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FeedMN: Cuffs and Collars Issue: 43
District 1 - Baudette area
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) reports a trespass complaint was investigated near Greenbush. Bear hunting stands were removed from an area WMA. Enforcement action was taken on an individual hunting ducks in a state game refuge.
CO Angie Warren (Thief River Falls) worked areas for illegal shinning activity.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) reports a complaint of double tripping on waterfowl was worked and small game hunters were checked.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) reports an anonymous TIP of a man hunting deer with a rifle early in the week resulted in a felon in possession of a firearm being arrested with the assistance of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. An erratic driver observed by CO Gorecki resulted in the driver being arrested for felony assault of a peace officer and DWI. The passenger was arrested on outstanding warrants.
District 2 - Bemidji area
CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) assisted the sheriff's office with a burglar alarm call. A deputy received a complaint that an expensive deer stand had been stolen; however, Officer Bensen had already been contacted by a landowner who had removed the stand. It, in addition to several others, had been placed on his farmland without permission. The stand was returned to the owner along with a citation for trespassing on posted agricultural land.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) took calls concerning an injured pelican and dead swan. Officer Malinowski also received a complaint regarding shooting from the road/ tribal hunting issues.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) worked with CO Keith Backer on a shining complaint. The suspect decided to shine the field in front of the CO's residence during closed hours. He was interviewed at his residence and was issued a citation for shining during closed hours. COs also discovered an unregistered deer that was shot in September.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) assisted neighboring officers with a TIP investigation. He also took a call of a bald eagle flying, near Frazee, with an arrow in it. If anyone has information on the eagle, please call the TIP line.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) reports a slow weekend for area prairie chicken hunters. CO Seefeldt also investigated reports of wetland drainage and possession of untagged deer.
CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) assisted neighboring officers with bowhunters found in a closed state park.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) followed up on complaints of trespass, baiting, hunter harassment, waters violations, and assisted a Moorhead Police Officer with the recovery of dead moose.
CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji) received several complaints of shining, which remain under investigation.
District 3 - Fergus Falls area
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) spoke at the Underwood Lions Club about invasive species and answered questions relating to hunting regulations.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) handled dogs chasing deer complaints and did equipment maintenance.
CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) worked on some division of waters cases this week.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) handled a TIP call regarding shooting from a motor vehicle.
CO Jon Paurus (Alexandria) reports that while investigating a hunting complaint, he heard what sounded like a cat howling. A short time later a cat was seen running up a tree with a fisher in hot pursuit. When the fisher grabbed the cat they both tumbled nearly 25 feet to the ground and more howling was heard. The officer approached to within 10 yards of the fisher and cat when the cat again attempted to run up a tree. The fisher again snatched the cat and both fell to the ground. The fisher then skillfully finished the cat off. As the fisher caught its breath after the kill, it winded the officer, picked up the cat and scampered off.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) reports several trespass complaints were investigated and responded to and time was spent working on an illegal fire.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) reports enforcement action taken for unplugged shotguns, no federal waterfowl stamps, and camping overnight on a WPA.
CO Tony Anderson (Morris) responded to a call about a car that had driven onto a federal waterfowl production area and into a pond. When Anderson arrived at the scene the person was still in the vehicle. The individual was having health issues and transported to a local hospital.
CO Kurt Nelson (Glenwood) checked waterfowl and pheasant hunters during the week.
District 4 - Wadena area
CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) reminds dog owners who are in the fields and woods to be mindful of potential traps that could cause injury or death to their dog.
CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) investigated multiple baiting complaints. CO Hunter and CO Adam investigated a call of a turkey getting shot illegally. The investigation resulted in multiple charges including turkey taken in closed season, hunting turkey without a license, hunting deer over bait, and untagged big game. A firearm, bow, a turkey carcass, and a deer were also seized in the case.
CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) received calls of accidental fisher being taken and removed two fish houses being illegally stored on state forest property.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) answered numerous questions regarding the upcoming firearm deer season.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) reports that while working a shining detail, a pair of hunters was found to be shining over an automatic corn feeder while in possession of a rifle.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) presented the "Wall of Shame" at the Minnesota Deer Hunters Banquet in Longville.
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) investigated two different dogs chasing deer complaints and had one trespass call.
District 5 - Eveleth area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports fall fishing activity on the Rainy River is increasing with the nice seasonal weather.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports ATVs and road hunters were out in full force looking for the ruffed grouse.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked ATVs, a trespass complaint, followed up on open deer hunting cases, and assisted other officers in a Firearms Safety adult field day in Hibbing.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) reports more deer are being hit by vehicles. Motorists are advised to be cautious this time of year.
