Email
Print
FeedMInnesota Cuffs & Collars - August 2nd, 2012
District 1 – Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) investigated two calls regarding cattle that had been killed by wolves. Assistance was given to an owl that had been struck by a vehicle, and anglers were checked on Lake of the Woods. Enforcement action was taken for angling with an extra line and for angling without a license.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) taught the law and ethics portion of a Youth ATV safety class at the Marshall County Fair and staffed the TIP Wall of Shame display during the fair. CO Woinarowicz investigated a possible public waters violation with the local hydrologist, checked anglers on the Red River of the North with CO Traci Hanson, and responded to a complaint about a nuisance bear.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) monitored fishing, boating, and bear activity throughout the week. Complaints about nuisance bears have increased in the area, and farmers are seeing more bears damaging crops. While CO Gorecki was patrolling a lakeside housing area, he spotted what appeared to be marijuana growing on the back side of a garden. CO Gorecki contacted the sheriff’s department and assisted in a search of the property. When the owner asked how the officers knew there was marijuana growing behind his tomatoes, CO Gorecki explained that the subject’s nearly 4-foot marijuana had outgrown his 2½-foot tomato camouflage. Marijuana plants, seeds, and paraphernalia were seized from the property owner, and charges are pending.
District 2 – Bemidji area
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) checked boaters and anglers. AIS law compliance was monitored. Officer Malinowski also assisted Montana officers with an investigation. A wetland alteration complaint and nuisance-animal issues were investigated. Fall hunting and public land use questions have begun.
CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) checked anglers, boaters, and ATVers. Travel on many ATV trails is limited due to downed trees from the early July storm.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) and Clay County deputies investigated a complaint about a bear near Dilworth. Recreational boater activity remains high on area lakes. AIS law compliance was monitored. A number of personal watercraft operators were contacted for operation violations.
CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) and COC Mitch Lawler investigated TIP calls and followed up on a faucet snail infestation.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) monitored angling and worked on violations regarding destroying aquatic vegetation on area lakes. The city of Fergus Falls is planning an archery deer hunt within its municipal boundaries this fall, and restrictions are being discussed.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) and COC Mueller worked area lakes for fishing, boating, and AIS enforcement. Common violations included not having a license in possession, no throwable PFD onboard, and riding on the gunwales of the boat. One party was cited for not having a fishing license. Officer Plautz and COC Mueller also investigated and assisted in the investigation of two separate TIP calls regarding overlimits of sunfish. While one party was found compliant, two others were cited for possessing overlimits of sunfish.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) responded to calls in the vacant Alexandria station. A complaint was received regarding a subject who owned a cabin on a lake and was dumping human sewage into the lake. When contacted, the cabin owner claimed the cabin had no running water or septic system, so they had to use a bucket from time to time, but most of the time they would use the restroom at a local restaurant. In the event they had to use the bucket, they would take it to the lake’s edge and empty it. Some of their dumpings were still evident on the rocks along the lake. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) investigated fishing complaints involving double-tripping and overlimits of panfish. With assistance from CO Plautz and COC Mueller, two nonresidents were charged with double-tripping on sunfish. Other cases made throughout the week included an overlimit of crappies, illegal-length walleyes, and angling without a license.
District 4 – Wadena area
CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) provided assistance to other agencies when a semi-tractor lost its trailer and blocked traffic for several hours.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) investigated a call from the Cass Lake station about a stray dog following bicyclists on the Heartland State Trail. A concerned citizen picked it up and it eventually was returned to its owner.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) received calls about nuisance bears, boating while intoxicated, dogs harassing bikers on a state trail, and kids obstructing boat launching at a public water access. Officer Mathy attended a community meeting with other local law enforcement agencies about the proper response to youth obstructing access at an area lake and vandalizing boats.
CO Larry Francis (Remer) contacted a party in a state park who did not have the required permit. This contact resulted in the subject being cited for driving after revocation and having no proof of insurance. His vehicle was towed.
District 5 – Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) checked fishing and boating activity on Rainy Lake. People are reminded that when fishing experimental, special, border, or other waters with size limits, all fish must have heads, tails, fins, and skin intact while transporting them on the water.
C0 Troy Fondie (Orr) began documenting problem locations with the new radio system. CO Fondie spent additional time monitoring public access sites, forest roads, and local trails, and meeting with DNR Forestry personnel.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked anglers and PWCers, and investigated a TIP call regarding a turkey vulture that reportedly was shot. An operator of a PWC was observed riding backwards at a high speed and was traveling too fast near a dock. These violations were addressed, along with the 2008 registration displayed on the craft. Three out of four anglers in a group were observed violating a number of laws, including angling without an angling license, angling with extra lines, and using game fish for bait.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spoke with several people who reported nuisance bear problems. Homeowners are reminded to take in their garbage and bird feeders during the evening and to not feed bears. Litter and trespass cases were followed up on, with citations being issued.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) found an angler fishing with his kid’s Snoopy rod. However, he didn’t have a fishing license. While traveling down a county road, Officer Fredin observed an ATVer doing a wheelie toward him; the driver didn’t put the ATV down on all four tires until he saw the squad lights come on. A dirt bike was observed with two occupants traveling down a county road and weaving between centerlines. A traffic stop was made, and both riders were charged with under-21 alcohol consumption and operating on a county road.
