Highlights include:

Moorhead: “Many hunters were struggling to find deer. An interview with one hunter led to the admission that he had shot three deer in one day while hunting by himself. The individual informed the Officer that “he was not aware he couldn’t do that.” 

Hibbing:  “Some hunters have resorted to shooting does from the road (in a buck’s only zone) and trespassing. Two hunters were even found trespassing on the officer’s land. They were advised that they should have looked a little closer to the name on the no trespassing sign.”  

Aurora: “…received a complaint from hunters up at their cabin that when they left for a short time someone drove into the yard and stole a 7-point buck from the meat pole.”

Grand Marais: “…reports as the old saying goes, “Some people will do almost anything for a buck.” One minute a hunter is admiring his prized trophy buck, thinking about entering it in a big buck contest with visions of cash and prizes. The next minute he sees his unlawfully taken animal and his rifle leaving with the local CO and sheriff’s deputy. All he is left with is one of those parting gifts from the CO that you just don’t want.”

Cross Lake: “..Officer Lee also received a call of an injured Trumpeter Swan. The swan was eventually caught after a lengthy chase through the woods, and wrestling match in which Officer Lee finally won. 

Rushford: “CO Boyum watched one hunter shoot and drop a deer from his blind. The hunter then walked up to the deer, checked it and then went back to his blind to retrieve his hunting knife. While the hunter was in his blind getting his knife, the deer stood up, looked around and ran away unbeknownst to the hunter. Upon reaching the hunter, he said you are not going to believe what happened to me.

The rest:

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked hunters in the Roseau, Marshall, Kittson and LOW counties. Violations encountered included shooting from the road, trespass, taking an antlerless deer without a permit, transporting illegally taken big game, transporting loaded firearm, fail to register deer, and fail to validate tag.

 

CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) focused on big game and small game enforcement throughout the Warroad area, to include the Northwest Angle and Beltrami Island State Forest. The firearms deer season continues to yield a less than expected harvest, with hunters reporting scarce sightings of both bucks and does. The grouse population seems to be thriving; they are being seen throughout the area both on and off roads. Enforcement action was taken for transporting a loaded firearm on an ATV.

 

CO Hannah Cowden (Warroad) spent the week checking deer hunters in the Beltrami Island State Forest and surrounding areas. Little success was reported again this week. One group was eager to get out on the ice and decided to test their luck at spearing instead (also not much luck). Time was spent monitoring traps set in the state forest and complaints of hunting over bait were handled. Violations include untagged traps.

 

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) worked with multiple neighboring officers on an array of different activities ranging from checking deer hunters to spearing activity. The bays and tributaries are starting to freeze up, but the ice is still very thin. Remember to double check how thick the ice is before venturing out and be safe when doing so.

 

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued to monitor firearm deer hunting activity. Total deer numbers were lower than recent years but the rut was in full swing during the season with many large bucks taken in the area. Enforcement action included transport loaded firearm, unlawful use of radio to take big game, fail to tag deer, fail to validate tag, unlawful party hunting, and leave stand in WMA.

 

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) worked a number of details with neighboring officers; monitored deer hunting, trapping and ATV activity throughout the week. Time was spent issuing car killed deer possession permits and assistance was given to the sheriff’s office with a report of a rabid gray fox. A trespassing complaint and a TIP call were investigated. Enforcement action for the week included operation of an ATV during restricted hours of the firearms season and unlawful transportation of loaded firearms.

 

Baudette #2 -vacant.

 

Blackduck #2 – vacant.

 

Karlstad – vacant.

 

District 2 – Bemidji area

 

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending this week focusing on working the firearms deer season. Several hunter contacts were made throughout the week. Various TIP calls were received concerning illegal hunting methods. Violations encountered included hunt deer over bait, transport loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, fail to register deer, and untagged big game animal.

 

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) worked litter, trapping, hunting activity and reminded anglers to be careful checking ice conditions. He responded to other agency calls, car kills and another shot moose.

 

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked firearms deer hunters, answered calls and checked a few trappers.

 

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) worked the first week of the firearms deer season. Hunters are reporting fewer deer then previous years. CO Vollbrecht investigated a complaint of an individual shooting on a refuge and a complaint of an individual shooting from the road. CO Vollbrecht worked a detail with neighboring officers. Time was spent checking late season duck hunters on the river.

 

CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) continued to work deer hunting throughout the week. Time was also spent checking hunting activity in and around Itasca State Park. A TIP call was investigated and a complaint was received regarding hunter harassment. Officer Holt worked with neighboring officers on a case of illegally taking of deer by firearms in the Bemidji Game Refuge and taking an antlerless deer in a lottery zone without an antlerless permit. Other violations encountered included transporting a loaded firearm, ATV violations and operating a motor vehicle in an area with limitations.

 

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports an active deer season with cold temperatures and spotty hunting. It was either feast or famine with many hunters. TIP calls were investigated and areas prone to violations were patrolled. Enforcement action was taken for shooting from the road, transport loaded firearms, trespass and taking deer without a license. Untagged deer and failure to validate site tags were more common this year and hunters were reminded of the importance of validating their tags.

 

CO Al Peterson (Osage) checked deer hunters, monitored trapping activity, followed up on trespass complaints and assisted neighboring officers with shoot from the road complaints. Hunting pressure and deer kill seemed lower than recent years. Peterson also assisted with locating a lone female driving in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the leg. First aid was rendered while waiting for medics.

 

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week working deer hunters. Activity was slow during the week with few hunters out. CO Forsberg followed up on violations of shooting within 500 feet of a residence, shooting of roadway or out of vehicle, fail to tag or validate and hunting over bait. Duck season is over with most smaller bodies of water frozen over. A few fishermen were already out on the lakes. Four inches was found on one smaller lake with several fishermen trying their luck.

