Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Sep 09, 2019 11:57AM ● By EditorCO Sean Williams (Ely #1) spent the weekend patrolling areas of the BWCA by foot and canoe. Angling success was fair to poor. Violations included baiting bears inside the BWCA, ricing without a permit in possession and baiting bears with non-biodegradable materials.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked bear hunters and bear baits. He also received multiple calls about nuisance animals and trapping regulations.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked bear hunters, ATV riders and anglers. Time was spent on Lake Superior checking anglers, many of whom had salmon and lake trout in the bag. Training was completed at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for big-game and angling violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked bear hunters and also focused on boat and water and angling enforcement inside and outside the BWCA. Compliance throughout the week was good, but violations included insufficient PFDs and no license in possession. Several questions were answered and complaints checked into throughout the week.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area bear-hunting activity this past week. Time was spent on ATV trails and angling activity as well.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked bear-hunting and ATV activity during the week. Bear hunters are having mixed success but are reporting bear activity at baits. Murray received a complaint of ATV riders operating in closed areas and investigated a litter complaint on county lands.
Tofte vacant.