement activity included cutting cattails with no permit and transporting aquatic vegetation on a boat trailer.
CO Trent Anderson (St. Cloud) handled wildlife-related calls and completed equipment maintenance. A report of minnow trap theft was documented.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent the week checking anglers and boaters. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license and destroying aquatic vegetation without a permit. Time was also spent at the Academy training new officers.
District 12 - Princeton area
CO Ryan Hanna (Milaca) followed up on complaints. Wetland complaints are starting to flow with this last bit of rain we had. Wetlands are protected and people should use caution when in or around them.
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the week following up on a goose-shooting complaint on a Cambridge-area golf course. Numerous calls have been received and TIPs are being followed up with on the shooters. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the TIP line. Krauel also responded to assist in the metro.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) spent part of the week deployed on a fire in the western United States. The remainder of the week was spent following up on dispersed camping issues in the Sand Dunes State forest and patrolling area lakes. Additional time was spent working on suspected Wetland Conservation Act violations. Enforcement action for the week included driving off-road in a state forest, occupying a dispersed campsite for too long, and operating an ATV illegally. A Wetland Conservation Act cease and desist order was also issued.
CO Adam Stennett (Sauk Rapids) worked boating and angling enforcement this week. A homeowner called the sheriff’s office regarding a large trash bag that was dumped at the end of their driveway that had a terrible smell coming from it. The deputy and homeowner found the bag contained some kind of animal but they were not sure what it was. Stennett checked the area the next day and found it was the head of cow. The homeowner was advised it was not a wild animal. Stennett assisted the Sauk Rapids Sportsmen’s Club with dropping off the TIP trailer for the Benton County Fair. Other agencies were also assisted. Enforcement action for the week included no boat registration, allowing riding on the seat backs of a boat and fishing without a license in possession.
CO Clint Fitzgerald (Buffalo) worked on a background investigation.
Cambridge – vacant.
District 13 - West Metro area
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports conducting a falconry inspection for a beginner falconer. A goose-depredation complaint was received from a local farmer. The farmer was advised on options for geese destroying crops.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) worked on a pre-employment background investigation.
CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week working on a background investigation and assisting other agencies.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked angling, boating and AIS activities on metro-area lakes. He also patrolled Fort Snelling State Park and responded to calls for service regarding off-leash dogs and speeding vehicles. He assisted with a detail in the metro area.
CO Ben Ulrich (Osseo) spent the week working angling and boating enforcement as well as assisting partners and other agencies. Time was also spent following up on complaints and cases.
CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) spent the week assisting another agency. Time was also spent returning calls regarding firearms safety classes. Lerchen also continued on his background investigation.
Ft. Snelling – vacant.
District 14 - East Metro area
CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week checking anglers and boaters and doing AIS enforcement. He investigated complaints of ATV use in a state park, trespassing, and feeding deer in a prohibited area. Arntzen also assisted another agency on a law enforcement detail and handled several calls of nuisance animals.
CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) patrolled Anoka County for angling and boating activity. Salzer assisted with teaching at the ongoing CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Salzer also fielded several wildlife-related calls and assisted with a detail in the metro area.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) spent time working on an ongoing background investigation. Time was also spent assisting with a local outreach event exposing youth to outdoor recreation. Local lakes and rivers were also monitored for angling activities.
CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) spent the week monitoring anglers in the area. He also spent time doing targeted AIS enforcement. Enforcement action for the week included license violations.
CO Matt Paavola (White Bear Lake) spent time checking area shore anglers. He also assisted several local law enforcement agencies throughout the week. Enforcement action for the week included illegal possession of a deer.
Metro Officer – vacant.
District 15 - Marshall area
CO Mason Bulthuis (Madison) worked angling activity this week, checking numerous anglers in popular locations. ATV and OHM activity was also monitored. Bulthuis also spent time at Camp Ripley assisting with the CO Academy.
CO Luke Gutzwiller (Redwood Falls) fielded calls involving questions regarding the big-game and small-game-hunting regulations. Enforcement efforts were focused on boating and angling activity.
CO Dallas Cornell (Ortonville) attended Farm Fest and answered several questions regarding fish and game laws. The rest of the week Cornell patrolled the area for ATV and AIS violations.
CO Shawn Wichmann (Slayton) spent the week working angling and boating activities while becoming familiar with the area. Time was also spent assisting at the CO Academy training new officers. A reminder that anyone under age 18 is required to wear a DOT-approved helmet while riding on an ATV.
CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) worked ATV and boat and water enforcement this past week. Time was spent at the DNR information tent at Farm Fest. A background investigation continues for a potential 2024 CO Academy candidate.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, ATV, recreational boating, state park, and PWC enforcement. Assistance was given with a firearms safety field day held near Milroy. Most of the area finally received some rain over the weekend. Questions continue to be answered dealing with the new hunting regulations for this fall.
CO Dustin Roemeling (Worthington) spent the week working angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. He responded to miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints. Assistance was given to local agencies.
Benson – vacant.
Montevideo – vacant.
