Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Sep 30, 2025 06:18AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 30, 2025
Last updated: 2025-09-29
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - September 30, 2025
Last updated: 2025-09-29
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports hunting activity was again slow in the Ely area. Warm and dry weather made ideal conditions for ATV riding and many of the trails had almost constant traffic. Violations included failure to display ATV registration, failure to transfer ATV registration, and juvenile ATV passengers without helmets.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) monitored deer-, waterfowl-, and small-game hunting activity this week. He also checked anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent patrolling for ATV and OHM riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the waterfowl opener in the Evansville area. Despite the very warm weather, most hunters had some success. He also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports a busy weekend in the woods with several different user types taking advantage of the beautiful autumn days. Hikers, cyclists, ATV riders, grouse hunters, leaf peepers, anglers, paddlers, waterfowl hunters, bear hunters, and tribal moose hunters were all seen throughout the county. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked waterfowl opener weekend. He also checked anglers and grouse hunters throughout the week. success was seen for ducks than grouse. Grouse numbers seem way down in the area this year. Enforcement action was taken for no state or federal waterfowl stamps, unplugged shotgun, toxic shot, no walk-in access validation, ATV violations, and traffic violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV activity and small-game hunters. The Ride and Rally brought many recreators to the area, and the weather was perfect for the event. Time was also spent responding to rescue and wildlife-related calls.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) noted the woods were full this past week with fall color seekers, grouse hunters, and ATV operators. Many folks were checked afield grouse hunting. They were having limited success. Hunters are optimistic bird sightings will increase once leaves fall. Time was spent working waterfowl-hunting activity and answering miscellaneous wildlife-related questions. Enforcement action was taken for ATV- and grouse-hunting-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking hunters in the area. Block reports seeing some success among small-game hunters. Time was also spent working and training with K9 Jet.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) monitored deer-, waterfowl-, and small-game hunting activity this week. He also checked anglers and watercraft operators. Additional time was spent patrolling for ATV and OHM riders.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) worked the waterfowl opener in the Evansville area. Despite the very warm weather, most hunters had some success. He also attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) reports a busy weekend in the woods with several different user types taking advantage of the beautiful autumn days. Hikers, cyclists, ATV riders, grouse hunters, leaf peepers, anglers, paddlers, waterfowl hunters, bear hunters, and tribal moose hunters were all seen throughout the county. Enforcement action was taken for varying violations.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked waterfowl opener weekend. He also checked anglers and grouse hunters throughout the week. success was seen for ducks than grouse. Grouse numbers seem way down in the area this year. Enforcement action was taken for no state or federal waterfowl stamps, unplugged shotgun, toxic shot, no walk-in access validation, ATV violations, and traffic violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring ATV activity and small-game hunters. The Ride and Rally brought many recreators to the area, and the weather was perfect for the event. Time was also spent responding to rescue and wildlife-related calls.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) noted the woods were full this past week with fall color seekers, grouse hunters, and ATV operators. Many folks were checked afield grouse hunting. They were having limited success. Hunters are optimistic bird sightings will increase once leaves fall. Time was spent working waterfowl-hunting activity and answering miscellaneous wildlife-related questions. Enforcement action was taken for ATV- and grouse-hunting-related violations.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week checking hunters in the area. Block reports seeing some success among small-game hunters. Time was also spent working and training with K9 Jet.
