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Col. Michael Hamm,
Chief Conservation Officer
DNR-Enforcement Division |
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May 9, 2008
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Troy Richards (Roseau) investigated a wolf depredation complaint in northwestern Roseau County where a calf was taken.
CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) reports several beaver trappers checked and area streams monitored streams for spawning northern and suckers. It appears that spawning activity is several weeks late.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) assisted ND Game and Fish on an open investigation, concluded an investigation on feeding deer in the TB deer feeding ban zone.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) investigated a complaint of illegal trapping and failure to tend traps. Minnow and leech trappers monitored and a complaint of a leech trapper trespassing was investigated. Worked the spearing opener, finding sucker spearing slow as expected with cold spring.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) focused on sturgeon fishing. Many anglers taking advantage of the good weather and good sturgeon fishing throughout the week. Sturgeon fishing continues to be the best in 4 Mile Bay and the Gap area.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) monitored spring crappie fishing activity. Fish are biting and a number of limits observed. Catfish activity on the Red River is increasing.
CO Mike Hruza (Bemidji) executed a search warrant involving illegal taking of deer. A number of people spearing suckers. While checking them, two people found with active arrest warrants. A dead eagle retrieved, OHV complaint investigated.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports more lakes have opened. Fish run is winding down with some suckers in the creeks. Assisted Ottertail County Deputies with a domestic dispute.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports high water levels on Red River slowed angling activity. Spring fish run is coming to the end. Most area lakes are ice-free and should be accessible to anglers.
CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) assisted Becker County deputies with a disturbance that turned out to be a juvenile party. Assisted a local police officer with a drunk driver.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) monitored spring fish run activity. Several incidents of otter caught by beaver trappers investigated. A group of people caught spearing fish at night with a light. Complaints of people taking walleyes out-of-season investigated.
CO Bruce Pfalzgraff (Pelican Rapids) reports area lakes should be ice-free by Fishing Opener. Checked turkey hunters, sucker spearers, anglers on the Red River, crappie anglers on area lakes.
District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) handled complaints on ATVs, reports of individuals illegally fishing walleyes.
CO Mike Shelden (Alexandria) reports all lakes in the Alexandria area now ice free. Has spoken with several successful turkey hunters as of late.
CO Dan Baumbarger (Wheaton) worked w/ CO Nelson patrolling for fishermen and monitoring spring fish run activity in the Elbow Lake area. Enforcement for no PFDs, fishing without a license in possession, fishing without a license, and operating Class 2 ATV on a state highway.
CO Tony Anderson (Morris) reports receiving several complaints about persons illegally taking fish from area streams and lakes. Found a few anglers out after panfish on area lakes. Cool weather and wind kept fishermen home and the fish weren’t biting. Has had a few complaints about illegal operation of ATV in area ditches during the prohibited time period in the farm zone April 1st - August 1st. Checked several fires that didn’t have a burning permit. Questions about nuisance animals, Waterfowl Refuges and fish winterkill on area lakes.
CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) reports another cold and windy week kept area fishing at bay. A crappie tournament held on Saturday. Very few fish caught and the turnout wasn’t what they had hoped for.
District 4 - Wadena area
CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) assisted the Hubbard County Sheriff’s Dept with a vehicle rollover. A commercial dealer checked, with many questions answered. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and failure to display the proper placard on a commercial dealer vehicle.
CO Mike Lawrence (Park Rapids) checked fishermen on area trout streams with a few trout caught. Worked the state forest area for people driving on closed trails. Worked spring fish run, as walleyes are present in all streams. Ice went out on most lakes over the past weekend due to strong winds.
CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) reports anglers were still out and a few spear fishermen were in the streams for the spearing opener. ATV complaints are on the rise, mainly regarding ATV’s operating on roads. Received a call of a sick deer, which was subsequently dispatched. Call was received regarding a dead deer stuck in a river near an area where people fish. Deer was removed from the area.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) prepared his work boat for the upcoming opener, handled two calls in the vacant Longville station, did numerous radio interviews with local radio station regarding the upcoming opener, as it was broadcasting live from an area bait shop at their annual open house.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) monitored illegal motor vehicle use on closed state forest roads. Reports as of Monday, shallow bays and small lakes ice free, larger lakes holding deteriorating ice.