 

CO Angie Warren (Detroit Lakes) worked the firearms deer season with hunters reporting few deer taken. Waterfowl hunting activity was worked as was AIS compliance. CO Warren followed up on complaints of trespass, taking deer by use of artificial light, leave deer stand in WMA, dogs chasing deer, a possible sick swan, and illegal lend/borrow hunting tags with investigations ongoing. CO Warren assisted a member of the public and wildlife staff in freeing a deer that had fallen through thin ice on an area lake. Enforcement action included atv usage out of hours, transport loaded firearm, no license in possession and trespass.

 

CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) checked on firearms deer hunters throughout Clay, Norman, and Becker counties. Many hunters were struggling to find deer. An interview with one hunter led to the admission that he had shot three deer in one day while hunting by himself. The individual informed the Officer that “he was not aware he couldn’t do that.” The Officer issued the individual a citation for deer over limit and seized several deer and the individual’s firearm. Another incident was reported where several vehicles were chasing deer around a section. When confronted by the officer they asked how they were supposed to follow the deer to see where they go if they couldn’t use their vehicles to follow them across multiple sections of land. Officer Landmark fielded multiple calls regarding trespassing, illegal party hunting, shooting from the roadway, chasing deer with a motor vehicle and deer over limits. Officer Landmark took enforcement action and issued citations for shooting from the roadway, transporting loaded firearms, unlawful party hunting, untagged big game animal, and an over limit of deer.

 

WREO Joe Stattelman spent the week focusing efforts on FA Deer season. Assistance was given to neighboring CO’s with calls and complaints in their stations. Time was spent in Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Mahnomen, and Norman counties. A possible waters and WCA violation is being investigated.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

 

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) received complaints of road hunters in various locations. Hunters checked had many tags going unfilled. Some large bucks were viewed by smart phones. Calls of injured animals going into refuges and private property were checked. Violations encountered for the week included transport loaded firearm, shoot from right of way, and take antlerless deer w/o permit. There is a large concentration of geese in the area despite the mid-winter like temperatures.

 

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) continued to work the rifle deer season with scattered activity. Plautz responded to an injured raccoon call, several trespass issues were dealt with during the week and multiple phone calls and questions were answered. Hunting violations encountered this week were the following: transport loaded firearms, fail to validate deer tag, lend and borrow deer license, trespass, and fail to immediately tag deer. Ice is forming fast and many areas are showing signs of eager fishermen.

 

CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) checked waterfowl hunters, deer hunters and trappers primarily. Complaints were worked in the vacant Wheaton station with complaints of hunter harassment, trespass, and shooting deer from roadways handled. In addition, deer shining complaints were worked as well.

 

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked deer hunters and duck hunters. Waterfowl hunting activity has really slowed with most of the lakes freezing up. Osborne observed some portable fish houses out on area lakes even though the ice is very thin. Common violations from deer season include hunting deer over bait, transport loaded firearms in motor vehicles and untagged deer.

 

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) continued working deer season activity with several cases made. One hunter was cited for deer over-limit, after being interviewed by both CO’s Lawler and Johanson, the hunter admitted to shooting three bucks this fall, two of which were illegal. Another hunter admitted to hunting deer during opening weekend without a license. Transporting loaded firearms in motor vehicles and drug violations were also addressed. Two ice fishermen were observed on Lake Charlie already. People are encouraged to use caution with early ice conditions.

 

CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) continued to work the firearms deer season checking hunters; following up on complaints, and completing investigations. Numerous violations were found for illegal party hunting and lending and borrowing deer tags. Overall, the harvest is down, but most hunters saw deer and had to pass on does and fawns. Additional time was spent working waterfowl and pheasant hunters as well as trapping activity.

 

CO Tony Anderson (Morris) focused enforcement efforts on the firearms deer season and snowmobiling activity. CO’s Anderson and Baumbarger partnered up working the deer season in Stevens and Pope counties. Anderson also assisted CO Miska working the vacant Benson during deer season. Violations encountered include shooting from road right-of-ways and trespassing. Waterfowl hunting has come to a sudden end due to the early freeze up. Snowmobilers were checked already with some riding with expired registration. Ice fishermen are venturing out on area lakes with very thin ice conditions. Extreme caution is advised with the early ice. Questions were answered from the public regarding transportation requirements of harvested deer, FAS class questions and antlerless deer permits.

 

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports deer harvest in the last half of the gun season was down from the early part of the season. The officer checked deer hunters, snowmobile operators, pheasant hunters, and trappers this past week. Additional time was spent checking the first ice anglers of the season, and participating in a work crew in the Elbow Lake area with CO’s Nelson and Anderson. Anglers are reminded that ice is never 100 percent safe and to use caution if venturing onto area lakes as ice thickness varies greatly. Complaints were received of trespass, deer over-limit, and shooting within 500 feet of houses.

 

Wheaton – vacant.

 

District 4 – Wadena area

 

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) worked another busy week of firearms deer season. Special details were worked, evidence was processed and complaints were addressed. Enforcement action was taken for hunting while intoxicated, 2^nd degree DWI, transporting loaded firearms and trespassing.

 

CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked hunters and fishermen. Trapping activity picked up with the new snow. Ice is building and some fishermen are venturing out. Remember that there are a lot of lakes in the Park Rapids area that have current flowing thru them making the ice thin and unpredictable.

 

CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) continued to check hunters and camps. Trespass calls seemed to prevail last week. A TIP call was received about a shining and shooting incident. The violators were found and the deer recovered. The firearms lights and deer were seized. Assistance was also provided to medical and local law enforcement at an accidental shooting.

 

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked deer hunting activity. Time was also spent checking on reports of persons illegally cutting spruce tops from timber land. CO’s Hansen, Fairbanks, and Patten assisted CO Mathy with a deer case where violations of take over limit of deer, hunt deer over baited area, lend/borrow license violations, party hunting violations, untagged deer, fail to register deer, fail to validate deer tag, and transport an illegally taken deer were found.

 

CO Beau Shroyer (Remer) finished field training in the Crookston station, where deer hunting enforcement was the main focus. Enforcement action was taken in the Remer station for unregistered deer, possess drug paraphernalia and marijuana, shoot from the roadway and shoot from a motor vehicle. CO Shroyer spent time getting to know the Remer station and neighboring officers.

