09-24-2012

 

District 5 - Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports opening waterfowl was uneventful with some people having a few ducks in the bag. Invasive species enforcement checks on waterfowl hunters found most hunters in compliance. Grouse hunters success has increased from opening weekend. A Firearms Safety Instructors Clinic in International Falls was well attended by new and old instructors. Enforcement action taken for the week included no small game license, transport watercraft with drain plug in, and illegal ATV operation.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports a few muskie anglers were fishing Lake Vermilion. A few grouse hunters were observed, but they did not have many birds in the bag. The waterfowl opener was very slow with only a couple hunters observed and no ducks.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked the waterfowl opener, other ongoing hunting seasons, angling, the state park, invasive species enforcement, and dealt with a road killed bull moose. It was refreshing to see that duck hunters did well with good numbers of birds being taken and seeing a low violation rate. The officer is looking for assistance in locating the suspects involved in the illegal taking and dumping of two large white-tailed deer bucks, a few miles east of Hibbing. The un-harvested deer had been shot elsewhere, the heads removed, and dumped near a road. Enforcement action was taken on taking waterfowl with lead shot in possession, no PFDs and no state park permit.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time checking bear hunters and their baits, and also located some deer baits. Nuisance beaver trapping permits were issued and questions have started coming in regarding deer hunting zones and how many deer can be taken.   

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) wrapped up a bear hunting case with violations of hunting without a bear license, fail to register bear bait station, and baiting without a license. Waterfowl hunters had ideal weather, cloudy with drizzling rain. A few wood duck, mallards, and ring necks were taken. A nuisance bear was reported getting into dumpsters within town. A hunter has been contacted to try to resolve the problem.

Ray - vacant.

I. Falls # 2 - vacant.