DNR Report: Pelted-out carcasses dumped on county land near Sawyer

Nov. 23—Conservation officer Darrin Kittelson (International Falls 1) continued the final step of field training with COC Jahn. Time was spent working the firearms deer season, fishing enforcement and small-game enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for an overlimit of walleyes, transporting loaded firearms and youth without helmets on a ATVs.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls 2) reports working deer-hunting activity and small-game hunters in the area this past week. Anglers on the Rainy River were checked as well.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports with a quick drop in temperatures and a front moving in later in the week, a marked increase in deer movement was noted. Along with that was an increase in success for second-week deer hunters. Many folks were noted to be hunting right to the end with weather conditions favorable to extend time sitting in the woods. Several grouse hunters were encountered with birds still observed and it being too nice to stay in the house.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports little to no deer-hunting activity observed over the week. A few hunters commented they were done for the season as there were no deer. Wolf signs remain abundant. Area lakes are open and open-water angling from boats continues. Equipment work is ongoing.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily deer-hunting activity in his station. Hunter activity slowed continuously throughout the week with reports of hunters not seeing many deer. Grouse-hunting activity did increase throughout the week with warmer weather and hunters switching from deer hunting to grouse. Larson encountered violations regarding licenses and fielded calls related to potential suspicious deer-hunting activity.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked big-game and ATV enforcement over the final week of the firearms deer season. In addition, time was spent attending a meeting with the Pathblazers Snowmobile Club in Chisholm. The firearms season ended quietly with many deer camps vacant. Violations encountered included transporting loaded firearms in motor vehicles, expired ATV registration, and operating ATVs on closed trails.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) reports deer-hunting success varied throughout the area during an unseasonably warm third week of the rifle season. An increase in grouse-hunter activity has been observed. Many hunters still report strong grouse numbers observed. Additional time was spent following up on several deer-hunting complaints over the week.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting and trapping activity. He encountered very few deer hunters during the last week of the regular firearms deer season. Several deer hunters decided to go grouse hunting instead. Broughten observed a handful of anglers still trying their luck on open water. Broughten also fielded calls regarding trespass, injured animals, and wolves chasing deer.

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports hunting activity in the Ely area slowed at the end of the week and hunter numbers stayed low into the weekend. Hunter reports of deer sign followed the pattern of previous weeks: very little seen and rare reports of any deer. Violations included hunting without blaze-orange and hunting deer with use of bait.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) checked anglers as well as deer and small-game hunters. He also patrolled for trapping and ATV activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking deer and small-game hunters. Trapping activity was also monitored. Many frustrated deer hunters have switched back to hunting grouse. Wildlife-related complaints and hunting questions were handled.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais 2) spent the week patrolling forest service roads, trails and wildlife management areas for deer-hunting activity. Very few hunters were encountered and the ones who were out giving it a try continue to air their grievances about the lack of deer. A few folks in the area are out and about trapping beavers and otters. Enforcement action was taken for insufficient blaze-orange, failure to register a deer, and multiple ATV violations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked throughout the week checking deer hunters, grouse hunters and spruce-top-theft cases. Training was continued during the final phase with COC Ambroz. Enforcement action was taken for fishing on a trout lake during closed season, expired ATV registration, and multiple counts of false information regarding decorative trees.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a quiet ending to the firearms deer season in Cook County. The last weekend brought maybe a handful of hunter checks, with a couple blaze-orange and ATV issues handled. A harvested buck checked during the second weekend was found to be unregistered and the parent of the juvenile hunter was coached up on registration laws. Hill ran into the same juvenile hunter during the final weekend with another nice buck that was legally tagged with another party's deer tag. Whether it was sheer luck or skilled woodsmanship, the hunter was happy to have two deer-hunting stories they could share with their buddies at school.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked the closing weekend of the firearms deer season. Deer numbers were down overall in most areas but the weather was nice, allowing hunters to spend more time in stands with some hunters being successful in harvesting a deer. Grouse numbers remained good and mild temperatures and lack of snow allowed many hunters to extend their grouse-hunting opportunities. Murray continued to work a decorative materials investigation on state lands.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked deer hunters and a decent number of grouse hunters who were out taking advantage of the warmer weather. Several hunting-related questions were answered and a few hunting-related complaints were received.

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 hunters, worked Turn in Poachers complaints and monitored off-highway vehicle activity. Hunter success was better this week. Fairbanks and his K-9 partner, Fennec, also provided demonstrations and media interviews. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and operating an off-highway vehicle during closed hours.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) reports working big-game, small-game, migratory waterfowl and ATV enforcement activities. The firearms deer season concluded with many hunters reporting minimal success. Enforcement action was taken for several big-game and waterfowl violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) continued to focus patrols on deer-hunting activity. The firearms season ended just as slowly as it began. Grouse-hunting success continues to be above average, and a good walleye and crappie bite has been reported in the area as well.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) worked recreational vehicles and deer hunting throughout the previous week. Time was also spent checking grouse hunters and investigating a Turn in Poachers complaint. Holt continued to follow up on complaints of deer baiting and trespassing.

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) fielded multiple complaints this week. A problem drone is being investigated in the Kelsey area and a neighbor dispute was investigated in the Floodwood area. An early morning Turn in Poachers call led officers to a case where a doe was taken illegally in Meadowlands. Pleasant weather had many people out over the weekend, but there were not a whole lot of deer moving.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) and COC Landyn Saewert continued to work the final weekend of the deer season. Trespassing complaints were handled, along with violations during the City of Duluth hunt. A report of trapping without a license was taken. After investigation, it was found the trapper had the appropriate license. The two officers assisted with the St. Croix State Park hunt and several hunters reported having success.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) continued the final phase of training a new officer. They patrolled for big-game-hunting activity, with most hunters reporting not seeing many deer. Hunter-harassment cases were followed up on and enforcement action was taken. The pair took the boat out on one of the beautiful 60-degree November days for what was most likely the last ride of the year. An injured eagle was also captured and transported to Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation. Enforcement action this week included lending/borrowing deer tags, failure to validate deer tags, and hunting with the aid of bait.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) continued to monitor deer-hunting activity and fielded complaints pertaining to dogs chasing deer, a possible hunter-harassment situation, and University of Minnesota research live traps that were destroyed. A call was taken about beaver carcasses dumped on county land near Sawyer. Upon investigation, Elwell observed beaver, otter, muskrat and pine marten carcasses that had all been pelted out. Several waterfowl, a ruffed grouse and a loon were found as well. None of the gamebirds had been utilized. This investigation is ongoing. Assistance was given to the Pine County Sheriff's Office with a medical call. Enforcement action was taken for various ATV operation and registration violations, transporting a loaded firearm, and hunting license violations.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) worked the end of the firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for transporting a loaded firearm, insufficient blaze-orange, and various ATV violations. An 85-year-old hunter was checked on the last day of the season.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week investigating multiple trespass complaints. Karon also took calls on dogs chasing deer, wetland violations, and hunting questions. Time was spent at the St. Croix State Park hunt. Hunters in the state park hunt seemed to have good success. Deer-hunting activities in the area were also patrolled. Hunters reported fewer deer taken because of the antlerless lottery, but many reported seeing does still in the area. ATV users seemed to be abiding by the restricted hours and use.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit — Duluth) checked commercial herring netters for the November quota fishery. Abnormally high water temperatures on the western end of the lake has netters dealing with strong currents and a lack of fish. A deer was found in the ditch of a county road outside Beaver Bay with a gunshot injury to the body and the antlers cut off of the head. Seasonal maintenance and storage items were handled for patrol boats. Enforcement action was taken for commercial and ATV violations.