DNR Report: Hunters concerned about lack of deer as season approaches

Oct. 17—CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports grouse hunters are very successful with lots of birds being seen and in the bag. Fall fishing on the Rainy River is picking up. Nuisance-beaver complaints were handled, as were other miscellaneous animal complaints. ATV riders are reminded to drive responsibly and youth under 18 must wear helmets.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that with tamarack trees now preparing for the winter, season activities have shifted to the woods and fields. Grouse hunters and ATV-rider numbers increased dramatically this past weekend. As a result grouse are not hanging around in the open for long. A couple of bear-related complaints were responded to with deterrents suggested to hopefully send them on their way for upcoming hibernation preparation. Unauthorized ATV use on trails was addressed, as was a highway motor vehicle stuck on a state trail. Waterfowl hunters are hoping for a push from the north to kick things into gear.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling, boating and hunting activities. Area forest roads were checked, and public access sites visited. Equipment work continues. Numerous comments from sportsmen and women on the lack of deer and waterfowl were received.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent time checking anglers and small-game and waterfowl hunters. He patrolled his local lakes focusing on the Eagles Nest Lakes and Lake Vermilion. Activity has decreased on the water with the lower temperatures, but dedicated anglers are still focusing on walleye, bass and muskie activity. Violations encountered were related to boating equipment, licenses and a potential shoreline violation.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked small-game, big-game and ATV activity. In addition, time was spent completing administrative tasks and continuing to work on several ongoing investigations. Violations encountered included transporting loaded firearms in a motor vehicle, illegal transportation of game birds and various license and ATV equipment issues.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time investigating several spruce top theft cases over the week. Decorative product theft cases have started to pop up all over the region as the holiday season is now within sight. He continues to work with several squatters living on state land and is investigating a public waters dredging complaint.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, fishing and ATV activity. Waterfowl hunters reported limited success and are finding few ducks in the area. Grouse hunters continued to report good success.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports that grouse-hunting pressure increased over the week and weekend. Success was only fair and only a few grouse were seen harvested. He also assisted St. Louis County with locating a lost person over the week. Violations included no blaze orange while grouse hunting and harvesting spruce tops without consent of the owner.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) checked small-game and waterfowl hunters this week. He also patrolled for fishing, boating and ATV activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) patrolled back roads checking ATV riders and small-game and bear hunters. The officer responded to complaints in the area. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms, alcohol, license and ATV violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent the week patrolling the area for angling and hunting activity. Angling success was limited, but hunters were having some luck finding birds. The bear season came to an anticlimactic end on Sunday and hunters continue to air their concern about the lack of deer to be seen with the firearms deer season just around the corner. Multiple hunting violations were addressed.

CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) patrolled ATV trails in the Finland and Isabella areas. Cooler fall weather has brought many leaves down and grouse hunters to the woods. A new patrol boat for large water operations was test driven. Campgrounds continue to fill, and several rescue-related calls were fielded. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports finishing field training with COC Veit. The officers gave a law and ethics talk for an ATV safety class at Cook County High School. Twenty-five sixth-graders are getting ready for the driving portion of the class in a couple of weeks. Hill finished field training paperwork and big-game cases towards the end of the week.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked big-game and waterfowl-hunting activity during the week. Duck numbers increased in the area this week and temperatures were comfortable for hunting activity. Murray answered several questions on upcoming hunts and took a report of illegally dumped deer carcasses.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked grouse hunters and anglers and monitored decorative material harvesting activities. Brown assisted with an ATV safety class that was attended by 20 students from the area. Enforcement action was taken for transporting a loaded firearm, transporting a fully dressed grouse and operating an ATV with no headlights activated.

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, worked hunting activity, and assisted with an ATV safety class in the Northome station. Waterfowl-hunter success was better this weekend. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Fennec also assisted in the search for a missing person and located a deer for another investigation.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked small-game-hunting activity in the area with the local grouse population looking really good. Most hunters are harvesting multiple birds and the woodcock migration has started. Sutherland took action for not having a license in possession.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on trapping, small-game, migratory waterfowl and angling activities. Both small-game and waterfowl hunters saw steady success throughout the area. Enforcement action was taken for several license violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) began field training COC Ambroz. Officers report a busy weekend of ruffed grouse hunting. Hunters were successful and generally compliant. Archery deer, bear and waterfowl hunters were also checked.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked grouse hunters and recreational vehicles during the previous week. Time was also spent patrolling trails and handling miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints. Holt completed required training and monitored angling activity throughout the Grand Rapids area.

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) followed up on ongoing cases. Equipment maintenance was tended to, and multiple regulatory calls were fielded. Heavy complaint areas were patrolled during nighttime hours.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) spent the week working waterfowl and small-game hunters. Fall angling activity was monitored and ATV complaint areas were worked. The officer followed up on complaints of baiting and trespassing and took enforcement action for ATV violations. The officer also assisted with the district firearms safety class at General Andrews.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) continued to monitor a couple possible illegal deer-hunting locations. ATV activity was worked, and many grouse hunters were checked while working ATV locations. Waterfowl hunting was also worked during the week. One day was spent field training a new-hire officer during his third step of field training. Duncan assisted with a youth firearms safety field day with district officers.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) checked small-game hunters and investigated possible big-game violations. A deer farm inspection was conducted, and time was spent with other district officers instructing youth firearms safety students near Sturgeon Lake.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) spent time this week investigating a trespass and deer-hunting complaint and a possible public waters and wetland violation. Time was also spent preparing for a firearms safety field day. Youth were certified at a conservation officer-instructed firearms safety field day held this past Saturday in Willow River. Information regarding safety courses can be found on the DNR website.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) began the third phase of field training with COC Nick Bruesewitz. Time was spent at a firearms safety field day teaching the next generation of hunters about safety, laws and ethics. The two checked shore anglers throughout the week. The two also patrolled for small-game and deer hunters. Violations included fishing with no license, angling with extra lines, and failure to display ATV registration.