CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports warm, dry weather made for a slow and poorly attended waterfowl opener. Some ducks were found in the area including ring necks and wood ducks, but overall they weren?t seen in any numbers. Violations included small-game hunting with no blaze orange, operating an unregistered ATV and no registration displayed on an ATV. 

CO John Velsvaag (Ely #2) checked small-game hunters, duck hunters and anglers this past week. He also received several calls about nuisance animals and trapping regulations, and attended training at Camp Ripley.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked anglers, small-game hunters and waterfowl hunters. He spent time at Camp Ripley armoring Division-issued rifles. 

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked small-game hunters and archery deer hunters. Anglers fishing Lake Superior tributaries were also checked as the pink salmon move in. Manning also took calls about firearms deer licensing, nuisance bears and property stored on state land. She also attended annual training at Camp Ripley for first aid and defensive tactics. 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked waterfowl hunters, grouse hunters, and a spruce top-cutting complaint during the week. Some hunters did well while others struggled. A habitual spruce-top violator was charged again for cutting without consent and also providing false documentation after being found cutting on Minnesota Power-controlled land. Other enforcement action for the week included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of lead shot, no PFD, and litter.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area small-game activity this week. Calls were taken about tribal moose hunts and background work continued.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports seeing a large number of harvested grouse in the station throughout the week. There's a lot of traffic on the roads with leaf season in full swing, so if you plan on hunting, the earlier the better. One hunter was cited after they were observed shooting a grouse from their truck window. Had they taken the time to step out of the truck, they wouldn't have received a few-hundred-dollar ticket. Reports of anglers illegally snagging pink salmon in the local tributaries are starting to come in with the ongoing run. A few duck hunters were checked and, oddly enough, they harvested more grouse than ducks. Other violations for the week include an unsigned federal duck stamp and an ATV headlight violation.