 

CO Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week focusing on deer hunting activity. Recent weather has caused smaller lakes to start to ice over. Deer hunting success was poor. CO Broughten fielded calls of trespass, shoot from roadway, and hunting deer over bait. CO Broughten also investigated a case involving lend/borrow a big game license and illegal party hunting. Enforcement action included lend/borrow big game license, unlawful party hunting, and no doe permit.

 

CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked the deer season, complaints on wanton waste deer, shining and trespass. Contacts were made for untagged deer, loaded guns, and take antlerless deer without a permit. Halverson made contact with the operator of a 3-wheeler that had been called in for trespass and ripping up yards and the public access.

 

CO Colleen Adam (ATV REC) patrolled area forest roads and trails checking firearm deer hunters. The cold weather and tighter hunting options made for far fewer hunters the second weekend of firearms deer season. Officer Adam responded to untagged deer, operating ATV’s on closed trails and shoot from the road complaints.

 

WREO Shane Siltala checked deer firearms hunters in vacant stations over the past week. Overall deer hunter numbers appeared to be below average. A complaint of shooting from the roadway was addressed. A call of an injured deer out in the middle of a frozen pond was also responded to. Extra patrol was given to areas of road hunting complaints. Overall hunting law compliance was good.

 

District 5 – Eveleth area

 

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports second weekend of deer firearms season similar to first weekend with very few deer being seen or taken. However, enforcement action was up with several transporting loaded firearms cases, a couple of cases involving illegal possession of drug paraphernalia and small amount of marijuana, failure to obtain car kill deer permit, discharge firearm from motor vehicle at deer decoy, operate ATV during closed hours, and assisted State Patrol and Koochiching County Sheriff’s Deputy with driving while under the influence of alcohol case.

CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) reports assisting COs Patten and Kittelson with a call about an injured swan stuck on a slightly frozen pond just outside of Big Falls. The number of deer hunters taking to the woods was low again this past week and weekend. CO Van Asch did see a slight increase in the success of these hunters with hunters reporting harvesting more bucks then the opening weekend. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms, operating an ATV during restricted times, burning prohibited materials, and failure to have a hunting license in possession.

 

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports very little deer hunting activity observed over the week. Public access sites were monitored and watercraft storage worked on. Spare time was spent on administrative items.

 

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports fish houses are starting to show up on some of the smaller bays of Lake Vermilion and some of the smaller lakes in the area. Ice thickness varies greatly so check the ice often and don’t venture out alone. A wolf incident was investigated. Deer hunting remains slow with few deer and not many hunters.

 

CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) reports that the deer hunting season has been a little tough for local hunters. The cold and the reduced deer herd have made it a tougher season than the past. The number of hunters has reduced drastically from the opening weekend. Enforcement was taken on following issues: fail to validate tag, no deer license, and hunting during the two day waiting period. Officer investigated report of boat left at access on Lake Vermilion, and a wetland violation. Questions were addressed dealing with the new Vermilion State Park with regards to the firearms season. CO Hopkins, CO Bermel, and an 1854 CO investigated a deer stand in a state park and posting of land issues. Ice is starting to form on Lake Vermilion and all of the smaller lakes are iced over. Remember that it is still unsafe to venture out on the ice.

 

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked balsam bough and spruce top cutters, a dog in a snare complaint, but spent most of the week working the ongoing deer firearms season. Some hunters have resorted to shooting does from the road (in a buck’s only zone) and trespassing. Two hunters were even found trespassing on the officer’s land. They were advised that they should have looked a little closer to the name on the no trespassing sign. Cold temperatures and the lack of deer have kept many hunters out of the woods as long as they normally would have or they gave up all together. Hunters are reminded that they cannot mix archery and rifle hunters together in the same party as two separate parties with the issue were encountered. Enforcement action was taken on hunt deer without a license, hunt deer with an invalid license, unlawful party hunting, transport loaded firearm, trespassing, untagged deer, unregistered ATV, and a traffic violation for a hunter running a stop sign nearly colliding with the officer.

 

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) prepared and sent in reports to court for violations of big game hunting activity during the opening weekend of deer season. Numerous reports were taken of people shooting deer and specifically doe’s from the roadway. Enforcement action was taken for transporting untagged big game animal.

 

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) received a complaint from hunters up at their cabin that when they left for a short time someone drove into the yard and stole a 7-point buck from the meat pole. He received multiple separate calls of hunting from the road and shooting does, in this buck’s only zone. Fredin checked hunters in the woods and visited cabins with most hunters stating few to no deer seen but, plenty of wolf tracks. Balsam bough pickers were checked and a complaint of pickers entering private land is being investigated. Violations of possess small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were addressed.

 

Ray – vacant.

 

District 6 – Two Harbors area

 

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports deer hunting activity has slowed significantly on the echo trail, with only a fraction of the hunters seen last weekend. Deer activity seemed to be up but very few hunters were successful in the cold and wind. Violations included: no blaze orange, and fail to register deer.

 

CO Marty Stage (Ely) worked white fish netting and deer hunters. The season was off to a slow start and very few deer were taken right away, but as the season progresses, a few more are being found. The lakes are icing up and the fishermen are getting restless. Be careful with the new ice as always. Remember have your fishing or spearing license in possession when on the ice.

 

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports as the old saying goes, “Some people will do almost anything for a buck.” One minute a hunter is admiring his prized trophy buck, thinking about entering it in a big buck contest with visions of cash and prizes. The next minute he sees his unlawfully taken animal and his rifle leaving with the local CO and sheriff’s deputy. All he is left with is one of those parting gifts from the CO that you just don’t want. Enforcement action was taken for unlawfully taken deer, lend/borrow hunting tags, no hunter orange, failing to validate tags and drive ATV around barricade into closed area.

 

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to work the cold and blustery firearms deer season. Many hunters have opted to troll the back roads looking for the deer of opportunity rather than find one the old fashion way. The officer followed up on baiting cases from past seasons and handled a nuisance bear complaint. CO Manning also patrolled areas ripe for illegal, late night deer shining.

