CONSERVATION OFFICER REPORT

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports checking fishing and boating activity on Rainy River and Rainy Lake, along with monitoring activity at the North American Sturgeon Fishing Contest on the Rainy River. Bear baiting activity was also monitored as hunters and guides began the process of establishing their bait sites.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports an uneventful slow week locally. Fishing remains poor. Hunters voiced concerns over the reduced number of bear licenses and the reduction of the intended wolf harvest. Trappers voiced concerns over the fisher and marten limit reduction.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports lots of fall hunting related questions were received. Bear baiting has begun and it appears the number of people baiting bears is down considerably, likely due to the low number of tags compared to previous years. Angling activity was monitored and success was quite slow.

CO Dan Starr (Tower) worked some early bear baiting activity and checked fisherman. Weather patterns have made fishing slow. ATV activity is really picking up. Numerous calls for information. A great blue heron juvenile that was starving and weak. CO Starr transported the bird to a marsh area, went to the bait store to get minnows, and left the bird actively eating the dead minnows.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers, ATVs, the state park and bear baiting enforcement. An aquatic plant violation complaint was investigated with cutting and spraying of aquatic plants without permits discovered. Two Resource Protection Notifications were subsequently issued. Enforcement action also will be taken. The officer assisted the Hibbing Police Dept. with several calls. A 26-year-old male and his friend were observed breaking the male’s I-phone with large rocks on a railroad track rail. When asked why he was doing this, he stated he didn’t want his mom calling him anymore. Enforcement action was taken on recreational vehicle trespass and a number of ATV violations.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) followed up on numerous trespass violations reported by area mining companies. Most people who were found on mining property report seeing the “No Trespassing” signs but just choose to ignore them. CO Frericks received a TIP call concerning an illegal length sturgeon.