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) investigated two complaints of illegal fires, trespass complaint, continued working on big game cases from Fall 2007. Enforcement contacts made for loaded gun in a vehicle and no burning permit.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) resolved an ELS sturgeon tagging issue for a juvenile angler and picked up incidentally taken otter catches.
CO Brad Schultz (Cook) lots of phone calls were received and returned about concerns about fishing conditions for the fishing opener. One thing anglers forget about when there is ice on the lake, the access might be clear of ice when they put in, however the ice might blow in and they are stranded nowhere near the access that they put in at. Boats cannot handle hitting ice chunks adrift on area lakes. Some chunks will be large this year and they could very easily puncture the hull of the boat, sinking it in bone chilling water. Please wear your life jackets and keep a cell phone in a zip lock bag on your person if you decide to venture out.
CO Dan Starr (Tower) reports that at upon typing this report and looking outside, it is snowing intensively. As of last Wednesday, there was a reported 16 inches of very hard ice on Lake Vermilion. Issued a wetland cease and desist order, assisted 1854 Authority with pulling an illegal net that was outside of reservation boundaries. Beaver trappers are reminded to monitor water levels and adjust accordingly. Would like to remind novice cabin owners to be careful when putting docks in too early, wind could push ice and destroy dock.Observed a group of cabin owners working on a dock assembly. They all seemed to be working too hard for their shape and age, with one elderly man being pushed to fatigue and possible injury.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) reports an individual that discarded 3 skinned beaver carcasses near a beaver dam and near the edge of a busy county highway, contributed to the death of a bald eagle, after it was hit by a car. Eagle appeared only to have a wing injury, however it also had internal injuries and later died. Responsible party that “ditched” the beaver is being sought.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) responded to reports of a hazardous material being allowed to run into an area lake. Upon investigating the matter it was confirmed that the material was a biodegradable lubricant used by a drilling company. A complaint of a company filling a wetland was followed up on. Reports being prepared to be sent into court for numerous spring beaver trapping violations. Ice out has finally come to all but a few Virginia area lakes. Spring fish run is in full swing. Watched one particular stream one evening and witnessed over two dozen people stop and take a look at the spawning walleyes. Even though no one attempted to take any of the walleyes, CO Frericks found great satisfaction in the fact that not a single person who stopped at that stream knew they were being watched from only a few yards away.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) found this to be the week of cat calls. One caller asked if a lion escaped from a zoo because a cat as tall as the hood on his pickup, paws the size of footballs, with large brown head ran across the road in front of him. Another caller reported seeing a large Black Panther cross their field. Trappers are out finding a few beaver; high water levels have hampered things. For the most part lakes are ice free in the area.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Brandon McGaw (Babbitt) watched over area rivers during the fish run. Many people were seen looking at fish and enjoying nature. Others picked up and handled walleye, which should not be done. Enforcement action was taken on subjects who attempted to take fish. Handling walleye during the closed season is illegal. Smelt fishing was also taking place in various spots. Please consider the damage that is being done to the walleyes when walking through these spawning areas. Please look only. Walking through these areas will destroy and damage eggs, which will affect future walleye fishing opportunities for years to come. Ice is going at a fast rate and smaller lakes starting to open up.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked the spawning creeks. Lots of people looking at fish after dark, and one person threw a spear or two, but most people are behaving. It is a bad situation this year with the late ice since the walleyes were just beginning to spawn as the May 1st sucker spearing season began. It is a huge temptation for some people to refrain from spearing a large spawning female walleye when she is sitting among the suckers.
CO Tom Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time checking steelhead fishermen in rivers with Officer Oberg and Miller. Individuals caught illegally spearing steelhead during night; enforcement taken.
