Conservation Officer Report | Sports & Recreation

The Minnesota DNR provided the following summaries of last week's activities by Conservation Officers:

CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) spent lots of time answering questions and talking with people at the Duluth Sports Show. Time was also spent on snowmobile checking anglers and snowmobilers. A case where a person illegally shot a wolf is currently being investigated. Officer Hanzal and other officers helped patrol a nearby vacant station. A group of anglers found themselves in a tangled mess after returning from a lunch break at a nearby bar and finding the CO wanting them to explain the unattended lines. As the anglers attempted to pull up their baits it was discovered a feisty northern pike had tangled all five lines in the fish house. The illegally taken northern pike was released unharmed.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) assisted with setting up the wall of shame and the DNR LaserShot for the Duluth Deer Classic. Time was also spent at the Duluth Deer Classic answering questions and helping run the LaserShot booth. Officer Duncan worked on a couple TIP calls that will both require follow-up. Winter fishing, trapping, and snowmobile enforcement was also worked during the week.

CO Andy Schmidt (Brookston) and COC Silgjord taught the rules and ethics portion of a local firearms safety class. Officers worked snowmobile enforcement on area lakes and rivers and completed interviews regarding ongoing investigation. COC Silgjord completed phase 3 of field training. Officer Schmidt worked the TIP Wall of Shame at the Duluth Boat Show and Deer Classic.

Sgt. Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) with other district officers assisted the St. Louis Co. Sheriff’s Office in the recovery of stolen property in Rice Lake Township. A TIP complaint was investigated regarding a trapping complaint north of Duluth. The TIP Wall of Shame booth was manned with a fellow district officer at the Duluth Sports Show.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked snowmobiles and ice anglers. Questions were answered regarding use of local public water accesses in the wintertime when the water is open and accessible on Lake Superior. Several snowmobile operators have been found operating without first taking the required snowmobile safety training course. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations.

CO Troy Ter Meer (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked a special patrol shift in the Ely area with a Border Patrol Officer on snowmobile. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and ATV violations.