Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Nov 29, 2023 09:58AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Boreal Community Media files
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 29, 2023
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week wrapping up items from the firearms deer season and other paperwork. Time was also spent monitoring trapping activity in the area. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time orientating COC Ambroz to the Waseca station. Activities worked included: archery and muzzleloader deer, grouse hunting, pheasant hunting and waterfowl hunting. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer with aid of bait, transportation of a loaded firearm, insufficient PFDs, open container of marijuana and fail to obtain burn permits. Officers completed a deer hunting investigation with citations issued for hunting deer without a license and non-resident purchase a resident license.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a slow Thanksgiving week in Cook County. Reports were taken of illegal grouse hunting and equipment maintenance was handled.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked follow up complaints from the firearms deer season and trapping activity. Cooler temperatures have begun freezing area lakes once again but no lakes are safe for any travel at this time. Murray Also investigated an illegal dumping of deer carcasses and litter dumped on public lands.
CO Curtis Simonson (Int?l Falls #2) reports spending time this past week monitoring area forest roads for ATV activity and small game hunters. Cold weather has got area waterways starting to form ice. Minimal muzzleloader hunting activity was observed this past weekend.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) As the firearms deer season came to a close with moderate temperatures and snowless conditions hunting attention again turned to grouse. Although not much success was observed, what was considered an extension of a traditional season length was welcomed. A few muzzleloader hunters were contacted but a snowstorm on Sunday had most ending their day early. Area waterways are beginning their transformation into rigid surfaces for the upcoming hardwater season. We still have a ways to go.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little outdoor activity noted over the week. Open water areas remain on area lakes with some newly formed ice, all unsafe. No angling activity was observed. Muzzle loader deer opener was much like the rifle season, resulting in no deer observed and no hunters observed in the field. Equipment work is on-going.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) primarily worked on equipment maintenance throughout the week. Activity was low due to the ice just starting to form on most lakes and the end of deer season.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating a late shooting complaint over the week. The suspect was found to have shot a deer over bait and also transported the illegally taken deer in a pickup truck back to the residence. The subject was cited for taking a deer over bait and charged with restitution. They were also warned for additional big game violations that occurred during the incident.
Cook vacant.
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 29, 2023
Two Harbors area
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent much of his week patrolling for hunting and fishing activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV operators.CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week wrapping up items from the firearms deer season and other paperwork. Time was also spent monitoring trapping activity in the area. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time orientating COC Ambroz to the Waseca station. Activities worked included: archery and muzzleloader deer, grouse hunting, pheasant hunting and waterfowl hunting. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer with aid of bait, transportation of a loaded firearm, insufficient PFDs, open container of marijuana and fail to obtain burn permits. Officers completed a deer hunting investigation with citations issued for hunting deer without a license and non-resident purchase a resident license.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a slow Thanksgiving week in Cook County. Reports were taken of illegal grouse hunting and equipment maintenance was handled.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked follow up complaints from the firearms deer season and trapping activity. Cooler temperatures have begun freezing area lakes once again but no lakes are safe for any travel at this time. Murray Also investigated an illegal dumping of deer carcasses and litter dumped on public lands.
Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (Int?l Falls #1) continues step 4 of field training COC Jahn. Several animal complaints were handled regarding injured deer and a calf depredation. Time was also spent working the muzzleloader season.CO Curtis Simonson (Int?l Falls #2) reports spending time this past week monitoring area forest roads for ATV activity and small game hunters. Cold weather has got area waterways starting to form ice. Minimal muzzleloader hunting activity was observed this past weekend.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) As the firearms deer season came to a close with moderate temperatures and snowless conditions hunting attention again turned to grouse. Although not much success was observed, what was considered an extension of a traditional season length was welcomed. A few muzzleloader hunters were contacted but a snowstorm on Sunday had most ending their day early. Area waterways are beginning their transformation into rigid surfaces for the upcoming hardwater season. We still have a ways to go.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little outdoor activity noted over the week. Open water areas remain on area lakes with some newly formed ice, all unsafe. No angling activity was observed. Muzzle loader deer opener was much like the rifle season, resulting in no deer observed and no hunters observed in the field. Equipment work is on-going.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) primarily worked on equipment maintenance throughout the week. Activity was low due to the ice just starting to form on most lakes and the end of deer season.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating a late shooting complaint over the week. The suspect was found to have shot a deer over bait and also transported the illegally taken deer in a pickup truck back to the residence. The subject was cited for taking a deer over bait and charged with restitution. They were also warned for additional big game violations that occurred during the incident.
Cook vacant.
