CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports bear-baiting season is in full swing with the number of bear baits doubling during the week. The level of bear activity seen at the sites continues to be high as we come into the last week of baiting before the hunting opener. Violations included failure to display current watercraft registration, insufficient PFDs in a watercraft, and incomplete information on a bear-bait sign.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked bear-baiting activity and answered several complaints about nuisance and dead animals. He also checked anglers and boaters on area lakes. Velsvaag went to Camp Ripley for training and followed up on an abandoned vehicle complaint.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled the forests checking bear bait stations and took a few questions regarding bear-hunting regulations. She also checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior and inland lakes and ATV operators on county and forest roads. A few small grouse were seen on backwoods trails, which is a good sign for the upcoming opener. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked bear-baiting, angling, boating, and AIS throughout the week. Assistance was given on a work detail at the International Falls Port of Entry with fish and bear checks. Numerous seizures were made for illegally-transported fish. Additional enforcement action included AIS violations and a bear-baiting violation. Bear baits are getting hit, but fishing has been fairly slow.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area bear-baiting activity this past week. Time was also spent checking anglers and ATV activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) focused enforcement efforts on bear-bait activity. He checked anglers on inland lakes and returned calls on wildlife complaints. Enforcement action was taken for big-game violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and bear-baiting activity during the week in preparation for the Sept. 1 opener. Murray also assisted with the recovery of a stolen vehicle and handled nuisance-wildlife complaints.

Grand Marais #1 – vacant.