District 5 – Eveleth Area
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reported a slower weekend for Guns Deer due to the cold weather. He dealt with ATV-related complaints, deer stand issues, and trespassing problems.
CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) spent time checking on small-game hunters and monitoring ATV activity. He also answered questions related to the upcoming deer season.
CO John Slatinsky IV (Ray) mentioned a change in weather leading to a significant change in activity. People were preparing for the gun deer season, and neck hunters were trying to hunt before the rain turned to snow. The open-water trapping season is likely to be shortened. Slatinsky also addressed various wildlife-related complaints and provided suggestions. Seasonal equipment preparation is ongoing.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored area forest roads and public access sites. Waterfowl hunters are still waiting for ducks, resulting in no activity. The number of deer seen in Fondie’s area is low. He returned phone calls and issued various permits.
CO Aaron Larson (Tower) primarily focused on small-game and angling activities. Larson checked grouse hunters and noticed a slowdown in angling activity due to the removal of docks from public access. He also handled calls related to small-game hunting and ATV complaints.
CO Mark Johnson (Hibbing) primarily enforced small-game, big-game, and decorative material regulations. He also completed online training, participated in a disability search, and investigated a shooting complaint resulting in enforcement action.
CO Duke Broughton (Aurora) spent the week hunting, trapping, and monitoring ATV activity. Waterfowl and archery deer hunters reported poor success, while grouse hunters had better luck. Trapping activity was minimal due to a cold snap affecting water collection. Broughton handled calls related to trespassing, deer hunting regulations, and injured animals.
District 6 – Two Ports Area
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) noticed a decline in activity in the Ely area as people prepared for the regular gun deer opener. He monitored ATV riding and small-game hunting, and observed the first snowfall and various waterfalls.
CO Brent Ihnen (Ely #2) focused on fishing and boating activities during patrols. He also checked small-game hunters.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes, small-game hunters, and ATV riders. He successfully conducted an ATV Safety Field Day at Cook County School.
CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) assisted with an ATV Field Day at Cook County High School, worked on forest roads and ATV patrols, responded to nuisance-animal calls, and performed weather equipment maintenance. He also took enforcement action against individuals using lifted Jeeps on ATV trails.
CO Anthony Burmel (Bobbitt) conducted various enforcement activities, including trapping, waterfowl, grouse, and ornamental forest product enforcement. He observed a good push of migrating ducks and took enforcement action for several violations. Burmel also reminded people to be vigilant with their pets due to increased wolf attacks.
CO Matt Miller (Silver Bay) handled calls regarding deer hunting, abandoned boats, and ATV trail closures during gun deer season. He referred nuisance beavers to a local trapper and took enforcement action for a commercial records violation.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) received many deer hunting-related questions and started seasonal equipment overhaul. He checked a few grouse hunters and noted a brief lull in hunting pressure in the area.
CO Don Murray (Two Ports) focused on small-game and waterfowl activities, with many ducks and geese heading south due to the cold weather. He answered questions about the upcoming firearms deer season and investigated a wetlands-related complaint.
District 7 – Grand Rapids area
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) checked grouse and archery hunters and monitored ornamental harvesting activities. He also investigated poacher-harassment complaints.
CO Jason Hansen (Bigfork) monitored ATV riders, boaters, waterfowl and big-game hunters, and anglers. He patrolled campgrounds and trails, answered game and fish-related questions, and responded to wildlife-related complaints.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked hunters, responded to injured-animal calls, and monitored ornamental harvest. Grouse hunters had success in the area, and enforcement action was taken for license and permit issues.
CO Brian Holt (Grand Rapids) focused on small-game hunting, trapping activities, and various complaints related to wildlife and recreational vehicles. He followed up on open cases and TIP complaints.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) worked on waterfowl and dog hunting. He observed an increase in falls due to cold weather and high winds and received calls about illegal decorative material collection and roadkill deer.
CO Jimmy Van Esch (Pengili) conducted enforcement efforts on small-game, migratory waterfowl, ATV, and angling activities. He also participated in a pending investigation and took enforcement action for multiple violations.
CO Taylor Hochstein (Hill City) and COC Ambroz checked small-game hunters, trappers, and people setting up for the firearms deer season opener. They reminded hunters to check their rulebooks and make smart decisions.
CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) assisted a neighborhood officer with a deer poaching case in Duluth. He continued to monitor ornamental harvesting activity and follow TIP calls. Willis also attended training in Grand Rapids.
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) focused on big-game action in preparation for the gun opener and ongoing archery season. He investigated an illegal deer and assisted in tracking a suspected poacher. Schmidt also investigated aquatic poachers and spent time cleaning out old case files.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent every day preparing for the upcoming gun deer season. He searched for illegal stands on state property, monitored baited locations, checked small-game hunters, addressed potential trespass violations, and conducted night monitoring. Duncan also responded to a multi-vehicle accident involving a moose.
CO Tony Elwell (Clockett) focused on big-game and waterfowl enforcement. He completed an annual deer farm inspection and answered questions about the firearms deer season.
CO Mikeena Wehr (Carleton) patrolled for big-game, small-game, and waterfowl activity. She handled complaints related to predatory harassment, trespassing, taxidermy, and decorative materials.
CO Ben Caron (Pine City) continued the field training process. He investigated cases of seduction and intrusion, monitored young deer hunting, and took enforcement action for ATV violations and traffic violations.
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Q: What does the “Staff” byline mean?
A: The “Staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs or when multiple authors contribute to a story. It is also used when aggregating previously reported news from different sources.
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A: If outside sources are used, it is mentioned within the narrative.
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