DNR Report: Good numbers of ruffed grouse observed for opener

Sep. 13—CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) continued field training COC Jahn. Time was spent on bear-hunting and fishing enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for transporting fish in an unmeasurable state.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports working ATV activity, checking sturgeon anglers, bear hunters, and waterfowl-hunting activity this past week. Many people were out enjoying the weather and having some success along the way. Enforcement action consisted of hunting waterfowl with an unplugged gun, and not having state or federal stamps.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that although there has not been a frost to pare back biting insects yet, people are out enjoying time in the woods. Bear hunters endured very warm weather for the opening days but with cooler temperatures the bears became more active. Acorns are dropping and the leaves are turning color, indicating fall is in the air. Angling reports continue to be positive. Early goose and youth waterfowl hunting was monitored with favorable conditions observed. In-service training was also attended this past week.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling and boating activities. Area forest roads were checked. Early goose hunting was non-existent due to no geese. ATV activities were checked. Numerous phone calls on a variety of outdoor topics were returned. Other time was spent completing administrative reporting requirements.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily bear-hunting and ATV enforcement throughout the week. Larson spent time investigating and following up with hunting violations. He also spent a few days at annual training at Camp Ripley.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked big-game, waterfowl and ATV activity. Rainfall and cooler weather led to a large drop-off in recreational activity. Lots of grouse are being seen in the area, which bodes well for hunters during the upcoming small-game opener next weekend.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time attending fall training at Camp Ripley over the week. He also fielded numerous questions regarding the upcoming small- and big-game seasons. Increasing numbers of waterfowl are starting to arrive with the weather turning cooler.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, bear-hunting, goose-hunting and ATV activity. Bear hunters continued to report moderate success. Goose hunters reported limited success. ATV activity remained high. Broughten also fielded calls regarding youth waterfowl season, nuisance beavers, and injured animals.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) spent the week continuing to focus on bear hunting. Hunting reports continued to be good as cooler weather and rain arrived. There has been an increase in nuisance-bear reports across the BWCAW over the last few weeks and people visiting the wilderness are being asked to be extra careful with food and garbage.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) spent the week checking fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent patrolling for bear and waterfowl hunters.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking bear hunters and monitoring ATV riders. He patrolled in the BWCAW checking anglers. Enforcement action was taken for angling, ATV, and license violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports fishing on the inland lakes is starting to pick up as fall progresses. With bear season well underway, few bears are being observed by hunters and even fewer are being harvested. One ATV was stopped this week for operating with a juvenile passenger with no approved helmet. The person driving the ATV was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun but did not have a permit to carry. Enforcement action was taken for both violations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) continued field training with COC Nick Ambroz. The officers again worked a wide variety of enforcement activities and encountered numerous violations. A couple ongoing investigations were finished up, resulting in enforcement action. Assistance was provided instructing a youth firearms safety class in Babbitt where 15 youths were certified. Thanks to the volunteers who gave of their time. Enforcement action for the week included unregistered bear bait, unsigned bear bait, fishing without a license, failure to transfer watercraft title, expired personal watercraft registration (1996 sticker), operating a PWC too close to shore, operating a motor vehicle on bike trail closed to motor vehicles, and no state park vehicle permit.

CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) followed up on a shoreline-development complaint and a management area encroachment. An ATV operator found speeding down the traffic lane on a state highway had no idea there were specific ATV laws or safety training requirements. Parking complaints and early deer shooting complaints were received. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and angling violations.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending yearly firearms qualification and medical training at Camp Ripley throughout the week.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked bear- and early goose-hunting activity during the week. Wild rice harvesting continued and fall fishing success remained good in area lakes and streams. Murray also attended a fall training session at Camp Ripley and investigated a shoreline violation.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers, monitored ATV activities and checked bear hunters. Bear hunters have seen good success with the cooler weather. A trespassing complaint was investigated.

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

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored wild rice harvest, worked waterfowl- and bear-hunting activities and investigated TIP complaints. Angler and hunter success was good this week. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and harvesting wild rice after hours.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked early goose and bear seasons over the past week, with limited success had by hunters. As fall weather patterns set up, fishing has slowly been getting better and a fall lake trip shouldn't be overlooked. Sutherland took enforcement action for ATVs on a non-motorized trail, took multiple questions about the Grand Rapids city hunt and started fielding calls about roadkill deer.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked angling and recreational vehicle activity during the week. Time was also spent following up on several TIP complaints. Holt attended training at Camp Ripley and performed armoring duties on Division shotguns.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) followed up on several overfishing concerns, garbage-dumping complaints, and other miscellaneous calls. Some good panfish and walleye bites were reported in the area. Bear hunters continue to have some success, but they have to have a good plan to process their harvest as the weather has still been very warm overall.

CO Jake Willis (Brookston) has started getting regulatory calls about deer hunting, in addition to questions regarding small game opener next week. Investigation also continues on possible illegal harvest from an area lake. Complaints of illegal dumping on public land were also received.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) continues the training process with COC Landyn Saewert. The two spent the week checking bear-hunting, early teal-hunting, early goose-hunting, and fishing activity. A complaint of a pickup vs. moose was taken. The moose was dispatched, then transported to a local processing facility. ATV-related activity continues as the weather cooled, and enforcement action was taken for operating without headlights, unregistered ATV, and speeding.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) and COC Aimee Hand started the past week by spending the holiday on the St. Louis River. The wind and cooler weather kept a lot of people off the water. The two continued to check bear baits and look for successful bear hunters. A trapping association meeting was attended to cover the new Minnesota Lynx Zone trapping laws. The week was wrapped up by checking shore anglers and ATV/OHM activity.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) participated in training at Camp Ripley, and monitored bear hunting, rice harvesting, and waterfowl hunting this week. Plenty of local geese are in the area, but local ducks have been hard to find for most youth waterfowl and early teal season hunters. Good numbers of ruffed grouse have been observed for the upcoming small-game opener. AIS and ATV violations were dealt with this week.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Willow River) spent the Labor Day holiday patrolling lakes and forests in her area. Enforcement action was taken for various boating and ATV/OHM violations. In-service training at Camp Ripley was attended. Safety Day in Pine city was also attended.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent the week continuing to check and monitor bear-hunting activity. Karon worked the DNR Info Booth on Labor Day. Various game farm and deer farm inspections were completed. Wetland violations were investigated as well.