Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Sep 17, 2019 06:55PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 17, 2019
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports thick underbrush and foliage on trees made for some tough hunting conditions for the small-game opener. Overall, the volume of hunters was way down from previous years, especially considering the break in the cool, rainy weather for the weekend. Bird numbers reported, however, seemed about average and the few hunters contacted reported seeing a good number while on foot, hiking little-used trails.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked bear hunters and grouse hunters this past week. He also followed up on a litter complaint and an ATV complaint. Velsvaag also checked on early waterfowl blinds and the end of ricing.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) focused enforcement efforts on small-game and bear hunters and ATV riders. The woods are still thick but the hunters who put time in and got off the beaten path were rewarded with some birds. Wahlstrom also spent some time checking anglers on area lakes and following up on complaints.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time patrolling the BWCA with CO Lawler and working big-game enforcement. Several calls and complaints were taken throughout the week. A litter investigation is ongoing.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling, boating and hunting activity this past week. Schottenbauer also assisted with Silver Bay?s firearms safety class. Special thank you to the instructors for their hard work.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) reports a slow opener to the grouse season. Not many hunters reported seeing birds as cover remains thick. The bear harvest remained high with many hunters already ending the season. Murray attended an officer water survival and instructor course this past week and answered questions about ATV regulations.
Tofte vacant.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports thick underbrush and foliage on trees made for some tough hunting conditions for the small-game opener. Overall, the volume of hunters was way down from previous years, especially considering the break in the cool, rainy weather for the weekend. Bird numbers reported, however, seemed about average and the few hunters contacted reported seeing a good number while on foot, hiking little-used trails.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked bear hunters and grouse hunters this past week. He also followed up on a litter complaint and an ATV complaint. Velsvaag also checked on early waterfowl blinds and the end of ricing.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) focused enforcement efforts on small-game and bear hunters and ATV riders. The woods are still thick but the hunters who put time in and got off the beaten path were rewarded with some birds. Wahlstrom also spent some time checking anglers on area lakes and following up on complaints.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time patrolling the BWCA with CO Lawler and working big-game enforcement. Several calls and complaints were taken throughout the week. A litter investigation is ongoing.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling, boating and hunting activity this past week. Schottenbauer also assisted with Silver Bay?s firearms safety class. Special thank you to the instructors for their hard work.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) reports a slow opener to the grouse season. Not many hunters reported seeing birds as cover remains thick. The bear harvest remained high with many hunters already ending the season. Murray attended an officer water survival and instructor course this past week and answered questions about ATV regulations.
Tofte vacant.
