DNR Report: Deer numbers appear very low, CWD testing required in the Carlton County

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls) worked ATV and small-game hunting, checked anglers on the Rainy River and handled complaints regarding road hunting

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) fielded numerous questions about deer hunting as hunters prepare for the firearms deer opener. Additional questions were received about changes to some of the trapping regulations. Waterfowl hunters are seeing few ducks as the weather continues to be relatively mild.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports deer numbers appear very low and hunters should plan accordingly. Duck hunting remains poor due to lack of birds. ATV activity was monitored, and public access sites were checked. Deer stands and shooting lane reports were referred to the appropriate public landowner.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) checked small-game hunters, anglers and ATV riders, and got ready for the upcoming deer-hunting season. A big part of the week was spent on illegal decorative materials harvesting occurring throughout the area.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily ATV, waterfowl and big-game enforcement. He also worked a decorative materials case and prepared for the upcoming deer season.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) investigated several other spruce-top theft cases within the Virginia area and assisted on another neighboring case. He and other officers worked a deer shining detail over the weekend.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) monitored hunting, trapping and ATV activity. Grouse hunters reported moderate success. Waterfowl hunters continued to report finding few ducks and geese. Few hunters were encountered prepping for the upcoming firearm deer opener. Broughten also fielded calls regarding road hunting, youth deer licenses and trapping regulations.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports that hunting and ATV activity dropped to almost nonexistent as the last weekend before the regular firearms season arrived. The few grouse hunters checked still reported very timid birds and few shots were taken. Violation included storing equipment overnight in a wildlife management area and hunting with no license in possession.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely) checked fishing, boating and ATV activity, and patrolled for small game hunters.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) investigated a spruce-top theft. The habitual violator was apprehended with the assistance of local agencies, and charges are pending for timber theft, failure to obtain consent to cut decorative materials, and litter on both public and private property. Approximately 1,300 cut spruce tops were seized. Additional time was spent checking deer stands and hunters. Enforcement action was also taken for ATV violations.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Hovland) checked hunters and anglers, and inspected beaver and mink trap lines. Assistance was given to the 1854 Treaty Authority with a hunter who was successful harvesting a bull moose.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on grouse-hunting and angling enforcement, and made preparations for the upcoming deer opener.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked big-game investigations and nvestigated forestry violations and an instance of trespass. Enforcement action was taken for trespass and shooting from a motor vehicle.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) monitored decorative materials harvesting, checked grouse and duck hunters, and answered hunting-related questions. As firearms deer opener approaches, he encourages people to call the Turn in Poachers hotline or download the free MNTip app to report hunting violations with the option to remain anonymous.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders, hunters, and anglers, patrolled campgrounds and trails, responded to wildlife-related complaints, and answered numerous game and fish-related questions.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) and officer in training Andrew Struffert checked anglers and hunters. Violations included transporting loaded firearms, not having licenses in possession, and collecting decorative materials without a permit. Enforcement action was taken. The officers also arrested an ATV operator for DWI and assisted the Itasca County Sheriff's Office and State Patrol with injury crashes.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) and officer in training Emma Wehking focused on sport fishing, small-game, big-game, trapping, ATV and decorative materials enforcement. Several deer hunters were contacted making last-minute preparations before the upcoming firearms deer season and a spruce-top theft was investigated. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of hunting and angling violations.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) primarily checked small-game hunters and ATV users. Time was spent training an officer candidate and they prepared for the firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for small-game violations.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) monitored recreational vehicle activity and small-game hunting, and followed up on open cases and a TIP complaint.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) worked complaint areas 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 the 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. He also handled baiting complaints.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) trained at Camp Ripley, worked shining complaint areas and decorative material enforcement, and checked a few grouse and archery deer hunters. Baiting investigations also continue to be worked.

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

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) patrolled for fall hunting and fishing activity and saw many hunters preparing for the 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 included fishing without a license and hunting deer with the aid of bait.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) continued to train officer candidate Tshungtsim 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. They also checked anglers, waterfowl, small-game and big-game hunters, patrolled for ATV violations. and investigated big-game violations.