 

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) primarily worked firearms deer hunters throughout the week, along with checking the first ice activity of the year. The first northern spearer of the season hadn’t purchased a spearing license. One individual was encountered for the second time in a month road hunting in possession of marijuana. Other enforcement action included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, fail to validate deer tag, hunt on invalid license (2-day waiting period), fail to register deer within 48 hours, and drive in violation of limited license.

 

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area deer hunting activity. While area hunters were having a hard time finding tracks, much less deer, the ice seemed to be setting up nicely on some area lakes. The lack of deer and cold temps prompted several hunters to try their luck on the road. A few of them were found to be driving around with uncased and loaded guns bouncing around their front seats, enforcement action taken.

 

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week checking deer hunters. Deer harvest success has been very low along the North Shore. The officer assisted the State Patrol with a semi-truck that veered off the high-way into the woods taking out several large trees along the way. Enforcement action was taken for big game and traffic violations.

 

CO Don Murray(Two Harbors) worked the second frigid weekend of firearms deer season along the North Shore with few deer seen harvested. Murray continued with trapping and trespass investigations along with an illegal trash dumping complaint. Many lakes were observed to be completely frozen over already with some shallow lakes with a few inches of ice

 

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

 

CO Randy Patten (Northome) checked deer hunters and worked complaints for baiting, shooting from a roadway, trespass, hunter harassment, and operating a motor vehicle in a prohibited area. Enforcement action taken for using radios to take big game.

 

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked small game, big game, and ATV activity. Violations included hunt deer over bait, use radios to take game, lend borrow a license, illegal transportation of big game, deer over-limit, fail to validate tag, fail to register deer, and operate ATV in closed hours, and on a county road.

 

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked hunters, worked trapping complaints, monitored bough harvesting activity and investigated trespass calls. In one incident CO Fairbanks and his K-9 partner Si were able to locate a spent rifle casing at a baited deer stand. Enforcement action was taken for use radio to take deer, over limit of deer, fail to validate license, hunt over bait, trespass, cut boughs without consent of property owner and transport loaded firearm.

 

CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) checked  big game and small game activity this past week. She investigated a complaint of road hunting and handled a call concerning an injured deer stuck on a recently froze over lake. Enforcement action was taken for several deer hunting violations, firearms violations and small game violations.

 

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked deer hunters and late season duck hunters over the past week. Limited success was had by deer hunters in the area with cold temperatures and deer numbers being down. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing, failing to validate a deer tag at the site of kill and failing to tag a deer.

 

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked trappers, bough cutters, and deer hunters. He responded to several hunting complaints during the week.

 

CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) spent the week working deer hunting activity. Enforcement action was taken for felon in possession of a firearm, untagged deer and failure to validate license. Wichmann also assisted in looking for a lost hunter.

 

CO John Velsvaag (NE Regional ATV officer) patrolled for ATVs being utilized by deer hunters. He took calls and complaints of big game hunting violations as well as trapping violations. CO Velsvaag responded to a car accident where a grey wolf was hit and killed. Deer hunting enforcement was the majority of the work load this past week. He assisted district officers with investigations as well.

 

District 8 – Duluth area

 

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) followed up on complaints of trespassing, shoot from the roadways and ATV operation during closed hours. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms and ATV violations.

 

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports colder temperatures appeared to curtail hunters. Complaints of ATV operation during closed periods and hunters hunting from motor vehicles are being reported and investigated. During the week, Hanzal assisted the county in locating a missing person. A deer was discovered illegally shot by an archer and just left to rot near Basswood road in Duluth. If you have any information about these senseless and illegal killing please call.

 

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) continues to work the firearm deer season. Many hunting shacks were checked during the week. Investigations from TIP’s and proactive work continued. Complaint areas of shooting from the road and night shining of deer were concentrated on during the week. Many telephone calls were also received.

 

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) continued to follow up on active investigations from deer season. These investigations included shooting from the roadway, illegal shining activity, trespass, shooting from a motor vehicle, hunting over bait, illegal ATV use and failing to validate a deer license. Officer Humphrey also fielded several calls regarding deer permit areas and what was legal to take.

 

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) reports snow and cold has slowed the deer hunting activity in the area. Several hunters are reporting that they are seeing very few deer. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and complaints of hunting over bait and shining are being investigated. One hunter was stopped while operating his ATV against traffic, after dark, on Highway 23 and with no lights on. After getting him stopped and questioning his driving actions, he was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for DUI.

 

WREO Mike Scott worked with DNR Forestry on a forestry trespass issue on state land for timber theft and WCA issues for the trespass; investigation is ongoing. Checked deer hunters in the St. Louis/Carlton County areas. Very low hunter success reported and seen, but spirts were still high. A shooting from the road complaint was investigated with other officers and enforcement action was taken for not validating deer tag at site of kill.

 

Lake Superior Marine Unit

 

Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) worked several details with fellow District 8 officers. During the week deer camps checked and observed many left camp early and headed for home. Olson assisted an Officer with a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle investigation which was turned over to a Fond du Lac officer. Snowmobiles have been running some of the trails in the Duluth area. A baiting complaint was investigated but the information proved to be unreliable. Trappers were checked in the Cotton area and road kill permits were issued.

 

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked deer hunters and trappers. While investigating a dumping complaint at one public water access, another person was caught in the act dumping at a different access nearby. Responsibly disposing of your trash is cheaper for everyone. A wolf complaint was checked and deer season work was done with other Duluth area officers. Enforcement action for small game and litter violations were also handled.

 

CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) worked deer hunting activity most of the week, including trespassing complaints, shoot from roadway, shoot doe in buck only area, operating ATVs in restricted areas and restricted times and hunting over bait. Ter Meer continued deer season work in complaint areas. Enforcement action was taken for big game violations, ATV issues and drug activity.

