CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the small-game opener was well attended with higher-than-normal numbers of hunters seen in the Ely area. Although drought conditions made for less-than-usual underbrush for the small-game opener, very few grouse were reported taken by hunters. Violations included hunting without a license in possession, operating an unregistered OHM, and operating an OHM on a roadway.

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked anglers and small-game hunters this past week. He also attended training at Camp Ripley. Velsvaag also did some ATV and boating enforcement and took several calls about nuisance animals.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked with area officers during the small-game opener. Trails were busy with ATV riders and hunters. Small-game hunters overall had moderate success. He also attended training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for hunting and ATV violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked a busy small-game opener. One pair of hunters tried telling Manning that "we just got checked yesterday" as a way to avoid being checked in the field. Both were transporting loaded shotguns on their ATV. A pair of juvenile ATV operators drove past Manning without helmets on, but had them on when stopped a couple minutes later and tried to play it off as if they had them on the whole time. She also discovered an unattended and unpermitted burning brush pile on recently cleared parcel of land. The fire was extinguished by the local fire department and the property owner was educated when he returned. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) spent time primarily on small-game and ATV enforcement. There were a large number of ATVs in the area for the All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Minnesota event, including a big crowd for the Big Air show in Babbitt. Ely?s Public Safety Day was also attended. Enforcement action included numerous ATV operational violations and transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. 

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked a slower-than-expected small-game opener. Still, there were a fair number of firearms transportation issues. Time was also spent starting work on a background investigation.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a great week of outdoor activity in the station. The pink salmon are hitting the rivers hard with anglers reporting multiple fish throughout the day. A reminder to have all licenses and stamps and to use legal tackle. Grouse hunters saw great success as Hill checked multiple groups who were close to a limit. A few hunters were cited for transporting loaded shotguns on ATVs. Two in particular also had juveniles without helmets on. One ATV operator had three juveniles under the age of 10 (one in a car seat) without helmets and seatbelts on. A hunter was spoken to about using an unregistered motorcycle/OHM on the road. Hill continued working on a background investigation.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked busy small-game and deer archery openers. Hunters were reporting seeing birds and deer as well as enjoying the fall colors. ATV use was high in the area, with many riders out enjoying the trails. Early goose hunters and bear hunters were still reporting a good harvest.