MN DNR Conservation Officer
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2026-10-05
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) monitored the elk hunt as well as duck hunting activity on Lake of the Woods, Roseau River WMA and Thief Lake WMA. A wolf depredation was investigated.
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area waterfowl/small game hunters and monitoring local deer hunting activity. Violations encountered were shooting before legal hours and no license in possession.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week monitoring waterfowl hunting and big game activities. Fontes also assisted with a MN DNR Honor Guard detail.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) focused efforts towards waterfowl hunters throughout the district. Overall, good duck/goose harvests were noted with most success in local farm fields. Bear and small game hunter checks continue throughout the area as the bear season closure rapidly approaches. Enforcement actions for the week included multiple trespass complaints, angling without license, dog pursuing big game, and an ATV helmet violation.
CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time working area activity. Many waterfowl hunters were having good success with a good mix of birds. A law and ethics talk was given in Newfolden at a firearms safety class.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck #1) reports that weather has kept the hunting and fishing activity subdued. When the weather breaks though, avid anglers are finding success on local lakes. Grouse hunting success seems to be slow with a significant amount of leaf cover still. Prachar assisted Beltrami County with a vehicle crash and other calls for service.
Baudette #1 – vacant.
Blackduck #2 – vacant.
Baudette #2 – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2026-10-05
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) continued to work angling and duck hunting activity on area lakes and rivers. Success varied greatly by location, with limits found in pockets, while most struggled to bag birds or fish. Area water continues to cool, and lifesaving devices remain a safety enforcement priority. Additional time was spent speaking at a FAS Class and responding to questions, TIPS, and complaints from the public.
CO Curtis Jepson (Osage) spent the week checking waterfowl, angling, small game, and ATV activity in the area. A few grouse hunters had success, with birds in hand, even though they felt numbers were down. ATV riders were out in full force on the trails, enjoying the fall weather. The officer assisted local law enforcement and a Michigan deputy, in a stolen boat case. He also helped with a firearms safety field day in Frazee.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) worked small game, archery, bear, and waterfowl hunting activities. WMAs and WPAs were patrolled. CO Warren also assisted White Earth Police and Clearwater County with a missing person search.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking archery hunters and waterfowl hunters in the Moorhead station. Duck success remains spotty and more geese are showing up in the area. Licensing questions continue to be answered and hunters should give themselves plenty of time to obtain their licenses. Enforcement action was taken for no PFDs in a duck boat, no HIP, no small game license and no state and federal waterfowl stamps.
CO Grey Corbus (Pelican Rapids) spent the week checking anglers, fielding wildlife calls, and working waterfowl hunting. Various calls for service were fielded throughout the week
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked public lands and access for activity. He also answered calls and questions about wildlife and licenses, and followed up on TIPS and complaints.
Bemidji #2 – vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2026-10-05
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) spent time focusing on fishing and boating enforcement with a good Fall bite going on. Waterfowl, small game and archery hunters were monitored and an investigation continues for work in a public water without a permit. Waterfowl hunters were scarce as well as ducks in the area over the weekend. A day was spent at Conservation Days at Old Wadena speaking to several 5th and 6th graders on safety and the job of a CO.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) continued to monitor waterfowl and angling activity that occurred throughout the week. Injured animal calls were received and fielded. Equipment maintenance was also conducted.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked waterfowl hunters, boaters and ATVs. Fishing complaints and hunting regulation questions were received and handled. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for angling, ATV, waterfowl, and archery activities. Time was following up ongoing cases. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of waterfowl and ATV violations.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent this week focusing her patrol efforts on waterfowl hunting activities. She noticed a drop in hunters, however still success with birds in the bags. She along with two additional Honor Guard Officers traveled to Georgia to serve and honor at the funeral of Georgia Game Warden Sergeant Ben Cunningham who passed away following a medical emergency while on duty.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working waterfowl and fishing activity. Help was provided at a local outdoor day attended by surrounding schools. Questions were fielded regarding our new ELS system.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) dedicated his time towards waterfowl and angling enforcement. He received complaints of duck hunters shooting after legal hours. He followed up on an investigation of hunter harassment. He provided a ride along to a local high school student who has interest in becoming a conservation officer.
Wheaton – vacant.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2026-10-05
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local area for angling, small game, Migratory Waterfowl, and recreational vehicle traffic. CO Baum observed several people getting out into the woods with the changing colors and foliage falling. CO Baum reports varying success on area lakes. CO Baum found many duck hunters having success in the area. CO Baum wants to remind hunters to get licenses early with the new licensing system to avoid any issues.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent the week checking waterfowl hunters, with colder weather more birds have been see. Small game hunters have been checked in the Huntersville State Forest minimal success has been observed. Enforcement action includes transportation a loaded firearm, no life jacket, and juveniles without helmets.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked waterfowl and angling activity on Leech, Cass, and Winnibigoshish lakes. CO McGowan also assisted local law enforcement agencies with calls for service. Enforcement action was taken for an unplugged gun while waterfowl hunting, possess toxic shot while waterfowl hunting, waterfowl stamp violations, and several boating/angling violations.
CO Jack Lien (Walker) patrolled the woods to check ATV riders, archery deer hunters, and small game hunters. On the water Lien continued to check anglers and found waterfowl hunters. He worked with the Remer station officer out of a canoe to check duck hunters. Lien found a small number of violations and reminds the public to make sure hunters verify they have the right licenses/stamps before they head out to the field.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) patrolled small game and waterfowl hunting activities in the Remer station. Sura saw mixed success amongst duck hunters, but overall better hunting than what he saw opening weekend. One group checked harvested 9 different species of duck on their Saturday morning hunt. Grouse hunters are still having a tough time, with overall bird numbers apparently down and a fair amount of leaf cover still on in the woods.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) worked waterfowl hunting, fishing, big game, small game and ATV enforcement over the week. Brown also spent time speaking with a class of new hunters completing their Firearms Safety Certificate at the Staples Sportsman’s Club. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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