CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) assisted local Babbitt instructors with certifying 25 ATV safety students from Ely and Babbitt. The students had already completed their online learning portion and after a short classroom review and quiz were tested on ATV operation. Williams and the rest of the instructors were impressed with the young riders? skills on the course.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. He also took calls about an abandoned vehicle and pike regulations as well as nuisance animal-related complaints.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area roads and trails and participated as part of the Minnesota DNR Honor Guard at the funeral for Red Lake Conservation Officer Shannon Barron. Nuisance bear activity appears to have eased, but folks are advised to keep the bird feeders in storage and keep a clean yard or campsite to minimize conflict.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked with CO Zavodnik at the International Falls Port of Entry checking fish and working AIS enforcement on anglers coming back from Canada. Numerous fish seizures were made for overlimits, no skin patches, and uncountable fish, along with transporting water in a watercraft. Numerous bear-related calls were fielded and administrative tasks were attended to.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity this past week. Time was also spent checking ATV trails.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and invasive species enforcement efforts during the past week. Fishing seemed to improve with most anglers checked having some fish. Enforcement action was taken for failure to the pull drain plug before transporting a watercraft and licensing violations.