District 5

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports visiting public access sites over the week. Waterfowl hunters were scarce and the birds few. Area forest roads and trails were monitored as those hunters continue looking for grouse keep searching. Assistance was provided to DNR Forestry. Administrative reporting and answering a variety of questions over the phone rounded out the week.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent time this week checking anglers, grouse hunters, and waterfowl hunters. Many people were out with the continued nice weather. Time was also spent monitoring forest roads, investigating spruce top cutting, and working on equipment.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily ATV and small-game activity. Larson checked grouse hunters, investigated a big-game complaint, and took miscellaneous wildlife-related calls. He also spent time working decorative materials around his station.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring hunting, trapping, and ATV activity. Fewer hunters were encountered this week. Broughten found multiple hunters preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season. Theft of spruce tops continues to be a problem in the area. Broughten also fielded calls regarding trespass, car-hit deer, and deer license questions.

District 6

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports waterfowl hunting saw a slight temporary uptick during the week as the first snowflakes fell along with a strong north wind. Local COs and the Ely Police Department investigated a deer that was shot with a bow inside the city limits. Anyone with information related to incident is encouraged to contact the TIP hotline.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused on checking anglers and small-game hunters this week. Ihnen also patrolled for ATV and off-highway motorcycle activity. Additional time was spent checking archery deer hunters.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) spent the week checking small-game hunters. He checked remote trout lakes and monitored ATV complaint areas. Time was also spent completing online training.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports checking anglers, duck hunters, grouse hunters, and ATV riders throughout the week. A small push of ducks was observed, but most quickly passed through the area. here continues to be good numbers of geese around. Enforcement action included transporting loaded firearms in vehicles and on ATVs, expired ATV registration, transporting grouse without attached wings, and litter. If anyone has any information about the eight-point buck that was arrowed in Ely near the snowmobile club building on or around Oct. 22, 2025, please call Bermel or the TIP line.