Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Dec 05, 2023 10:18AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Boreal Community Media files
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - December 5, 2023
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on past season investigations and responded to ongoing calls. He checked early ice anglers and trappers. Equipment maintenance was completed.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports many of the small lakes in the area have frozen over. Few anglers have been seen on the fresh ice, but several people are out skating on the lakes. Ledeen advises people to refresh their knowledge on ice safety, as three people have fallen through the ice already and all on different lakes. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing following the firearms deer season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed the final phase of field training with COC Nick Ambroz and sent him off to his work station (Waseca). A baiting complaint was worked resulting in two citations for muzzleloader deer hunting with the aid of bait, including seizure of an eight-point buck. Another deer case was worked with neighboring officers resulting in several lend/borrow violations, untagged and unregistered deer, and seizure of four bucks. Time was spent working early ice anglers. Violations included unattended lines and possession of illegal-length northern pike.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports following up on various big-game cases throughout the week, with one remaining ongoing. Equipment maintenance was also handled in Duluth. A wanton waste complaint was investigated that ended up unfounded.
Silver Bay vacant.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week checking small-game hunters and monitoring trapping activity. Area forest roads and muzzleloader-hunting activity were monitored throughout the week as well.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) heard some miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints, followed up on complaints involving deer-hunting activity and checked areas for illegal decorative material harvesting. Muzzleloader deer hunter numbers appear to be down from the previous year in the area. Grouse hunters are still looking for birds, with reports that the birds seem to have changed hangouts and behaviors with the seasonal changes. Slatinski assisted another agency with a trespass complaint. Ice formation has stalled with daytime temperatures at or above freezing, as the spearing and angling crowds are ready for safe ice.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little outdoor activity over the week. Area lakes recently became ice-covered and no anglers were observed. There is little to no snow on the ground throughout the work area. Equipment work and computer training are ongoing.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily muzzleloader-hunting activity and angling activity. Anglers have begun venturing out on most area lakes in the Tower station. Ice remains thin and dangerous in spots, but lakes that froze over early and bays are beginning to see ice slowly building. Anglers were finding mixed success, with some finding good eating size walleyes, while some others struggled to find consistent catches. Violations throughout the week were mostly related to angling licenses. Larson also checked a few successful muzzleloader hunters.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, angling, and ATV activity. Ice on most local lakes is forming fast and anglers took advantage of the conditions, but success was limited for most anglers checked. A reminder to all anglers venturing out that ice thickness and conditions still vary greatly and that ice is never 100% safe.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time completing a road right-of-way dispute over the week. He also fielded a call where an ATV was buried and frozen in a bog on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Additional time was spent checking ice anglers venturing out for the first time this year.
Cook vacant.
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - December 5, 2023
Two Harbors area
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked hunting, fishing, and trapping activity this week. He also patrolled for ATV operators.CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on past season investigations and responded to ongoing calls. He checked early ice anglers and trappers. Equipment maintenance was completed.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports many of the small lakes in the area have frozen over. Few anglers have been seen on the fresh ice, but several people are out skating on the lakes. Ledeen advises people to refresh their knowledge on ice safety, as three people have fallen through the ice already and all on different lakes. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing following the firearms deer season.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed the final phase of field training with COC Nick Ambroz and sent him off to his work station (Waseca). A baiting complaint was worked resulting in two citations for muzzleloader deer hunting with the aid of bait, including seizure of an eight-point buck. Another deer case was worked with neighboring officers resulting in several lend/borrow violations, untagged and unregistered deer, and seizure of four bucks. Time was spent working early ice anglers. Violations included unattended lines and possession of illegal-length northern pike.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports following up on various big-game cases throughout the week, with one remaining ongoing. Equipment maintenance was also handled in Duluth. A wanton waste complaint was investigated that ended up unfounded.
Silver Bay vacant.
Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports finishing field training with COC Jahn. Muzzleloader season has been slow, with very few hunters observed in the field, which is surprising considering the nice weather. Trappers have been out preparing for upcoming pine marten and fisher season. Animal-related complaints were also handled.CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week checking small-game hunters and monitoring trapping activity. Area forest roads and muzzleloader-hunting activity were monitored throughout the week as well.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) heard some miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints, followed up on complaints involving deer-hunting activity and checked areas for illegal decorative material harvesting. Muzzleloader deer hunter numbers appear to be down from the previous year in the area. Grouse hunters are still looking for birds, with reports that the birds seem to have changed hangouts and behaviors with the seasonal changes. Slatinski assisted another agency with a trespass complaint. Ice formation has stalled with daytime temperatures at or above freezing, as the spearing and angling crowds are ready for safe ice.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little outdoor activity over the week. Area lakes recently became ice-covered and no anglers were observed. There is little to no snow on the ground throughout the work area. Equipment work and computer training are ongoing.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily muzzleloader-hunting activity and angling activity. Anglers have begun venturing out on most area lakes in the Tower station. Ice remains thin and dangerous in spots, but lakes that froze over early and bays are beginning to see ice slowly building. Anglers were finding mixed success, with some finding good eating size walleyes, while some others struggled to find consistent catches. Violations throughout the week were mostly related to angling licenses. Larson also checked a few successful muzzleloader hunters.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, angling, and ATV activity. Ice on most local lakes is forming fast and anglers took advantage of the conditions, but success was limited for most anglers checked. A reminder to all anglers venturing out that ice thickness and conditions still vary greatly and that ice is never 100% safe.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time completing a road right-of-way dispute over the week. He also fielded a call where an ATV was buried and frozen in a bog on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Additional time was spent checking ice anglers venturing out for the first time this year.
Cook vacant.
