Photo: Boreal Community Media files

From the Minnesota Department of Natural resources - October 18, 2023

Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports that grouse-hunting pressure increased over the week and weekend. Success was only fair and only a few grouse were seen harvested. He also assisted St. Louis County with locating a lost person over the week. Violations included no blaze orange while grouse hunting and harvesting spruce tops without consent of the owner.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked small-game and waterfowl hunters this week. He also patrolled for fishing, boating, and ATV activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) patrolled back roads checking ATV riders and small-game and bear hunters. The officer responded to complaints in the area. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms, alcohol, license, and ATV violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week patrolling the area for angling and hunting activity. Angling success was limited, but hunters were having some luck finding birds. The bear season came to an anticlimactic end on Sunday and hunters continue to air their concern about the lack of deer to be seen with the firearms deer season just around the corner. Multiple hunting violations were addressed.

CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) patrolled ATV trails in the Finland and Isabella areas. Cooler fall weather has brought many leaves down and grouse hunters to the woods. A new patrol boat for large water operations was test driven. Campgrounds continue to fill, and several rescue-related calls were fielded. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports finishing field training with COC Veit. The officers gave a law and ethics talk for an ATV safety class at Cook County High School. Twenty-five sixth-graders are getting ready for the driving portion of the class in a couple of weeks. Hill finished field training paperwork and big-game cases towards the end of the week.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked big-game and waterfowl-hunting activity during the week. Duck numbers increased in the area this week and temperatures were comfortable for hunting activity. Murray answered several questions on upcoming hunts and took a report of illegally dumped deer carcasses.

Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports grouse hunters are very successful with lots of birds being seen and in the bag. Fall fishing on the Rainy River is picking up. Nuisance-beaver complaints were handled, as were other miscellaneous animal complaints. ATV riders are reminded to drive responsibly and youth under 18 must wear helmets.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that with tamarack trees now preparing for the winter, season activities have shifted to the woods and fields. Grouse hunters and ATV-rider numbers increased dramatically this past weekend. As a result grouse are not hanging around in the open for long. A couple of bear-related complaints were responded to with deterrents suggested to hopefully send them on their way for upcoming hibernation preparation. Unauthorized ATV use on trails was addressed, as was a highway motor vehicle stuck on a state trail. Waterfowl hunters are hoping for a push from the north to kick things into gear.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling, boating, and hunting activities. Area forest roads were checked, and public access sites visited. Equipment work continues. Numerous comments from sportsmen and women on the lack of deer and waterfowl were received.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time checking anglers and small-game and waterfowl hunters. He patrolled his local lakes focusing on the Eagles Nest Lakes and Lake Vermilion. Activity has decreased on the water with the lower temperatures, but dedicated anglers are still focusing on walleye, bass, and muskie activity. Violations encountered were related to boating equipment, licenses, and a potential shoreline violation.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, big-game, and ATV activity. In addition, time was spent completing administrative tasks and continuing to work on several ongoing investigations. Violations encountered included transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle, illegal transportation of game birds, and various license and ATV equipment issues.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating several spruce top theft cases over the week. Decorative product theft cases have started to pop up all over the region as the holiday season is now within sight. He continues to work with several squatters living on state land and is investigating a public waters dredging complaint.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, fishing, and ATV activity. Waterfowl hunters reported limited success and are finding few ducks in the area. Grouse hunters continued to report good success.

Cook vacant.