Weekly Conservation Officer's report
Aug 14, 2017 03:44PM ● By EditorCO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) helped teach firearms and defensive tactics at annual fall in service training at Camp Ripley.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area bear baiting activity this week. Time was spent checking ATV activity on area trails and back roads. CO Schottenbauer instructed other officers at Camp Ripley this week as well.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week teaching use of force and firearms tactics at Camp Ripley.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) attended a division training session at Camp Ripley. Nuisance bear and wolf activity were reported and a dead eagle call was investigated and found to be a natural death.
CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports enforcement was focused on bear baiting activity over the weekend. Several baits were located and compliance was very high, although bear activity seemed to be low at most baits checked. Violations included angling without a license in possession, failure to display current watercraft registration, and possession of marijuana.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) spent part of the week at Camp Ripley for annual training. Calls were received concerning a wounded bear, a loon with a Rapala stuck on its leg, and an agency assist for the aftermath of a high speed pursuit that ended successfully in rural Embarrass. Fishermen checks showed that fishing success has been slow.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted a neighboring officer with a TIP call, attended in-service training, received more nuisance bear calls and bear baiting questions, taught the law portion of the Babbitt ATV safety class, and spent time on the water. Enforcement action for the week included litter, expired boat registration, no navigational lights after sunset, and fishing with an extra line.