Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Nov 02, 2020 01:09PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 2, 2020
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports duck-hunting activity saw a spike during the week as flights of birds arrived and then quickly left after several cold nights in the low teens froze over many lakes. Although several hunters attempted to hunt them during the short window, the sheets of ice made for difficult travel. Violations included taking antlerless deer in a bucks-only zone.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and whitefish netters this past week. Both nearly stopped at the end of the week due to ice forming. Velsvaag also received multiple calls on deer-hunting regulations and questions on the new snaring requirements.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week checking whitefish netters. He worked a detail in the BWCAW on Basswood lake. Enforcement action was taken for whitefish netting, trapping and firearms violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) followed up on cases from the bear season and began the hunt for early stands and deer bait. She spoke with local radio regarding firearms safety and the upcoming hunting season safety issues. Manning also worked with U.S. Forest Service law enforcement on a deer-possession and extended camping case. She checked a scattering of grouse hunters, checked trap sets and checked a few anglers still able to find open water and catch a few fish before the close of the inland trout season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked whitefish netting, trapping, small-game, archery deer, and duck hunters during the past week. There were a good number of diver ducks until Thursday night, when most lakes froze over. Enforcement action included taking a doe in a bucks-only area, leaving a trap out after the close of the applicable season, burning prohibited materials, and storage of personal property on state land.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the past week checking on deer stands and small-game hunters. Time was also spent checking whitefish-netting activity.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting bear-hunting interviews after a few registration violations were uncovered that occurred during the season. Hill checked whitefish netters coming off of Fall, Newton, and Basswood lakes in the Ely area earlier in the week. Those who went in a long distance found the most success. A citation was issued to a person for a canoe-registration violation, and multiple warnings were issued to people for leaving their licenses at home and for transporting their boat to the access with the drain plug still in. A medical call was responded to in Lutsen and an abandoned kayak on Cascade River State Park property was investigated.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked trapping and deer archery activity during the past week. Cold weather continued to make ice on area lakes and ponds. It is unsafe yet for even foot travel. Many hunters were observed preparing deer stands and hunting shacks for the upcoming firearms deer opener.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports duck-hunting activity saw a spike during the week as flights of birds arrived and then quickly left after several cold nights in the low teens froze over many lakes. Although several hunters attempted to hunt them during the short window, the sheets of ice made for difficult travel. Violations included taking antlerless deer in a bucks-only zone.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and whitefish netters this past week. Both nearly stopped at the end of the week due to ice forming. Velsvaag also received multiple calls on deer-hunting regulations and questions on the new snaring requirements.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week checking whitefish netters. He worked a detail in the BWCAW on Basswood lake. Enforcement action was taken for whitefish netting, trapping and firearms violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) followed up on cases from the bear season and began the hunt for early stands and deer bait. She spoke with local radio regarding firearms safety and the upcoming hunting season safety issues. Manning also worked with U.S. Forest Service law enforcement on a deer-possession and extended camping case. She checked a scattering of grouse hunters, checked trap sets and checked a few anglers still able to find open water and catch a few fish before the close of the inland trout season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked whitefish netting, trapping, small-game, archery deer, and duck hunters during the past week. There were a good number of diver ducks until Thursday night, when most lakes froze over. Enforcement action included taking a doe in a bucks-only area, leaving a trap out after the close of the applicable season, burning prohibited materials, and storage of personal property on state land.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) spent the past week checking on deer stands and small-game hunters. Time was also spent checking whitefish-netting activity.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting bear-hunting interviews after a few registration violations were uncovered that occurred during the season. Hill checked whitefish netters coming off of Fall, Newton, and Basswood lakes in the Ely area earlier in the week. Those who went in a long distance found the most success. A citation was issued to a person for a canoe-registration violation, and multiple warnings were issued to people for leaving their licenses at home and for transporting their boat to the access with the drain plug still in. A medical call was responded to in Lutsen and an abandoned kayak on Cascade River State Park property was investigated.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked trapping and deer archery activity during the past week. Cold weather continued to make ice on area lakes and ponds. It is unsafe yet for even foot travel. Many hunters were observed preparing deer stands and hunting shacks for the upcoming firearms deer opener.
