Conservation Officer Report Compiled By Richard Sprouse, Minnesota DNR Weekly Conservation Officer Report from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Report Fish & Game Violations Call T.I.P. at 1-800-652-9093 or Cell #TIP	Find out what Riley is reading about! Subscribe today!

CONSERVATION OFFICER WEEKLY REPORT
8-30-10

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored bear baiting activity and prepared for the upcoming season. A wolf depredation complaint was investigated. CO Huener also prepared for the upcoming waterfowl and sandhill crane seasons. 

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) checked area fishing activity and monitored bear baiting.  Nuisance animal complaints were addressed and follow up was conducted on an open investigation. 

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued monitoring bear baiting activity and area angling. Catfish success in the area is rising. Woinarowicz performed equipment maintenance, answered questions on the upcoming youth deer season, and conducted a gray wolf depredation investigation. Enforcement action for the week included baiting with non-biodegradable bait and failure to register bear baits.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked bear baiting activity. Angling and boating checks were performed on the Red Lake River. Questions about angling licenses and deer season were answered. WMAs and public accesses were monitored for activity. Officer Warren patrolled areas for ATV activity and performed equipment maintenance.  

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) investigated a trespass complaint and monitored bear baiting activity. ATV trails were checked and a boat & water safety detail was worked. CO Backer followed up on an over limit of panfish complaint. Enforcement activity for the week included license violations and boat & water safety violations.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored bearing baiting activity in the Kelliher and Waskish areas. Several nuisance bear complaints were handled. A boat and water safety detail was worked on Upper Red Lake. 

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored bear baiting activity throughout the week. Bear hunters are reporting an increase in bear station “hits” as their stations become more established. Fishing continues to be good on Lake of the Woods, but high winds have kept most anglers off the water. A possible public waters violation was investigated, and an injured deer complaint was handled.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports bear baiters are seeing mixed results at their bait sites.  Anglers are having some success on area lakes and rivers. Nuisance animal issues were addressed. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) checked anglers, boaters, and ATVs. Angler success is improving but the walleyes are still deep. Wild rice crops and bear baiting activity were monitored. Several nuisance bear complaints were received. The officer assisted North Dakota Game and Fish investigators with a license fraud investigation.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports better success by walleye anglers. Water levels remain high on the Red River. Catfish anglers believe the high water is slowing the bite. An illegal dumping of material in a wetland complaint was investigated. Enforcement action was taken for using too any angling lines and no life jackets in a watercraft.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) investigated a complaint of a wolf killing two dogs.  Anglers, boaters, and bear baiters were checked. Some disputes involving bear baiting were also investigated. APM sites, public waters alteration sites, and wetland alteration sites were inspected. A number of aquatic plant removal permit sites where weed rollers are in use have been identified as violating the permit conditions, and enforcement action taken. The officer assisted with Use of Force instruction for conservation officers in SE MN. 

CO Al Peterson (Osage) checked bear baits, anglers, boaters, and ATVs. A wolf depredation complaint was investigated.

Bemidji #1 - vacant.

District 3 - Fergus Falls area

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) gave a law & ethics presentation for the Underwood Firearms Safety Class during the week. Richards monitored a good panfish bite on an area lake. Enforcement action was taken for angling, PWC, and ATV violations. Aquatic plant removal violations continue to be followed-up on.

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) worked primarily boaters and fishermen. There were lots of recreational boaters on area lakes due to the hot weather. Several questions on the upcoming deer season have been received. Additional calls were handled regarding ATV’s operated on roadways and a complaint on a minnow dealer.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) worked on equipment maintenance and equipment purchase specifications. Osborne assisted CO Forsberg with aquatic plant removal permit violations.  Osborne checked boaters and fishermen.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) worked primarily fishing, boating, PWC, and invasive species enforcement throughout the week. Additional time was spent closing out a litter violation, patrolling for ATV activity, checking State WMAs for violations, and returning informational calls/inquiries from the public.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) checked fishermen, boaters, and responded to wildlife complaints. Time was also spent answering questions on the upcoming deer season, and waterfowl seasons. Baumbarger worked invasive species in the Alexandria area with CO Osborne. Enforcement action was taken for various boating violations, and fishing without a license in possession. 

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on ATV complaints and fishing and boat and water safety enforcement. Several boaters were checked in the Douglas County area and found boating activity low due to high winds. A compliant was handled of juveniles riding ATV’s on county roadways in the Stevens County area. Anderson put on a class for Stevens County area Law Enforcement Officers on ATV, dirt bike and off-road vehicle law enforcement and safety requirements. Anderson also assisted the Morris Police Department with a call. Additional calls were fielded regarding a speaking engagement request, waters permit questions and deer season/hunting license questions.

Alexandria - vacant.

