DNR Report: 3 people have fallen through ice already

Dec. 7—Conservation officer Darrin Kittelson (International Falls 1) reports finishing field training with COC Jahn. Muzzleloader season has been slow, with very few hunters observed in the field, which is surprising considering the nice weather. Trappers have been out preparing for upcoming pine marten and fisher season. Animal-related complaints were also handled.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls 2) reports spending time this past week checking small-game hunters and monitoring trapping activity. Area forest roads and muzzleloader-hunting activity were monitored throughout the week as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) heard some miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints, followed up on complaints involving deer-hunting activity and checked areas for illegal decorative material harvesting. Muzzleloader deer hunter numbers appear to be down from the previous year in the area. Grouse hunters are still looking for birds, with reports that the birds seem to have changed hangouts and behaviors with the seasonal changes. Slatinski assisted another agency with a trespass complaint. Ice formation has stalled with daytime temperatures at or above freezing, as the spearing and angling crowds are ready for safe ice.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little outdoor activity over the week. Area lakes recently became ice-covered and no anglers were observed. There is little to no snow on the ground throughout the work area. Equipment work and computer training are ongoing.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily muzzleloader-hunting activity and angling activity. Anglers have begun venturing out on most area lakes in the Tower station. Ice remains thin and dangerous in spots, but lakes that froze over early and bays are beginning to see ice slowly building. Anglers were finding mixed success, with some finding good eating-size walleyes, while some others struggled to find consistent catches. Violations throughout the week were mostly related to angling licenses. Larson also checked a few successful muzzleloader hunters.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, angling and ATV activity. Ice on most local lakes is forming fast and anglers took advantage of the conditions, but success was limited for most anglers checked. A reminder to all anglers venturing out that ice thickness and conditions still vary greatly and that ice is never 100% safe.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time completing a road right of way dispute over the week. He also fielded a call where an ATV was buried and frozen in a bog on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail. Additional time was spent checking ice anglers venturing out for the first time this year.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) checked hunting, fishing and trapping activity this week. He also patrolled for ATV operators.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) followed up on past season investigations and responded to ongoing calls. He checked early ice anglers and trappers. Equipment maintenance was completed.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais 2) reports many of the small lakes in the area have frozen over. Few anglers have been seen on the fresh ice, but several people are out skating on the lakes. Ledeen advises people to refresh their knowledge on ice safety, as three people have fallen through the ice already and all on different lakes. No injuries were reported. Investigations are ongoing following the firearms deer season.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed the final phase of field training with COC Nick Ambroz and sent him off to his work station (Waseca). A baiting complaint was worked resulting in two citations for muzzleloader deer hunting with the aid of bait, including seizure of an eight-point buck. Another deer case was worked with neighboring officers resulting in several lend/borrow violations, untagged and unregistered deer, and seizure of four bucks. Time was spent working early ice anglers. Violations included unattended lines and possession of illegal-length northern pike.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports following up on various big-game cases throughout the week, with one remaining ongoing. Equipment maintenance was also handled in Duluth. A wanton waste complaint was investigated that ended up unfounded.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked several grouse hunters as they took advantage of the warm weather. A decent number of people had success ice fishing and spearing. A Turn in Poachers complaint was investigated. It involved a deer that had been hanging since the opening weekend of firearms deer season. Brown found the fawn deer carcass to be rotten and the deer was untagged. Brown questioned the suspect and seized the deer and firearm used to take the deer. Enforcement action was taken for wanton waste, untagged deer, and failure to register a deer. Enforcement action was also taken for various ATV and fishing-related violations throughout the weekend.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, small-game and big-game hunters, and anglers. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked the first week of early ice angling with some panfish anglers doing quite well during the early ice conditions. Many of the larger lakes still have open water and with warm conditions on the horizon, it is very important to keep safety in mind when venturing out on area lakes. Sutherland took enforcement action for multiple anglers who forgot to bring their licenses along with them ice angling.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working big-game, small-game and angling enforcement. Work was also completed on open investigations. Ice anglers are reminded to use extreme caution before heading out on area lakes this season.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) reports that ice thickness varies significantly from lake to lake. Some of the smaller lakes have sufficient ice and anglers were excited to get out and see what they could get to bite. Follow-up from firearms deer season was worked on and enforcement action was taken for hunting over bait.

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) attended an interagency decorative materials harvesting meeting in Duluth. The rest of the time was spent fielding calls and working on tying up loose ends before departing the Brookston station to becoming the chief pilot of the DNR Enforcement Division. Willis will miss working directly with the people of southwest St. Louis County as he moves to a different unit within the Enforcement Division.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) and COC Landyn Saewert spent time patrolling Jay Cooke State Park for hunting activity during the muzzleloader park hunt. Minimal success was observed. Follow-up on taking pine marten illegally was conducted and a snowmobile law and ethics presentation was given to approximately 10 individuals in Willow River.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) finished training for the final phase of field training with a new officer. The two patrolled ATV and small-game activity in the area, finding many recreational riders out enjoying the mild winter weather. Grouse hunters reported seeing birds but not shooting many. A few deer hunters were still seen out and about, with most reporting no deer found. Trappers were abundant and having success with beavers and some otters, with many looking for their opening day spots for fishers, pine martens and bobcats.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored trapping and muzzleloader-hunting activity this week. Ongoing cases were followed up on, and annual training was completed.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) continued to work big-game, small-game, sport fishing and ATV/off-highway motorcycle enforcement throughout the week. Hunter harassment, taking deer without a license, deer tag validation, deer-tagging requirements, and deer registration violations were investigated.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit-Duluth) completed checks of commercial netters on Lake Superior. Assistance was given to area officers with a deer case spanning several seasons. Lakes are mostly frozen over, and a few anglers are venturing out on foot. Most of the Arrowhead remains brown with little snow in the forecast. Enforcement action was taken for big-game and ATV violations.