MInnesota Cuffs & Collars – June 12th, 2015

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) worked a detail with Lt. Znajda and Major Salo at the Northwest Angle. Enforcement action was taken for an extra line and on two anglers who were found to be in possession of 14 walleyes over their limit.
CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) reports boaters have been doing well with draining livewells and pulling plugs prior to transporting to and from water accesses.
CO Hannah Cowden (Warroad) handled multiple nuisance bear complaints.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) worked with CO Huener on Lake of the Woods and found violations of illegal length fish, over-limits of walleyes, and children under 10 years old not wearing a PFD.  
CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports the walleye and panfish bite has been good; however, the bite was too good for a number of anglers who learned a hard lesson and understanding of the daily possession limit.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) checked ATV complaint sites.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) reports bear sightings have increased. They are very active damaging bees, bird feeders, a pickup, and a screen door attempting to gain entry to an occupied home.  
CO Tim Gray (Bagley) checked anglers, boaters, and off-highway vehicles.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) took complaints of an individual dumping boulders into an access point on a small lake. The boulders were being placed during nighttime hours by an individual. CO Vollbrecht is currently investigating a complaint from the local state park of an individual camping at the park without purchasing a park pass or camping permit. The individual left early in the following morning and left his tent behind.
CO Brian Holt (Bemidji) patrolled ATV trails in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports contacting commercial minnow trappers. 
CO Al Peterson (Osage) followed up on on-going cases and worked ATV enforcement.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent time dealing with a dock dispute, nuisance bears, and beavers.
CO Angie Warren (Detroit Lakes) worked angling and boating activity on area lakes.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) fielded many calls from the public regarding young wildlife and use of public access sites. These calls included a newborn fawn picked up by a citizen and waterfowl without their mother. Please leave young animals alone as it is likely their mothers are nearby and survival without their mother is slim.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports angling pressure has entered into the early summer pattern with many nonresidents being checked.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) handled a complaint of night bowfishermen with an angry lakeshore owner upset due to the activity.
CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) handled complaints regarding fish going through the Lake Christina pumps, a bear sighting, oversized docks, and litter.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) found one angler triple-tripping on a hot crappie bite. He caught his limit in the morning, at lunch, and again after dinner.  He had also caught and kept his limit once the day before. When all fish were counted, he had a 30-crappie overlimit in possession.
CO Tony Anderson (Morris) worked with the USFWS on a complaint about persons placing tile across a WPA without first obtaining a permit to do so.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) received two calls from watercraft inspectors about zebra mussels attached to boats. Boaters are reminded to check every nook and cranny for these small mussels, and pay close attention to parts of boats that are constantly submerged.

