CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) attended an ATV and small-game hunting work crew in the Finland area over the weekend. Hunting activity was good but most people contacted were ATV riders enjoying the warm dry weather. Violations included hunting deer over bait, failure to display current ATV registration, and taking small game without blaze orange

CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and hunters this past week. He also followed up on an ongoing litter complaint. Duck hunting has been slow but some nice walleyes are being caught. Velsvaag took several calls on the youth deer hunt and trapping regulations

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking small-game hunters, anglers and ATV operators. Numerous wildlife-related calls were handled. Wahlstrom and other area officers and volunteer instructors assisted with an ATV safety field day at the Cook County school. 

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) conducted field checks of ATV operators, small-game hunters and anglers. Manning also worked with volunteer instructors, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers, and other COs conducting an ATV field test for 31 students from Cook County schools. She attended the funeral for retired CO Reynold Lasko as part of the DNR Honor Guard and provided Cook County with assistance in a search.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy MEA weekend with a wide array of outdoor activities monitored. Numerous calls and questions were addressed throughout the week. Enforcement action included trespassing on posted land, open burning of garbage, small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, taking deer from a road, operating an OHM on a roadway, excessive speed on an ATV, and no helmets on juvenile ATV passengers. Assistance was provided to CO Broughten with a hunter-harassment case, CO Williams with an archery deer baiting case, and St. Louis County with a search warrant.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area hunting and angling activity this past week. Time was spent working ATV trails and back roads for hunting activity with officers from around the state up to assist. The conservation officer candidate Schottenbauer is training, COC Aaron Larson, worked grouse hunting, fishing, and ATV enforcement. Several contacts were made over the busy weekend. Many vacationers were in the area to enjoy the outdoors over the MEA break. Reminder that youth must wear a helmet until they are 18 while driving or riding on an ATV.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and small-game hunting activity this past week. ATV riders enjoyed beautiful riding weather over the weekend as warmer weather replaced the snow showers earlier in the week. Hunters are reporting grouse have been sparse in the area so far this season.

Tofte – vacant.