DNR report: Sept. 9

Talk about it

Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) found many people out taking advantage of an extended stretch of warm weather. Anglers and recreational boaters took to Lake Superior throughout the last week. Angling results were mixed, but some nice bags of lake trout and salmon were found. Bear hunting success remains mixed throughout the area. Numerous bear baiting and hunting violations were handled, including hunting over illegal bait stations, unregistered baits and garbage in baits, with several bear hunting related investigations ongoing.

North

Mark Fredin (Aurora) worked bear hunting activity throughout the week. Hunters seem to be having success. A safety presentation was given to Minnesota Power employees at the East Range gun/rifle range. Assisted neighboring officer in attempting to locate an individual wanted for questioning. He also worked ATV and OHM activity.

John Velsvaag (Ely) checked boaters and anglers this past week. Took calls on trespassing and bear hunting and also did some invasive species compliance work.

Marty Stage (Ely) worked bear hunters and ATVs. Lots of non-resident canoes are coming in without valid registrations. The word doesn’t seem to be getting out to the visitors from out of state. A canoe in Minnesota requires a valid registration from somewhere in order to be used legally with only a couple exceptions.

North Shore

Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) has visited some areas usually full of moose sign while checking bear baits. Many of these areas are now void of any moose sign. Has only seen two cows with two newborn calves and a small bull all summer. Families of deer are now seen in what we used to know as moose ponds. Deer tracks are replacing moose tracks in inland areas where one would rarely see a deer. Moose tracks on the remote back roads have been scarce.

Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to work the bear hunting season, checking hunters and bait sites. Also checked anglers and boaters. One pair of anglers, who said they had not been checked in 30 years of fishing, was certain the officer had been sent to check them by someone on a lake they had recently been on. Turns out another officer had been at the other access and reminded them about pulling their drain plug. Several violations were noted during an on-water check and proper paperwork was issued. Assisted Forest Service and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in responding to an emergency in the Boundary Waters which turned out to be a small lightning strike fire.

Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers on Lake Superior and inland lakes. Responded to a wolf attacking a dog and bear hunter complaints. Spent some time in the backcountry checking anglers and paddlers. Worked the youth waterfowl day, followed up on bear hunting investigations, and checked for invasive species at public accesses.

South

Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent several evening working bear hunting enforcement. Time was also spent working fishing and boating enforcement on area lakes. Received several calls on deer hunting regulations and people looking to take firearms safety classes.

Randy Hanzal (Duluth) encountered several happy Youth Waterfowl Day hunters Saturday. All enjoyed the nice early season weather and healthy local duck populations. Time was also spent working boating and angling enforcement throughout the station. A few maintenance issues were also addressed.

Lake Superior

Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior. Bear hunters checked in the Duluth area. Equipment maintenance performed on watercraft. Numerous questions and calls fielded on the upcoming hunting seasons. Attended training at Camp Ripley.

Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) patrolled for invasive species, ATV, fishing, and boating violations. He also patrolled for bear hunters and night activity. He attended some meetings and assisted with training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and invasives violations.

Matt Miller (Marine Unit) took questions regarding upcoming hunting seasons and firearms safety training. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV violations.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, dnr