District 4 - Wadena area

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) checked muskie anglers, trout anglers, and followed up on nuisance bears. He checked wild rice harvesters and investigated two different hunter trespass issues. Officer Parthun also located and checked several bear baits, investigated complaints of beaver problems, and monitored OHM and ATV trails. Enforcement action included placing illegal bear bait, trespass, expired OHM registration, allowing illegal ATV use, and PFD violations.  

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked fishermen, boaters, and bear baits this week. Officer Hunter worked the Paul Bunyan State Forest for ATV activity. CO Hunter also received calls of shooting late at night and trespass.

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) focused activities on bear baiters this week, with a good compliance rate. He fielded calls on deer shining issues, as well as many questions on the upcoming deer seasons. Officer Oldakowski also monitored fishing and boating activities.

CO Gary Sommers (Walker) focused on sport fishing, boating, ORV, and bear baiting activity.  In addition, he checked on a complaint of a boat stored at a public access; the boat was gone when he arrived. Officer Sommers worked on setting up a youth ATV volunteer instructor clinic and received a complaint regarding someone working on a lake lot, allegedly in violation of shoreland development rules. The caller was referred to the local county courthouse as they regulate those types of activities. He also answered numerous questions regarding deer hunting regulation changes.
                                            
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked anglers and bear baits. He also worked invasive species, ATV enforcement, and investigated a littering violation while checking remote campsites.  Enforcement action was taken for solid waste in bear baits, littering, no sign posted at bear bait site, unregistered bear bait, failing to buy a bear license prior to baiting, and operating an ATV in a wetland.

CO Larry Francis (Remer) checked ricing lakes, bear baiting activity, fishing, and ATV activity.  Bear baiters continue to find limited success and ricing has been mediocre as well.  Enforcement action was taken for littering.

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the past week monitoring ATV, angling, wild rice, and bear baiting activity. He observed several people attempting to harvest wild rice; however, most of the rice is not ready. Bear baiting activity picked up and hunters seem to be having mixed success. CO Broughten checked several anglers who reported varying success.  He also fielded calls concerning ATV operation and the 2010 deer season. Enforcement action included illegal length largemouth bass and no helmets for ATV passengers under 18.

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked bear baiters and wild ricers. Fishing has slowed and Halverson handled many calls on the upcoming hunting seasons.

CO Shane Siltala (Water Resource Enforcement Officer) attended a three day class this past week learning to identify plants associated with wetland/upland transition zones. He also spent time patrolling public accesses at area lakes enforcing invasive species laws and assisted other officers with enforcement of invasive species laws. 

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) continued to check bear baiting activity in the station, considering the abundance of other food, bears are still active at baits; however, acorns are starting to fall. A boat safety and invasive species talk was given at rules meeting for the International Falls Bass Championship. CO Kittelson also spent time at International Falls Bass Championship with Wall of Shame trailer, LaserShot booth, and monitoring off site weight-in procedures and fish health issues. Other work continued such as fishing and invasive species enforcement on Rainy Lake. 

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports returning phone calls, working on computer issues, fixing equipment and monitoring public access sites. Fishing remains poor. Local bait shops should be consulted for up to date fishing information.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports hot, humid, and windy weather continued throughout the week. A couple of dog complaints were received. One killed a pet rabbit, and the other was running free and might be chasing deer. A complaint of boats going to fast was received. 

CO Dan Starr (Tower) continued to receive beaver and bear complaints. Wild rice issues were worked. Boat and water safety issues were addressed. Other enforcement action was taken for possess slot walleye, lack of PFD, and license violations. Bear baiting activity was also monitored.  

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing)  worked a BWCA work detail, appeared in court on a fire suppression contested billing and an ATV DWI forfeiture hearing, and assisted Conservation Officer Koehn with the arrest of a felony ATV fleeing suspect in the Hibbing area.  Enforcement action was taken on a number of boating, PWC and angling violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) checked bear baiters in the area. Most baits found were legally registered and were made up of legal materials. The few that were not will be monitored. Angling and boating activity was down this past weekend due to rough water and higher winds. A yearling deer was seized from a person who was raising it without a permit.

Ray - vacant.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.

District 6 - Two Harbors area

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports nuisance bear activity was high. Bears are being reported in the city of Grand Marais. The CO advises to leave them alone. On the Gunflint Trail, three homes were broken into by bears. Two of those were occupied. Mosquito screens aren’t much for keeping the bears out. The CO was bluff charged by a mother bear at a bait station and was stung by several bees at another. The forest is becoming very dry. Be careful with fires.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked area anglers this past week and some nice walleyes. He also took part in a work detail in the BWCAW with the USFS. CO Velsvaag also took several calls on a bear in Ely and questions on moose hunting.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked boating, fishing, and bear bait enforcement, and was part of a detail in the BWCAW checking registrations and PFDs. Citations were issued, but overall compliance was actually very good. Bear complaints were received for the Disappointment/Ensign area and interested bear hunters are encouraged to give the DNR Wildlife or US Forest Service a call. Apparently these bears have learned to climb the food pack trees and bite/cut the ropes or ride the packs to the ground. Unintentional feeding of bears which may lead to real problems. More calls came in concerning wolves on BWCAW campsites. Apparently there have been no problems at this time, but it is unusual for wolves to be on the sites. Hopefully no one is feeding them. Keep a clean camp site and put fish guts far from camp areas.   

