Weekly Conservation Officer Reports for Northeast Minnesota
Nov 25, 2025 06:12AM ● By Editor
Image: MN DNR
From the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - November 25, 2025
District 6 - Two Harbors area
Last updated: 2025-11-24CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports the weather held over the weekend with fair temperatures and some sunshine making conditions very nice for the final weekend of the regular firearms deer season. Very few hunters were seen, however, and those checked reported no success. Violations included insufficient blaze orange/pink and operating an ATV without headlights.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked deer and small-game hunters this week. He also spent time patrolling for waterfowl-hunting activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fishing and boating activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked deer hunters in Lake and Cook counties. A lot of deer hunters switched back to grouse hunting due to lack of deer in the area. Ice fishing activity was monitored as a few inland lakes are frozen over.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling deer hunting, trapping, and angling activity. The final weekend of the firearms deer season had a few folks out looking for that last opportunity at a buck. Lakes in the area are in a freeze-and-thaw cycle, and folks are reminded to bring ample safety gear when traveling out on frozen water. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued the final phase of field training with COC Kris Ryan. Time was spent in the La Crescent station where COC Ryan will soon be stationed. The officers worked waterfowl-hunting and angling enforcement on pools 7, 8, and 9 of the Mississippi River. 3B season deer hunters were checked over the opening weekend of the season. Some success was noted among waterfowl and deer hunters. Enforcement action was taken for several instances of failure to register deer, transporting a loaded firearm on an ATV, and ATV registration and operation violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking small-game and deer hunters. Hunters reported varied success as the deer season ended. The week ended with relatively high temperatures along the shore, but hopefully the upcoming week of snow and cool weather brings the change of the season.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on deer- and grouse-hunting enforcement for the week. The last weekend of the firearms deer season came to a quiet end. Grouse-hunting activity has decreased now that inland areas are hitting freezing temperatures. One young hunter was checked with their first hard-earned grouse.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling the area for hunting activity. Block also spent time training and working with fellow K9 handlers. Additionally, Block followed up on various complaints.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked deer and small-game hunters this week. He also spent time patrolling for waterfowl-hunting activity. Additional time was spent monitoring fishing and boating activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked deer hunters in Lake and Cook counties. A lot of deer hunters switched back to grouse hunting due to lack of deer in the area. Ice fishing activity was monitored as a few inland lakes are frozen over.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) spent the week patrolling deer hunting, trapping, and angling activity. The final weekend of the firearms deer season had a few folks out looking for that last opportunity at a buck. Lakes in the area are in a freeze-and-thaw cycle, and folks are reminded to bring ample safety gear when traveling out on frozen water. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued the final phase of field training with COC Kris Ryan. Time was spent in the La Crescent station where COC Ryan will soon be stationed. The officers worked waterfowl-hunting and angling enforcement on pools 7, 8, and 9 of the Mississippi River. 3B season deer hunters were checked over the opening weekend of the season. Some success was noted among waterfowl and deer hunters. Enforcement action was taken for several instances of failure to register deer, transporting a loaded firearm on an ATV, and ATV registration and operation violations.
CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week checking small-game and deer hunters. Hunters reported varied success as the deer season ended. The week ended with relatively high temperatures along the shore, but hopefully the upcoming week of snow and cool weather brings the change of the season.
CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on deer- and grouse-hunting enforcement for the week. The last weekend of the firearms deer season came to a quiet end. Grouse-hunting activity has decreased now that inland areas are hitting freezing temperatures. One young hunter was checked with their first hard-earned grouse.
CO Cassie Block (Two Harbors) spent time this week patrolling the area for hunting activity. Block also spent time training and working with fellow K9 handlers. Additionally, Block followed up on various complaints.
