Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northern Minnesota
Jan 03, 2023 10:38AM ● By Content Editor
Photo: Boreal Community Media
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 3, 2023
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports conditions on area waterways and trails continue to hamper snowmobile activity, although efforts continue to allow safe passage through those questionable areas. Those persisting in angling and spearing activities are also finding difficult complications with slush and extreme cold. Work continues on a background investigation for a potential candidate to the next Conservation Officer Academy. Equipment maintenance and administrative tasks were also attended to.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports a week of below-zero temperatures, strong winds and unsafe lake travel found no fishing activity. Trappers who got away from the roads caught animals. This involved walking, snowshoe, or snowmobile travel. Some trappers continue to complain about access and deep snow impacting catching animals. Field patrols away from the road showed numerous areas of fisher, marten, and bobcat tracks. Equipment work rounded out the week.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time throughout the week working primarily snowmobile and trapping enforcement. Larson also worked on ongoing wetland and trapping cases. Cold weather limited snowmobile activity on the trails, but anglers remain hopeful the ice conditions and slush on Lake Vermilion will freeze.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling, trapping, and snowmobile enforcement. Time was spent maintaining station equipment and continuing open investigations. Cold weather severely limited the amount of recreational activity throughout the area.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time patrolling local lakes and snowmobile trails. Recent snowfall has paved the way for excellent trail riding in the near future but made lake travel difficult due to slushy conditions. Outdoor activity was slow due to high winds and cold weather.
To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
To see original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter maintenance planning and upcoming moose survey items. He also did administrative tasks.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Grand Rapids) completed wolf telemetry flights and worked on upcoming training plans and flight courses.
Standby CO Pilot Jake Willis (Grand Rapids) completed online training and planning for up-coming flights.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) attended to aircraft maintenance and administrative and training tasks.
To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - January 3, 2023
Eveleth area
CO Curtis Simonson (Int?l Falls #2) reports spending time this past week monitoring trapping activity and checking anglers on area lakes and rivers.CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports conditions on area waterways and trails continue to hamper snowmobile activity, although efforts continue to allow safe passage through those questionable areas. Those persisting in angling and spearing activities are also finding difficult complications with slush and extreme cold. Work continues on a background investigation for a potential candidate to the next Conservation Officer Academy. Equipment maintenance and administrative tasks were also attended to.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports a week of below-zero temperatures, strong winds and unsafe lake travel found no fishing activity. Trappers who got away from the roads caught animals. This involved walking, snowshoe, or snowmobile travel. Some trappers continue to complain about access and deep snow impacting catching animals. Field patrols away from the road showed numerous areas of fisher, marten, and bobcat tracks. Equipment work rounded out the week.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time throughout the week working primarily snowmobile and trapping enforcement. Larson also worked on ongoing wetland and trapping cases. Cold weather limited snowmobile activity on the trails, but anglers remain hopeful the ice conditions and slush on Lake Vermilion will freeze.
CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked angling, trapping, and snowmobile enforcement. Time was spent maintaining station equipment and continuing open investigations. Cold weather severely limited the amount of recreational activity throughout the area.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time patrolling local lakes and snowmobile trails. Recent snowfall has paved the way for excellent trail riding in the near future but made lake travel difficult due to slushy conditions. Outdoor activity was slow due to high winds and cold weather.
To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
Water Resource Enforcement Officers
WREO Jeff Humphrey (NE) reviewed status and updated several ongoing and dormant wetland and waters cases with COs and soil and water conservation district and local government staff. Restoration orders were reviewed prior to being served by area COs. Humphrey worked snowmobile trail enforcement and checked anglers on an area lake. Equipment and uniform maintenance were attended to.To see original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
Aviation Section
CO Pilot Tim Gray (Bemidji) monitored angling and trapping activity.NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter maintenance planning and upcoming moose survey items. He also did administrative tasks.
CO Pilot Charles Scott (Grand Rapids) completed wolf telemetry flights and worked on upcoming training plans and flight courses.
Standby CO Pilot Jake Willis (Grand Rapids) completed online training and planning for up-coming flights.
NR Pilot Gracie Zeller (Brainerd) attended to aircraft maintenance and administrative and training tasks.
To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
Two Harbors area
No updates.To see the original page, visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources site here.