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked bear bait stations and found garbage at a few.  Manning also worked a BWCA boat and water detail with CO Wahlstrom and USFS officers. Manning also worked a detail at the port of entry with US Fish and Wildlife officers. The officer took a report of an illegally taken small bear; on checking the remains it was found to be the hide of a domestic pig. Enforcement action was taken for fish overlimits, no canoe registration, and transporting fish without skin patch.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) participated in a work detail within the BWCAW with other officers. Many wilderness users were contacted by officers during the detail which focused on boating safety issues. Several canoeists received citations for unregistered canoes and not having the proper number of PFDs for the people aboard. Bears seem to be readily coming to hunters’ baits as most berries have dried up with the continued hot and windy weather. While checking on one hunter’s bait station, CO Thomasen walked in on a sow with a pair of cubs. The officer was able to watch the trio for a considerable time as the wind was in his favor.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) focused enforcement action in the BWCAW with area officers during a work detail. Many groups were checked with a wide array of equipment. The most interesting piece of gear that was lugged across a portage was a large rock with a rope tied to it for an anchor to be used later in the trip. The Officer checked bear bait stations, where prohibited material continues to be a problem. The Officer followed up on burning complaints and past investigations. Enforcement action was taken for no watercraft registration and false application for a license.   

Babbitt - vacant.

Silver Bay - vacant.

District 7 - Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked anglers, bear baiters, wild rice harvesters, and ATVs.  He assisted the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Department with a search for a mother and daughter lost on an ATV. CO Patten took calls on car-killed eagles, grey wolves in someone’s yard, wild rice, altering the cross section of a stream, and removing aquatic vegetation. Enforcement action taken for operating an ATV on a public roadway.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) worked bear baiting, checked anglers, monitored ATV activity and answered calls regarding deer hunting regulations. Bear baiting station compliance was good while ATV complaints have risen. Enforcement action was taken for possess illegal length walleye, no angling license in possession, Operate ATV in closed area, driving after revocation and an arrest for an outstanding warrant.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids)  had a busy week of working bear baiting activity in the woods of Itasca County. Bear hunters are having good success getting bears to hit their baits. CO Sutherland also worked a littering case where an individual dumped two truckloads of household garbage. The individual was found and enforcement action was taken. 

CO Jeff Koehn (OHV Specialist – Grand Rapids) patrolled for OHV activity. He gave an OHV law enforcement training class to new St. Louis County Deputies. CO Koehn pursued and tracked down a subject who fled from him on an ATV. The defendant had been driving on a state highway and fled into the woods when CO Koehn attempted to stop him. CO Koehn and CO Bozovsky tracked down the hiding subject and arrested him. The ATV was seized and the operator was lodged in jail on felony charges. CO Koehn assisted with a youth firearms safety training program.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) attended some good wetland delineation training at Morris. Arhart also worked on open public waters and on Wetland Conservation Act cases, issuing a property deed restriction on one St. Louis County impact. He also worked invasive species enforcement at area lakes, checking anglers, boating equipment, bait and  boat plugs. Ricers were having better luck, as were panfish anglers.  Many bear hunter and deer hunter questions were answered.

Bigfork - vacant.

District 8 - Cloquet area

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) assisted with some animal complaints which included an aggressive deer and a wolf pup that took up residency in someone’s yard. Officer Duncan also worked bear baiting season and talked with several soon to be hunters. Bear activity at area bait stations have been very high. ATV enforcement was also worked while out looking for bear activity. 

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports a large pile of ducks that were dumped alongside of a road were reported to the officer. A person shot and killed a bear after it reportedly charged the resident after he disturbed the bear feasting on his bird feeders. Several road-killed deer and bear permits were issued. Bear hunters were checked again this; violations were somewhat numerous. Failure to purchase license before baiting, failure to sign bait pit, failure to register bait pit, no current registration on ATV.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) responded to numerous miscellaneous wounded and nuisance animal calls. The officer assisted with a detail in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area at various entry points. Bear baits and hunters were worked in the area. Wolf complaints were investigated and USDA trappers were dispatched to depredation areas. 

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) worked on wetland and ATV complaints in the area.  Enforcement action was taken for unlawful juvenile operation, operating ATV on Roadway, no safety cert, and registration violations. Several bear bait stations were checked and all were found to be in compliance with the law. A permit was given for a car-kill bear on the interstate.

Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior and several inland lakes. Information on aquatic invasive species was issued to many and enforcement action was taken for fail to remove drain plug when leaving lakes and transporting boat with drain plug still installed. Officer Scott Investigated new Public Waters violation and located a wetland violation on the same property.

Marine Unit

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Unit) spent the week checking boaters and anglers on Lake Superior. The hot weather produced many boaters, anglers and beach enthusiast. Barkers Island Marina hosted the Dragon Boat Festival. Time was also spent on maintenance items. Local bear baiters are getting success at the bait stations near Duluth.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Superior. Time was spent on equipment maintenance and fall work planning. Vacation days were utilized prior to the start of a busy season. Enforcement action taken for angling and boating violations.

CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Unit) checked boaters and anglers on Lake Superior. He worked a BWCA detail in the Ely area with US Forest Service. He checked bear baits.  Equipment maintenance was performed. Enforcement action taken for boating, angling, ATV, and hunting violations.

District 9 - Brainerd area

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) reports bear calls were handled, by telling the public that if a bear is up a tree to leave the area and they will come down when it gets dark and/or he doesn’t feel threatened or watched. There is no need to panic or call 911 if you spot a bear.  Take a picture and enjoy it. Bear baiting activity was monitored in anticipation for Wednesday’s bear season opener. Boat activity had the usual types of violations as well: insufficient life jackets, riding on gunwales or bow of boat while it is underway, operating jet skis after hours. 

CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) took enforcement action on several boat and water issues over the weekend. He also noted some big northern pike being caught on the WFC in excess of 40- inches. Shoutz also handled two nuisance bear complaints.   

CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) checked ricers, followed up on weed roller complaints, checked bear baiting activity, and patrolled the rec area. The officer received a call of a hawk that was trying to land on a person mowing his lawn. The caller said that the hawk kept trying to land on his shoulder, so he got a pair of gloves and the hawk then landed on his hand. He tried to get it to fly away, but it kept coming back and he was afraid it would try to land on one of his kids. After trying to figure out if it was a tame bird and finding no indications, the officer took it to a remote area where it flew away.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked on upcoming court cases and bear baiting issues during the week. Illegal cross country travel in wildlife management areas and other state forest lands were discovered. 

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he worked on area lakes. Boating and fishing activity on the lakes continues to be high. Anglers are starting to see more active fish and report that bass and northern have been aggressive. No licenses and unattended lines were some of the violation detected. Boating violations observed were insufficient PFDs and persons riding on the bow. PWC complaints of jumping boat wakes, operating too close to shore and anglers at anchor also received some enforcement time. He worked on weedroller complaints on Gull Lake. ATV’s and OHMV operation in the closed Pillsbury Forest continues to be a problem and has received enforcement attention. 

District 10 - Mille Lacs area

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) responded to complaints regarding obstruction of navigation, dirty bear baits, illegal camping on state lands, and dog training without a permit, along with wildlife issues such as lonely swans, beaver dams, and car killed deer. High winds all weekend kept lake activity slow.  Verkuilen also worked ATV complaint areas.  

CO Mike Lee (Isle) checked anglers this past week with slow success being reported on Mille Lacs Lake.  He gave a law update to the Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Lee also met with the Mille Lacs Drift Skippers at a monthly meeting and talked about trail issues and answered regulations questions.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking bear baits throughout the week. Patrol was also done in the Solana State Forest for ATV use and illegal trails in the forest. The Officer also gave the law portion of a Firearm Safety class during the week. Mille Lacs lake fishermen were checked and still seem to be brining in some walleyes even with the windy conditions. Lots of questions regarding fall hunting laws were also fielded.  He assisted the Wealthwood Officer in checking parties harvesting wild rice. Enforcement action for the week included hunting, fishing, boating and wild rice violations.

CO Dan Perron (Onamia) checked anglers on Mille Lacs Lake. The walleye bite continues to be hot and cold. The musky bite has been very good the past week. He continued to check bear baiters. Baits have been getting hit. He finally caught some bear baiters that were running ATV’s in a restricted area in the Rum River SF. Citations were issued. A reminder to hunters to check all regulations and be aware of what the rules are in the area you are hunting. He also had someone stop by his house early Sunday morning about a raccoon that was on the side of the road. The person was worried that the walkers would get too close and get bit. CO Perron dispatched it after he found that it had been injured. 

CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) checked many bear baits finding several violations including unsigned bait, off trail travel to and from bait stations in a state forest, non biodegradable substances in bait and use of uncured pork as bait. Heaton handled calls regarding nuisance coyotes or dogs killing chickens, litter in a WMA, wetland violation investigations and nuisance bear damaging corn crops. Heaton worked ATV and OHM’s throughout the week and weekend. Two individuals on ATVs were caught after tracking them for 25 miles on closed state forest trails. They had passed several signs but continued riding anyway. The violators were not happy with their $185 citations. Heaton also encountered several other ATV violations throughout the week including operate an OHM on a roadway; operate an ATV on a roadway and no safety certificates.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) had a lot of ATV and OHM activity and handled quite a few violations including operating in wetlands, careless driving, operating on highways, and driving in restricted state forest areas. Bear baiting activity was also high. Nuisance bear calls continue to come in and in one instance, a bear was found tearing siding off of a residence during the night. Other bear complaints involved bears damaging corn fields.  A Timber Wolf depredation investigation was finished up and a total of 10 wolves were removed from a beef farmer’s property. Time was also spent working the information booth at the State Fair.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked wild rice harvesters during the week and weekend. Rice beds are reported to be a lot thinner than last year. Bear baiting is going strong with a lot more hunters putting bait stations out. While checking various locations, bear sign was seen in my tracks after returning from a check.  Croatt also assisted with a TIP complaint in neighboring station.  Enforcement action was taken on fishing and rice harvesting violations.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) received calls regarding bear hunting and bear baiting, questions regarding ATV operation, angling questions, and questions regarding the upcoming hunting seasons. CO Wynn followed up on bear baiting complaints and ATV complaints. He worked on some equipment maintenance and followed up on a depredation complaint.

District 11 - Albany area

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers and boaters in Stearns and Wright counties. CO Mies did a law talk at the South haven ATV class. CO Mies worked commercial enforcement.

CO Mike Martin (St Cloud) checked anglers, ATV and watercraft operators, and worked with Stearns Co. deputies during the past week. One angler who was fishing the Mississippi was found to be over the limit of walleyes. Enforcement action: transport aquatic macrophytes, angle without license, take or possess overlimit of walleye, and fail to display current ATV registration.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) reports taking phones calls concerning fishing violations, and upcoming hunting season questions. The officer fielded calls concerning wetland violations and possible over limits. Administrative tasks and vehicle maintenance was also completed

CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) spent the week checking fishermen and boaters.  Enforcement action was taken for license violations, insufficient boating safety equipment, and overlimit of sunfish. CO Bertram also answered several questions on the upcoming hunting seasons.

CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) checked anglers on local lakes and river. One angler was cited for fishing without a license. The individual attempted to hide his fishing pole when CO Haberman approached him and stated he was not fishing when asked. After explaining to the individual that he was observed fishing for several minutes before being approached the individual changed his story from not fishing to fishing but he did not have a license. CO Haberman also cited an individual over the weekend for burning demolition debris and other prohibited materiel.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers, boating safety, shoreline violations, and wetland impacts. Windy weather over the week kept boaters to a minimum. Some sunfish and walleye were found in the boat. Enforcement action for the week included no PFD on child under 10, no navigation lights on boat after sunset, overloaded boat, no PFD, and no license in possession.

District 12 - St. Cloud area

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked anglers and boaters. Violations were found for no angling licenses. Public waters complaints were handled.

CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) worked area ORV activity. CO Schottenbauer assisted with officer training in the Marshall area as well. CO Schottenbauer was also working the State Fair information table this week.

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) checked anglers and boaters in the Wright County area. Reller also took many calls about the upcoming hunting season. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and signing a false affidavit.

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports bear baiting activity continues as the season nears.  CO Langevin also checked a few wild rice harvesters after 4 pm. They had harvested almost 40 lbs of rice. The only problem was they were unaware of the harvesting hours that end at 3 pm. Enforcement action was taken.

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) checked shore fishermen and boaters during the week. Several days were spent in the woods checking bear bait stations. Officer McGaw also taught an ATV law class to several members of the Kanabec County Sherriff’s Office.       

CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) checked anglers and boaters on area lakes and rivers. ATV complaints were investigated and bear baiting activity was monitored. Animal complaints were handled and the law portion of a firearms safety class was taught in Harris.

District 13 - West Metro area

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) patrolled the Luce Line State Trail and Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge. Boaters and anglers were checked on area lakes and rivers. Hunting season calls were returned daily; most calls pertained to deer hunting in zone 338.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) checked anglers and boaters on Metro area lakes and rivers. He took enforcement action for angling with extra lines, use game fish as bait and no angling license. He also worked on vehicle maintenance in preparation for EVOC training.

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent a day working the information booth at the Minnesota State Fair. CO Block also attended a meeting in Grand Rapids and assisted with the movement of a Wall of Shame trailer enroute to International Falls. Calls received included illegal acts related to waterfowl hunting, the taking of squirrels and angling activity.    

CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) helped set up the Wall of Shame at the State Fair. He patrolled Ft. Snelling State Park and investigated a call of illegal off road driving in the park.  CO Neitzke assisted with district training in Byron. He worked fishing and boating enforcement in Dakota County. He also worked a boating detail with CO Nelson on Prior Lake.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked anglers, boaters, and patrolled state parks in the metro area.  He worked at the Lao Family office and returned many calls regarding deer hunting regulations. He also participated a firearm safety class field day in Afton shooting range.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) spent time on angling, boating and ATV enforcement. He received calls regarding an injured deer, a fox doing damage to a stone retention wall, an injured goose and an aggressive hawk. He also gave firearms and use of force instruction to COs during a district in-service training.

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) patrolled Lake Minnetonka for boating activity. One female was arrested for boating while intoxicated. She was operating a boat at almost four times the legal limit of alcohol. Several other boating and fishing violations were detected as well. She patrolled public roads around Lake Minnetonka for boaters transporting invasive species. An illegal dumping call was also investigated in Plymouth.

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) is finding an increase in poaching incidents and complaints. In one case, he assisted CO Salzer on an investigation of a doe unlawfully shot in a wooded area in St. Paul. The suspect was identified, his archery equipment was seized and charges are pending. Several other unrelated cases are being actively worked. Angling, boating and ATV enforcement efforts also continue.

Minnetonka - vacant.

District 14 - East Metro area

CO Jason Jensen (Metro WREO) spent time on accesses on area lakes with very good compliance to AIS laws. Officer Jensen updated WCA files and attended wetland training for most of week. CO Jensen set times for various meetings and training sessions, along with equipment maintenance.

CO Greg Salo (East Metro) completed follow up on a wetland violation and an aquatic plant violation. CO Salo also assisted in department use of force/firearms training in Byron.  Several anglers were checked and enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and extra lines.

CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) assisted with fall qualifications in the Byron area. CO Gutierrez checked angling activity in area lakes with the dog days of August in affect; the only successful ones were muskie anglers on Forest Lake. CO Gutierrez also patrolled the St. Croix River; many canoes were out enjoying the weather.

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) checked shore anglers around the metro lakes and rivers and patrolled state parks and trails. He also worked at his Cambodian Center office where he met and answered several questions about fishing and hunting laws. Officer Pril also assisted a neighboring Conservation Officer with the investigation of a possible taking of a wild turkey and spent some time on equipment maintenance.

CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled area lakes and rivers for angling and boating activity. CO Salzer and CO Kanieski responded to a TIP report of someone taking a deer out of season. Officer Salzer also conducted a station flight. CO Salzer met with the Dakota County Attorney’s Office regarding a deer case from last February.

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) worked invasive species enforcement on area lakes. She handled questions regarding a fishing tournament, took many calls with questions regarding the upcoming deer season and worked fishing and boating enforcement on area lakes. CO Kruse handled questions regarding bear hunting in a WMA, met with a county attorney on a fishing case and handled nuisance animal calls.

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) worked boating enforcement in Anoka County. CO Muyres talked to a firearms safety class in Forest Lake. CO Muyres also followed up on an escaped captive deer in Nowthen.

CO Patrick McGowan (Hastings) patrolled Washington and Dakota counties for fishing/boating activity. CO McGowan answered questions about upcoming hunting seasons. CO McGowan also completed follow-up regarding TIP calls.

District 15 - Marshall area

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) continued to monitor fishing, boating, ATV, and OHM activity. ATV and boating activity has slowed with school back in session. Time was also spent attending and answering DNR questions at the 2010 MN State Sporting Clays Championship held at Shooters Sporting Clays east of Marshall. Over 225 shooters from all over the Midwest and Canada were participating. Enforcement Division training was attended and preparation work was done for some upcoming training.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) received several phone calls about the upcoming waterfowl season. Equipment was readied for the upcoming hunting season.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) issued several out of state minnow transport permits throughout the week. The officer attended a firearms qualification and defense tactics class.  Citations were issued when the officer observed the occupants of a vehicle throwing garbage out the window as the vehicle traveled down the road. Fishing in the area continues to be slow.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) patrolled the Minnesota and Chippewa rivers on a canoe after receiving reports that people had been pulling mussels out of the river and leaving them on shore. He noticed a couple old chairs along the Chippewa River where someone had been fishing. Upon investigating, he located a handmade structure on city property. Paths leading to the building were set with booby traps of barbed wire and trip lines attached to set logs.   The Montevideo Police department investigated the incident and inventoried the property.  City crews took down the unsafe structure so nobody would get hurt. 

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) attended a training session at the Redwood River Sportsmen’s Club. He worked a special enforcement detail on Lake Benton. Several contacts were made with area boaters. ATV enforcement was also taken on a youth and father driving on the roadway. He completed another weekly radio talk show on a local station.

Wetland Enforcement Officer Larry Hanson attended the southwest firearms qualification and Use of Force review. A restoration order was issued in Brown County. Several WCA and Public Waters cases were followed up on. Invasive species was worked on lakes and rivers in several area counties. He assisted the Marshall PD with personal injury accident automobile accident.

Madison - vacant.

Redwood Falls - vacant.