District 6 – Two Harbors area
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) responded to the U.S. Port of Entry at Pigeon River for an overlimit of 39 smallmouth bass.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers and boaters, took calls about nuisance beavers, and answered questions about the upcoming wolf hunt. Officer Manning also took reports about a dark-colored cougar and a mangy wolf that have been frequenting several homes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte), while working on Lake Superior in the officer’s patrol vessel with Border Patrol Agent Rippingler, performed a rescue during the Dragon Boat Festival.
District 7 – Grand Rapids area
CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, watercraft operators, ATVers, state park visitors, and campground users. He also handled trespass and litter complaints during the week.
CO Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked complaints about ATVs and solid waste/litter, and took calls for service regarding injured animals. Enforcement contacts were made for operation of an ATV on a highway, over-capacity ATVs, and youth helmet infractions.
District 8 – Duluth area
CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling, boating, OHV, and AIS enforcement throughout the week. CO Humphrey patrolled in the Fond du Lac State Forest, and Moose Lake and Jay Cooke state parks. Violations included angling without a license, unlawful OHM operation, and OHV registration.
CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) reports wolf depredations at two cattle farms were investigated. Complaints about bears continue in the area.
CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth West) reports a juvenile killed a gull by throwing a basketball at it and will now have to explain this senseless act. Thanks to several area residents, a probable waters violation was stopped in progress until the person receives approval for the work plan and obtains the proper permits.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior. Officer Miller met with Fisheries managers about commercial and charter issues. Commercial nets were checked. Enforcement action was taken for boating and commercial violations.
Sgt. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked anglers north of Duluth. Lake Superior continues to have rather high surface temps.
District 9 – Brainerd area
CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he checked anglers this week. Posner also worked with neighboring officers on an invasive species detail near Cross Lake. Some violations observed were transporting aquatic vegetation and plugs in boats. Boat and water enforcement in the Brainerd area received attention this week. Some violations included insufficient PFDs, bow and stern riders, and over-capacity operation. PWC after operation hour complaints’ were received and investigated. Officer Posner also worked on a TIP call regarding someone dumping in Gull Lake. It turned out to be a makeshift livewell that an angler had emptied.
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) assisted with checking in boats for the annual Wooden Boat Show in Crosslake on Saturday morning. More than 70 boats were part of a parade for an estimated crowd of 10,000 people. Enforcement action involving aquatic invasive species included failing to drain watercraft and transporting aquatic vegetation on a boat or trailer.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) spent time working with a local police department regarding some possibly stolen items from a campsite.
District 10 – Mille Lacs area
CO Mike Lee (Isle) received numerous calls about dead fish floating to shore. Officer Lee also assisted with a safety instructor appreciation banquet that was held at Kathio State Park.
CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) worked fishing and recreational traffic on area lakes. Problem areas were worked where panfish over-bagging has been a midsummer issue in past years. He also handled calls regarding loons tangled in fishing line and wolves chasing deer.
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) investigated a wolf depredation call in which a ewe had been killed. It was determined that a wolf did not kill the ewe; it most likely was a coyote. Officer Heaton also followed up on wetland complaints and checked boaters on area lakes.
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) continued training COC Scot Arntzen. Time was spent handling TIP complaints on Lake Mille Lacs, which resulted in citations for illegal-length walleyes and fail to submit fish for inspection. Large die-offs of ciscoes were seen along with a few other species.
WREO Robert Haberman (Brainerd) worked a special AIS detail with watercraft inspector staff during the weekend. A violation rate of 46.5 percent was found during that detail.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) met with several landowners and farmers throughout the area that are having problems with nuisance bears and wolves. The typical damage from bears included torn-down bird feeders, busted-up garbage cans, and some damage to corn crops. One area rancher lost a 3-month-old, black angus calf to gray wolf depredation.
District 11 – St. Cloud area
CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked anglers, worked on a waters complaint, checked for aquatic invasive species, and performed boating enforcement during the week.
CO Mike Martin (St. Cloud) took a call from a local lake association member who wanted to know what she and her association could do about anglers “invading my privacy” by fishing close to her dock. Officer Martin worked in the jet boat with Officer Anthony Musatov several times, and the pair rescued a stranded angler and issued several summonses for angling violations.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked angling, boating, and AIS details this week. The officer assisted a neighboring officer with a TIP call related to a possible overlimit of fish.
