District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) spent time checking trappers, grouse hunters, and archery deer hunters. Lots of people out over weekend in preparation for upcoming firearms deer season; people are encouraged to have a safe and responsible season. Enforcement action was taken for untagged traps, failure to release non-licensed fish species during commercial fishing operations, and illegal length fish. Boat and water enforcement on Rainy River showed good compliance, which is good to see as weather and water temperatures are becoming colder. ATV Safety class and riding component were held for area youth.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports work on seasonal equipment transition, continued administrative and computer related tasks, issuing permits, and monitoring area outdoor activities.
CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports following up on a report of a dead wolf in a brush pile that turned out to be a deer hide. Equipment maintenance work was done on a state facility as well as getting boats ready for winter. Whitefish netting activity was monitored and not many fish reported in the nets. Of the few fish in the nets, the female egg sacks were still quite tight, meaning they have not begun to spawn quite yet. Officer received many calls and questions about the upcoming rifle deer season and the wolf hunts. Snow is currently falling and some of the ponds and small bays are starting to freeze, meaning the open water trapping season will likely be a short one.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked ongoing hunting seasons, trapping opener, ATVs, illegal night time hunting activity, took a call of an injured bald eagle, issued a number of permits for road-killed deer and processed evidence on closed cases. The officer also seized a boat and trailer for forfeiture that had been used during a BWI from last summer. Enforcement action was taken on a number of ATV violations.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time and located numerous active deer baits that were still being refreshed after the 10 day period that all bait was supposed to have been removed. If any hunters are found hunting over those baits on opening morning they should expect to meet CO Frericks and plan on setting aside some time to speak with him. Other complaints taken included numerous trespass and ATV issues.
Ray - vacant.
I. Falls # 2 - vacant.
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) attended arson investigation school and took miscellaneous deer hunting complaints.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) spoke to the Thief River Falls Chapter of the Minn. Deer Hunters Association on new regulations and the upcoming wolf season. Preparation for the deer season is underway by locating deer bait and stands left unlawfully in WMAs. CO Woinarowicz assisted the sheriff’s office with a gross misdemeanor shining case and conducted ATV enforcement.
CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked waterfowl hunting activity and checked angling activities. A call of possible deer shinning activity was received with the investigation ongoing. WMA’s were monitored for illegal deer stands and the county attorney was worked with on an upcoming trial.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) worked waterfowl activity and seized an accidental caught fisher. Mallard numbers are good with a few diving ducks showing up. Questions were answered on the upcoming wolf season and trapping activity was monitored. Complaints of deer taken out of season were worked on. Enforcement activity for the week included waterfowl violations and transport a loaded firearm.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and hunting activity throughout the week. Anglers are reporting that fishing has slowed on the Rainy River as temperatures dropped. Several hunting and trapping complaints were handled. CO Gorecki also attended a wildfire arson investigation course in Wisconsin during the week.
Blackduck #2 - vacant.
Karlstad - vacant.
Warroad #1 - vacant.
Warroad #2 - vacant.
