Minnesota Cuffs & Collars: That dock’s too big… much too big

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Tony Hams (Warroad) spent the week checking area anglers, monitoring ATV traffic, and following up on various complaints. Violations encountered were no license in possession, failure to use ATV headlights, failure to display current watercraft registration, possession of fish illegally taken in Canada (three illegal-length walleyes), angling with extra lines, and illegal-length walleyes.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad) spent time at the CO Academy, assisting with trapping week. Fontes also spent time patrolling the Beltrami Island State Forest.

CO Paul Kennedy (Baudette) worked angling activity on the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. He also assisted the CO Academy during trapping week at Camp Ripley.

CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls) reports an abundance of angling and ATVing activity during the week as the weather cooperated throughout the region. Stringer reports an increase in bear bait barrels and supplies moving north along state highways and roads. Stringer wants to remind all that bear baiting does not begin until Aug. 15.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) worked boating and angling activity on area lakes throughout the week and weekend. Off-highway vehicle enforcement continues, with a variety of operators found operating on roadways. Additional time was spent responding to a personal watercraft injury accident, wildlife-related calls, hunting season questions from the public, and investigating illegal aquatic plant removal.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week patrolling area ATV trails, assisting at the CO Academy, and following up on wildlife-related complaints in the area. One complaint involved a fawn being kept at a residence. Swedberg would like to remind people that wild animals are not pets and there are specific rehabilitation facilities across the state that specialize in orphaned animals.

CO Matthew Boyle (Pelican Rapids) spent time patrolling for ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity. Several violations were observed and dealt with. Boyle spent an afternoon flying his station with a DNR Enforcement pilot. Several shoreline violations were located. CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) reports an attack of a calf was investigated. ATV enforcement was conducted.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week focused on angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. Wildlife-related complaint calls were also taken and handled.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) followed up on waters complaints, nuisance-animal calls, and assisted the CO Academy with scenario evaluations this week.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) worked with local government units on wetland, public waters, and aquatic plant management complaints. Injured-animal and dock-placement complaints were received and handled.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for angling, recreational boating, and ATV activities. Operators are reminded that legal PWC hours are 9:30 a.m. to one hour before sunset.

CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) started on Saturday as the new area conservation officer in the station. He took some time to patrol the area to familiarize himself with the new station.

District 4 – Walker area

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for angling, boating, and recreational vehicle traffic. Along with Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office deputies, he attended the Park Rapids fireworks, ensuring the safety of those attending on the water.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) monitored angling and off-highway vehicle activity and attended the Minnesota Trappers Association convention. A firearms safety field day was attended at the Knob Hill Sportsman’s Club.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) spoke at a firearms safety class, responded to a medical incident, and investigated a trespassing complaint. Enforcement action was taken for multiple boating and fishing violations.

CO Levi Brown (Staples) attended an instructor course during the week. During the weekend, Brown focused on enforcing PWC laws. He has had multiple complaints about PWC violations on local lakes, including people operating after legal hours.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) continued to work angling activity on area lakes and began preparations for the fall seasons. Enforcement action was taken for anglers fishing without licenses and no life jackets for four occupants on a pontoon.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls) reports working area lakes and rivers this past week and helping with instructing at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for boat and water safety equipment violations, possessing illegal-length walleyes, license violations, and being in possession of an overlimit of walleyes.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports outdoor activities remained light during the week. Boater, angler, and camper numbers appear down from previous years.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling and ATVing enforcement.

He spent time checking anglers on Lake Vermilion and some of the smaller lakes in his station.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATVing, angling, and boating activity. In addition, time was spent attending training at Camp Ripley and presenting at a firearms safety class in Hibbing.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time assisting other DNR divisions with investigating possible lakeshore and camping violations. A nuisance-bear complaint was handled.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) fielded calls regarding nuisance animals and a moose killed by a train.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports angling success appeared to slightly improve during the week as cooler weather meant more recreational activity in the Ely area. Problem-bear reports also have begun to pop up around the Arrowhead. Residents and visitors are reminded to be cautious with bird feeders and outdoor food.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers on remote trout lakes. Time was spent working ATV-complaint areas and responding to wildlife-related calls.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked primarily angling, boating, and AIS enforcement this week. The operator of a vehicle was found after going off the road and into a wet ditch. The driver was arrested for DWI.

