Minnesota #DNR Conservation Officer Reports – Oct. 14, 2024 | The mighty 790 KFGO

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: October 14, 2024

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked duck hunters at Thief Lake and walleye/suckfish anglers at Lake of the Woods. Participants in both activities were quite successful. Area grouse hunters report below-average numbers of birds. Enforcement action was taken regarding the use of an additional line.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking on small game hunters and anglers in the area. Small game hunters report limited success.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) assisted with interviews in St. Paul. Fontes also spent the week following up on various cases. In particular, he investigated a case in which a buck was illegally shot with a firearm. Anyone with information is asked to call the TIP hotline at 800-652-9093.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports increased fishing activity on the Rainy River. Time was spent on fishing, boating and water safety, and ATV activities. Penalty measures were taken for fishing with an additional line and without having a fishing license.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) lectured on ATV and snowmobile safety to fifth and eighth graders from two local schools, checked on anglers in the area enjoying the mild temperatures, and monitored ATV activity. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license, possession of fish of illegal length, taking fish when rights are suspended, operating an ATV on a public road, lack of ATV safety training and no motorcycle permit.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time completing taxidermy inspections and conducting waterfowl, small game and fishing activities. Presentations about off-road vehicle safety were given to fifth- and eighth-graders in Thief River Falls.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent time throughout the week conducting commercial taxidermy inspections and waterfowl hunter inspections. Time was also spent investigating a trespassing complaint and assisting local law enforcement with calls for assistance.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) attended wildfire investigation training in Willow River.

Baudette East free.

Blackduck South free.

District 2 – Bemidji Area

Last updated: October 14, 2024

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports checking archery deer hunters and small game hunters this week. Anglers were contacted at local lakes. Time was also spent monitoring waterfowl hunters in area waters. Various wildlife-related calls were received.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) handled ongoing cases and questions from the public. He worked with other officials on problem areas for deer hunting. Taxidermy checks have been completed.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) checked on waterfowl hunters and shore anglers as they prepared for the long-awaited change of seasons. A new flock of birds provided variety for the hunters, while larger fish arrived in the fall. Additional time was spent attending a firearms safety course and conducting commercial inspections. Goodman responded to calls about injured wildlife and advised landowners on the intricacies of trespassing laws.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) was patrolling the station for hunting activities as numerous seasons are currently open. Many small game hunters have been inspected and burn-related violations resolved. Outdoor users are reminded to pay attention to burn restrictions before burning as the area is very dry. Law enforcement action was initiated for multiple violations and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office assisted with a fatal ATV accident.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week attending a wildland fire investigator course to learn fire behavior and investigative techniques. Time was also spent responding to various legal questions, complaints and reports of injured animals.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) has been involved in waterfowl hunting, with hunters reporting few birds. Anglers and boaters were monitored. Pheasant opening was attempted, with hunters reporting mediocre to poor success. Wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas were patrolled. Warren searched areas for possible illegal lighting activity, and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office received assistance in searching for missing teens on an all-terrain vehicle. The young people were identified and provided with education.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked the waterfowl hunters who had some good results. Bufflehead, wigeon, mallard, pintail and teal were harvested. Livestock permits were issued and TIP calls and a wolf hunting call for a killed calf were investigated. Small game and bow hunters were also tested and a youth class was taught firearm safety. Fixed an issue with poisonous shots in possession when hunting waterfowl.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) had the honor of attending the funeral of fallen United States National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim. Time was also spent controlling waterfowl and grouse hunters and monitoring ATV activity. Enforcement action has been taken against teen ATV riders without helmets.

Pelican Rapids free.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: October 14, 2024

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) continued field training for COC Sara Mooers. They inspected regional WMAs and public lands, conducted local taxidermy inspections, and oversaw the start of pheasant season. Hunters reported seeing pheasants, but the number of pheasants harvested was small. Officers also checked on waterfowl hunters, archers (deer hunters) and anglers who were out on the water enjoying the weather. Panfish anglers have been successful in area lakes.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports that he has spent the majority of his enforcement efforts on small game and fishing activities in the area. Brown saw a lot of hunters looking for the pheasant opener, but didn’t see many birds in the bag. Enforcement actions this week included taking small game without a hunting license and transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) and COC Petersen checked several waterfowl and small game hunters. The violations identified included lack of life jackets and lack of required licenses or stamps. Mixed success was noted among the hunters reviewed.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas and Traverse counties. A lot of time was spent controlling shore anglers, waterfowl hunters and pheasant hunters. Time was also spent supporting other local authorities on several important medical missions.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) reports a very busy weekend with duck and pheasant hunters and heavy fishing pressure. Due to an ongoing investigation, a search warrant was served and numerous taxidermy inspections were completed. Osakis Police received assistance with a vehicle accident and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office received assistance with a report of a possible shooting by a domestic worker. Znajda led the honor guard at the funeral of fallen United States National Park Service Ranger Kevin Grossheim.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports functioning small game and recreational activities over the weekend. Many pheasant hunters were out and only a few birds were spotted. Penalty measures were taken for hunting without a license and stamp. The local authorities also received support.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports that enforcement efforts this week focused on controlling anglers, ATV operators and waterfowl hunters. During the opening weekend, additional time was spent checking on the pheasant hunters, with the hunters having limited success.

Wheaton free.

District 4 – Walker Area

Last updated: October 14, 2024

CO Corey Sura (Remer) attended wildland fire investigation training. The duck hunters were checked and found to have been successful thanks to the cold weather and northerly winds passing through.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for fishing, small game, waterfowl and recreational vehicle activities. Baum noted that traffic from small game hunters and recreational vehicles increased with the cooler weather. Baum has had varying degrees of success in small game and fishing activities. Baum initiated criminal prosecutions for various violations.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports that he investigates TIP calls and patrols area lakes and rivers for anglers and duck hunters. He also reports that he attended the memorial service for Voyagers National Park ranger Kevin Grossheim.

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) responded to duty calls and patrolled area lakes and forests to control large and small game, as well as anglers and hunters. Prepared inspections were carried out and equipment was prepared for the coming winter months.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) patrolled Leech Lake for waterfowl watching and fishing. Strong winds over the weekend limited the options and most people reported limited success. McGowan also investigated a fire and taught part of the wilderness arson school. Enforcement action has been taken against a number of boating, fishing and waterfowl hunting violations.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent time patrolling local lakes, WMAs and WPAs for waterfowl hunters in the station. Saewert responded to a grass fire; Enforcement action was taken for failure to obtain a burn permit, burning prohibited materials and failure to extinguish a fire. The public is urged not to burn themselves given the dry/windy conditions and to ensure all campfires are fully extinguished.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked primarily anglers and small game hunters. Bass fishing continues to be good overall. As the leaves began to fall, more hunters were seen in the forest. Mathy also helped respond to a wildfire incident. Enforcement action has been taken against fishing, boating and small game hunting violations.

ATV reconnaissance officer vacant.