District 5

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports bear hunting was short lived with most done after the third day of the season. Wild rice harvest came to a quick end. Access sites were checked between rain events. The phone calls continue to come in on a variety of subjects.

CO Sean Cannon (Cook) spent most of the week focusing on bear hunting in the area. Numerous bear hunters reported having successful hunts, which is not surprising with the number of bears in the area and natural food sources drying up. Time was also spent checking anglers and monitoring ATV activity. The early teal and goose opener was worked. There were very few teal and no teal hunters seen. Goose hunters checked had a successful opener with a fair number of geese in the area. Cannon also assisted at a firearms safety class field day in the area.

CO Aaron Larson (Tower) worked primarily bear-hunting activity in his station. Bear hunters seemed to be having a successful season with many bears being taken early in the season. Larson also spent time checking for waterfowl hunters and working a firearms safety class. Violations were related to illegal bear baits. He also assisted a local agency with a case resulting in various violations.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) and his trainee, Conservation Officer Candidate Jacob Peterson, patrolled local trails and parks for ATVs. They also continued work on same-day deer registration cases and early bear baiting. They assisted with a firearms safety law talk and field day during the week. They worked with local law enforcement departments on calls.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring bear-hunting, ATV, and fishing activity. Bear hunters reported moderate success. Anglers reported limited success. Wild rice harvesters had a good year. Broughten also fielded calls regarding bear regulations, waterfowl stamps, and youth deer season.

District 6

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports cold weather arrived, as did strong winds and even frost. The early teal and goose season opener was not well attended. Although some birds were seen, most hunters checked had not fired a shot. Violations included transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle.

CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) patrolled his station this week checking ATV and off-highway motorcycle operators. AIS compliance and fishing and boating activity were also monitored. Time was also spent checking bear hunters.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) completed field training with COC Kristopher Ryan. Time was spent on bear, goose, and teal hunting, wild rice, and fishing/boating enforcement as well as patrolling state parks. Activity slowed after the weekend and with the cold weather. Bear hunters had moderate success on opening week. The officers participated in a firearms safety class in Babbitt. Thanks to the volunteers who helped. Enforcement action included leaving garbage at a public access, insufficient PFDs, bear baiting violations, unplugged shotguns, toxic ammunition, and loaded firearms in motor vehicles.