MN DNR K-9 Conservation Officers
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2025-09-22
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week monitoring ATV traffic, checking area small-game hunters, and attending annual training in Perham,
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week assisting with Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard training.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports an active week as bear, goose, and grouse hunters’ success rates continue to climb. Stringer investigated several accounts of depredation as standing corn and sunflowers provide an afternoon delight for hungry bears. Additionally, several trespass complaints, including the taking of trail cameras, were handled. Remember, taking trail cameras from private property is theft. Enforcement actions for the week included multiple ATV and trespass complaints, failure to remove a drain plug for a watercraft in transport, and failure to sign a federal waterfowl stamp as required.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) spent the week checking small-game hunters and goose hunters. Goose hunters were observed having success in the fields. A taxidermy inspection was conducted and completed.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake. The bite has improved some over the past week with cooler weather. He patrolled area forest roads and trails for ATV activity. Grouse hunters were checked. They had limited success due to the heavy foliage.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) reports increased angling activity on the Rainy River and waterfowl-hunting activity in the area. Significant time was spent managing a nuisance-bear problem on Flag Island.
Blackduck South – vacant.
Baudette East – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2025-09-22
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week assisting with the division’s annual fall in-service training in Perham and Hibbing. Assistance was also given with a firearms safety class. Veit also spent time monitoring area ATV activity, checking grouse hunters, and working a shining detail with other officers.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) monitored angling and deer-hunting activities throughout the week. Cases of waterfowl wanton waste and taking of a bear without a license were investigated. Additional time was spent at a regional training event, safety class planning, and water resource case follow up.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) continued field training with COC Corbus Grey. The pair, along with K9 Axel, assisted Hubbard County with locating a missing hunter. A detail was worked with other district officers and time was spent on fall hunting activities. Assistance was also given with a violation regarding wild rice harvest.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) patrolled area trails and state forests for small-game and bear-hunting activity. Enforcement action for the week included operation of off-road vehicles on a public roadway, ATV violations including no seatbelts on a public roadway, and off-highway motorcycles operating on a public roadway.
CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week following up on ongoing cases, attending court, and attending the Region 1 fall qualifications. Calls from the public were focused on regulation questions.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling, small-game, archery deer, and bear-hunting activity. Area wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas were monitored. Trails were patrolled for ATVs and off-road vehicles. Warren assisted White Earth Police and the Becker County Sheriff’s Office with a lost juvenile.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) attended regional training this week and checked goose and bear hunters. Public lands were also patrolled for small-game and archery hunters. Career fairs were attended in Beltrami County and at North Dakota State University. Violations addressed were not having a state waterfowl stamp and failing to send in a bear tooth after harvest.
Bemidji #2 – vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2025-09-22
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) and COC Reuss attended Enviro Fest in Todd County speaking to several hundred youth about safety, laws, and enforcement. Youth were able to see mounts in the TIP trailer of animals that were taken illegally. Multiple calls regarding dogs trespassing on others’ property were handled. An injured eagle was reported, and arrangements were made with the Raptor Center.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) continued to monitor angling and boating activity during the week. A wetland investigation was conducted, and calls were received and answered regarding the upcoming seasons. Nuisance-animal complaints were also fielded.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked boaters, anglers, ATV riders, and public hunting areas. Injured-animal complaints were received and handled. Training was attended.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) patrolled angling activity throughout her station, encountering a variety of successful anglers. She attended the Todd County Enviro Fest where she spoke to numerous surrounding fifth- and sixth-grade classes. Teaming up with other wardens, she patrolled the Appleton ORV Park and attended regional training.
CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) spent the week checking early goose hunters. He observed a group of youth goose hunters having success despite rainy conditions and seeing fewer birds this year. Small-game and archery activities were also monitored during the week. Numerous questions were answered about the CWD-managed Deer Permit Area 671. Reminder: Sampling stations can be found in the hunting regulations booklet and on the DNR website.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and recreational vehicle enforcement. Enforcement action was taking for fishing without a license and no license in possession.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) dedicated his enforcement efforts to fall angling. He saw many anglers having great success, with livewells full of walleyes and sunfish. He also hosted an ATV safety course in the Glenwood area, certifying 10 youth. Enforcement action was taken for various watercraft violations.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County for angling and small-game activities. Additional time was spent attending Region 1 training. Follow up was completed on an ongoing big-game case.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2025-09-22
CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for small-game, big-game, and recreational vehicle activity. Area recreational vehicle trails were busy this weekend with great trail conditions. Baum saw varying success among small-game hunters. Baum took enforcement action for various ATV and OHM violations. Baum assisted the Becker County Sheriff’s Office and White Earth with the search for a juvenile.
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) continues to patrol angling activity and goose-hunting activity throughout the station. A trespassing complaint was taken; the landowner found a deer stand placed by his neighbor on his property. The neighbor was contacted, and the two agreed to work the situation out between themselves. A subject was arrested for third-degree DWI while operating a Class 2 ATV.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked Cass County for ATV activity throughout the week. McGowan also attending annual division training and assisted at an ATV crash with injuries in Hubbard County.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checked hunting, angling, and ATV activity. She assisted with a vehicle crash and followed up on ongoing cases.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) spent time this week conducting mandated training around the state for the division. Brown also noticed an increase in anglers on local lakes, with anglers both targeting walleyes and muskies. He also observed many people pulling their boats off their lifts for the year. He had to remind a few to take another look for any weeds hanging from the watercraft or trailer.
Walker – vacant.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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