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Boreal Community Media

Weekly Conservation Officer Reports

Nov 04, 2019 04:14PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 4, 2019

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports hunting activity tapered off over the week as snow and cooler weather arrived. Angling activity completely stopped on most lakes as several are beginning to form ice and smaller bodies of water have frozen over. 

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked hunters and whitefish netters this past week. Duck hunting has been slow but whitefish netters have been doing well. Velsvaag followed up on calls and answered several questions on baiting deer and trespass regulations.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking small-game hunters and ATV riders. Wildlife-related calls and past investigations were followed up on. Enforcement action was taken for burning, hunting and firearms violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took questions about the upcoming firearms deer season and checked stands and hunting areas for deer bait. She also took a report of a grouse hunter in a state park and an accidental-catch fisher. She checked trap sets, grouse hunters and anglers.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) and COC Aaron Larson began Step 3 of field training. A spruce top case resulted in a citation for not carrying consent. Time was spent in the Baudette station on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River checking waterfowl hunters and anglers. Enforcement action included extra line, fishing without a license, possessing frozen shiners without a VHS-free label, nontoxic shot while waterfowl hunting, and an unsigned federal duck stamp. Deer stands were checked for bait.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area hunting activity this past week. Time was also spent working ATV trails and back roads for activity. Traps and stands were located as well.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports taking over duties in Tofte. Equipment inventory and radio maintenance was completed and Hill familiarized himself with different areas of his new station.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) checked grouse hunters and continued big-game baiting investigations. Cold weather has frozen most area ponds as trappers continue to trap beavers. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations.

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