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Boreal Community Media

Weekly Conservation Officer Report

Jun 17, 2019 04:42PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - June 17, 2019

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) spent the week focusing on ATV enforcement. Activity stepped up over several of the warmer days, although traffic was noticeably down from past years. Violations included operating an unregistered OHM, angling without a license in possession, and angling with no trout stamp in possession.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked boaters and anglers this past week. Fishing was moderate and most fish were running small. Velsvaag followed up on a fishing complaint and received multiple nuisance- or injured-wildlife calls.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area lakes and forest roads checking anglers and ATV operators. She took reports of a car-killed deer, nuisance bear and nuisance raccoons. Manning also assisted as part of the Honor Guard laying to rest retired CO Gene Borud at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery at Camp Ripley.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) wrapped up a couple of pending cases with a citation issued for failure to tag deer in one case and an array of trapping violations charged in an ongoing investigation. Time was spent on ATV and on the water. In an early -week trip in the BWCA with a DNR volunteer, several individuals were apprehended using extra lines, and one person in the group was also found to have not tagged or registered his deer from last season. Enforcement action for the week included deer-tagging and registration violations, extra lines, no PFD, expired registration, and ATV and OHM violations. A large buck, unfortunately, had to be dispatched after running into the side of a vehicle

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked the week on the water checking anglers and boating equipment. Cool weather and bugs didn’t stop folks from getting out on the water. Fishing was slow but started to pick up midweek.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and angling activity during the week. Fishing slowed down a bit with cooler weather and windy conditions. Nuisance-wildlife complaints continue with bear and beaver activity being the most common complaints. Commercial minnow retailer inspections were also completed this past week.

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