Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Aug 14, 2018 07:41AM ● By Editor
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - District 6 - Two Harbors Area - August 13, 2018
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad with locating a missing camper on Crooked Lake in the BWCAW. The missing person had not returned the night before after leaving the campsite on foot to fish. COs Williams and Velsvaag took a U.S. Forest Service aircraft along with Rescue Squad team members to the campsite near the Canadian border where he was last seen. Fortunately, while setting up equipment and discussing the search method, the USFS aircraft sighted the lost camper several miles from the campsite. The pilot was able to land and pick up the victim. When he was returned to the campsite he told the rescue team that he had taken a different route back to the campsite and had gotten disoriented when he came to the other side of the lake. He continued to walk along the shoreline trying to find his campsite in the opposite direction.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and boaters and returned calls about fishing regulations on area lakes. He also helped out on a work detail in Duluth. Fishing has been slow with most people catching bass over anything else.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) investigated a wolf depredation call and a possible trespass issue. Manning worked boat and water patrols, including a detail in the Duluth Harbor. One boat operator opted to endanger his entire family by running his boat without required lighting so he could show his grandkids the lake. Officers provided education and sent the boat back to the dock. Manning also patrolled for early bear baits, answered bear-hunting questions and checked ATV operators and anglers.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted with big and small game enforcement week at the Academy. Time was spent patrolling lakes in the Alexandria station with CO Lawler. Complaints were followed up on and station lakes and ATV trails were patrolled. Enforcement action included fishing without a license, illegal-length northern pike, no PFDs, no navigation lights after sunset, jet skis in closed hours, litter, and allowing illegal juvenile ATV operation.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity during the week and assisted with a security detail in the Duluth area.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers and ATV riders and responded to wildlife complaints. He worked a detail in the Duluth harbor. Enforcement action was taken for boating violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and fishing activity during the week. Fishing was good on Lake Superior with both salmon and lake trout being caught. Murray investigated a waters complaint and followed up on camping violations in a state campground.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad with locating a missing camper on Crooked Lake in the BWCAW. The missing person had not returned the night before after leaving the campsite on foot to fish. COs Williams and Velsvaag took a U.S. Forest Service aircraft along with Rescue Squad team members to the campsite near the Canadian border where he was last seen. Fortunately, while setting up equipment and discussing the search method, the USFS aircraft sighted the lost camper several miles from the campsite. The pilot was able to land and pick up the victim. When he was returned to the campsite he told the rescue team that he had taken a different route back to the campsite and had gotten disoriented when he came to the other side of the lake. He continued to walk along the shoreline trying to find his campsite in the opposite direction.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and boaters and returned calls about fishing regulations on area lakes. He also helped out on a work detail in Duluth. Fishing has been slow with most people catching bass over anything else.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) investigated a wolf depredation call and a possible trespass issue. Manning worked boat and water patrols, including a detail in the Duluth Harbor. One boat operator opted to endanger his entire family by running his boat without required lighting so he could show his grandkids the lake. Officers provided education and sent the boat back to the dock. Manning also patrolled for early bear baits, answered bear-hunting questions and checked ATV operators and anglers.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) assisted with big and small game enforcement week at the Academy. Time was spent patrolling lakes in the Alexandria station with CO Lawler. Complaints were followed up on and station lakes and ATV trails were patrolled. Enforcement action included fishing without a license, illegal-length northern pike, no PFDs, no navigation lights after sunset, jet skis in closed hours, litter, and allowing illegal juvenile ATV operation.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling activity during the week and assisted with a security detail in the Duluth area.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers and ATV riders and responded to wildlife complaints. He worked a detail in the Duluth harbor. Enforcement action was taken for boating violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and fishing activity during the week. Fishing was good on Lake Superior with both salmon and lake trout being caught. Murray investigated a waters complaint and followed up on camping violations in a state campground.