CO Megan Franzen (Silver Bay) spent the week monitoring angling and ATVing activity. Time was also spent at the AIS booth at the Fisherman’s Picnic in Grand Marais.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers, patrolled state forests, and worked ATV enforcement. Numerous wildlife-related calls were taken, and questions related to bear hunting were answered. Brown also responded to a call about a burglary in progress in Beltrami County.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked angling and boating activity during the past week. Sutherland took enforcement action for angling with extra lines, operating an unregistered watercraft, and cutting trees down in a state wildlife management area.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on angling, boating, ATV, and AIS activities throughout the area.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) monitored AIS compliance throughout the area. Time was also spent checking angling and boating safety on area lakes. Holt followed up on complaints on Pokegama Lake and checked recreational vehicle trails.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) and CO Mikeena Wehr brought a future law enforcement student on a ride-along.

They focused on angling and boating enforcement. CO Peterlin also spent time patrolling the local ATV trails and checking various public access sites.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) fielded more nuisance-bear calls in the area. ATV patrols were conducted, and anglers were checked. A wolf-depredation investigation was started.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) spent time this week patrolling area lakes and trails. Enforcement action was taken for boating, fishing, and ATV/OHM violations.

Assistance was given to Jay Cooke State Park on a couple of calls. Nuisance-bear complaints were fielded.

CO Gabe Soriano (Hinckley) assisted the Pine County Sheriff’s Office a few times this week at the Pine County Fair. He also responded to calls for service regarding Wetland Conservation Act violations and burning hazardous materials.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) addressed concerns in the southern Chengwatana State Forest area regarding OHV operations in closed areas and OHMs being operated on public roads. Time was spent at the Pine County Fair with CO Soriano, answering questions from the public at the TIP trailer.

District 9 – Brainerd area

Report of the Week

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) responded to a TIP call involving a solid waste complaint this past week. After being evicted from a private property, a couple of folks decided to dump a large, non-functioning hot tub filled with garbage onto a pristine public property. Animals had scattered the garbage throughout the forest.

Unfortunately for the dumpers, a couple of pieces of their mail were located within the large amount of waste, identifying them. After an admission was obtained, an ultimatum was given on the property removal and disposal, which will include verification of deposit in a designated landfill.

A complaint about an oversized dock on a public lake was investigated. The owner was contacted and agreed to downsize the platform to comply with the 120-square-foot allowance. The platform was 320 square feet – or 200 square feet larger than allowed.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) assisted at the CO Academy during trapping week. He also attended the Minnesota Trappers Association convention in Wadena. He also received calls about problem beavers and inconsiderate boaters.

CO Chelsey Collette (Pequot Lakes) spent time this week on ATV, fishing, and forestry-related activities. Enforcement action was taken for highway operation by ATVers, registration issues, and camping violations. AIS and commercial complaints were also investigated.

CO Matt Brodin (Brainerd) spent time in the Pillsbury State Forest. A reminder that if you are target shooting in a state forest, your targets must either be paper, steel silhouettes, or clay targets.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Joseph Scholz (Malmo) took an intern for a ride-along, attended an Aviation Unit meeting, and patrolled for angling and boating activities on Lake Mille Lacs and other area lakes. Other than hazy conditions, the weather was good for most of the week.

CO Trevon Pietz (Wealthwood) checked anglers on Mille Lacs and ATV riders on the Blind Lake Trail. Violations found included no angling license in possession, no throwable flotation device onboard watercraft, operating an ATV without headlights illuminated, and failing to display valid ATV registration.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Andrew Struffert (Pierz) worked angling, watercraft, and ATV enforcement. Struffert also fielded several phone calls, handled a nuisance-bear complaint, and completed equipment maintenance.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked with neighboring officers on several issues including an injured-animal call, working the TIP trailer at the local county fair, and assisting other agencies with a possible wetland violation.

CO Chad Ziegler (Albany) spent the week checking anglers and working ATVing activity. Ziegler fielded calls in the area, including an angler-harassment complaint. Ziegler also assisted with an injured eagle and was able to get it to volunteers with the Raptor Center.

CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) worked boating and fishing activity this week. Multiple boaters were contacted for improperly displayed registration.