CO Troy Ter Meer (Silver Bay) checked one father introducing his young son and daughter to smelting, and they had some success. Attended a local ATV club meeting to learn more about the upcoming attempt to break the world record for the most ATV’s in a parade, which occurs in Silver Bay on June 14th. Worked with Eagan officer on the St. Croix River for the Wisconsin/MN opener.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) several incidental takes of otter reported and dealt with during spring beaver trapping. Steelhead and Looper fishing good although weather and high water have hampered the efforts of anglers. Smelters are reminded that the law allows the use of dip nets and seine nets of specified maximum size only.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Tom Sutherland (Hill City) received a call last week of an unidentified furry animal in an individual’s mailbox. After driving to the individual’s home to identify the animal in the mailbox, Officer opened the mailbox to see a beady eyed creature looking him in the eyes. After examining the creature it had seemed some young pranksters had placed the deceased woodchuck in the individuals mailbox to gain a laugh. Owner of the mailbox didn’t see it that way. They thought they were going to have a heart-attack when they casually opened their mailbox to retrieve the morning paper. The individual’s responsible are under investigation at this time.
Minnesota State CO Brian Buria from Bigfork reports checking the Little American Falls area frequently. Several creeks are being watched, with most of the attention being paid to the Bigfork River. Calls included minnow trappers, trespassing by campers on private property due to receding shoreline caused by the drought. A chocolate lab found in King Road area, a lady was given permission to have a fawn mounted from a car-kill.
CO Jeff Koehn (OHV Specialist-Grand Rapids) responded to complaints of pickup trucks illegally using ATV trails. A report of untagged traps.
District 8 - Cloquet area
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) despite rainy weather, there were grass fires reported. Time was spent working the smelt run on Lake Superior, with the latest report showing very few smelt being taken. Off-highway vehicle activity has picked up in the area with some complaints of underage operation on ATVs and loud off-highway motorcycles reported. One accident was responded to where a juvenile was operating an ATV on a road and went into the ditch rolling the machine.
CO Randy Hanzal (Brookston) several injured animals calls received. One incident involved an injured eagle that was captured from the Floodwood area. The eagle was brought to the rapture center in St. Paul, however the eagle later died most likely due to some kind of poison it had ingested. All local lakes are now clear of ice.
District 9 - Brainerd area
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) handled a complaint from a landowner who found a large pile of deer carcasses with the violator leaving his site tag still attached to one of them, which made the investigation easier. Enforcement taken for landowners burning during the burning restriction. Wildfires were the call of the day Sunday as DNR Forestry was busy with fires getting out of control. Permits are always required for burning leaves and other vegetative matter. Enforcement taken for no fishing license and snagging suckers. Anglers are reminded it is illegal to intentionally fish for a species during it’s closed season.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) received info that a young Crow Wing County turkey hunter harvested a bird, the hunter was six-years-old. Adult accompanying hunter very excited for young hunter.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports a concerned sportsman with a sharp eye noticed three deer with polished antlers being transported in May. Investigation found that two people had legally taken the deer last muzzleloader season, had never processed them, let them hang in their attached garage for five months and rot, and had now taken them to the county dump for disposal. In other activities, extensive investigation on two separate incidents of very large amounts of solid waste dumped on county forest land will soon see individuals charged and compelled to clean up their messes. Charges issued in another case where an individual knowingly decided to violate the spring burning ban and went ahead and lit a fire. He failed to extinguish the fire, and it spread into a wildfire situation the next day that was put out by neighbors and DNR personnel.
CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) spent the first week in the new station meeting new people, learning the area. One angler told the officer that he did not have a current license, but planned to get one when he went to work that day. When asked where he works, he said he works in the fishing department of a local sporting goods store. When asked how many times people had asked him when a new license was needed, he had to admit that he had answered that question many times and knew exactly when it was. Appropriate action was taken.
District 10 - Mille Lacs area
CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) patrolled the Solana State Forest, monitored the 1837 Treaty Harvest on Mille Lacs Lake, answered several questions regarding Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations, and prepared boats for the upcoming fishing opener.
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) received a report from a local trapper that two of his traps were missing and possibly stolen. Heaton checked ATV activity in the Nemadji State Forest, which is currently closed to motorized traffic. Four ATV riders found operating in the forest.