District 16 - New Ulm area
CO Shane Vernier (Willmar-West) spent time working ATV and angling activity. He followed up on a wetland and public waters complaint. Vernier also followed up on a waterfowl-related complaint.
CO Cassie Block (Willmar-East) spent time this week continuing efforts on a background investigation. Block also spent time patrolling for ATV activity and speaking to youth at an ATV safety class.
CO Brett Wiltrout (Hutchinson-West) spent time this week working sport fishing and ATV activity. A phone call was fielded about a turkey damaging cars north of Hutchinson. The end of the week saw continued work on a pre-employment background check and a commercial violation.
CO Zachary Larson (Hutchinson-East) spent time this past week working on a background investigation for pre-employment. Larson also worked angling, ATV, and aquatic invasive species enforcement throughout the area.
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls requesting hunting and boating law clarification. He also gave instruction at youth safety education classes and assisted other agencies. Nelson also worked angling, boating, invasive species, and ATV enforcement activities.
CO Jesse Drown (Jackson) assisted other agencies. Drown also fielded wildlife-related questions and complaints. Open investigations were finalized.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) conducted annual wildlife counts for the DNR Section of Wildlife. Anglers and recreational boaters were checked. AIS checks were completed at accesses. Wildlife and public access areas were patrolled. Other agencies were assisted with vehicle accidents.
Windom – vacant.
District 17 - Mankato area
CO Meng Moua (Spring Valley) focused on fishing, AIS, and ATV activities. Time was also spent working lakes and rivers in the surrounding area. Anglers fishing the Minnesota River had success with a mix of rough fish and catfish harvested.
CO Tyler Lusignan (Faribault) reports working boat and water safety, AIS, and checking anglers on local lakes. Lusignan is investigating an illegal-dumping complaint.
CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) continued angling, ATV and AIS enforcement this week. Henke followed up on several deer-feeding complaints in Mower County. He reminds people the CWD deer feed ban is still in effect for all of Mower County. Time was also spent assisting state and local agencies with emergency calls for service.
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 Jamie VanThuyne (Mankato #1) focused on fishing and boating activity. VanThuyne also checked watercraft for AIS compliance and assisted local agencies.
CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent the week checking fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent patrolling for AIS violations.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato #2) worked boat and water activity on area lakes and rivers. Several shore anglers were also checked throughout the week. ATV and litter violations were also addressed.
District 18 - Rochester area
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) assisted with teaching at the current CO Academy at Camp Ripley this past week. Time was also spent on angling enforcement and miscellaneous injured/nuisance-animal calls.
CO Ryan Christenson (Rochester #2) spent time checking anglers and patrolling ATV activity. Complaints of feeding deer and questions about the upcoming hunting seasons were also received.
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) worked a detail in the metro area. After returning to the station, anglers and boaters were checked on pools 7, 8 and 9. Low water conditions have made boat navigation difficult on the river. A complaint related to a bass fishing tournament was investigated.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) instructed trapping enforcement at the CO Academy this week.
Training Section
Planning is ongoing for training activities, including ordering equipment and supplies and reserving training areas at Camp Ripley.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Grand Rapids) completed sketch-mapping flights. Return-to-service flights were conducted. Requested wetland flights were completed, and upcoming survey and training flights were scheduled
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter maintenance and planning for an upcoming week of flights for MPCA. He monitored maintenance and returned a helicopter to Thief River Falls to continue the cattail spray project.
Water Resource Enforcement Officers
WREO Joseph Stattelman (NW) spent the week working on a background investigation.
Time was also spent assisting with activity in the metro area.
WREO Jeff Humphrey (NE) updated several wetland, waters, and an aquatic plant management case. He attended an AIS roundtable meeting and assisted local staff from Lake and Cook counties with AIS outreach and education at the annual Fisherman’s Picnic held in Grand Marais. Humphrey consulted with the Lake County attorney on a wetland case pending trial. Humphrey also worked public access sites for AIS and APM violations.
WREO Dustie Speldrich (North Metro) assisted with public waters, APM and WCA violations. She also attended LEMA Honor Guard meetings and training.
WREO Luke Belgard (SW) worked angling, boating, and ATV activity this week. Local state parks, WMAs, and WPAs were patrolled. Time was spent monitoring local public access sites for AIS violations. He also worked the DNR booth at Farm Fest in Redwood County.
WREO (SE) – vacant.
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.
See Also:
STAFF NOTES:
RTO Brett Oberg (SW Metro) assisted instructors with materials and planning for upcoming classes. Time was also spent getting materials and equipment for volunteer instructors. Work was continued on a variety of safety education projects.
RTO Phil George (SE Metro) worked on pre-employment background, checked anglers and assisted instructors with questions on field days.
RTO Amber Ladd (North Metro) attended a detail in the metro area and assisted with training at Camp Ripley for Academy 22
Recreational Vehicle Coordinator Bruce Lawrence assisted with evaluating scenario training for new conservation officers at Camp Ripley. Other items included meetings with Parks and Trails staff on Trail Ambassador updates, vehicle maintenance and finalizing a background investigation. Lawrence assisted Parks and Trail as an interview panelist for the off-highway vehicle planner position.
