DNR Report: Officers remind public to leave baby animals alone

May 23—Conservation officer Curtis Simonson (International Falls 2) reports spending time this past week checking anglers on area waterways. Fishing reports were good throughout the area. ATV activity was monitored throughout the area and miscellaneous calls were handled throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken this week for being in possession of an overlimit of walleyes; boat registration; insufficient number of personal flotation devices; and illegal ATV operation.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) investigated a littering complaint where someone dumped farmed animal carcasses on public lands. Slatinski also monitored incoming and outgoing traffic for removal of watercraft drain plugs. Several individuals were contacted and educated for the violation. Angling activity was monitored. ATV complaints were heard and followed up on. Calls about baby wild animals have begun to come in. For the best chance of survival, if encountered, leave baby animals alone and let the parents take care of them.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes for boating and angling activity. Area forest roads were checked for ATVs. Public access sites were visited. Otter catches continue to be dealt with. Time was also spent working on equipment and various administrative tasks.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent the majority of the week working angling and boating enforcement. An overlimit case where three individuals were found in possession of 46 walleyes was worked with CO Larson. Cannon also completed an investigation where body camera video was used. The footage showed an individual throwing a walleye they claimed was a crappie when approached by COs at night before the start of the season. The walleye bite continued to be slow on Vermilion this week, with not many anglers able to find a limit of keepers. Equipment was worked on, and a presentation was given to fourth graders at Mesabi East with CO Zavodnik.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily angling activity. Time was spent working the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in his station. Larson encountered violations such as walleye overlimits, possession of cans in the BWCAW and fishing license-related violations. Larson also spent time working on boating-related cases.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) spent the week at Camp Ripley assisting in training the cadets of the DNR Academy. The week was spent instructing the cadets in defensive tactics and firearms use. In addition, calls were fielded and nuisance-bear complaints continue to be received.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time as an interview panel member assisting with the upcoming CO Prep interviews over the week. He also attended an outreach event for Police Week at a local high school.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring boating, fishing and ATV activity. Outdoor recreational activity slowed this week as cooler weather and rain returned. Anglers encountered reported success was limited. Fewer ATVs were encountered this week. Some ATV trails are in poor shape due to wet conditions. Broughten also fielded calls regarding license questions, ATV trails and bait harvesting.

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports fishing activity remained high throughout the week and into the weekend. Generally, less success was seen from the last week and the fish size continues to be smaller than expected. Violations included angling without a license in possession and failure to display current ATV registration.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) checked anglers, boaters and ATV operators this week. He also patrolled area lakes and accesses for aquatic invasive species violations.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent time checking anglers and boaters on area lakes and monitoring ATV activity. He attended 911 days at Birch Grove Elementary School. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating activity.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports working on Bear Committee items, preparing for academy instruction and nuisance-bear problems. Time was spent on juvenile off-highway motorcycle issues. As a reminder, off-highway motorcycles are not allowed on any road unless part of a designated trail and youth under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult and wear a helmet. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license; personal flotation device violations; no navigational lights after sunset; expired boat registration; transporting a boat with the drain plug in place; and a non-resident taking a turkey with a resident license.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on angling enforcement for the week. Time was spent handling wildlife-related calls and attending a local outreach event. Area anglers experienced a mixed bite with a few groups reporting moderate success.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Some area forest roads and ATV trails are still closed until areas dry out from spring conditions. Murray assisted with a beaver-related call where it had fallen into an empty holding tank. It was safely captured and released back into the wild. Enforcement action was taken for operating on closed trails and a wetlands complaint is being investigated.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked anglers and made boat safety checks on area lakes. A shoreline violation and Turn in Poachers calls were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for possession of slot fish and fishing with no fishing license.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV riders and fishing activities. He patrolled campgrounds and trails. Numerous game and fish-related questions were answered. He also responded to wildlife-related complaints.

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHV activity, and assisted with a motor vehicle accident. Angler success was good this week. Fairbanks and his K-9 partner, Fennec, also attended local events where they provided a demo and meet-and-greet. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and OHV registration issues.

CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) spent most of the week checking anglers. Overall, fishing was good, and most people were satisfied with their success. One angler checked was found to be fishing without a license. It was also discovered that he had felony warrants and ended up going to jail instead of catching more northern pike.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) checked anglers and monitored boating safety throughout the previous week. Time was also spent investigating a Turn in Poachers complaint and working a detail on Upper Red Lake. Holt assisted the Forestry Division with a wildfire arson investigation. Enforcement activity involved angling and boating violations.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) time was spent looking into several Turn in Poachers complaints, as well as checking anglers. The most frequent violations encountered this week were boats displaying expired license decals, angling without a license, and angling in closed areas. Efforts were made to help an injured bear and assistance was also given to the Duluth Police Department on a warrant pickup.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) focused on angling and boating activity throughout the week. Anglers were having some luck when the weather was cooperating. Fishing complaints were investigated along with the ATV issues. Off-highway motorcycle activity in the area has been the highest the officer has seen and a reminder that off-highway motorcycles are not allowed on roadways or road rights of way unless registered as a road motorcycle as well. The officer also assisted the Duluth Police Department, followed up on open cases and completed equipment maintenance.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent several days working fishing enforcement. Many fishermen were checked throughout the week, with most having success. A few ATV complaints were followed up on involving closed trails and trespass. Animal complaints continue to come in with the most common involving bears at bird feeders or getting into garbage cans. Other animal complaints during the week involved beaver. Verbal guidance that is allowed by Minnesota statute was given on these complaints.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) concentrated on sport fishing this week. A wolf depredation investigation was started and a Wetland Conservation Act investigation was concluded. Heavy ATV traffic was observed this weekend with the nice weather. Compliance with ATV regulations was high, with only a few minor violations handled as opportunities to educate trail users.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) worked sport fishing, and ATV and off-highway motorcycle enforcement this week. Time was spent investigating a trespass complaint and time was spent at St. Croix State Park. Park users were enjoying the nice weather and using the many trails.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) spent time checking anglers on local lakes. Walleye success was still low. ATV and off-highway motorcycle enforcement on local trails remained busy. Enforcement action for the week included operating an unregistered vehicle; failure to transfer ATVs and off-highway motorcycles; operating where not allowed; and angling without a license. Recreational vehicle owners are reminded to make sure their equipment is properly registered and displayed before hitting the public trails.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent time this week checking anglers. Time was also spent in the Chengwatana patrolling for activity. Turkey hunting activity continues to be patrolled. With this warm weather there is a lot more side-by-side (Class II ATV) activity on the roads. Remember to drive on the far-right side of the road.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit — Duluth) checked boaters and anglers on Lake Superior. Commercial items were handled with the Lake Superior Fisheries office. Preparations were made for the upcoming CO Academy and assistance was given to local agencies with determining the source of a body recovered from a North Shore tributary. Enforcement action was taken for boating violations.