Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Jun 15, 2021 05:32AM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - June 14, 2021
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily AIS, boating, and fishing enforcement. Anglers caught a fair number of walleyes during the Birch Lake walleye tournament despite very windy conditions. Enforcement action included transporting a loaded firearm and two uncased firearms in a motor vehicle, no PFDs, unregistered watercraft, transporting a watercraft with the drain plug in place, and no trailer lights on boat trailers.
CO Sean Williams (Ely) focused on fishing and ATV activity in the Ely area. Fishing reports picked up towards the end of the week as the weather began to change but success was still only fair. Several nuisance-bear complaints were received, all involving poor garbage and food storage. Visitors are reminded to be conscious that bears are still hungry and extra care should be taken to prevent bear issues.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and boaters this past week. He found multiple locations with litter from people camping in nontraditional spots. Several calls came in regarding nuisance animals and illegal PWC operation.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked fishing and boating activity during the week. Fishing success slowed this week but warm weather brought high recreational use of watercraft to area lakes. Several reports of seemingly orphaned fawns were taken this week. The best advice for fawns are to leave them alone where they are found. It is normal for fawns to be left alone for several hours by their mothers.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with firearms qualifications at Camp Ripley again this week. She also checked ATV riders and anglers. Manning also took a report of a couple who decided that free state park entry was not good enough and decided to skip out without paying for their campsite.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity. Time was also spent checking ATV trails in the area.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily AIS, boating, and fishing enforcement. Anglers caught a fair number of walleyes during the Birch Lake walleye tournament despite very windy conditions. Enforcement action included transporting a loaded firearm and two uncased firearms in a motor vehicle, no PFDs, unregistered watercraft, transporting a watercraft with the drain plug in place, and no trailer lights on boat trailers.
CO Sean Williams (Ely) focused on fishing and ATV activity in the Ely area. Fishing reports picked up towards the end of the week as the weather began to change but success was still only fair. Several nuisance-bear complaints were received, all involving poor garbage and food storage. Visitors are reminded to be conscious that bears are still hungry and extra care should be taken to prevent bear issues.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked anglers and boaters this past week. He found multiple locations with litter from people camping in nontraditional spots. Several calls came in regarding nuisance animals and illegal PWC operation.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked fishing and boating activity during the week. Fishing success slowed this week but warm weather brought high recreational use of watercraft to area lakes. Several reports of seemingly orphaned fawns were taken this week. The best advice for fawns are to leave them alone where they are found. It is normal for fawns to be left alone for several hours by their mothers.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with firearms qualifications at Camp Ripley again this week. She also checked ATV riders and anglers. Manning also took a report of a couple who decided that free state park entry was not good enough and decided to skip out without paying for their campsite.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity. Time was also spent checking ATV trails in the area.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) attended training at Camp Ripley.