District 4 – Wadena area

CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) addressed nuisance animal complaints, assisted other officers with violations, and checked area trout lakes.
CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) assisted the city and state patrol in searching for a fleeing suspect.
CO Greg Oldakowski (Wadena) checked anglers and boaters, as well as some ATV and OHM activity. Several calls were received regarding baby animals.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) handled calls of persons catching illegal size walleyes, persons shooting woodpeckers, injured bears, nuisance beavers, littering, and AIS questions.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) investigated a TIP call and a public waters violation.
CO Colleen Adam (ATV REC) had a busy week responding to injured or “abandoned” animal calls. Just because you see a fawn does not mean it is abandoned. If you see a road kill doe that would be about the only situation in which human intervention is a rescue, otherwise you are likely taking babies away from their mother and subjecting the deer to a compromised life.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) assisted International Falls PD and the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office in executing a search warrant in search of a missing person.
CO Jim Van Asch (International Falls) took enforcement action for no angling license in possession, possession of an illegal length walleye, failure to display valid watercraft registration, and a parent knowingly allowing a minor to violate game or fish laws.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored angling activities, checked public access sites, monitored forest roads, and monitored boating activities.
CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) assisted area fisheries with their electrofishing and survey of bass on Eagles Nest.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) dealt with a higher-than-average number of nuisance animal complaints.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) reports that for the second week in a row he checked an angler who had purchased a combination angling license and wasn’t legally married. The combination angling licenses are reserved for married couples. If you are engaged or living together you are not eligible for the combination angling license. In both instances, the anglers were cited and their licenses were seized and invalidated.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) addressed violations of OHM and ATVs operating within roadway.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) patrolled motor portions of the BWCA with Officer Marty Stage. Violations included unregistered canoe, no floatation device in a watercraft, and angling without a license in possession.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) dealt with bear issues in the Pipestone BWCAW area. A couple bears had gotten food and it was apparent that some of the campers were being lax with their food storage techniques. Because it is a motor route, some BWCA users bring big coolers and think that the cooler will keep a bear out. Often the bear will tear it open, haul it away, or roll it around until it opens on its own. One group that was forced from their campsite felt that they had been doubly wronged by the bear because first it ate most of the food from the cooler, then came back and ate the rest of it. That bear has now learned that good food comes from campers. That is not likely to be unlearned.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) did a coordinated, remote patrol along the Canadian border with the Border Patrol and COs from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.
CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked on a wetlands case, handled wolf complaints, assisted with the Babbitt ATV safety class, and spent time acquiring, setting up, and training on new equipment.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) took several calls regarding nuisance bears. People are reminded to bring in their trash and remove bird feeders.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Randy Patten (Northome) took enforcement action for transporting aquatic vegetation and possess illegal length walleyes.
CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) patrolled area lakes and assisted other law enforcement agencies on calls.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling activity the past week.
CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) received trespass and boating complaints during the week.
CO Shawn Wichmann (Hill City) investigated a call about a possible fishing over limit. After investigating, a subject was found to be over his limit of panfish and other illegal small game animals.
CO John Velsvaag (NE Region ATV Officer) took a call about a fox with mange.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) completed follow up on a trespassing complaint.
CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling, boating, AIS, and OHV enforcement throughout the week.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) reports that K9 training continues with K9 Schody. Time was spent training with other dogs in the metro this past week.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) checked many shore fishing anglers throughout the week.
CO Randy Hanzal Duluth (Duluth) checked anglers, boater, and ATV users.
Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (NE MN) assisted a family with landing and releasing a 26-inch sturgeon on the St. Louis River.
Lake Superior Marine Unit
Sgt. Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) responded to a cougar sighting in the woodland neighborhood. The cougar was a grey fox.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Superior. A new-hire was taken as a ride along.

District 9 – Brainerd area

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) investigated complaints of damage to state property and suspicious fishing.
CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) assisted with a safety program held at Camp Ripley this past week. 
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) handled a call of someone picking up four swan chicks because they didn’t see the mother anywhere.
CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) attended the Whitefish Chain lake association meeting.
CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) worked on a report of loud music from a camper at Rock Lake. The music was found and the problem was corrected.
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) assisted with a district AIS check station near Crosslake.
CO Amber Peterson (McGregor) followed up on a shoreline violation.  

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) reports that with cabins getting opened up, calls were taken regarding nuisance wildlife like beavers cutting trees and squirrel infestations.
CO Chris Tetrault (Isle) picked up a lost dog and transported it to a local animal shelter until the owners are identified.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) monitored off-highway motorcycle activity throughout the station.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked an early muskie case with the assistance of a Mille Lacs Band conservation officer.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) worked multiple ATV complaint areas throughout the week.  Violations found included everything from unregistered machines to tearing up river and lake beds to illegal operation on highways by juveniles. One ATV loaded down with several 10- to 13-year-olds was found driving down a busy highway and pulling a boat. The youngsters were escorted home and the parents were educated about ATV laws and safety.
CO Eugene Wynn (Pine City) answered numerous questions about nuisance animals, and issued a nuisance beaver permit.
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) patrolled area lakes and Mille Lacs. Some nice sunfish and crappies were seen during the week on smaller lakes.
WREO Rob Haberman helped conduct level 1 inspector training in Grand Rapids for Itasca County inspectors.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) gave a presentation to the Little Birch Lake Association at its annual meeting.
CO Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie) handled nuisance bear complaints.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) investigated a call of a possible poaching complaint as a person’s dog was bringing home fresh deer parts. It was found that the neighbors target shoot and the fresh deer was a fawn that had unfortunately gotten caught in a farm mower when the field was cut.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) handled an injured eagle call in a neighboring officer’s station.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers, boaters and AIS enforcement over the week.
CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) encountered two ATVers operating illegally on a public highway; each had previous violations, for one of the individuals this was the fourth time he was found in violation of the ATV laws within the past year.
CO Brian Mies (Annandale) did commercial game farm checks along with working on TIP calls. 

