Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Sep 07, 2021 01:26PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 7, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the bear-hunting season is off to a successful start. Several impressive bears were checked on opening day and most hunters contacted said they were still seeing a lot of activity at their baits. Violations included operating an OHM on a roadway and failure to submit water-related equipment for inspection.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and bear hunters. He followed up on several litter calls and questions on the pike regulations. Velsvaag also took calls on the new ATV trails in the area.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked bear hunters and bait stations. Most hunters had good success over the weekend. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for big-game, ATV and firearms violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent a busy week working bear hunters and checking bait stations. Most stations were clean but some trash and animal carcasses were located and numerous ATV violations were noted. Manning also checked anglers and boat accesses and continued to enforce the current burning restrictions. Nuisance-beaver complaints and bear-related complaints continue, including one bear that managed to lock itself inside a truck.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time checking bear baits and working bear-hunting enforcement. Time was also spent on the early teal season and angling enforcement. Bear hunters were having some success but goose and teal success was very limited. Enforcement action included failure to have bait drum surcharge, numerous bait sign and baiting violations, taking closed season waterfowl, no state stamp, no small-game license, and litter.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked a busy weekend with bear-hunting activity and angling activity. Time was also spent checking boating and ATV activity in the area.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports an exciting week of bear hunting, angling, and ATV contacts. Bear hunters reported excellent success during the first few days of the season with some 300-plus-pound bears checked. Hill dealt with multiple hunters illegally concealing loaded handguns. A reminder to follow all handgun laws as there are serious consequences if you are found without a carry permit. ATV traffic is getting busier as the hunting seasons have arrived. Enforcement action was taken on a group of riders after Hill determined they illegally drove through a lake that had recently fallen victim to low water levels, leaving mud and sand exposed. Another local lake is seeing high numbers of fish in the cooler. Because Hill promised the anglers he wouldn?t divulge the name of the lake, all he can say is that the bite has been superior.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked bear-hunting, ATV, and early goose-hunting activity over the busy holiday weekend. Bear hunters were reporting good success on the opening week of the season. Wild rice harvesting was in full swing this week with several harvesters checked. Murray also assisted with Greenwood Fire duties again this week.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the bear-hunting season is off to a successful start. Several impressive bears were checked on opening day and most hunters contacted said they were still seeing a lot of activity at their baits. Violations included operating an OHM on a roadway and failure to submit water-related equipment for inspection.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and bear hunters. He followed up on several litter calls and questions on the pike regulations. Velsvaag also took calls on the new ATV trails in the area.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked bear hunters and bait stations. Most hunters had good success over the weekend. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for big-game, ATV and firearms violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent a busy week working bear hunters and checking bait stations. Most stations were clean but some trash and animal carcasses were located and numerous ATV violations were noted. Manning also checked anglers and boat accesses and continued to enforce the current burning restrictions. Nuisance-beaver complaints and bear-related complaints continue, including one bear that managed to lock itself inside a truck.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time checking bear baits and working bear-hunting enforcement. Time was also spent on the early teal season and angling enforcement. Bear hunters were having some success but goose and teal success was very limited. Enforcement action included failure to have bait drum surcharge, numerous bait sign and baiting violations, taking closed season waterfowl, no state stamp, no small-game license, and litter.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked a busy weekend with bear-hunting activity and angling activity. Time was also spent checking boating and ATV activity in the area.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports an exciting week of bear hunting, angling, and ATV contacts. Bear hunters reported excellent success during the first few days of the season with some 300-plus-pound bears checked. Hill dealt with multiple hunters illegally concealing loaded handguns. A reminder to follow all handgun laws as there are serious consequences if you are found without a carry permit. ATV traffic is getting busier as the hunting seasons have arrived. Enforcement action was taken on a group of riders after Hill determined they illegally drove through a lake that had recently fallen victim to low water levels, leaving mud and sand exposed. Another local lake is seeing high numbers of fish in the cooler. Because Hill promised the anglers he wouldn?t divulge the name of the lake, all he can say is that the bite has been superior.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked bear-hunting, ATV, and early goose-hunting activity over the busy holiday weekend. Bear hunters were reporting good success on the opening week of the season. Wild rice harvesting was in full swing this week with several harvesters checked. Murray also assisted with Greenwood Fire duties again this week.
