DNR Report: Snowmobile enforcement returns as April arrives

Apr. 4—Conservation officer Darrin Kittelson (International Falls 1) reports time was spent at Camp Ripley instructing officers on emergency vehicle operations and high-risk stops. Snow, cold and wind have kept fishing on the Rainy River to a minimum. The snow brought out a few snowmobile riders for one last ride.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls 2) reports spending time working the Rainy River and patrolling area forest roads. The Rainy River remains iced-up in most areas, but with the warm weather approaching this week, it should open up again.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) checked on angling activity and dock and shoreline projects. The snowstorm did not seem to bring much enthusiasm from the outdoor crowd. The rest of the week was spent at in-service training at Camp Ripley and handling equipment-related tasks.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area forest roads, checking angling activity and continuing work on equipment. Free time was spent completing administrative tasks.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week at Camp Ripley for training. Time was also spent monitoring snowmobile and trapping activity.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) spent most of the week working snowmobile enforcement. Fresh snow brought out some snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Larson also spent time at training.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) spent the week instructing at in-service training held at Camp Ripley. Training components included firearms, defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operations.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time instructing emergency vehicle operation tactics at Camp Ripley for spring in-service training. He also assisted the county with attempting to locate an individual with a felony warrant. Additional time was spent patrolling for recreational vehicle activity and working on station gear maintenance.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring ATV and snowmobile activity. Recent snowfall limited recreational activity. The snow brought a few snowmobiles back out but slowed the arrival of spring. Broughten also fielded calls regarding ATV registration, adult ATV safety requirements and injured animals.

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports snow conditions held out into the weekend. More snowmobile activity was seen over the week than any other week of the winter. Violations included operating a snowmobile on a road right of way and operating a motor vehicle on a snowmobile trail.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely 2) spent much of his week checking anglers in his station. Additional time was spent patrolling for snowmobiling and ATV activity.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking anglers and a few snowmobilers enjoying the last snowstorm. He assisted with a snowmobile safety field day at the Cook County School.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais 2) reports that anglers gave it their final hurrah as the winter trout season ended. Some snowmobilers were checked trying to ride the recent snow that hit the area even though trail conditions were rough at best. ATV operators are reminded to brush up on regulations before hitting the trails.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports efforts were primarily focused on snowmobile enforcement as rideable snow finally hit the area this week. Enforcement action was taken for modified exhaust; expired registration; failure to transfer ownership; no snowmobile safety, allowing illegal juvenile operation, and use of an extra line on a designated trout lake.

CO Trent Anderson (Tofte) focused on ice angling and snowmobile enforcement for the week. Time was spent assisting eager operators at the Cook County youth snowmobile safety field day. Violations encountered this week included various snowmobile-related violations.

Silver Bay — vacant.

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) worked ATV, small-game 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) monitored trapping activity, worked ATV complaints and assisted with motor vehicle accidents during the recent snowstorms. Fairbanks and his K-9 partner, Fennec, also assisted in locating a suspect who fled into the woods. Enforcement action was taken for license issues and off-highway vehicle registration requirements.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked some late-season snowmobile activity with the few inches of snow we received. As the snow quickly melts, it was a welcomed sight for a few last-minute riders. The added snow has also greatly helped with the fire danger in the area.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked snowmobile, commercial and ATV enforcement activities throughout the surrounding areas. Assistance was provided to local law enforcement agencies for various calls for service. Annual training was also attended at Camp Ripley.

CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) spent most of the previous week attending required training at Camp Ripley. Holt checked a few snowmobiles after the recent snowfall and monitored angling activity in the area. Time was also spent performing inspections on and maintenance of Division-issued firearms.

NE ATV officer — vacant.

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) continued work with the St. Louis County Soil and Water Conservation District addressing a possible wetland violation. Snowmobile trails were monitored and judging from the tracks it looked like some people went for a ride, but not much activity was observed in the station.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) spent much of the week instructing and attending training at Camp Ripley. He handled calls regarding dogs chasing deer, nuisance animals and snowmobile complaints.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) patrolled the station for snowmobile activity following the heavy snowfall from last week. Snowmobilers encountered said breaking a trail was hard in the wet, ungroomed snow, but worth the sweat. Ridable snow left as quickly as it came. Elwell gave a laws and ethics presentation to Esko-area youth attending firearms safety training this week.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) continued work on special projects. Time was also spent at the annual in-service training this week. Recent snowfall provided snowmobiling opportunities. Trespassing is one of the most common complaints with snowmobile use. Riders are reminded to stay on trails and as of April 1, grant-in-aid trails are now closed to snowmobile use.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) worked snowmobile enforcement for the first good snowfall this winter. Assistance was also given at a snowmobile accident and she attended annual training at Camp Ripley. Hand ended the week continuing a big-game investigation and checking shore anglers on Lake Superior.

Hinckley — vacant.

CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit — Metro) spent the week monitoring boating and angling activity on the Mississippi River. He also patrolled areas for illegal ATV activity. Enforcement activity for the week included failure to display ATV registration, illegal operation of an ATV on a roadway and juveniles with no helmets.

CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit — Alexandria) spent this week at annual in-service training at Camp Ripley, qualifying on firearms and use of force. Lakes around west-central Minnesota are ice-free, but the midweek snow kept any boaters from heading out.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit — Duluth) checked snowmobiles as the first decent snow in a long time fell along the North Shore. Preparations were made for watercraft instruction to boat and water deputies at Camp Ripley. Commercial fisheries items were handled and preparations were made for the upcoming charter season. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.