CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marias #1) finished up a couple of commercial bear guide inspections, assisted the Forest Service with a snowmobile that had been left abandoned since last season, started a wetlands investigation, and checked grouse hunters. Hunters report seeing lots of birds, but add that they are very spooky. Hunting pressure has been down a lot compared to the last few seasons. Assistance was also given on a medical call.

CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais #2) reports a slight downtick in the number of nuisance bear calls received this week. The officer also noted an uptick in the number of grouse hunters? slow-trolling the forest roads in their vehicle of choice and questioning the warden as to where all the birds are. CO Manning assisted Cook County deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers with an all-night search to locate a party who called 911 multiple times from somewhere in the woods near Grand Marais. Located safely asleep in their tent, the person reported they had overreacted to a situation, tried to call for help, and then their cell phone went dead leaving responders with the task of locating them and verifying everyone was ok.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area ATV trails and hunting activity. CO Schottenbauer was notified of a headless moose in a gravel pit, when CO Schottenbauer checked the area, he found an old horse carcass heavily scavenged. 

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marias #3) spent the week in Red Wing for Use of Force instructor training. 

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked small game and waterfowl hunting activity during the week. Grouse hunting opportunities continue to be good and waterfowl hunters are seeing more birds in migration. CO Murray is also working a complaint where geese were illegally shot and left floating in a pond.