MN DNR Conservation Officer

Weekly CO report

District 1 – Baudette area

Last updated: 2024-11-04

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) prepared for the upcoming deer season and worked two bear-related cases. One originated from a TIP that resulted in enforcement action being taken for a bear overlimit. Another bear was found to have been killed without a license, which was uncovered at a taxidermy inspection. Duck hunters were checked around Thief Lake and Roseau River wildlife management areas, with low success rates being reported.

CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area small-game and waterfowl hunters. Violations encountered were no license in possession and placing decoys more than two hours prior to legal shooting hours.

CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week patrolling the area and following up on various reports. Fontes worked in conjunction with CO Huener to effect numerous bear-hunting related charges from the season.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) continues prep for the upcoming firearms deer season. Time was spent working trapping and commercial minnow activity.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) conducted a radio show interview answering questions on air related to the upcoming deer season, checked late-season waterfowl hunters, and responded to TIP complaints of deer-baiting violations.

CO Sarah Jahn (Thief River Falls East) spent time monitoring waterfowl, small-game, and trapping activity. Tree stands were removed from a WMA. Time was also spent prepping for the start of firearms deer season and completing annual trainings.

CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking area small-game, waterfowl, and archery hunters. Various cases were followed up on.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored angling activity on area lakes. Time was spent patrolling area ATV trails and forest roads for grouse-hunting activity. Several phone calls were taken from individuals with questions about the upcoming firearms deer season.

Baudette East vacant.

Blackduck South vacant.

Weekly CO report

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-11-04

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) continued field training COC Sara Mooers. The officers conducted taxidermy inspections, monitored fishing and trapping activity in area rivers and wetlands and monitored waterfowl and archery hunting activity on public lands and waters. The officers also conducted follow-up on Wetland Conservation Act violations and investigated several incidents of property left in WMAs overnight.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season. He followed up on complaints of permanent stands built on public lands and continues to find stands with attractants, violating the Beltrami County feed/attractant ban.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) checked a variety of hunters and trappers throughout the weekend. Angling pressure has slowed, while many archery hunters took advantage of increased deer activity. The most common calls fielded this week involved concerns about deer stand and duck blind placement.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week checking duck hunters and small-game hunters. Ducks are slowly making their way in, with some larger flocks of redheads and other divers showing up. Numbers are still lower than previous years, but the opportunity is there for hunters willing to scout. Swedberg also spent time looking into other deer hunting issues and preparing for the upcoming rifle season.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) attended training at Camp Ripley and prepared for the upcoming firearms deer season. Several off-highway vehicles were encountered, with enforcement action taken for operation on public roads and uncased firearm. OHV riders are reminded to refer to DNR website as some area trails are now closed in addition to deer season restrictions.

CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking archery deer hunters, finishing taxidermy inspections, and answering miscellaneous law- and nuisance-animal-related questions. Landmark would like to remind hunters to plan and get your license early. Deer licenses purchased during legal shooting hours are not valid until the following day. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer over bait and operating a motor vehicle on a WMA.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on small-game, pheasant-, and archery hunting activity. Angling activity was worked, with a few anglers out working the late fall bite. Areas were worked for illegal shining activity. Patrol was conducted for off-road vehicle and ATV activity. Warren also assisted area sheriff?s offices and police departments with a search for a lost hunter and a motor vehicle crash.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) assisted an out-of-state game and fish agency on a big-game case and assisted Mahnomen County with locating a lost hunter. ATV safety and laws were instructed to a group of 30 youth. ATV operators and small-game hunters were checked on state and county forest lands. Outdoor activity also included hunters prepping for the firearms deer season.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week checking grouse, squirrel, and waterfowl hunters. He conducted a wolf depredation investigation, handled various wildlife complaints, and answered questions from the public. Time was also spent working late nights patrolling for shinning activity.

Pelican Rapids vacant.

Weekly CO report

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-11-04

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked waterfowl and archery hunters. A trespassing complaint was received and investigated in Otter Tail County. Deer-hunting questions were received, and Osborne reminds everyone to read the regulations before going out hunting on the deer opener.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Time was spent at Camp Ripley attending training. A big-game investigation was completed with enforcement action taken for 2021, 2022, and 2023 violations.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) continues to check duck and pheasant hunters while still monitoring anglers. A variety of violations were encountered this week, including no pheasant stamp, dogs chasing deer, and abandoned property on WMAs. Reports of shining deer were investigated and numerous calls for service were handled.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working recreational and game enforcement throughout the week and weekend. Enforcement action was taken for operating a Class II ATV without headlights. Many questions were answered regarding the upcoming deer season. Trainings were also attended.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers, pheasant, and waterfowl hunters. Additional time was spent following up on trespassing complaints and checking bowhunters. Nuisance-beaver complaints and questions about the upcoming firearms deer season were handled as well.

Wheaton vacant.

Weekly CO report

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2024-11-04

CO Corey Sura (Remer) monitored small-game and waterfowl-hunting activities. Grouse and squirrel hunters continue to have moderate success, while duck hunters continue to battle generally unfavorable conditions to scratch out a few birds. Required training was completed, and preparations for firearms deer season are underway.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) patrolled Leech Lake for waterfowl and angling activity. McGowan also assisted with a capsized waterfowl boat on Leech Lake, and training was completed at Camp Ripley.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent time patrolling for fall hunting activities. Very few ducks are around, and most hunters have now seemed to put their focus on deer. Two property line disputes were taken over people placing deer stands near property lines. Shining complaints have been taken and extra attention has been given to problem areas.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked grouse and duck hunters. Some hunters were seen getting ready for gun deer season and a few anglers were still out. Mathy took calls of an injured swan and a boater who ran out of gas. A local resort owner graciously assisted the boater by bringing them some gas. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and waterfowl violations.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports utilizing K9 Jet for big-game and trespass investigations. He also reports conducting follow up on illegal activity on public lands and assisted with training at Camp Ripley.

ATV rec officer vacant.