 

District 9 – Brainerd area

 

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked a busy firearms deer season. Complaints of unsightly carcass dumping have already come in and are being investigated. Officer Guida followed up on a road hunting complaint where an individual was observed shooting out of a motor vehicle. Officer Guida received reports that numerous portable deer stands were stolen from the Crow Wing County Sebie Lake Memorial Forest over the week. Assistance was given to a first time hunter locating a doe that was shot at. The evidence unfortunately showed that the bullet had entered a large white oak tree and the doe ran away unharmed.

 

CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) checked deer hunters this past week with limited success being reported by hunters. Officer Lee completed two baiting deer investigation this past week with citations being issued and firearms seizure. Officer Lee also completed an investigation into lending and borrowing deer hunting licenses. Charges from the investigation included lending and borrowing licenses, untagged deer and illegal party hunting. The individuals involved also had their deer seized due to the violations. Other enforcement activity this past week included, fail to validate deer tags, untagged deer, and operate ATV during closed hours on public land. Officer Lee also received a call of an injured Trumpeter Swan. The swan was eventually caught after a lengthy chase through the woods, and wrestling match in which Officer Lee finally won. The swan was transported to the Garrison Animal Hospital for evaluation. Officer Lee attended training in St. Paul this past week. The two day training was for recertification as an instructor in aerosol chemical weapons. This training is given to other Conservation Officers each year in in-service trainings as part of the Use of Force Program completed by officers.

 

CO Amber Peterson (McGregor) reports activity still high with a second weekend of deer hunters hoping for the best. She checked several groups and worked road hunters. She responded to a call of hunter trespass where a landowner reported that a hunter shot a buck on his hay field. The evidence supported this and the 9-point buck was seized. CO Peterson also responded to a call of a lost juvenile hunter who was later located at their family cabin. She spoke with the family about having a compass and knowing how to use it as well as having a plan in place before heading out into the field.

 

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) reports a busy second week and weekend of the firearms deer season. Numerous hunters were checked and the overall success varied. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer over bait, take deer without a license, lend/borrow a license, transport a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, take a doe without a lottery permit, fail to register deer, fail to tag deer, trespass, parent allow youth to violate game laws, burn prohibited materials, and one hunter was arrested on a warrant.

 

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports activity focusing around the firearms deer season. Numerous calls and complaints were responded to including trespassing, shooting deer from public roads and motor vehicles, night hunting, deer shot and left, dumping of deer carcasses, wanton waste, and other suspicious hunting activity. Deer and firearms were seized and enforcement contacts were made for a variety of big game related violations.

 

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked deer hunting trapping and trespass activity during the week. One hunter lost his deer to wolves within a mile of town when he was unable to locate it after dark. A call of a deer through the ice was also received but the deer went down before the officer arrived.

 

CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area) monitored deer and waterfowl hunting in the Cuyuna Country SRA, Pillsbury State Forest and Brainerd lakes area. He investigated trespass and shooting complaints. He also investigated vandalism in the Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area and handle injured animal complaints.

 

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) worked on deer hunting enforcement this past week. Complaints reported and investigated were hunting over bait, shooting after hours, over limit, trespass and carcass dumping. He checked duck and goose hunters and the report was poor. One group of hunters had to break ¼ mile of ice to get to their hunting spot. Anglers that went out had fair success. Walleye and northern were the most active. He worked on a Snowmobile complaint of a careless driver in Baxter a citation was issued. A complaint of trapping in the city of Brainerd was investigated. Reports of vehicles on closed trails in the Pillsbury Forest were investigated. He worked invasive species enforcement on Gull Lake checking anglers and duck hunters.

 

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

 

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison)  worked deer season including complaints regarding trespassing, baiting, leaving stands out, and shooting too close to a house. Numerous live deer were observed going into the second weekend but snow and cold temperatures appear to have slowed down hunting ambition. Trappers and waterfowl hunters were also observed having ice issues due to small lakes and even portions of larger lakes freezing over already. Verkuilen also followed up on a wetland issue, worked on equipment maintenance, and answered questions regarding the Mille Lacs spearing season.

CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) fielded several calls throughout the week to include big game, small game and angling questions. The snow and cold seemed to keep are large amount of deer hunters away. The officer addressed calls regarding trespassing while hunting. Please be aware of the areas in which you hunt to ensure you are not trespassing. Enforcement action included hunting deer over bait, transporting loaded firearms, operating ATV’s during prohibited hours, juvenile on ATV without a helmet, failure to register deer and invalid use of an apprentice deer firearm license.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) reports checking deer hunters throughout the week and weekend. Most hunters reported a sluggish hunt with the colder weather and snow. A TIP call of a party that had shot at a deer from the roadway at a deer on private property was investigated and shining activity was monitored throughout the week and weekend. The Officer also responded to a party that had gotten stuck on what he thought was a forest road and needed assistance. When the Officer arrived he explained to the party that he was not a forest road and that the trail was not maintained for vehicle traffic. A tow was called to get him out of the trail. Assistance was given to the State Patrol on a vehicle broken down in the lane of traffic. The Officer was able to get a tow for the vehicle and the driver was cited for not having a driver’s license. Lots of big game law related questions were answered throughout the week.

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) received multiple reports of deer that were found shot and alive on the caller’s property. The deer in all of these cases were does. In one case, the officer tracked the doe’s blood trail, for over a mile, and located the juvenile hunter who shot it the day prior. The hunting party that the juvenile belonged to was educated on the importance of tracking the wounded deer. They were also educated on properly validating deer tags, proper placement of deer tags, possession of hunting licenses while hunting, and that parents can be cited for allowing a minor to hunt in violation of the game laws. Speldrich received a TIP call of an ATV operating in a WMA. The case was made and the operator of the ATV was cited for the violation. Speldrich followed up on additional baiting issues and received several calls from the public regarding wolf and deer hunting. She also received calls for a public waters violation and cattle fencing placed across a river.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) continued to monitor a busy deer season with bait, tagging issues, loaded firearms, ATV in closed hours, and registration violations found. A possible case of a felon with firearm was investigated. Several hunters complained about the abundance of wolves and concerns were heard about the dwindling deer population. Snowmobiles made an appearance, with registration issues found. Other snowmobile violations included ride on shoulder of state highway and lacking proper safety training. Snowmobile riders should be reminded that trails do not open until December 1. Ice fishing has kicked off with some pike hitting the ice. A couple of hard core duck hunters were also checked along with investigating a deer being killed in the state park.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) continued to take trespass complaints and check deer hunters. Activity during the second weekend of deer season was fairly slow, likely due to below zero temperatures. Many area lakes froze over during the week making ice fishing opportunities not far off. Lake ice is obviously still very thin and very dangerous. Recent snowfall also brought out some snowmobiling activity and snowmobile trespass complaints along with it. Violations found throughout the week included illegal stands and ATV activity in wildlife management areas and other deer hunting violations.

CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) took calls regarding trespassing, muzzleloader licenses, and ATV operation concerns during the week. Snow and cold weather kept a majority of deer hunters inside. Officers did check one lucky hunter over the weekend that braved the cold weather and was able to harvest a very large non-typical buck near Hinckley. Other contacts included illegal stands in WMAs and various ATV violations.

 

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) checked deer hunters throughout the week and weekend. Cold temperatures made sitting a challenge for any extended period of time. A few hunters that braved the cold were able to harvest a buck. Most smaller lakes have frozen over. A reminder to ice fishermen to be wary of ice conditions before heading out. Tagging issues still remain to be an issue among hunters. Remember to validate tags at the site of kill and attach before transporting. Also, confusion still remains with youth licenses; adults cannot harvest deer for youth.

 

WREO Rob Haberman checked deer hunters throughout his assigned work area for the firearm deer season. WREO Haberman also assisted officers with the aviation unit supporting ground operations for illegal ATV activity, baiting, and other calls. WREO Haberman also conducted a FLIR search flight south of Brainerd to search for a possible downed aircraft. The aircraft arrived at its location without incident, and the caller just lost visual sight of the aircraft due to heavy snow falling and dusk approaching. WREO Haberman also worked answering TIP calls for the Turn in Poachers hotline.

 

District 11 – St. Cloud area

 

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent the majority of the week checking deer hunters and working on deer hunting complaints. A detail was worked in Todd County where a high violation rate was seen especially with lending/borrowing licenses. As the season came to a close most parties or hunters reported seeing or taking a few deer. The first snowmobile contacts of the year were made. One stop resulted in multiple violations. With the frigid temperatures most smaller lakes were found to be frozen. CO Silgjord noticed the first ice angler of the year on Sunday as the angler was standing near a crack in the ice with open water only a couple hundred yards out. A reminder to all early ice anglers, they should consider safety first before venturing out. Other violations for the week included transport loaded firearm, transport deer while licensee not accompanying, fail to register deer within 48 hours, allow illegal operation of a snowmobile by a juvenile, and fail to display valid snowmobile registration.

 

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) spent a majority of time working deer season activities. Deer shining complaints were worked. A lot of violations of lending and borrowing deer tag were found over the week. Ice has covered some lakes and more will follow soon with ice along shores. Enforcement action for the week included lend/borrow, transport loaded gun in motor vehicle, shoot from roadway fail to register deer, hunt deer with no license and trespass.

CO Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie) concentrated on deer hunting activities. Additional COs assisted in working Todd and western Morrison counties. A variety of violations were handled. Lending/borrowing licenses seemed to be the most frequent violation. A variety of phone call questions were answered; most were deer hunting related. TIP calls were investigated. A few snowmobilers tried out the new snow.

 

WREO Keith Bertram spent the week working deer hunters. Enforcement action was taken for baiting, lend and borrow deer license, fail to register deer, and transport loaded guns. Several deer and firearms were seized.

 

CO Brian Mies (Annandale) last week checked deer hunters. CO Mies also checked ice anglers along with waterfowl hunters. CO Mies assisted neighboring officers and worked on TIP calls.

 

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) reports that with the one deer limit more hunters seemed to make poor choices in getting their deer this year. Violations in Morrison County included hunting over bait, deer over limit (you mean you can’t shoot 2 bucks?), failing to validate tags, failing to tag deer, shoot from the roadway from a motor vehicle, and the most common violation of using mom’s tag when mom doesn’t hunt. One hunter picked up a car killed deer, but instead of calling a CO for free possession tag he put his wife’s deer tag on, who by the way doesn’t hunt and wasn’t with him, took it home and failed to register it. CO Kuske was called to a violation of a hunter trespassing and shooting within 500 feet of a house. The hunter was found with his father and his son, dragging the deer out of the woods that he had illegally shot. Upon further investigation it was found that the grandfather and father had the youth shoot a deer earlier that day from the road in front of a residence within 500 feet. Unfortunately this was how the youth was mentored on getting his very first deer.

 

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports the most common violation of this deer hunting season was the illegal lending and borrowing of licenses. One individual used the deer tags of two individuals while they were at work and had a third license of another party in his possession that he was trying to fill as well. Two persons disappointed with lack of success while hunting started driving around after dark looking for deer. They will be charged with gross misdemeanors after getting caught shining and shooting a deer on a field. While hunting deer in a corn field two guys encountered a large black bear. At first the bear ran off, but later became aggressive, unwilling to back down from the hunters and continued to advance on them down the corn row. One of the hunters shot the bear and turned it over to CO Kuske. A number of trespass complaints and a hunter harassment case were resolved as well as working several road hunting complaints.

 

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) checked deer and pheasant hunters. Seasonal equipment was squared away for the season. Snowmobile activity in the area increased with the snowfall resulting in numerous violations for altered mufflers and registration issues.

 

St. Cloud – vacant.

 

District 12 – Princeton area

 

CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) checked deer hunters and snowmobilers. A complaint of dogs chasing deer was handled. A TIP call was investigated of hunters in a closed refuge.

 

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked waterfowl and deer hunters. He took enforcement action on a number of violations. He assisted with an injured sand hill crane. He answered a number of waterfowl hunting questions on the Mississippi and Crow River. He continues investigating a number of lend and borrow violations charges pending. He checked a number of snowmobilers.

