Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Mar 01, 2021 01:35PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - March 1, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports warmer weather and very little additional snow made for trail conditions that continued to deteriorate through the past week. In spite of those worsening conditions, trails were still passible but some spots have already worn down to bare ground. Violations included fishing without a license and snowmobile speed.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout anglers this past week. Snowmobile riders were out with good trail conditions, which did not last with the warm weather. Velsvaag also took phone calls about fish house removal and litter.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a snowmobile detail with several officers in Cook County. The trails are starting to deteriorate quickly with the lack of snow and warm weather. Time was also spent armoring handguns at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile, ATV and fishing violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling enforcement during the past week. Trails have deteriorated a great deal. Enforcement action was taken for loud exhaust, failure to display snowmobile registration, and shelter tag violations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and snowmobile activity this past week. Several juvenile operators and their parents were contacted for illegal activity. Trails have suffered greatly with warm, sunny days and heavy traffic.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports excellent weather conditions brought heavy snowmobile and fishing traffic into the area. Hill took part in snowmobile speed enforcement with a few partners. A few notable stops for speed included 81 mph, 80 mph, 75 mph, 71 mph, and 63 mph. It has been proven time and time again that speed kills, and it has been a contributing factor in multiple snowmobile fatalities over the years. Please stay under the 50 mph speed limit. Hill contacted a few anglers in violation after they left lines unattended to go find a new fishing spot. Another party was found to be illegally possessing a 36-inch pike in the Northeast Pike Zone. Hill and another officer contacted a snowmobile owner for a suspected equipment violation. Even though they weren?t driving the snowmobile in question, it was determined that the individual was intoxicated and they were advised to not operate the machine until they were sober. Two hours later, Hill clocked the rider going 80 mph across the lake. The subject was arrested on suspicion of second degree DUI. The snowmobile was seized and could be subject to forfeiture pending the outcome of the case.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked snowmobile and angling activity during the past week. Area trail conditions have started to deteriorate due to the recent warm weather. Anglers closed out the game fish season with some fair success and spring-like weather. Enforcement action was taken for licensing and registration violations.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports warmer weather and very little additional snow made for trail conditions that continued to deteriorate through the past week. In spite of those worsening conditions, trails were still passible but some spots have already worn down to bare ground. Violations included fishing without a license and snowmobile speed.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked trout anglers this past week. Snowmobile riders were out with good trail conditions, which did not last with the warm weather. Velsvaag also took phone calls about fish house removal and litter.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked a snowmobile detail with several officers in Cook County. The trails are starting to deteriorate quickly with the lack of snow and warm weather. Time was also spent armoring handguns at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile, ATV and fishing violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling enforcement during the past week. Trails have deteriorated a great deal. Enforcement action was taken for loud exhaust, failure to display snowmobile registration, and shelter tag violations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and snowmobile activity this past week. Several juvenile operators and their parents were contacted for illegal activity. Trails have suffered greatly with warm, sunny days and heavy traffic.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports excellent weather conditions brought heavy snowmobile and fishing traffic into the area. Hill took part in snowmobile speed enforcement with a few partners. A few notable stops for speed included 81 mph, 80 mph, 75 mph, 71 mph, and 63 mph. It has been proven time and time again that speed kills, and it has been a contributing factor in multiple snowmobile fatalities over the years. Please stay under the 50 mph speed limit. Hill contacted a few anglers in violation after they left lines unattended to go find a new fishing spot. Another party was found to be illegally possessing a 36-inch pike in the Northeast Pike Zone. Hill and another officer contacted a snowmobile owner for a suspected equipment violation. Even though they weren?t driving the snowmobile in question, it was determined that the individual was intoxicated and they were advised to not operate the machine until they were sober. Two hours later, Hill clocked the rider going 80 mph across the lake. The subject was arrested on suspicion of second degree DUI. The snowmobile was seized and could be subject to forfeiture pending the outcome of the case.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked snowmobile and angling activity during the past week. Area trail conditions have started to deteriorate due to the recent warm weather. Anglers closed out the game fish season with some fair success and spring-like weather. Enforcement action was taken for licensing and registration violations.
