Weekly Conservation Officer Reports
Aug 09, 2021 12:56PM ● By Editor
District 6 - Two Harbors Area - From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - August 9, 2021
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity was lower than in past weeks, but success was overall good and most reported a fair walleye and northern bite. Fire activity had slowed, although several fires were still burning inside the closure area of the BWCA. Violations included failure to display current watercraft registration, operating an ATV on a state highway right-of-way, and operating an ATV with no safety certificate.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. Fishing has been slow overall. He also followed up on previous watercraft-related complaints and received several nuisance-animal calls.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes and ATV riders in the area. He responded to nuisance-bear complaints where some were getting into cars. Time was also spent at Camp Ripley teaching use of force and firearms tactics.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled campgrounds, dispersed campsites and boat accesses with U.S. Forest Service enforcement officers. They took a report of an illegal campfire at a campground. Upon investigating, officers found a family using handheld electric bug zappers that sounded remarkably like a crackling campfire. Manning also investigated a report of illegal alterations to a lakebed and river flowage. Enforcement action was taken for watercraft-registration violations, storage of personal property on forest lands and failure to have angling license in possession.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) took numerous reports of nuisance bears. OHM violations were addressed. Time was spent on enforcement related to local fires.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity this week. Time was spent with the Silver Bay firearms safety instructors with two field days. Schottenbauer assisted CO Matt Miller and the Lake County Sheriff?s Office in locating a lost child at Tettegouche State Park.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending the funeral service for Red Lake Officer Ryan Bialke. Hill also attended training at Camp Ripley. Boats were checked on Lake Superior and Hill reports an excellent catch. Pink salmon, coho salmon, and nice lake trout were seen in the bag. No violations were detected this week. Thanks to all who made this possible!
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Murray worked on a trespass case with CO Andy Schmidt involving trail camera footage from last deer season. A case was made for trespassing, hunting with no blaze orange, and illegal party hunting. The deer mount as well as the firearm were seized as evidence and the hunter will face a three-year revocation of big-game privileges.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling activity was lower than in past weeks, but success was overall good and most reported a fair walleye and northern bite. Fire activity had slowed, although several fires were still burning inside the closure area of the BWCA. Violations included failure to display current watercraft registration, operating an ATV on a state highway right-of-way, and operating an ATV with no safety certificate.
CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers this past week. Fishing has been slow overall. He also followed up on previous watercraft-related complaints and received several nuisance-animal calls.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes and ATV riders in the area. He responded to nuisance-bear complaints where some were getting into cars. Time was also spent at Camp Ripley teaching use of force and firearms tactics.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled campgrounds, dispersed campsites and boat accesses with U.S. Forest Service enforcement officers. They took a report of an illegal campfire at a campground. Upon investigating, officers found a family using handheld electric bug zappers that sounded remarkably like a crackling campfire. Manning also investigated a report of illegal alterations to a lakebed and river flowage. Enforcement action was taken for watercraft-registration violations, storage of personal property on forest lands and failure to have angling license in possession.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) took numerous reports of nuisance bears. OHM violations were addressed. Time was spent on enforcement related to local fires.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area angling and boating activity this week. Time was spent with the Silver Bay firearms safety instructors with two field days. Schottenbauer assisted CO Matt Miller and the Lake County Sheriff?s Office in locating a lost child at Tettegouche State Park.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending the funeral service for Red Lake Officer Ryan Bialke. Hill also attended training at Camp Ripley. Boats were checked on Lake Superior and Hill reports an excellent catch. Pink salmon, coho salmon, and nice lake trout were seen in the bag. No violations were detected this week. Thanks to all who made this possible!
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Murray worked on a trespass case with CO Andy Schmidt involving trail camera footage from last deer season. A case was made for trespassing, hunting with no blaze orange, and illegal party hunting. The deer mount as well as the firearm were seized as evidence and the hunter will face a three-year revocation of big-game privileges.
