WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Aquatic invasive species checks, Early goose and youth waterfowl seasons etc.

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for Sept. 12:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked boaters and anglers at the Roseau port of entry while working an aquatic invasive species (AIS) detail. Bear hunting activity was monitored. Enforcement action was taken on bear baiting violations and for a felon in possession of a firearm.

CO Jeff Birchem (Baudette) spent time checking early goose hunters and conducted follow up on illegal bear hunting activity. Early goose hunters saw low numbers of birds in the area. CO Birchem gave a firearms safety presentation to the annual youth hunting day at an area sporting goods store.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued to monitor bear hunting activity taking enforcement action for unsigned and unregistered baits. Catfish anglers were checked on the Red River of the North and in the Thief River Falls area. CO Woinarowicz provided training to area wildlife managers on new legislation and checked area ATV trails.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked an aquatic invasive species detail at the port of entry in Warroad, and bear hunting activity was monitored. Area trails were checked for ATV activity with enforcement action taken on individuals riding on a state highway. The area early goose season found hunters having mixed success as well as crane hunters.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) checked area goose and bear hunters. The warm weather has slowed participation by animals and hunters. Fishing activity on area lakes was monitored with the walleye bite picking up. CO Backer prepared station equipment for the fall season and provided information on firearms safety and hunter apprentice options to potential hunters.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing, goose and bear hunting activity throughout the week. A district wildlife and law review meeting was attended and several nuisance animal complaints were handled. Early goose hunters were checked and most were reporting poor success.

Blackduck #2 - vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports many participants for the Youth Waterfowl Day. Hunters are having success taking Canada geese. Bear hunter and angler success is fair. Time was spent monitoring AIS compliance at water accesses. Boaters have been very good about cleaning their equipment.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked ATVs, anglers, boaters, bear hunters, early season goose hunters, and people removing lake equipment. Bear hunters are reporting poor activity at bait sites. Goose hunters are having better success. AIS monitoring was done at water accesses.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) monitored boating and AIS law compliance at area lakes. Bear and goose hunters were checked. A goose over limit complaint was investigated.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) checked bear hunters, goose hunters, ATVs and anglers. Youth waterfowl hunters experienced warm temperatures and varied success. Goose hunters are seeing more birds and having more shooting opportunities. Bear hunters report slow activity at bait sites. Anglers are taking limits of panfish.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports a quiet Youth Waterfowl Day. The young hunters checked all reported taking some shots and harvested a few ducks. The officer assisted with instruction of the Emergency Vehicle Operation Training for conservation officers.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports a slow early goose season. Hunters are having a harder time finding geese. Boating activity increased during the week, probably due to the warmer temperatures. Anglers were checked, and success varied. Anglers on the Red River report a slow catfish bite. Nuisance animal complaints were investigated, and bear bait sites checked.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) checked bear hunters, goose hunters, anglers, boaters and ATVs. Complaints of deer baiting by archery hunters were investigated. ATV activity is increasing and so are the complaints. AIS law compliance was done at water accesses.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) checked bear and goose hunters. Participation in the Youth Waterfowl Day was low in the area. Bear hunters are experiencing slow activity at bait sites. Goose hunters are having mixed results but hope cooler weather will increase activity.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) checked goose hunters, ATVs, and anglers. A few hunters were out during the Youth Waterfowl Day. AIS law compliance was monitored at water accesses. A TIP call about the Youth Waterfowl Day and fishing complaints were investigated.

Water Resource Officer Traci Hanson focused enforcement efforts on AIS law compliance on area lakes. Goose hunters, Youth Waterfowl Day hunters, and ATVs were checked. Follow-up on a wetland alteration case was done.

Bemidji #1 - vacant.