District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO John Velsvaag (Ely) checked ATVs and took calls on the upcoming deer season.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) reports calls have begun to come in from concerned people about hunters illegally baiting for deer. White and some brown "salt licks" are OK, but any other ingredients on a block other than minerals (such as protein or molasses) is illegal. Just because they sell it at the local feed store doesn't mean it's legal. Please call the local officer or the TIP line if you observe a location where someone has placed bait for deer hunting.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports the week of the timber wolf as many wolves have been reported being caught in fox/coyote sets. CO Manning and CO Fagerman released one cooperative wolf and one uncooperative wolf. They both ran off with no apparent injury. Trap tampering reports also came in and people are reminded that they are not to touch a trap regardless of whether or not they agree with trapping.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a presentation by Thunder Bay Police Department on gangs in the border country, worked a joint detail with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers at the Pigeon River Port of Entry, and took two reports of swans in the area.
CO Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) responded to a trespass complaint near Wilson Lake. CO Johnson's investigation revealed that there was no violation.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) responded to nuisance animal and trapping complaints.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) checked a pair of new trappers and educated them about trapping requirements and restrictions within the lynx zone.
District 7 - Grand Rapids area
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, worked waterfowl hunting activity, monitored ATV activity, checked archery hunters, and checked balsam bough harvesters.
CO Sarah Sindelir (Grand Rapids) fielded several calls regarding stand and shooting lane construction on public property.
CO Brent Speldrich (NE ATV Rec Spec) returned evidence seized in a snowmobile fleeing case. The evidence was no longer needed when the suspect pleaded guilty to fleeing and forfeited his snowmobile. Officer Speldrich also received the civil paperwork needed to complete the forfeiture case on a vehicle that was seized a year ago from four suspects who used it to shine and take two deer. These vehicles will be sold at auction.
CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, ATVs, bough cutters, and trappers.
District 8 - Duluth area
CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) responded to a report of illegal bough and tree top harvest.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) attended to a car-killed moose, which involved taking several blood samples for wildlife biologists.
CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports another large illegally taken buck was investigated this past week.
Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (NE) reports goldeneyes and bufflehead are starting to show up in hunters' bags.
District 9 - Brainerd area
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) reports an investigation continues involving unauthorized use of public property including planting of food plots and posting public land as private. Deer stands and bait were also found at the location.
CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) reports juvenile ATV operation was dealt with as the parents were given an enforcement contact.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) continued work on incoming deer baiting complaints as well as trespassing complaints.
CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) contacted mountain bikers riding in the rain on Sunday, cautioning them against riding soft trails. Trails seemed to be holding up well with no damage found.
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) handled a roadkill bear.
CO Patrick McGowan (McGregor) assisted deputies with a disturbance call.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) investigated calls of illegal deer baiting, wanton waste of fish, a gun-shot deer with antlers removed, and cutting of trees in a state forest without a permit. The officer also assisted with a car killed moose in the Aitkin area.
CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) worked the Camp Ripley bow hunt. Violations observed were unauthorized entry to Camp Ripley and use of two-way radios to assist in the taking of deer.
District 10 - Mille Lacs area
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) received a call of a dead swan on the side of a road. It appeared to be a juvenile trumpeter swan. An investigation is being conducted.
CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) followed up on a depredation complaint and answered numerous calls on the upcoming deer season. CO Wynn also assisted the sheriff's office on a couple calls.
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) had a law class student from the area high school patrol Lake Mille Lacs with him. Contacts were made for light violations and over-length fish.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) investigated several baiting complaints.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) reports a large number of car/deer accidents were reported and motorists need to be aware that deer movement and activity will continue to increase this time of season.
CO Mike Lee (Isle) received a call about shots fired in the middle of night south of Waukon. When Officer Lee arrived on scene a very faint flashlight was observed down the trail, and then disappeared. At that point Officer Lee attempted to make contact with the party, but the party fled on foot into the swamp. Officers from the Mille Lacs Sheriff's Department and Isle Police Department assisted, but were unable to locate the possible shooter. Tracks were located and follow up investigation is continuing.
District 11 - St. Cloud area
CO Mike Martin (St Cloud) worked deer shiners and answered calls from people interested in becoming conservation officers.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) assisted neighboring officers with TIP calls concerning an overlimit of white-tailed deer and waterfowl hunters rallying birds.
CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) investigated reports of illegal big game hunting.
CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) received a property line dispute report with two landowners erecting ladder stands on the same tree facing opposite directions.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) investigated a TIP call involving one suspect who shot two bucks and two does with his bow in a managed area. The suspect used licenses of individuals who didn't bow hunt to tag the deer. The suspect also shot the deer over bait.
CO Brian Mies (Annandale) checked pheasant hunters in Stearns and Wright counties.
District 12 - Princeton area
CO Tony Musatov (Sauk Rapids) continued investigations on big game cases.
CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) assisted with the Camp Ripley archery hunt.
CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) followed up on a wetland complaint.
CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) gave a presentation to a snowmobile class in St. Michael.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports checking small game hunters and bowhunters.
CO Brian Dobbick (Cambridge) reports animal complaints were handled and hunting-related issues investigated.
District 13 - West Metro area
CO Steve Walter (Waconia) attended a district meeting.
CO Tony Salzer (Osseo) patrolled Hennepin and Anoka counties for waterfowl activity.
CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) assisted a North Dakota game warden with a deer case for failing to validate and tag a deer. The suspect was interviewed and his license and deer seized.
CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) reports pheasant hunting success will improve as the corn harvest wraps up.
CO Aaron Kahre (Minnetonka) was working an intersection for invasives when a boat passed by on a trailer with the plug still installed. Before the CO could catch up to him to stop him, he had already stopped and got out to remove the plug. He stated as soon as he saw the CO sitting on the side of the road he remembered he needed to remove his plug.
CO Kevin Neitzke (Ft. Snelling) investigated a TIP call of a possible illegal deer and he assisted CO Glaser with a TIP call.
CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) spent time talking to participants during Scott County Pheasants Forever's Youth and Women hunts held at the Caribou Gun Club.
CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked small game and duck hunters around the metro area. He attended a district meeting at Ft. Snelling State Park and assisted at the Walk-In-Access workshop at Lao Family Center.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) attended a Walk-In-Access workshop to Hmong hunters at Lao Community Center.
District 14 - East Metro area
CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) found several juveniles operating OHMs on the road with their parents receiving proper paperwork.
CO Jensen assisted the Aviation Unit with various flights throughout the week.
CO Vuthy Pril assisted other DNR staff with a kid's fishing event at William O'Brien State Park. Approximately 100 inner city kids participated in the event.
CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) investigated a complaint of two trumpeter swans shot by hunters. A subsequent investigation found two persons who shot and killed the swans. Charges are pending.
CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) handled a couple TIP calls, worked waterfowl and WMA enforcement, did equipment maintenance, and worked on Ramsey County vegetation cases.
District 15 - Marshall area
CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports a moose first spotted in the county a couple of weeks ago remains there.
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking anglers and working waterfowl, pheasant, and archery hunters.
CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) reports several complaints of hunter trespass were received from angry landowners.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) helped give medical assistance to an injured pheasant hunter out in the field.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports that Lac qui Parle Refuge has 16,000 geese on the refuge.
CO Doug Lage (Lake Benton) reports the pheasant hunt has slowed due to warm temps and low numbers of birds. Some very nice bucks have been seen in the area.
WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) attended court in Meeker County in reference to a waters violation. A restoration order was also issued in Redwood County on a WCA violation.
District 16 - New Ulm area
CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking fishermen, duck and goose hunters, archery hunters, and boaters.
CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) followed up on a trapping complaint on the state trail.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) volunteered at the annual Watonwan County chapter of Pheasants Forever youth hunt as a dog handler and spoke on behalf of the DNR regarding hunting rules and regulations. Approximately 60 young adults from ages 12 to 17 participated in the full day of activities.
CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports the water temps dropped to 50 degrees and the walleye bite took off mid-week.
CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) investigated a commercial license violation, and followed up on a public waters court case.
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) assisted the Jackson County Sheriff's Department with a vehicle in Round Lake.
CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) spent time working ATV enforcement and patrolling state parks.
CO Angela Londgren (Hutchinson) talked at the Renville County Youth Pheasants Forever hunt, and followed up on a trespassing call.
District 17 - Mankato area
CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent time patrolling his area for ATV activity. Officer Ihnen also completed a ginseng inspection.
CO Bob Geving (Mankato) flew a waterfowl survey in the central area of the state.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) spent time on the Minnesota River checking angling and boating activity.
CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports speaking at an Adult Hunter Education Course at the Glenville High School.
District 18 - Rochester area
CO Phil George (Rochester) took several calls from people with questions about license and season issues. He assisted Rochester Police with a deer in the downtown area.
CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) reports some very nice deer seen during the special youth deer hunt held Oct. 20-23. Many hunters had to be reminded that the youth firearms special hunt was going on and blaze orange was required for all hunting except waterfowl.
CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly hunters during the week and lots of kids were out in the field over MEA weekend.
CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending the week and weekend working anglers, archery hunters, waterfowl hunters, and shining activity.
CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports the trapping opener provided the usual complaints of possible trespass and untagged traps.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports a few trappers were out on the opener. Success was fair. A trespass case was made as well as a dumping case.
CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) worked a busy week of waterfowl, fishing, and big game enforcement.
CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) dealt with two more trespass complaints; follow up investigation in both cases with citations pending.
