WEEKLY DNR ENFORCEMENT REPORT: Felon with firearm, Small game and fishing compliance etc.

CONSERVATION OFFICER WEEKLY REPORT

10-24-11

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwest Minnesota for Oct. 24:

District 1 - Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked duck and grouse hunters on Thief Lake, Roseau River, and other WMAs. A trespass complaint was investigated near Greenbush. Bear hunting stands were removed off of an area WMA. Enforcement action was taken on an individual who was hunting ducks in a State Game Refuge.

CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) checked anglers and boating activity on area rivers, and youth deer hunting activity was monitored. Follow up was conducted on illegal burning activity and small game hunters were checked with most hunters having mixed results. Questions were answered on upcoming seasons and areas were monitored for trapping activity. CO Warren worked areas for illegal shining activity.

CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) worked on a shining complaint and conducted follow up on a complaint of wanton waste. Fall anglers are doing well on the walleye bite during the day. A complaint of double tripping on waterfowl was worked and small game hunters were checked. Enforcement activity for the week included shooting grouse from a motor vehicle, transport loaded firearms, and jump shooting ducks from a motor boat.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing, hunting, and ATV activity throughout the week. Fishing continues to be good on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River. Good success was reported with the early youth deer hunt. An anonymous TIP of a man hunting deer with a rifle early in the week resulted in a felon in possession of a firearm being arrested with the assistance of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. An erratic driver observed by CO Gorecki resulted in the driver being arrested for felony assault of a peace officer and DWI. The passenger was arrested on outstanding warrants.

Blackduck #2 - vacant.

Karlstad - vacant.

Warroad #2 - vacant.

District 2 - Bemidji area

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) reports that the youth deer hunt was successful for many new hunters. Duck hunters are seeing some divers but overall experiencing poor success. Officer Bensen participated in a live radio talk show regarding the fall hunting seasons and assisted the sheriff's office with a burglar alarm call. A deputy received a complaint that an expensive deer stand had been stolen, however Officer Bensen had already been contacted by a landowner who had removed the stand. It, in addition to several others, had been placed on his farmland without permission. The stand was returned to the owner along with a citation for trespassing on posted agricultural land.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) monitored ATV, invasive, angling, boating, shining, and waterfowl hunting activity during the week. He assisted with a stolen stand, a burglar alarm, and took calls concerning an injured pelican and dead swan. Officer Malinowski also returned property located on a WMA, assisted CO Bensen with a radio talk show, and received a complaint regarding shooting from the road/ tribal hunting issues.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) spent the week checking waterfowl and grouse hunters. CO Vollbrecht worked with CO Keith Backer on a shining complaint. The suspect decided to shine the field in front of the CO's residence during closed hours. He was interviewed at his residence and was issued a citation for shining during closed hours. CO's also discovered an unregistered deer which was shot in September. Officer Vollbrecht also investigated a burning complaint and patrolled problem ATV areas.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports ducks have been coming into the area with hunters seeing a mixed bag. Officer Vinton attended a FAS range day and assisted neighboring officers with a TIP investigation. He also continued an invasive species investigation, received TIP calls concerning the upcoming deer season, and took a call of a bald eagle flying, near Frazee, with an arrow in it. If anyone has information on the eagle please call the TIP line.

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports a slow weekend for area prairie chicken hunters. Reduced numbers and rain on Sunday made it tough for hunters. Youth hunters did well during the Buffalo State Park youth deer hunt. CO Seefeldt followed up on reports of a sick moose. Adult hunters attended a field day for firearms safety certification put on by local instructors and CO Seefeldt. CO Seefeldt also investigated reports of wetland drainage and possession of untagged deer.

CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) spent the week focusing efforts on deer hunting activity, ATV activity, fishing activity, and illegal burning activity. Nice weather during the weekend brought many people outdoors. Officer Stattelman assisted neighboring officers with bow hunters found in a closed state park. He also conducted maintenance on equipment, investigated a potential waters violation, answered calls regarding nuisance animals and hunting issues, and investigated TIP calls.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent the week working waterfowl hunters, pheasant hunters, archery hunters, and prairie chicken hunters. A few diver ducks have moved into the area giving waterfowl hunters more action. He also followed up on complaints of trespass, baiting, hunter harassment, waters violations, and assisted a Moorhead Police Officer with the recovery of dead moose.

CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) monitored fishing, hunting, and ATV activity throughout the week. Duck numbers continue to improve in the area, however harvest numbers remain low. Officer Sharp also received several complaints of shining which remain under investigation.

Bemidji #1 - vacant.

NR Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew the Bemidji, Thief Lake, and Roseau duck surveys. Pilot Heineman also flew an instrument training flight and attended to aircraft and truck maintenance.

Standby CO Pilot Jason Jensen reports flying numerous telemetry flights in northern Minnesota and a wetland photo flight. Pilot Jensen also assisted with a deer shining detail where one suspect was apprehended.