DNR Report: Nov. 2

Talk about it

District 6 - Two Harbors area

Conservation Officer John Velsvaag (Ely) checked duck hunters and a few trappers this past week. He also took calls on the upcoming wolf and deer seasons and checked several areas for illegal deer baiting and took an all-terrain vehicle and a trapping complaint.

Conservation Officer Marty Stage (Ely) worked archery and grouse hunters, did some all-terrain vehicle enforcement with illegal road operators, followed up on trespass complaints, and dealt with some road kills. With the upcoming wolf season, deer carcasses have become a commodity. Just a reminder to anyone wanting to possess a road killed deer for the wolf hunt, you must obtain permission from the authorities or it becomes illegal possession of a big game animal and you will be charged.

Conservation Officer Anthony Bermel (Babbitt / Ely) spent the majority of the week preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season. A detail was worked with neighboring officers with enforcement action taken for shining after hours. Other enforcement action included illegal operation of an all-terrain vehicle on a roadway and no small game license in possession. Several places were located where all-terrain vehicles have been operating illegally in wetlands. Further investigation will follow.

Conservation Officer Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked whitefish netters, grouse hunters and a few people out on all-terrain vehicles. Calls were taken on baited deer stands. While on an arson investigation in northwest Minnesota, conservation officers Grundmeier and Fagerman backed up a Marshall County deputy on an assault call in which a loaded rifle was involved.

Conservation Officer Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a follow-up meeting on the accidental shooting of a DNR employee by a grouse hunter. The hunter took a poor shot on a curvy county road looking up a rise where he could not know what was beyond his target. Manning assisted Cook County with a wetlands site visit and checked additional waters cases. The officer also responded to a call from a man whose dog found a dead buck in his yard. The deer was tracked back to a bow hunter who thought he lost a very nice deer. Manning also finished up a class on active shooter response, issued road-kill deer permits and answered numerous questions and phone calls on the upcoming wolf season.

Conservation Officer Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) assisted with instructing Use of Force to the academy at Camp Ripley. The officer completed the last day of active shooter training held in Silver Bay and he spent time working small game hunters and checking for bait.

Conservation Officers Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) worked a deer shining detail with neighboring officers. He investigated a deer baiting complaint and a wetlands violation. Johnson checked grouse hunters and all-terrain vehicles during the week. He picked up a road-killed bear cub on Highway 61.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

Sergeant Keith Olson (Marine Unit) worked on watercraft maintenance items, checked small game hunters north of Duluth, and answered many calls regarding the upcoming firearms deer season. He also followed up on a complaint of a bow hunter hunting past legal hours. Kamloop shore anglers are still fishing in the Duluth area.

Conservation Officer Matt Miller (Marine Unit) responded to the usual questions and complaints that arise before deer season, including trespass, baiting and access issues. Assistance was given to the Lake County Rescue Squad with the rescue of a hiker who fell from the lower Gooseberry Falls. A shining detail was worked and patrol watercraft winterized and stored for the season. Enforcement action was taken for all-terrain vehicle and small game violations.

Conservation Offocer Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) worked commercial, waterfowl, big game, small game, all-terrain vehicle, boating, and aquatic invasive species enforcement throughout the week. He also attended a meeting and assisted with an all-terrain vehicle class in Two Harbors. Enforcement action taken for commercial and boating violations.

Tags: outdoors, dnr