 

CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) spent most of the week working deer hunters, but did check a few snowmobilers that were out with the first snow. Waterfowl hunting has been limited now to the rivers in the area. Enforcement action was taken for failure to validate and register deer, leave decoys out on public waters overnight, unplugged shotgun for waterfowl, hunt deer over baited area and expired snowmobile registration.

 

CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports a cold close to the area deer season. Many hunters spent time during the week hunting but only some found deer. Numerous trespassing complaints were handled. The large amount of snow in the area also brought out many snowmobilers. Riders are reminded that the grant and aid trails do not open until December 1st. Violations included trespass, no license in possession and snowmobiles on closed trail.

 

CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) checked deer hunters during the week. Hunter numbers and deer taken remain low. Cold temperatures seem to be keeping hunters out of the woods. Violations of shooting from a roadway were investigated. Snowmobiles have shown up in the road ditches and an ice fisherman was observed on a bay of an area lake. Enforcement action was taken on trespass, shoot from a roadway, no snowmobile registration and allowing illegal operation of a snowmobile.

 

CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) checked deer hunters, snowmobiles, and small game hunters. Officer Londgren responded to calls of injured animals, trespassing, hunting from a motor vehicle, rifle in shotgun zone, transporting loaded firearms, and illegal party hunting. Enforcement action was taken on: untagged deer, hunting with invalid license, possession of illegal drugs, trespassing, and no license in possession.

 

District 13 – West Metro area

 

CO Steve Walter (Waconia) worked the deer season finding very few deer taken. The duck season was pretty much shut down with lakes frozen over. Telephone calls were returned daily on multiple issues.

 

CO Tony Salzer (Osseo) patrolled Hennepin and Anoka counties for big game hunting activity and waterfowl hunting activity. Most accesses are frozen up tight if not the whole lake. CO Salzer responded to several TIP calls regarding deer hunting. Salzer also investigated a case of lending and borrowing a deer license.

 

CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the week checking duck and deer hunters. CO Grewe investigated TIP complaints regarding wanton waste and trespassing. Violations included license issues.

 

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked deer hunters and took TIP complaints in Scott County. He continued to assist the Kansas Warden on a deer case and checked duck hunters. He talked to a youth snowmobile safety class in Shakopee and answered many calls on big game and small game hunting regulations in the Hmong community.

 

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked deer and waterfowl hunting activity in Carver County. He assisted Fort Snelling State Park staff during the Dakota Women and Children Commemorative March 2014. He also assisted the Park during the cross-country race on Saturday and numerous vehicles were cited for not having a required vehicle permit.

 

Bloomington – vacant.

 

Mound – vacant.

 

Prior Lake – vacant.

 

District 14 – East Metro area

 

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent the week checking deer hunters, small game and waterfowl hunters. CO Arntzen investigated several TIP calls, handled nuisance animal complaints and trespassing issues. He also spent time working deer shiners and patrolling area WMAs. Enforcement action for the week included hunting without a license, failure to register deer, no blaze orange, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and being in a WMA during closed hours.

 

WREO Adam Block (Metro) spent the week working waterfowl, pheasant and deer hunting activity. Various calls were received pertaining to hunting activities in the Metro area. A restoration order and a resource protection notification were issued during the week both involving shoreline violations.

 

CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) reports a busy second week of deer season, with hunters seeing limited success. Duck and goose hunters were also checked with field hunters doing well. Hunters on the river are breaking ice to get out to their spots. Enforcement action for the week included, lend/borrow deer license, not wearing blaze orange for deer gun season along with waterfowl and fishing violations.

 

CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) checked deer and goose hunters in Dakota County throughout the week. CO Pril and CO Lisa Kruse spent a day checking fewer deer hunters this year than previous years in Pine County due to snow and cold temperature. CO Pril also spoke to a group of Cub Scouts in Mendota Heights and responded to injured animal calls and a complaint of hunters hunting in a SNA.

 

CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) reports that he checked deer hunters throughout the week. He issued a citation for leaving a stand in Carlos Avery WMA. He issued a possession permit for a deer fawn in Lake Elmo. CO Johnson assisted COs from Ottertail County on an unregistered deer violation. He transported an injured Bald Eagle to The Raptor Center. CO Johnson received a call from a deer hunter that harvested an antlered doe.

 

CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) checked numerous deer hunters in the area, finding low success and pretty good compliance. She worked on deer cases and assisted Wisconsin wardens with cases. CO Kruse handled various TIP calls, took care of nuisance animal calls and worked with CO Pril in the Nemadji State Forest area.

 

Eagan – vacant.

 

Metro Officer – vacant.

 

District 15 – Marshall area

 

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports that 12 inches of snow changed both the landscape and the outdoor recreation rapidly. Deer hunters appeared to trade their blaze orange for portable fish houses as about two dozen were seen on the ice. Word with the goose hunters is that the geese left Canada but have not gathered in mass at Lac que Parle.

 

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) worked the firearms deer season and also checked pheasant and waterfowl hunters. Cold temperatures, wind, and 3-6 inches of snow over the weekend made things difficult for deer hunters. Most of the investigations worked during the deer season dealt with trespassing, illegal road hunting, and tagging/registration issues. Waterfowl numbers are dropping fast with most lakes and rivers froze up but a few field hunters had success.

 

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) focused enforcement efforts towards firearms deer hunters. Multiple complaints of hunters shooting from motor vehicles and the roadway were taken. Trespassing issues were also addressed. A 10-point buck was illegally shot with a rifle and left for dead, just west of Big Stone State Park, off of Minnesota Hwy 7. The violator stopped in the traffic lane and shot from a motor vehicle. Anyone with information regarding this violation is encouraged to call the Turn-in-Poachers hotline @ (800) 652-9093. You can remain anonymous and a reward can be given upon conviction.