District 16 - New Ulm area

CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking fishermen, boaters, recreational vehicle riders and working on shoreline violations. Additional time was spent investigating multiple illegal weedroller complaints on area lakes. Fishing has been slow throughout the area with a few panfish being seen in some bags.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked angling, boating, and PWC activity. Additional time was spent enforcing ATV and WMA laws. Hatlestad also spoke at the Eden Valley FAS class and attended required training. Time was also spent checking commercial activities, and assisting other agencies.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his radio program discussing topics including dove season, early goose season and other area activity. He also attended the regional qualification shoot in Marshall. CO Gruhlke worked anglers, ATVs and public access sites. Catfish are still the leading species of fish being caught in the county. Enforcement action was taken for too many catfish over 24 inches.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) came upon a pile of garbage that was dumped at a public lake access, while looking through the garbage Officer Graham found numerous items with the violators name on them. The violator was issued a citation and urged to find a more proper way of disposing his garbage. Officer Graham also attended a district shoot, checked anglers/boaters/PWC’s, and followed up on a false license case.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) spent time preparing for the upcoming Dove and Early Goose seasons. CO Oberg also spent time at Gopher Campfires Youth Conservation Day as well as an event put on by Conservation Partners of America.  CO Oberg also attended firearms and defensive tactics training.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) attended division use of force and firearms training. He continues to monitor ATV activity and check anglers and boaters. A slight improvement in angler success was noted. A notable number of animal complaints involving skunks have been taken within the last few weeks as well.    

Windom - vacant.

District 17 - Mankato area

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked angling, boating, and ATV activity. Angling activity has slowed somewhat. The Minnesota River continues to drop. CO Howe also attended to equipment maintenance and administrative issues. Two days were spent at public information booths, discussing law changes and upcoming hunting seasons.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent the week checking anglers, boaters, and ATV operators. Officer Ihnen also attended regional training and completed firearms and use of force qualifications. In addition, CO Ihnen worked the DNR booth at the MN State Fair where he fielded several questions regarding hunting, fishing, recreational vehicles, and several other various questions from the public.

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) attended district training that included firearms qualifications and defensive tactics. A local sporting show was also attended to answer questions on the upcoming hunting seasons. Violations include no angling license and lending a license.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) attended district training at Byron and worked information booths for a couple of separate events. Geving worked on equipment maintenance issues and checked angling activity. Enforcement actions included unsigned license, license not in possession, and operating an unregistered OHM on a public road right of way. 

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) worked angling activity on the Minnesota River this past week. A baiting issue continues to be investigated. Wiebusch spent time answering questions at an information booth at a local retail store. Assistance was given to LeSueur PD on a rescue effort of an individual who rolled his ATV down a 40 foot ravine. The individual was eventually arrested for DWI after being treated by paramedics. Assistance was also given to Mankato PD after a man fled in to a wooded area with a shotgun. The man eventually gave himself up. 

CO Phil George (Mantorville) checked anglers and ATV operators. He took complaints of vehicles in WMA and beavers causing damage.  He worked an information booth at a local sporting goods store, worked anglers along the Cannon River in Northfield, and attended firearms training in Byron. Enforcement action was taken for angling with more than one hook and angling without a license.
CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) attended annual training in Byron. Time was also spent checking boaters and anglers. A suspected public waters violation site was inspected.  Violations encountered included no angling license, false application for a license, and no observer while operating a watercraft.

Spring Valley - vacant.

District 18 - Rochester area

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked anglers and boaters during the week. Officer Heyn also attended training and helped with a detail on Pool 4. CO Heyn also checked fields to see if they would be considered baited for the goose opener. 

CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) spent the week on fishing, boat and water safety, invasive species, and ATV enforcement. A work detail for invasive species was worked on the Mississippi. Time was spent at an informational booth at a local sporting goods store.  Violations included riding on gunwales, noise violations, violate no wake zone, and failure to display registration on watercraft.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending time responding to shining complaints and ATV complaints. Time was also spent checking fishing activity and attending training. Time was also spent at an info booth in Owatonna answering questions for the upcoming fall seasons.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports continued good fishing in the area. He worked with the county attorney on a BWI case with boat forfeiture. He found violations including taking undersize fish, fishing without a license, along with several boating violations including a BWI. CO Hemker was also at firearms and defensive tactics training.

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports fishing to be slow again with the hot weather. Some crappies and white bass are showing up in creels. Two work details on the Mississippi river and Lake Pepin resulted in violations found including no angling license, fail to display boat registration, insufficient PFDs and other safety and equipment violations.

CO Scott Fritz (La Crescent) reports the river conditions have improved. The water is finally beginning to go down and there seemed be a lot less debris free floating. Catfish and bass are still biting well. Trout fishermen are having good luck in the early mornings and before sun down. CO Fritz attended use of force training and helped with an invasive species work detail in the Wabasha area. Enforcement for the week included no fishing license, undersize bass, no throwable PFD, and fail to display boat registration.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) working fishing and boating enforcement as well as attending region training. Time was also spent answering questions on the upcoming hunting seasons.

