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Boreal Community Media

Weekly Conservation Officer Reports

Nov 24, 2020 09:27AM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 23, 2020

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports hunting success continued to taper off at the end of the regular firearms season as we drifted further from the peak of the rut. More issues with hunters wearing very little or no blaze orange were addressed over the week and became the No. 1 violation seen for the season. Hunters are reminded that although they may feel like they have a wide expanse of wilderness to themselves, other hunters may be closer than they know. Blaze orange and pink laws exist to protect hunters from accidents.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked deer hunters this past week. He also followed up on deer-baiting violations and had multiple questions on party hunting and using electronic devices while hunting. Hunting success was slow and a couple of people were seen out on ice fishing on thin ice.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked deer hunters in the field and traveling the roads looking for deer. The season finished out with many tags unfilled. Manning followed up on deer-license issues from the season, issued car-killed deer permits and handled squad maintenance issues. Lakes are freezing with the lack of snow and low overnight temperatures, but folks are urged to use caution when venturing out to check the ice.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked the final week of the firearms deer season. A couple road-hunting details were worked. Harvest the last week seemed slow. Enforcement action included shooting from a motor vehicle, registration, and blaze orange violations. Several roadkill possession permits were issued and complaints were followed up on.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked the last week of deer season. Time was spent checking a few grouse hunters as well. Schottenbauer came across a couple of cross-country skiers on a partially frozen lake. The skiers were warned about the poor ice conditions.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a very busy week of checking deer hunters in the Tofte area and surrounding stations. The continued cold weather kept the deer on their feet with a few nice bucks seen at camps. This spike in deer movement also led to Hill issuing possession permits for car-killed deer. Hill also did some outreach with a local news outlet. Grouse hunters were also checked and no violations were seen.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked a fairly quiet final weekend of the firearms deer season along the North Shore. Snow and cooler weather made for better tracking conditions but fewer hunters were encountered. Ice has formed on most area lakes but extreme caution must be used when venturing out early in the season as ice depth varies greatly.
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