 

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) conducted his weekly radio show on KLOH radio. Failure to register is a problem with hunters forgetting or not understanding they must register deer 48 hours after the take. It is required to sight tag and register a deer before butchering starts.   Snow conditions slowed the deer harvest.

 

WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) worked on a WCA violation with the Redwood County Attorney and attended a site visit in Lyon County on a Public Waters violation. Empty stations were worked and enforcement action was taken for an untagged deer. A car killed deer tag was also issued. Water accesses were checked for AIS issues in Murray Co.

 

Benson – vacant.

 

Madison – vacant.

 

Redwood Falls – vacant.

 

Worthington – vacant.

 

District 16 – New Ulm area

 

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) continued to check deer hunters who were having limited success. He continued to field calls regarding injured deer, shooting from the roadway and trespass. Denz also checked snowmobile operators and received multiple complaints on snowmobiles operating off trail.

 

CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) worked the busy deer hunting season with hunters seeing a few more deer moving around in the snow. Deer hunters were also reminded to register their deer 48 hours after the kill. Duck hunters were also checked during the week as they tried to hunt the little open water that was left. One duck hunter was reminded that he still needed a plug in his gun for duck hunting even during the deer season. There are also people heading out onto the ice for the early ice fishing. They are reminded about ice safety and told to check the ice as they go out.

 

CO Jen Mueller (Hutchinson) reports that the cold weather and snow slowed down the activity for the last push of the deer season. License and registration problems make up the majority of violations. Most of the lakes froze over last week pushing waterfowl hunters to the fields. Those that braved the weather had good results.

 

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) reports working a very uneventful end to the firearms deer season. This year hunters appeared as scarce as deer at times. Cold weather and blustery winds no doubt played a large role in hunter participation and the low number of deer harvested. Officer Oberg took several calls from hunters looking for public land to deer hunt. Officer Oberg also checked several hunters out driving around and found very good compliance with firearms being unloaded.

 

CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls concerning taking deer from the road and numerous questions regarding deer/predator hunting laws. The weather conditions made deer hunting difficult. Geese are migrating in good numbers and field hunting could be very successful for geese and mallards. Open water waterfowl hunting opportunities are limited to pools on the rivers.

 

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) worked primarily big game enforcement the past week and weekend. Some duck and pheasant hunters as well as trappers were checked. Complaints pertaining to trespass and shoot from a motor vehicle were investigated.

 

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) concentrated efforts on deer hunting activity. A family dog was intentionally shot with a shotgun slug near its place of residency and left on the road. Complaints of trespassing, shooting from motor vehicles and illegal dumping of deer carcasses were worked on. Assistance was given to local law enforcement agencies for traffic accidents. The first snowfall of the season arrived with a few snowmobiles coming out. The first snowmobile accident with injuries also arrived for the area. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing and blaze orange violations.

 

Willmar #1 – vacant.

 

Windom – vacant.

 

District 17 – Mankato area

 

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) spent the week working deer hunting activity in the area. Follow up investigation on several complaints are in progress. Trespassing issues continue to put demands on the officer’s time.

 

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) focused on big game enforcement. Deer hunter numbers were down, and few harvested deer were seen. One poacher shot a deer in the front yard of a rural residence, after pulling into the driveway. The deer fell to the ground only 35 feet from the residence. Enforcement action is pending.

 

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent the week checking deer, pheasant and waterfowl hunters. Additional time was spent monitoring trapping activity and responding

 

CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) worked big game and small game activity during the week.   Several TIP calls & complaints were received regarding illegal deer hunting activity. Multiple violations were encountered during the firearms deer season.

 

CO Steve Chihak (Spring Valley) spent the majority of the week working the firearms deer hunting season. Success rates appeared to be lower, with fewer hunters seen afield due to the weather conditions. A number of trespass complaints were investigated, as well as big game violations. Requests from the public seeking information were returned.

 

WREO Julie Siems worked a busy deer opener with many not registering, tagging or validating their tags. Shooting from the road and trespassing were also frequent complaints.

District 18 – Rochester area

 

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports working a very busy week of deer hunting enforcement in zone 3. The cold and snowy conditions made for some very good opportunities for the deer and duck hunters. Some very good duck hunting was experienced before most of the backwater froze up. Enforcement action was taken for violations of unlawful party hunting, tagging, registration and validation.

 

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports helping Winona Sheriff’s Dept. with searching for missing fishermen assumed drowned by lock and dam 7. The early winter has frozen up most of the backwaters. Duck hunters had mixed success either shooting near limits or nothing. Deer hunters had a good week despite the cold and snow. This last weekend saw many groups shooting deer.

 

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week and weekend checking deer hunting activity. Several trespass calls were responded to throughout the week. Time was also spent checking waterfowl hunters and ice fishing activity. Very few duck hunters were seen out but numerous ducks were around especially on the smaller rivers. Some deer hunting violations were detected.

 

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports a good end to deer season with continued success. The duck hunters continue to access the river and limits of mallards were checked. The accesses are getting limited and on one cold morning Hemker did observe the boat trailer in the first parking stall to have broken taillights. He also assisted the Winona County Sheriff’s Office with their search for a drowning victim.

 

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly deer and waterfowl hunters during the week. Boat launches were icing up, but the hunters who did make it out on the water had some luck. Not as many deer hunters were out, but some deer were still seen taken. Goose hunters also did ok with the new snow.

 

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports working a busy deer season. Success varied. Most hunters reported seeing deer; however, they added the numbers seemed a little down. Violations encountered were trespass, shoot from the road, untagged big game, fail to validate. Complaints seemed up from last year. CO Boyum watched one hunter shoot and drop a deer from his blind. The hunter then walked up to the deer, checked it and then went back to his blind to retrieve his hunting knife. While the hunter was in his blind getting his knife, the deer stood up, looked around and ran away unbeknownst to the hunter. Upon reaching the hunter, he said you are not going to believe what happened to me.

 

CO Phil George (Rochester) worked deer hunting issues all week, geese have moved into the area last week and goose hunting activity is picking up.  Enforcement action for deer hunting related events.