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Blong Lor (Center City) spent the week working anglers and boaters. He worked some AIS as well. Time was also spent following up on wildlife-related calls.

CO Justin Frisch (Cambridge) followed up on a few complaints received about potential shoreline violations. Time was spent on the Rum River, monitoring boating and angling activity. Frisch spent time working on littering investigations on public land.

CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused patrols around area waterways. Additional time was spent handling various wildlife-related calls. One call involved a fawn with a foothold trap on its leg. Seamans, with assistance from local concerned citizens, caught the fawn and removed the trap. The fawn was taken to a rehabilitator for evaluation.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Ben Ulrich (Osseo) spent the week working angling and boating enforcement. Time was also spent helping at a local firearms safety class.

CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) continues to monitor angling activity in the station. Both the Crow River and the Minnesota River remain higher than usual for the time of year, so angling opportunities in the area remain lower than usual.

CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked anglers and boaters on area lakes. Fogarty reminded several anglers that they needed fishing licenses.

CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent time this week checking anglers and following up on complaints. Grewe also attended youth day at the Minnetonka Sportsman’s Club and was impressed with all the youngsters who showed up.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Matt Paavola (Ham Lake) investigated multiple TIP calls related to angling in the area, including using game fish as bait and netting fish. Nearby officers were assisted, with enforcement action being taken for ATVs in a WMA.

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) reports patrolling the WMAs, doing AIS enforcement, and patrolling area lakes for fishing and boating activity. He handled several calls regarding nuisance animals, investigated a trespassing complaint, and worked on open cases.

CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) monitored angling activity on local lakes and rivers. Enforcement action was taken for many violations including extra lines, unlawful tackle, no angling licenses, and no trout stamps. Thomas also assisted with a local recruiting event aimed at veterans.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Shawn Wichmann (Slayton) assisted at Camp Ripley instructing new CO recruits in trapping enforcement. Fishing, boating, and ATVing enforcement continue to be the other work activities within his station.

CO Dallas Cornell (Ortonville) spent the week working sportfishing, ATVing, and AIS activities. Recent rainfall has caused flooding issues along the Pomme de Terre River and the Minnesota River. Extreme caution is advised along these river areas.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) focused enforcement efforts on fishing, boating, ATV, and state park activity during the week. Assistance was also given with a firearms safety field day in Balaton.

CO Luke Gutzwiller (Montevideo) spent time last week instructing during trapping week at Camp Ripley with the ongoing CO Academy. Time was also spent answering questions from the public at the Chippewa County Fair while working in the TIP Wall of Shame/Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office booth. K9 Earl assisted with calls involving a missing juvenile and an evidence-related search for shell casings. The missing juvenile was located without incident.

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Shane Vernier (Willmar) spent time working angling and boating activity. He followed up on a possible wetland violation.

CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) spent time checking anglers and boating safety. He also worked ATV and OHM enforcement during the week. Some time was also spent at the Meeker County Fair with the TIP trailer. Klehr also attended a tactical flight officer meeting in Grand Rapids and started conducting the annual August roadside surveys.

CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) assisted with youth firearms and ATV safety programs. He also received calls involving injured and nuisance wildlife and answered questions concerning hunting and fishing regulations.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) checked anglers and boaters. AIS inspections were performed at accesses. Yearly wildlife counts were completed for the DNR Section of Wildlife.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Tyler Lusignan (Faribault) reports checking local lakes and public lands and working ATV enforcement. Multiple angling violations were detected, with enforcement action.

CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) spent time working angling, boating, and ATVing enforcement this week. Henke assisted local agencies with calls for service and spent time answering questions at the Freeborn County Fair.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) checked angling activity and boaters on the Mississippi River and area lakes. Questions are increasing related to the upcoming hunting seasons.

CO Ryan Christenson (Rochester) spent the week checking anglers and ATV riders. Several TIP complaints were investigated. Time was also spent cleaning up trash dumped in a local WMA.

Aviation Section

CO Pilot Charles Scott (Brainerd) conducted a training flight with CO Pilot Hanna. Rescheduled flights were canceled because of smoke over the project area.

CO Pilot Ryan Hanna (Grand Rapids) patrolled from the air for wild rice health and early harvesting. Wild rice appears to be coming in nicely around the areas flown.