Weekly CO report

District 8 - Duluth area

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) worked complaint areas throughout the district for shining and decorative material activity. With assistance from Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle inspectors, an overweight truck transporting illegally purchased decorative materials was stopped and enforcement action was taken for failing to obtain a buyer?s license. He also fielded many calls with questions about the upcoming firearms deer season.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) handled calls regarding upcoming deer season and followed up on open wetland cases. He handled numerous nuisance/sick animal-related complaints and followed up on a hunter harassment issue. Time was also spent handling equipment maintenance and baiting complaints.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent time at Camp Ripley training during the week. Time was also spent working shining complaint areas throughout the district, as well as decorative material enforcement. A few grouse and archery deer hunters were also checked, and baiting investigations continue to be worked.

CO Anthony Elwell (Cloquet) patrolled the station for hunting and ATV activity this week. A hunter-harassment call was fielded, open big-game cases were worked, shining complaint areas were patrolled, and a dogs-chasing-deer complaint was handled. Numerous calls were taken with questions about firearms deer season, with many pertaining to the mandatory CWD testing in the Carlton County DPAs during the opening weekend. Enforcement action was taken for ATV-related violations.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) spent time patrolling for fall hunting and fishing activity. Many hunters were seen preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season. Decorative materials and shining details were worked with district partners. Enforcement action was taken for various big-game violations, including hunting deer over bait, taking an overlimit of deer, lend/borrow license, and failure to register deer.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) continued investigations while preparing for the deer season. Wetland, arson, and stolen vehicle violations were investigated as well. Small-game and waterfowl hunters were checked. Enforcement action for the week included fishing without a license and hunting deer with the aid of bait.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent the week continuing to train COC Thao. They took many phone calls answering a wide range of questions about hunting, land use, forest closures, National Park Service land usage, trespassing, and miscellaneous wildlife-related questions. COs checked anglers, waterfowl, small-game, and big-game hunters. Patrols for ATV violations were also conducted. Other big-game violations were investigated and continue to be worked.

Hinckley vacant.
Statewide Marine Unit
CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit - Metro) spent the week monitoring waterfowl hunters in the area. Hunters are still showing very poor success with very few birds observed in the bag. He also spent time patrolling areas for illegal ATV activity. Enforcement action for the week included illegal OHM operation.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit - Duluth) resolved commercial items for the Fisheries Section and attended training refreshers at Camp Ripley. Work planning was completed with the Marine Unit, and preparations made for storage of seasonal equipment. Deer season questions began to pour in regarding ATV use and area regulations. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.

CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit - Alexandria) patrolled lakes in Douglas and Ottertail counties this week as temps, both air and water, continue to drop. Muskie anglers were out in full force over the nice weekend, but success was very limited. Training was completed at Camp Ripley and arrangements continue to be made for off-season equipment storage.

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