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) responded to a stranded boater on Mitchell Lake.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports working on an aquatic invasive species case were the vegetation found on a trailer had to be identified. CO Langevin brought the sample to the University of Minnesota, St. Paul campus. There, an expert in aquatic vegetation examined the sample. The sample was found to contain a form of algae.
CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) took complaints involving ATV and off-road motorcycles, and problem areas have been patrolled and violations addressed. Several calls have been taken referencing sick raccoons and fox. Enforcement action was taken on operate ATV on highway and operate OHM on highway.
 CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) checked anglers, boaters, ATVs, and for invasive species at local lakes and rivers.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Brent Grewe (Osseo) helped out with a “Cops and Kids” fishing event in Brooklyn Park.
CO Traci Hanson (Minnetonka) spent the week checking fishermen and working AIS enforcement.
CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) returned calls about an aggressive deer and a raccoon that took refuge in a container in Eden Prairie. He also responded to a TIP where action is pending.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) responded to a TIP complaint of taking fox out of season.
CO Vuthy Pril (ELCOP) responded to a couple of TIP complaints of possible over the limit of fish and handled miscellaneous animal calls during the week.
WREO Adam Block (Metro) worked the Stillwater bridge detail on the St. Croix River and attended department training.  
CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) gave testimony in court on a big-game violation.
CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) responded to a call of two bald eagles fighting in a tree in West St. Paul. He was assisted by staff from The Raptor Center, and West St. Paul PD and FD. CO Johnson attended departmental training at the regional office.
CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) talked to 6th graders at Stonebridge Elementary School about CO duties, handled a hydro jet device complaint, worked ATV enforcement in Anoka County and handled TIP calls.
CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) patrolled Anoka County for angling activity. CO Salzer attended court in Anoka County for a shining case from last year.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) found an ATV rider to be in violation at the Appleton OHV Park and told the rider to park the ATV for the day. An hour later, this officer had contact with the same rider three miles from the OHV park and was found to be violating the same rules. Enforcement action was again taken.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) reminds fishermen it is illegal to use outboard motors on West Twin Lake in southwest Lyon County. Only trolling motors are permitted.
CO Doug Lage (Marshall) conducted his weekly radio show on KLOH radio. A firearms safety class was taught in Hendricks and Ivanhoe along with a ATV safety class in Clarkfield. The volunteer instructors did a great job and congratulations to the youth. 
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking anglers and working ATVs. Training on a new tablet was received. Enforcement action was taken for youthful operation of ATV, no helmet, and too many ATV passengers.
WREO Larry Hanson (Southern Region) assisted with a check station in Cross Lake and worked boating safety and AIS enforcement in area counties.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports two black bears were destroyed by a bee keeper after breaking into his bee boxes. Minnesota statutes allow the taking of bears if doing damage. 

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Jen Mueller (Hutchinson) received calls on “abandoned” fawns. She assisted McLeod County with a shots fired call by Swan Lake.
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) answered questions about wildlife and invasive species concerns and did a site inspection on possible public waters violations and a litter complaint.
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) reminded carp shooters that they need to have an angling license. CO Klehr also got to spend time down in Stillwater helping out with the bridge detail.
CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) worked watercraft enforcement in the area with a few document PWC violations.
CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) took calls about injured and nuisance wildlife. He checked commercial activity.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) checked areas for turtle trapping activity. Angling and boating activity were worked on the Minnesota River.
CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) patrolled for fishing and boating activity. Additional time was spent checking ATV and OHM operators.
CO Luke Belgard (Faribault) addressed calls regarding nuisance wildlife. Time was spent monitoring wildlife management areas and public water access sites.
CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) checked anglers on area lakes and rivers. AIS and boating activity were also monitored. County and township roads were patrolled for ATV activity. A TIP call was received regarding illegal fishing activity.
CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) did an interview with KEYC-TV regarding “Take a Kid Fishing Weekend.” A parking concern at a state trail access was also investigated.
WREO Julie Siems contacted a contractor for failing to file the Wetlands Contractor Form.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports better fishing on the river as the water level dropped. He received several baby and nuisance animal calls including juveniles killing baby birds. Hemker also closed a deer case from last fall.
CO Phil George (Rochester) checked anglers and boaters along with assisting the county sheriff’s office with boat operation education.
CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports fishing success is slow in the area and the water is still high. Some fishing violations were detected.
CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked mainly anglers and boaters during the week.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports receiving multiple fawn calls throughout the week along with other newborn animal calls. CO Boyum worked on Lake Zumbro with Olmsted County Sheriff’s Department on boat and water issues. Time was also spent monitoring ATV areas.
CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports working another busy week on the big river as well as area trout streams. Fishing has been better on Lake Pepin with numerous walleyes and sauger being caught, but most are running a little small. Some limits and over limits were checked as well as some undersize fish were found. More nuisance and baby animal calls were also taken and another investigation was completed.