Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Oct 20, 2020 01:18PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - October 20, 2020
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports there was low hunting activity north of the Ely area after several inches of snow began to fall around noon Saturday and continued into the night. Hunting success had been fair to good before the snow, but the reduced visibility made for tough conditions. Violations included insufficient blaze orange, failure to display ATV registration, and hunting with no license in possession.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week check small-game hunters and ATV riders. He responded to several bear-related complaints. Equipment maintenance was worked on. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, firearms and hunting violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked numerous big-game and spruce-top investigations throughout the week and completed Step 2 field training with COC Ryan Brown. An individual was apprehended hunting over bait with a crossbow. Poor weather met youth hunters, with lots of road hunting observed. Enforcement action included hunting with the aid of bait, unregistered bear bait station, several instances of transporting loaded firearms, toxic shot during duck hunting, no PFDs, failure to validate deer tag, several ATV violations, and several instances of spruce-top theft and failure to carry consent.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area hunting activity this past week. Time was spent checking lakes and ATV activity as well. Schottenbauer is still running into a lot of loaded guns being transported.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting various commercial bear guide and minnow retailer inspections throughout the week. A few late-season boaters were contacted on an area lake. They were cited for not having any life jackets on board. During the contact, which occurred in the snow and wind, they complained that they were extremely cold and wanted to get back to their dock. Hill explained the importance of having a life jacket during extremely cold weather. Duck hunters were checked and a few buffleheads were seen in the bag. The hunters were cited after Hill located multiple boxes of lead (including buck shot) in their gear. One parent was also found to have allowed their child to hunt with an unplugged shotgun. Two people were cited hunting in a state park after Hill contacted them returning to their vehicle with a bow and shotgun in hand. Equipment maintenance was done at the regional office.
CO Don Murray (Two harbors) worked archery deer hunting and waterfowl activity over the weekend. Small ponds and lakes are beginning to freeze, which coincided with the season?s first snowfall. A report of hunter harassment was investigated and litter complaints continue to be reported.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports there was low hunting activity north of the Ely area after several inches of snow began to fall around noon Saturday and continued into the night. Hunting success had been fair to good before the snow, but the reduced visibility made for tough conditions. Violations included insufficient blaze orange, failure to display ATV registration, and hunting with no license in possession.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the past week check small-game hunters and ATV riders. He responded to several bear-related complaints. Equipment maintenance was worked on. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, firearms and hunting violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked numerous big-game and spruce-top investigations throughout the week and completed Step 2 field training with COC Ryan Brown. An individual was apprehended hunting over bait with a crossbow. Poor weather met youth hunters, with lots of road hunting observed. Enforcement action included hunting with the aid of bait, unregistered bear bait station, several instances of transporting loaded firearms, toxic shot during duck hunting, no PFDs, failure to validate deer tag, several ATV violations, and several instances of spruce-top theft and failure to carry consent.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area hunting activity this past week. Time was spent checking lakes and ATV activity as well. Schottenbauer is still running into a lot of loaded guns being transported.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting various commercial bear guide and minnow retailer inspections throughout the week. A few late-season boaters were contacted on an area lake. They were cited for not having any life jackets on board. During the contact, which occurred in the snow and wind, they complained that they were extremely cold and wanted to get back to their dock. Hill explained the importance of having a life jacket during extremely cold weather. Duck hunters were checked and a few buffleheads were seen in the bag. The hunters were cited after Hill located multiple boxes of lead (including buck shot) in their gear. One parent was also found to have allowed their child to hunt with an unplugged shotgun. Two people were cited hunting in a state park after Hill contacted them returning to their vehicle with a bow and shotgun in hand. Equipment maintenance was done at the regional office.
CO Don Murray (Two harbors) worked archery deer hunting and waterfowl activity over the weekend. Small ponds and lakes are beginning to freeze, which coincided with the season?s first snowfall. A report of hunter harassment was investigated and litter complaints continue to be reported.
