DNR conservation officer reports: Trapping season begins, Walleye fishing continues to improve etc.

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwestern Minnesota for Oct. 26:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) responded to a hunting trespass call early last week. Areas were looked at for the upcoming firearms deer season. CO Huener worked a detail on Thief Lake with CO Vollbrecht. Minor boating violations were found as well as a redhead over limit.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) spent time working with the Division of Waters checking on protected waters violations on Lake of the Woods. Walleye fishing continues to improve with the best success still being on the main part of Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken on over limits of waterfowl, no PFDs in watercraft, and taking ruffed grouse in closed area.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) monitored trapping activity with the opening of the Northern Zone trapping season. He worked with Lt. Znajda enforcing WMA rules for leaving stands overnight and use of ATV's on the WMA. Woinarowicz checked local waterfowl hunters and patrolled his work area finding numerous deer bait sites that will be followed up on during the deer firearms season. He conducted equipment maintenance and enforcement action was taken for operate motor vehicle where prohibited in WMA.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) monitored small game hunting activity in the Beltrami Island State Forest with hunters commenting on the numerous birds in the area. Area waterfowl numbers appear to be down. WMAs were patrolled for hunting activity with some deer hunters out scouting for the upcoming rifle season. CO Warren worked areas for shining activity.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) conducted follow up work on trespass complaints, investigated big game baiting complaints, and assisted the sheriff's department at the scene of a shooting death. Area waterfowl hunting was monitored and a presentation was given to a local church group on the upcoming deer season. CO Backer continued follow up on hunter harassment complaints. Enforcement action for the week included transporting loaded firearms in motor vehicles.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) monitored grouse hunting activity and checked on bear bait stations after the end of the season. ATV permits were issued for the upcoming firearm deer season. CO Vollbrecht worked a waterfowl detail with CO Huener on Thief Lake. Violations encountered during the week included an over limit of redheads and watercraft violations.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing and hunting activity throughout the week. Fishing on the Rainy River continues to be good with many anglers finding success throughout the river. CO Gorecki spent time testifying at a court case in Beltrami County. A public waters violation was investigated and a presentation was given at a snowmobile conference. CO Gorecki participated on a juvenile diversion panel in Lake of the Woods County. Enforcement action taken during the week included fishing and public waters violations.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports many Canada geese but few ducks in the area. Archery deer hunters are having some success. Complaints of deer shining and operating ATVs in a restricted were investigated. A careless driver was stopped, and a college student took part in a ride-along.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) assisted local law enforcement agencies with issues. Waterfowl, prairie chicken and archery deer hunters were checked. A Firearm Safety Class was attended and the students talked to about laws, safety and ethics. A wetland alteration, dumping garbage on a WMA and refuse at a public access complaints were investigated. Questions regarding wolves, trapping and deer hunting were answered.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked waterfowl and small game hunters. The officer assisted the sheriff's department with the removal of a canoe and waterfowl decoys left on a local lake. Questions about the firearm deer season continue.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) monitored waterfowl, grouse and archery deer hunting activity. Duck numbers in the area continue to increase but the number of hunters is low. Grouse hunters are having better success as the leaves drop and visibility increases. Complaints of deer shining, illegal ATV activity and wolf depredation were investigated.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) continues to investigate deer shining complaints and an ongoing TIP complaint. Anglers are having some success when the weather allows them to get on the lakes. Calls about the firearm deer season access to lakes from a road right-of-way and the gun case law were addressed.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) investigated complaints of deer baiting, trespass and untended leech traps. A complaint of a dead deer in a WMA with the head gone was also investigated. An archery deer hunter was located who told the officer he shot it the evening before and lost it. He found it in the morning and believed the meat to be spoiled, and took the head. The hunter was cited for failure to tag the deer. A group of young deer hunters, participating in the Buffalo River State Park Youth Deer Hunt, were addressed about the park hunt rules.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) focused enforcement efforts on deer shining, deer baiting, poaching and TIP complaints. Duck numbers in the area are constant, with a variety of species. Anglers are having some success. The officer assisted with a firearm safety class for DNR Wildlife personnel in the southwest part of the state. A variety of fall hunting, trapping, angling and OHV questions were answered.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) investigated litter, deer shining and deer poaching complaints. One deer was examined for bullet fragments and other evidence. A reporter from Minnesota Public Radio rode with the officer on a deer shining detail. Two shining violations were witnessed and enforcement action taken.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked waterfowl, pheasant and deer hunters. The officer assisted DNR Wildlife personnel with a sick moose. Complaints of trespass, an injured loon and a waterfowl hunting-related TIP call were investigated.