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District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports fire investigations throughout the area took up most of the week. Dry conditions aided by very strong winds made for some very active fire behavior. Residents and visitors are reminded to pay attention to burning bans within the BWCA and to be extremely cautious with campfires everywhere.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent his week patrolling his station for fishing and boating activity. He also checked grouse and waterfowl hunters.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking small-game hunters. He assisted Lake County with a call. Time was also spent in the BWCA checking anglers.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent handling wildlife-related calls. A rescue was completed with CO Ledeen and other area law enforcement in the BWCAW. Enforcement action was taken for various small-game-related violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked small-game, deer archery, and waterfowl-hunting activity during the week. Fall colors have peaked along the North Shore, bringing lots of visitors to the area for the last glimpse of fall colors. Enforcement action was taken for burning violations and state park violations.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Grouse continue to bring numbers of hunters from all over the United States to the area. Leaves hanging tight to underbrush is creating a challenge for even those using dogs. Windy conditions are also leaving what birds are being seen on edge. People target practicing are reminded to pick up your trash after you are finished. Waterfowl hunters are reporting slow activity although picking up a few for table fare.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area forest roads and public access sites. Duck hunting is non-existent due to no ducks. ATV activities were monitored. Boating and angling activities were checked. Equipment work continues. Administrative reporting is on-going.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week monitoring small game and waterfowl hunting activity, checking anglers, and monitoring ATV activity. Cooler temps and less foliage were welcomed by small game hunters, with more birds being seen in the woods. Time was also spent responding to wildlife calls, such as freeing a whitetail buck that had gotten tangled in a fence, and working on DNR facilities.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) primarily checked grouse hunters and ATVs. More grouse hunters have been hitting the trails as the leaves have started to fall off. Bird sighting have appeared to increase as well with the cooler temperatures. Larson continues to monitor ATV complaints and assisted with wildlife calls.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) Time was spent focusing on waterfowl and small game activities over the week. Duck numbers remain low but are expected to increase as strong north winds have begun to sweep over the region. Grouse hunters report steadily increasing harvest rates as understory vegetation begins to drop. CO Zavodnik also responded to a missing hunter call over the week. The hunter’s cell phone had run out of battery midday, but thankfully, several faint shotgun volleys were heard in the distance to get a general idea of where he was. The search went well into the night, but he was successfully located in a swamp near the water’s edge. The hunter was extracted from the location via a Sherp due to rough terrain.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, fishing, and ATV activity. Small game and waterfowl hunters reported limited success. Fishermen reported finding some walleyes. Very dry conditions have increased wildfire danger. CO Broughten also fielded calls regarding youth deer hunting regulations, ATV safety, and orphaned wildlife.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Vincent Brown (Northome) and COC Andrew Struffert spent time working ATV enforcement and checking anglers/hunters. Violations this week included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, transporting live fish, and not having licenses in possession.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked anglers, hunters, and ATV riders. 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, worked TIP complaints, monitored decorative material harvest, and responded to multiple water emergencies this week. Enforcement action was taken for waterfowl stamp violations, license issues, and taking decorative materials without permits.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) continues field training with COC Trevon Pietz. They visited area taxidermists and conducted inspections. They conducted two law and ethics talks at firearms safety classes. A citation and verbal warning were issued for two anglers angling in a closed area next to the Blandin Dam.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on small-game, big-game, ATV, sport fishing, boating, and migratory waterfowl activities. Numerous waterfowl hunters were contacted reporting moderate to poor success. Assistance was also given to neighboring law enforcement agencies for a lost boater. Enforcement action was taken for several hunting and boating violations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) primarily checked small-game and waterfowl hunters. Grouse hunting is steadily improving after some cold weather and windy days thinned out the foliage. Some follow-up work was completed on a couple of open cases and a taxidermy inspection was done as well.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) worked recreational vehicles and angling activity throughout the previous week. Time was also spent checking grouse, deer, and bear hunting. Holt worked with other officers in completing taxidermy inspections in the Grand Rapids area.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying numerous fire detection flights and flying a search at Voyageurs National Park. A few APM violations were noted during these flights.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) was grounded due to the frequent inhospitable weather this week. Aircraft maintenance and currency training were both attended to.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter fish stocking data and worked on his flight instructor review. Helicopters were also prepared for upcoming maintenance.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) worked on her flight instructor refresher course and performed vehicle maintenance.
Water Resource
Enforcement
WREO Dustie Speldrich (North Metro) attended LEMA Honor Guard training. Several WCA cases were closed after restoration was complete. Time was spent on nominations for the Willard Munger Water Resource Protection Officer of the Year award.
WREO Robert Haberman (North Central) worked AIS and hunting activity around Crow Wing County. A commercial inspection was conducted. Water Resource cases were investigated. A flight was conducted for a search in northern Minnesota.
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: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/instructors/training.html