CO Gene Wynn (Pine City) started out the week by checking on a wetland complaint that went unfound. Received calls regarding nuisance bears and recovered a nuisance bear shot by an individual. Checked boaters and anglers in the Pine City area and checked on complaints of abandoned boats floating around the lakes and rivers. Worked the St. Croix border water opener with a WI Conservation Warden over the weekend. High water and cooler conditions didn’t keep anglers away. Numerous groups were checked with numerous nice fish seen taken. Calls of overturned canoes on local rivers received. Folks looking to do a canoe ride on any area rivers are being cautioned against it until water conditions go down.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) responded to a fire call at just after midnight one evening and found two individuals watching an old, run-down house burn up. The individuals tried to explain how they were trying to tear apart the house and burn it a little at a time when the burn pile got too close to the house. It was a challenge for the two to get their story straight, or even stand up, due to the case of beer and bottle they were into.
District 11 - Albany area
CO Rob Haberman (little Falls) received a TIP about a walleye taken while spawning in a local river. After talking to the suspect CO Haberman did not find the walleye but an over limit of 24 crappies in the individual’s freezer. The man could lose his privilege to fish for one year if convicted. Received another TIP about two individuals shooting at a doe in a field from their motor vehicle.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) rough fish spearing/netting season kicked off with a few people out but many did not have much success. Enforcement: no license in possession; operate ATV in wetland, no registration on ATV, no type 4 pfd in boat.
CO Mike Martin (St Cloud) checked area anglers who were out fishing and getting their boats ready for upcoming opener. Assisted CO Sladek on a crappie over-limit from a TIP call. Anglers are reminded the number for TIP is #TIP from their cell phone and Statewide toll-free: 1-800-652-9093.
CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie) reports ice has finally gone out on all the Long Prairie area lakes. An anonymous male dropped off an injured hawk at Long Prairie City Hall that was reportedly found on Hwy 71. The hawk had to be destroyed due to injuries from being shot.
District 12 - St. Cloud area
CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) received a TIP of people catching overlimits of crappie. Responded to the area and with the help of CO Martin they located the suspects in St Cloud were they issued summonses for over limit of crappie. Report of a bear treed by a yellow lab in the Zimmerman area. CO advised the concern citizen to remove all food, garbage and bird feeders then remove the dog from the area. The citizen complied but forgot a bag of dog food and the bear did come down from the tree and proceeded in eating the bag of dog food before leaving the area never to be seen again.
CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) complaints of crappie anglers trespassing and taking overlimits.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports working the St. Croix walleye opener. High water levels made the current very fast and hard to fish. Received a call about a turkey hunter shooting from the roadway. The vehicle was stopped by the deputies and the hunter charged.
District 13 - West Metro area
CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) arrested one angler after giving his brother’s name and date of birth to the CO. Angler did not have a fishing license but knew his brother had recently purchased one. After CO looked at driver’s license photo on his squad computer, of the name given to the officer, he pointed out to the angler he falsified his identity. Angler stated he was not aware COs could look up driver’s license photos online in their patrol squads. Angler indicated someday technology is going to ruin the world. Angler became angry when he was informed he committed a gross misd crime by trying to elude a misdemeanor offense.
CO Steve Walter (Waconia) investigating possible waters violations after Bird’s Eye View flights conducted over Carver County. Aerial photos taken of each possible violation, given to Carver County Soil and Water Conservation Dist to check if any of the work done was permitted. Several animal calls handled including coyotes, dead geese and a dead tundra swan.
CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) spent most of the week checking fishermen and boaters on Lake Minnetonka. With the ice finally out the crappie bite has been almost too good at times. Took several calls regarding injured animals and illegal fishing activity.
CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) checked anglers and responded to TIP calls relating to fishing for and keeping fish out of season. He issued two restoration orders related to the destruction of aquatic plants in Maple Grove.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) talked to Southeast Asian anglers regarding fishing regulations, especially the difference between possession limit and daily limit.
CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) investigated calls of taking rabbits using poison and taking squirrels during the closed season. Several complaints of and occurrences of angling for bass and muskies during closed season received and encountered.
District 14 - East Metro area
CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) patrolled the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers. Several violations were detected including walleye under the minimum size limit, no angling license, St. Croix slow no wake violations. One shore angler insisted that he had not been fishing. The fishing line coming from his pocket and going into the river proved otherwise.
CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) worked the St Croix opener with local area officers. There were many boaters and anglers contacted in reference to the slow no wake violations. Checked an angler coming off the river with two walleye, which have to be a minimum of 15 inches. CO had the angler measure the fish himself with one of the walleye measuring about a quarter inch short of 15 inches. CO began issuing a citation for the obvious violation. Angler got upset and became irate with the CO stating, “It’s just barely short.” The angry angler then called a nearby angler, which happened to be a total stranger, to come measure the same short fish. CO allowed this, in attempt to diffuse the situation, with the same result, a short fish.
CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) assisted Three Rivers Park officers locating a lost child at Hyland Lake Park. Received a call about an injured Common Egret on the roadside in White Bear Lake.
District 15 - Marshall area
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) ATV violators in full swing. Many charges will follow. Enforcement action was taken for license/registration violations.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the weekend working fishing, boating, and ATV enforcement in the vacant Ortonville station and in the Lac Qui Parle area. High winds on Saturday made for some tougher fishing conditions on Big Stone Lake. TIP calls were received during the week in reference to the illegal taking of walleyes and northerns.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports working on commercial issues and inventory concerns.
District 16 - New Ulm area
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) along with excellent help from the Jackson Police Dept, was able to take enforcement on taking/possessing walleye out of season. Border water opening on Little Spirit Lake in Jackson County was met with high winds and rain on Friday night and high winds into most of Saturday.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked the border waters fishing opener. Wind conditions were up in the 20 mph range making it tough to handle the boats. Angling and boating activity was present. Invasive species a hot topic. ATV activity continues to be strong. Orphaned wildlife calls are starting to come into the office.
CO Brent Ihnen (Windom) completed investigation of an illegally taken deer from earlier in year.
District 17 - Mankato area
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) took complaints on ATV activity in Blue Earth County. A possible commercial fishing violation was checked into. Assisted a Blue Earth County deputy in locating a group of teens that were trespassing and managed to get their vehicle stuck in the mud. The juveniles stated they were scouting for good catfishing areas. When asked if they knew they were trespassing one individual stated “Yes,” but the group planned to find a good spot by the river, build a fort and then find out who owned the land to ask permission. After discussion, everyone agreed it would be more logical to get permission prior to entering the land and building a fishing fort. The officer also spoke at the local 26th Annual Law Enforcement Memorial Association Ecumenical Service.
District 18 - Rochester area
CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) worked a detail on the Mississippi River Sunday with CO McBroom. Walleye fishing was poor and the angling/boating pressure was the lowest he could recall in many years. Turkey hunters are fairing better and the trail season opened with many ATVs and horse riders enjoying the trails. Riders are reminded that registration needs to be displayed on vehicles and there is a horse trail pass requirement (new last year).
CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports busy week of fishing activity. River is high and fast but the anglers are still showing up by the hundreds.
CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports Lacrosse County still has the no wake ordinance in affect. Trout streams are in good condition. Turkey hunters are beginning to bag few more birds with the better weather. Enforcement for undersize walleye and no fishing license.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports investigating dumping complaints in the Preston and Spring Valley areas. Anyone with any info call TIP line.
CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) water level on the Mississippi is very high and the current is very strong. Boaters use extreme caution on the river and reduced speeds advised. Large amount of debris in the river and the buoys very low.
Officer Bob Wallace (Kellogg) reports nice turkeys continue to be taken. Several turkeys weighing in excess of 24 pounds registered at local registration stations. Trout fishermen having success in area streams, but recent rains have made larger streams muddy and more difficult to fish. Several instances of ATV’s operating in the road right-of-way on county and state highways.
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2008 Outdoors Weekly (PK Outdoors, Inc.) |
