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District 6 - Two Harbors CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports: grouse hunting activity dropped sharply followingMEAweekendand very few grouse were seen in the Ely area. ATV activity seemed to peak as cold and possibly snowy weather was forecasted. Violations included: fail to display ATV registration, transport an uncased gun within city limits, and insufficient PFD’s on board a watercraft.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent time this week patrolling his station for fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators and small game hunters.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy week of waterfowl, angling, small game,andATVenforcement. While watching a trio of duck hunters this week, one individual wasobservedchasinga crippled duck in a solo canoe without a life jacket. Upon discharging his shotgun at the wounded duck, the hunter’s canoe capsized. Thankfully his hunting partners were able to get to him with another canoe, provide a life jacket, and assist him back to the landing where he was cold but otherwise fine. Enforcement action for the week included transporting a loaded firearm in a motorboat, several instances of loaded firearms in pickups and cars, hunting without a license, fishing without a license, litter, no PFDs, unregistered canoe, and fail to carry consent for harvesting spruce tops.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked small game and big game activity during the week. The woods were busy with hunters preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season and taking aim at a few grouse along the way. Murray investigated a report of hunter trespass and illegal timber trespass on state lands.
District 5 - Eveleth area CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports time was spent getting equipment ready for the winter. The fall fishing activity on the Rainy River is picking up, however reports of harvest are fair. Lots of people were in the woods preparing for the upcoming deer season.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Grouse hunters were out taking advantage of the great weather and reporting moderate success. Whitefish netting activity had picked up although participants are reporting that the water temperatures haven’t quite hit the sweet spot. Decorative materials harvesters are busy working on orders for the upcoming holiday seasons. Waterfowl hunters are reporting an extended lull in migration. Seasonal equipment maintenance was tended to.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area forest roads and checking public water access sites. ATV activities were checked. Duck hunting remains poor with few birds and fewer hunters. Equipment work and administrative reporting continue.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week monitoring small game hunting activity. Success continues to be mixed, with those walking trails less travelled finding more birds. Time was also spent monitoring ATV activity and checking anglers. Trespassing complaints were handled and will be followed up on, along with reports of decorative materials (spruce tops, birch poles) thefts.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily ATV, small game, and deer hunting enforcement. Larson spent most of his time checking for ATV activity on trails and took hunting complaints. He spent time preparing for the upcoming deer season.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting and ATV activity. Outdoor recreation remained high with the good fall weather. Grouse hunters reported moderate success. Waterfowl hunters reported finding few ducksorgeese.COBroughten assisted with an ATV safety class. CO Broughten also fielded calls regarding injured animals, dogs chasing deer, and trespass.
