CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) spent the latter part of the week patrolling areas of the BWCA by canoe and on foot. Fishing reports were slow with mostly northern pike being caught, but a fair amount of grouse and ducks were seen in spite of the weather. Violations included angling without a license, no canoe registration, and possessing glass beverage containers inside the BWCA.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked duck and grouse hunters this past week. The duck hunting improved with the weather conditions and fishing was tough. Velsvaag took calls on an injured bear and questions on whitefish netting and marten trapping.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked grouse hunters, anglers and bear-hunting activity during the week.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled the woods checking bird hunters, archery deer hunters and ATV operators. The most frequently encountered violation was again juvenile passengers riding in Class 2 machines without helmets. Manning answered numerous questions about the firearms deer hunts in local state parks. Letters from these parks may include incorrect dates and hunters need to be aware that the season dates are the same as the surrounding Permit Area 126. Manning also assisted Cook County in searching for a group of overdue backpackers who turned up a day late, but in good health.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) and COC Lerchen began Phase 3 field training. A majority of their time was spent on waterfowl, small- and big-game, and ATV enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for an unplugged shotgun, public access parking violations, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Several wildlife-related calls were handled.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area hunting activity this past week. He also checked lakes and ATV trails.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked small-game hunters, ATV riders and fall anglers. Enforcement action was taken for firearms and hunting violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked a wet and stormy week with Lake Superior flooding shoreline areas with gale force winds. Time was spent searching for the owner of a watercraft that had broken free of its mooring lines and drifted across an area lake in the wind storm. The owner was contacted and the watercraft was retrieved. Big-game investigations continued and a training session was also attended during the week.