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District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports although cooler and wet weather arrived in time for the weekend some of the heaviest grouse hunting activity of the season was seen. Most hunters reported seeing at least a few birds, but success was overall very poor. Violations included hunting without a license in possession and transporting a loaded firearm.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking hunters and anglers. He also focused on patrolling for boating, ATV, and off-highway motorcycle activity.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked grouse hunters, duck hunters, anglers, andATVriders.Grouse hunters are seeing moderate success, but there are very few young-of-the-year birds or spruce grouse in the mix. A fire that escaped from a fire ring at a remote campsite is under investigation. Enforcement action included transportation of a loaded firearm, transport grouse without wings, and no PFDs.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked small-gamehuntersandATV riders. Wahlstrom assisted with the laws and ethics ATV safetytalkattheCookCounty Middle School. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of grouse and license violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling hunting and angling activities. Most hunters checked had a grouse or two, but many hunters noted the lack of grouse compared to the past few years. Enforcement action was taken for hunting, fishing, and ATV violations.
COTrentAnderson(Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting and angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent on equipment maintenance. Area hunters continue to note lower-than-expected grouse numberswithfewyoungbirds being seen.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked small-game hunting and waterfowl activity during the week. Fall colors are now past peak and leaves are rapidly falling improving sight ability for grouse hunters. Fire restrictions were on for most of the area as the area was in extremely dry conditions. Murray investigated an incident of trespass and illegal burning activity.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports the weather in the north woods has turned to more fall-like conditions. Grouse hunters continue to have difficulty finding any number of birds for the bag. Fall fishing activity on the Rainy River is starting to pick up. Enforcement activity for the week involved mainly ATV violations.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports checking anglers, smallgame hunters, and waterfowl hunters this past week.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) completed annual training and attended services for National Park Ranger Grossheim.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports fire danger is extreme, and campfires now are prohibited. Multiple fires occurred in the area over the week. ATV and hunting activities continue to be monitored. Area forest roads were checked, as were public access sites. Duck hunting continues to remain nonexistent due to a lack of birds. Equipment work is ongoing.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of this week checking small-game hunters, anglers, ATV activity, and those getting in on the last week of bear hunting. Weather was cooperating for most of the week, with many people out in the woods and on the lakes, along with some much-needed rain this weekend.
COAaronLarson(Tower) worked primarily smallgame, waterfowl, and ATV enforcement. Larson has noticed a big increase in grouse-hunting pressure in his station, but success has been spotty. Larson investigated complaints of illegal hunting activity and responded to a state park complaint. Leaves have really started to drop, making visibility in the woods much better.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating a small-game complaint over the week. Additionally, Zavodnik assisted as an Honor Guardmemberthroughthe week in remembrance of U.S. NationalParkServiceRanger Kevin Grossheim.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, fishing, and ATV activity. Hunters and anglers reported limited success. Broughten also fielded calls regarding nuisance animals and ATV regulations.
District 7 - Grand Rapids CO Vinny Brown (Northome) spent time checking grouse and waterfowl hunters. He also spent time responding to wildlife- and TIP-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of crappies, camping at a public access, transporting fully dressed grouse, and taking grouse with no small-game license. Grouse and crappies were seized in connection to the above-mentioned violations.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, anglers, and hunters. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.
COMikeFairbanks(Deer River) and COC Andrew Struffert spent time checking anglers and hunters. Violations this week included no federal duck stamp in possession and not having a permit present while bough cutting. Enforcement action was taken for two anglers possessing two illegal-length northern pike.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) finished training with COC Pietz and sent him onto his third training area. Sutherland performed a field site visit for a filled-in wetland and excavated lake area over the past week. Sutherland worked duck-hunting activity in the area with northern ducks from Canada starting to show up. Sutherland also performed taxidermy checks.
CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) and COC Wehking focused enforcement efforts on angling, migratory waterfowl, boating, smallgame, and ATV activities throughout the surrounding areas. TIP complaints were also fielded and investigated, as well. Enforcement action was taken for several angling, hunting, and boating violations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) primarily checked small-game hunters this week. Time was spent training COC Franzen, and a coupleofdayswereworkedin the Silver Bay station, where grousehunterswerereporting success. Enforcement action was taken for small-game and ATV violations.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked small-game hunters and ATV riders during the previous week. Time was also spent on TIP complaints and littering complaints. Holt met with the Itasca County Trails Task Force to discuss trails and recreational vehicle safety.