Rochester #1 - vacant.

Training Section

Planning is ongoing for this year’s training activities, including ordering equipment and supplies and reserving training areas at Camp Ripley.

Aviation Section

CO Pilot Al Buchert (Grand Rapids) flew moose and pine marten telemetry and finished wild rice lake assessments. The float plane was used to equip a remote sensing station for a ring-necked duck study. Numerous tasks were completed in preparation for upcoming projects.

CO Pilot Don Murray (Grand Rapids) continued to photograph illegal vegetation removal from shorelines and flew several wildlife surveys. The first fall colors are starting to emerge in the Northland and large numbers of geese were spotted.

CO Pilot Tom Pfingsten (Brainerd) flew several conservation officers over their stations, photographed a wetland impact, and flew wolf and bear telemetry flights.

NR Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew ring neck duck telemetry and lake surveys for Rainey, Kabetogama, Namakan, Sand Point, Crane and Little Vermillion.

Water Resource Enforcement Officers

WREO reports are now placed within district reports.

Enforcement Education

Please check the DNR WEB SITE 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 16, check on-line for Adult Home Study or On-Line course information is also located at www.mndnr.gov.

Please check the DNR WEB SITE www.mndnr.gov  for a current class listing of all DNR Enforcement Youth Snowmobile Safety Courses and instructor training sessions. Adult Snowmobile Safety Training CDs are available by calling 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR.

Youth ATV Courses (12 to 15 years old) class postings for around the state are posted on the web site at www.mndnr.gov.  Students are reminded that they must complete the CD portion of the course before attending the classroom portion of the course. Youth/Adult ATV Safety Training Course CDs are available by calling 1-800-366-8917 or 1-888-MINNDNR

Reminder---anyone born after December 31st, 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 31st, 1976, who operates a snowmobile in Minnesota, must possess a snowmobile Certificate.  Two options are available to complete certification, 11 and older can attend the traditional youth course.  Those 16 or older can take the at home CD course.

Reminder---Anyone born after July 1st, 1987, who operates an ATV on public lands and waters in Minnesota, must successfully complete the ATV Safety Training CD course.  Persons under age 16 must complete the ATV CD Course and riding component before riding on public lands. Youth/Adult ATV Training CDs are available by calling 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:

Southwest Metro RTO Ross Opsahl assisted at two recent conservation officer firearms qualification training days held in Marshall and Byron. He also continued to follow up on a background checks from a recent Minnesota Bowhunter Education Program Field Day option. He answered questions regarding various Department education programs.

Northeast Metro RTO Bruce Lawrence worked on State Fair LaserShot display setup at the DNR Building. RTO Lawrence conducted a training session for current instructors on the All Day Range and Field Day program for firearms safety. Other items included working on background checks for recent instructor training certification class and assisting with fall in-service district firearms and defensive tactics training in Byron. 

Education Specialist Jim Hatlevig worked on hunter education and recruitment retention items.

Recreational Vehicle Coordinator Leland Owens last week spent a day helping set up the firearms and off-highway vehicle displays in the DNR building at the fair. He helped with use of force training two days last week in Marshall and in Byron. Owens also returned calls, emails and continued work on snowmobile regulations project and trail ambassador related items.

Northeast RTO Shelly Patten and some Grand Rapids area instructors held an All Day Range and Field Day with 20 students attending. The instructors who participated liked the format so well that they are going to offer 2 more ADRFDs in the Grand Rapids area. Patten also staffed the LaserShot Display at the State Fair. This display remains as popular as previous years.

Southern RTO Jeff Fleming assisted with conservation officer training in Marshall and Byron. He conducted volunteer ATV instructor training in Houston County. RTO Fleming also worked at the State Fair at the DNR LaserShot and information booths.  

Northwest RTO Todd Manley worked on Hunter Exam field items. Manley also worked on UOF items and traveled to Lake Bronson State Park for a Volunteer BOW instructor clinic.  Manley met with Middle River FAS instructor on a program issue.  

RTO                           PHONE NUMBERS/E-MAIL:
Leland Owens              763-753-1887             leland.owens@state.mn.us
Ross Opsahl                 651-686-7998            
Shelly Patten                 218-244-8051            
Jim Hatlevig                  218-758-2459            

Frank Rezac                 320-230-8549             frank.rezac@state.mn.us

Bruce Lawrence           651-674-2705             bruce.lawrence@state.mn.us
Jeff Fleming                  507-765-2724             jeff.fleming@state.mn.us
Todd Manley                218-566-2268             todd.manley@state.mn.us

Education Specialist:  Vacant

Curriculum Coordinator:  Vacant

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