Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Jul 29, 2019 02:51PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources- July 29, 2019
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports that although nuisance bear reports had subsided for several weeks, there seemed to be a resurgence. Berry crops continue to ripen but are weeks behind a normal year. Williams has been asking residents of the Ely area to be vigilant with bird feeders and other attractants.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and boaters this past week. He received several nuisance-animal calls and questions about the statewide slot limits. Velsvaag also followed up on a protected waters complaint.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with a waters complaint where someone obviously altered the shoreline and channel of a flowage between two lakes. The area will be restored after an evaluation is completed. Investigation into the responsible parties is continuing. Manning also issued a road-killed deer permit, checked boaters and anglers and worked area boat accesses to check for AIS compliance by boaters. Anglers are reminded that even if they fish only one lake they are still required to drain their boat and leave the plug out anytime the boat is being transported.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent most of the week teaching big- and small-game enforcement at the CO Academy and evaluating scenarios. A complaint led to two citations being issued to intoxicated individuals drinking at a public access/day use area. Bermel and two rescue squad members paddled at night to the campsite of a group of Girl Scouts on Knife Lake whose campsite was struck by lightning and organized their evacuation. Several of the girls felt physical effects from the strike. A traffic stop was made for transporting a boat with the drain plug in place.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area boating, angling, and ATV activity this past week. Storms kept many folks at their campsites and fishing was slow.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and angling activity during the week. Most anglers checked had at least a few fish but the bite is being reported as slow. Murray answered questions on the upcoming bear season and investigated a report of foxes being taken illegally. Enforcement action was taken for ATV licensing and equipment violations.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports that although nuisance bear reports had subsided for several weeks, there seemed to be a resurgence. Berry crops continue to ripen but are weeks behind a normal year. Williams has been asking residents of the Ely area to be vigilant with bird feeders and other attractants.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and boaters this past week. He received several nuisance-animal calls and questions about the statewide slot limits. Velsvaag also followed up on a protected waters complaint.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with a waters complaint where someone obviously altered the shoreline and channel of a flowage between two lakes. The area will be restored after an evaluation is completed. Investigation into the responsible parties is continuing. Manning also issued a road-killed deer permit, checked boaters and anglers and worked area boat accesses to check for AIS compliance by boaters. Anglers are reminded that even if they fish only one lake they are still required to drain their boat and leave the plug out anytime the boat is being transported.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent most of the week teaching big- and small-game enforcement at the CO Academy and evaluating scenarios. A complaint led to two citations being issued to intoxicated individuals drinking at a public access/day use area. Bermel and two rescue squad members paddled at night to the campsite of a group of Girl Scouts on Knife Lake whose campsite was struck by lightning and organized their evacuation. Several of the girls felt physical effects from the strike. A traffic stop was made for transporting a boat with the drain plug in place.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area boating, angling, and ATV activity this past week. Storms kept many folks at their campsites and fishing was slow.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked boating and angling activity during the week. Most anglers checked had at least a few fish but the bite is being reported as slow. Murray answered questions on the upcoming bear season and investigated a report of foxes being taken illegally. Enforcement action was taken for ATV licensing and equipment violations.