District 12 – Princeton area
CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked fishermen on area lakes and rivers. He assisted Montana game wardens with two search warrants regarding the illegal taking of mule deer; charges are pending.
CO Reller (Buffalo) did a site inspection of a possible wetlands fill violation and checked local anglers and boaters. A TIP call was investigated that resulted in two individuals being cited for overlimits of sunfish.
CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) worked boaters and anglers on area lakes and rivers throughout the week. ATVers were worked, and AIS compliance was checked. A public waters complaint was investigated.
District 13 – West Metro area
CO Steve Walter (Waconia) checked anglers on area lakes and rivers who were having success. Waters violations were investigated for illegal cattail cutting.
CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) attended court in Hennepin County for a deer overlimit case from last fall.
CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) performed boat and water safety patrols on Lake Minnetonka and found numerous alcohol violations.
CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent the week working angling, boating, and AIS enforcement.
CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked boating and fishing activities around the metro-area lakes and rivers. He provided a ride-along opportunity to a student intern and researched places to teach firearm safety classes.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) completed an investigation of fishing law violations, and appropriate enforcement action was taken.
District 14 – East Metro area
CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) attended a Continuous Improvement and Innovation full-day meeting in St. Paul. She continued working with the local hydrologist and aquatic plant management specialist regarding several shoreline cases in Ramsey County.
CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) handled complaints of dumping and trespassing in the Forest Lake and Maplewood stations. He also followed up with the investigation of an aquatic vegetation complaint, which led to a citation for violating a aquatic plant management permit.
CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) investigated two TIP calls regarding illegal fishing.
District 15 – Marshall area
CO Doug Lage (Marshall) conducted an AIS checkpoint at Lake Benton. Enforcement action was taken on several watercraft owners for failure to remove drain plugs.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) checked fishermen on the Minnesota River and ATVers at the Appleton ATV park. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license.
CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) reports checking numerous anglers and boaters throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for taking of doves out of season, transporting loaded firearms, and angling with extra lines.
CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) assisted with a boating detail on the Minnesota River. A youth ATV class was set up for Aug. 21 in Benson.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fishing, boating, AIS, and ATV enforcement. Even with low water levels, which caused problems for boaters, many anglers were still out. Boaters are asked to please use caution the rest of the summer on the Minnesota River.
WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) closed out two WCA restoration orders that were completed in McLeod County.
District 16 – New Ulm area
CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) reports time was spent working on the Minnesota River during the annual catfish tournament and helping the sheriff’s department with a DWI stop that was the result of a driving complaint. The person had been using meth at some time prior to the stop.
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) assisted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service park ranger Howard Paul with the Laser Shot system at the fair. Officer Gruhlke also assisted a neighboring district with a turtle case that was being worked.
CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) reports field training with COC Amber Peterson. The officers followed up on a game farm violation, a waters violation was investigated, and they worked in the Maplewood station, where multiple contacts were made with shore anglers.
District 17 – Mankato area
CO Bob Geving (Mankato) worked boating and angling activities. Officer Geving also investigated a situation regarding dogs killing deer.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) and COC Wichmann worked lakes and rivers in the station. The officers took enforcement action on an individual who was shooting at geese in a bean field and on the water. The officers found that after the person shot at the birds on the water, a round from the rifle the subject was using ricocheted off the water, travelled over a mile, and went through a patio door. Enforcement action is being taken on two turtle trappers for license, identification, and overlimit violations.
CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports assisting a neighboring officer with a turtle trapping complaint in Faribault County. Several traps were seized. Time was also spent checking anglers and watercraft operators. Two commercial minnow retailers were inspected. Several fish over-limit violations were found this week.
District 18 – Rochester area
CO Scott Fritz (La Crescent) reports boaters are finding rocks and wing dams now that the river has gone down. Officer Fritz dealt with a dead cow in the Root River. Several local farmers are using deer depredation permits. B
CO Phil George (Rochester) checked anglers, ATV users, and horse riders on trails. Follow-up on a wetlands complaint was done. Enforcement action was taken for no horse pass and no ATV registration.
CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) reports working a busy week of fishing and boating enforcement, as well as attending training at Camp Ripley.
CO Boyum (Rushford) reports checking anglers on the Mississippi River. Time also was spent looking into dumping complaints. Questions have been trickling in about the upcoming deer season.
CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) spent time checking anglers, ATVers, and state forest activity. A few state forest violations were detected.
CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports spending the week mostly checking anglers and boaters. Some people are doing a good job of ignoring the heat and are still hitting the trails. The week went by without a call about a nuisance animal, or a bear or a cat sighting, which is unusual for this year. Time was spent transporting TIP’s Wall of Shame from the Wabasha County fair to its next venue.
