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District 6 - Two Harbors
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports: angling activity steadily increased over the week as cold temperatures returned. Success was overall very low and very few fish were seen for early ice fishing. Violations included operating a snowmobile with excessive muffler noise, and fail to display snowmobile registration.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) focused primarily on fishing, hunting, and trapping activity. Officer Ihnen also patrolled his station for snowmobile and ATV operators.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports primarily checking trappers and trap sets during the fisher/marten season. Some success was noted, particularly with fishers. Time was also spent on angling and snowmobile enforcement and following up on deer cases. 15 area youth were certified in snowmobile safety – thanks to the volunteers and those that lent their snowmobiles for use on the course. Assistance was provided dispatching and salvaging a moose hit by a vehicle. Enforcement action for the week included hunt deer with aid of bait, driving a pickup on a designated snowmobile trail, and an unregistered snowmobile.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking trappers.
Snowmobilers are venturing out and enjoying the snow. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) focused on trapping and angling activity.
Ice on area lakes continue to improve, but snowmobile trails are in need some more snowfall. Multiple phone calls were received from people that continue to express their concern with wolves being seen near their homes.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice fishing and trapping enforcement for the week. Time was spent fielding wildlife related calls. Enforcement action was taken for various angling related violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking ice anglers and monitoring snowmobile activity. Time was also spent monitoring trapping activity as the Fisher and Pine Marten seasons came to a close. Ice anglers around the area reported varied success, and it should be noted that ice conditions are still variable across the waters.
Enforcement action was taken for angling and state park related violations.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (Int’l Falls #1) reports the pine marten and fisher trapping season in the north zone came to a close, with most trappers having some success. The ice conditions on Rainy Lake are improving however warmer weather in the forecast throughout the holiday season won’t be helpful.
People are reminded again there is no such thing as safe ice.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) Monitored trapping activity as the close of the marten and fisher season waned. One group of snowmobiles was observed transversing a local lake and reports of open water on others was heard. Don’t assume the lakes are safe for travel. Anglers and spearing groups have started to venture out with mixed reports heard.
Preparation was started for upcoming training. An instructor course was set up for anyone interested in becoming a DNR certified ATV and snowmobile youth safety instructor. Check the DNR safety class page or contact a local conservation officer for further information.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports ice remains inconsistent on are lakes, few anglers were observed over the week. Fur registrations were completed for trappers. Public access sites were monitored. Computer training and administrative tasks are on-going.
CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week monitoring trapping and ice fishing activity.
There did not seem to be as many trappers taking part this year, but those out were having good luck. Ice angling activity was steady on Vermilion; however, the bite wasn’t great. Some snowmobilers were seen, mostly sticking to the lakes, as the trails still don’t have enough snow.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and trapping enforcement. Larson spent time checking anglers primarily on Lake Vermilion, who were experiencing a slower bite. Larson spent time investigating a deer case and a trapping case.
Violations included ice shelter violations, license violations, allow youth to violate fish and game laws, and snowmobile registration violations.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked fishing, trapping, and snowmobile activity. In addition, time was spent assisting other law enforcement agencies and maintaining station equipment. Snowmobile activity remains limited with little recent snowfall.
Violations encountered included possessing illegal length northern and angling license violations.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) time was spent continuing to work on a background investigation.
Equipment maintenance and administrative tasks were also competed.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, spearing, trapping, and snowmobile activity. Few fishermen were encountered during the week. Ice conditions are slowly improving but fishermen are still reporting varying ice thickness as they travel area lakes. Lack of new snow and warmer temperatures will continue to delay the snowmobile season.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) started initial training, both ground and flight, with the new pilot in the aviation unit. He also prepared for upcoming wildlife surveys.
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) attended ice rescue training with a local Fire Department and got to take a young man Christmas shopping with “Shop with a Cop”.
CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) conducted FAA training as part of continuing education as required to keep his pilot certificate current. Flight training included stalls and other maneuvers conducted in the airplane.
NR Pilot Brad Maas(Brainerd) completed the annual trout steam beaver dam survey for the Hinckley fisheries office. Approx 25 miles of stream are flown by helicopter looking for beaver dams, which are subsequently removed for stream and fisheries health.
NR Pilot Maas also prepared for the moose survey with orientation of one of the helicopters used for the survey, and completed the annual required training.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) rescheduled a trout stream survey flight due to snow. She assisted in moving aircraft between hangars for more optimal storage. Zeller continued working on updating the helicopter training syllabus.
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
