District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2024-07-15
CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports speaking at a lake association meeting. Time was also spent working AIS enforcement and checking boaters and anglers on local lakes.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time patrolling local lakes, OHV trails, and following up on various complaints. He continues to receive multiple nuisance bear calls, with bird feeders and garbage being the common problem. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft violations, youth riding OHM?s (dirt bikes) on public roadways, with no safety certification, and angling without a license. Anglers report the fish bite is slow, with a few walleye seen in livewells.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) patrolled another busy weekend in lakes country, with high compliance on water safety rules found. Angling pressure remains steady, while the bite has flattened like the wind on most lakes. Various calls and complaints were handled regarding wildlife, public access use and aquatic plants.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week instructing at the academy with watercraft operation. CO Swedberg also answered many nuisance animal calls throughout the week.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and boating activity. PWC regulation questions were answered. Leeching activity was worked and the station was patrolled for ATV and off road vehicle activity. Officer Warren met with the area hydrologist and misc wildlife questions were answered.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) addressed calls on bears and followed up on a public waters violation this week. Angler and ATV checks were conducted and enforcement action was taken for ATV and watercraft registration not properly displayed and no lights on when operating the ATV.
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week monitoring angling, boating, ATV activity, and handling wildlife complaints. Assistance was also given to Clearwater County Sheriff?s Officer with a medical. Enforcement action was taken for ATV youthful operator helmet required, ATV operate without required headlights, and ATV permit unlawful youthful operation.
Pelican Rapids vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2024-07-15
CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week working on a background investigation and assisting the academy.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) assisted with a kid?s fishing day in Fergus Falls. Investigations of aquatic plant management violations are underway, and time was spent checking ATV operators, fishermen and boating. A background investigation has begun for the potential of a new employee. Equipment maintenance was performed.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) continued to monitor angling and boating activities throughout the week. Time was also spent with equipment maintenance and responding to wildlife related calls.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) worked on Aquatic Plant Management and dock complaints on area lakes. Training was attended in Shakopee. Equipment maintenance was performed on station equipment.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Time was spent at Camp Ripley for the Officer Water Survival course. Numerous wildlife and water complaint phone calls were addressed.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) checked anglers, boaters, ATV operators throughout the week and spent the busy weekend investigating motor vehicle operations on WMA?s. She took several wounded animal complaints and spent time getting to know the juvenile anglers in her community. She also assisted at the academy for Officer Water Survival week.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and recreational enforcement. A background investigation was also started for a potential new employee.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were focused on checking fishermen, boaters, and monitoring AIS law compliance. Additional time was spent investigating fishing complaints, following up on wetland restoration orders, and performing maintenance on station equipment.
Wheaton vacant.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2024-07-15
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for boating, angling, and recreational vehicle activity. CO Baum found with the warmer weather it took activity off the area ATV trails due to the dry dusty conditions and found more boaters out and about. CO Baum investigated an Aquatic Plant violation and followed up on hydro jet aqua thruster that was altering the bottom of the lake. CO Baum wants to remind landowners that before you start cutting aquatic vegetation to review the MN DNR website and call the area Aquatic Plant Manager for additional questions. CO Baum took enforcement action on various violations.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) assisted with watercraft training for new CO candidates at Camp Ripley. ATV enforcement was worked in the station, with action taken for ATV operations on a state highway.
CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports assisting with the CO academy at Camp Ripley and has started a new employee pre-employment background investigation.
CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) patrolled Cass Co lakes for angling and boating activity. A ride along was provided to a student interested in becoming a conservation officer. CO McGowan maintained station patrol equipment and completed paperwork related to the 4th of July weekend.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) investigated angler harassment and trespassing complaints. Enforcement action was taken on various ATV violations.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent most of the week focusing on ATV enforcement and boating activity. A day was spent in the Foothills State Forest and Paul Bunyan State Forest monitoring ATV activity. Time was also spent patrolling area lakes, several people out recreating in area lakes during the warm weekend.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) checked anglers, boaters, and ATV?s. Problem bear complaints continue to come in and a special beaver permit was issued. Mathy also documented a trail sign that was removed and vandalized and attended a site visit for an ongoing public water case. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and boating violations.
ATV rec officer vacant.
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