&amp

Oztent SV-5 Max Canvas Touring Tent – How to setup & pack away

Check out Oztent SV-5 Max Canvas Touring Tent here: https://www.snowys.com.au/sv-5-max-canvas-touring-tent Named in honour of Oztent’s late owner Shane Viglione, the brand has now brought his last design to life in the form of the spacious and extra livable SV-5 Max Tent. It’s comprised of a patent-pending angled frame design which creates a 3m wide front that still sets up in just 30 seconds with sloped walls for more useable space. It’s constructed from Oztent’s trusted 8oz Ripstop polycotton canvas, with No-See-Um Mesh fly screens for ventilation and insect protection, and a heat-sealed PVC tub floor to keep you dry from the ground up. Inside there’s a SkyMesh Skylight which unzips to provide you with airflow in your shelter plus a stellar celestial view as you sleep. At the front, the peaked awning tapers out 3.5m wide and comes with a zip-in tarp extension providing 5 metres of frontage so you can ditch your gazebo. The poles for the peaked awning are included as well as pegs and ropes, plus a carry bag with a rain cover for transporting and storing your tent. Create a roomy and protective shelter and uncover area at your campsite with the innovative SV-5 Max Tent from Oztent.
[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Pennsylvania Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – November 6, 2020

SOUTHWEST REGION
From the Game Commission

Beaver County Game Warden Mike Yeck reports several archery deer hunters have been charged this year with using bait as an enticement for wildlife. Most have been actively hunting in areas where bait was present, and some have been taking advantage of baited areas within 30 days of the removal of the bait and its residue.

Beaver County Game Warden Mike Yeck reports a mature bald eagle was recovered from the Big Rock Park nesting site near Beaver Falls after onlookers spotted it below the nest on an active railroad track. It possibly was struck by a train and due to severe injuries was euthanized.

Cambria County Game Warden Shawn Harshaw and Cadet Tyler Bridgehouse remind all those wishing to sight-in their rifles at any Game Commission shooting range that they must be in possession of a valid hunting license or range permit.

Cambria County Game Warden Seth Mesoras and Cadet Dale Ambosie cited an individual for hunting under the influence, and over bait in a Disease Management Area on the first day of archery deer season.

Cambria County Game Warden Seth Mesoras and Cadet Dale Ambosie have found and investigated close to 20 baited areas. As a reminder to hunters, it is illegal to hunt through the use of bait as well as feed deer within a Disease Management Area.

Westmoreland County Game Warden Mike Papinchak reports that, while on patrol with Cadet Jonathan Bowman, they discovered and cited two individuals with drugs and alcohol on Loyalhanna Lake property. Both have pleaded guilty.

Westmoreland County Game Warden Mike Papinchak reports that, with the help of Cadet Jonathan Bowman, an individual was cited for illegally hunting through the use of bait and several other violations.

Westmoreland County Game Warden Mike Papinchak reports that, while on patrol with Cadet Jonathan Bowman, they encountered an individual with a loaded firearm in his vehicle. Charges have been filed.

NORTHEAST REGION
From the Game Commission

Luzerne County Game Warden Justin Faus reports that Deputy Game Warden Kenneth Pfeil recently apprehended 11 ATV riders who were unlawfully traveling on State Game Lands 187 and 119 in Dennison Township.

Bradford County Game Warden Blake Barth cited an individual for unlawfully spotlighting for deer at 1:30 a.m.

Columbia County Game Warden Rick Deiterich reports that two area men were cited for multiple game law violations after both fired shots toward a house at doves sitting on power lines. Neither hunter had a migratory game bird license and one did not have a current hunting license.

Wayne County Game Warden Adriel Douglass reports that misdemeanor charges were filed against several individuals after they killed three deer in a nighttime road-hunting incident Sept. 22 in Dyberry Township.

Sullivan County Game Warden Rick Finnegan reports that several game-law violations were encountered at Sullivan Falls, including persons in possession of alcohol, riding ATVs and swimming on state game lands.

Northeast Region Law Enforcement Supervisor Mark Kropa reports that a case dating to when he was a district Game Warden in Pike County in 2017 has been adjudicated. A man and his two adult sons were charged with shooting at a wildlife facsimile in Porter Township and for unlawful possession of deer parts. The father also was charged with being a person not to possess firearms. The two sons were found guilty early in 2018, but the charges against the father were delayed due to pending criminal charges against him, and further delayed by the pandemic. He eventually pleaded guilty to unlawful firearms possession and sentenced to 4½ to 9 years in prison and a $ 500 fine.

Monroe County Game Warden Bryan Mowrer reports that a case from 2018 has been adjudicated. The defendant pleaded guilty to the unlawful taking of big game and two counts of unlawful taking of wildlife. The man was a felon not to possess firearms and killed an anterless deer and four squirrels in his backyard with a .22 caliber rifle. “The defendant did not respond to the citations for over two years and was finally served with bench warrants,” said Mowrer. “Sentencing will carry a fine of over $ 1,000 and the man can lose his hunting privlages up to three years.”

Susquehanna County Game Warden Ben Rebuck cited an individual for allowing domestic pigs to escape captivity.

Pike County Game Warden Patrick Sowers reports an increase in bear-vehicle collisions in his district. Sowers urges drivers to drive safely in bear country.

Northumberland County Game Warden Derek Spitler reports a citation was filed in Rockefeller Township against an individual for hunting white-tailed deer through the use of bait.

Susquehanna County Game Warden Mike Webb reports the cooler weather is making deer more active and visible. “It should be another great year for archery hunters,” said Webb.

SOUTHEAST REGION
From the Game Commission

Berks County Game Warden, Ryan Zawada reports citing a dove hunter he and a cadet witnessed shooting at and killing American robins at Blue Marsh Lake.

Chester County Game Warden Matthew Johnson reports two Delaware County men pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to driving on a closed road and using State Game Land 43 rifle range when it was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Despite a closed gate posted with two signs related to the temporary road closure, and five signs related to the range closure, they drove around the gate and to the range to shoot on a Sunday afternoon in April. They also were charged with removing a Game Commission “Range Closed” closed sign at the gate. Fines and costs paid by both defendants exceeded $ 900. A juvenile male was riding with the pair, but he was not charged.

Bucks County Game Warden Shawna Burkett reports investigating several illegally baited areas and handling trespass issues through the first few weeks of the archery deer season.

Lancaster County Game Warden John Veylupek and Deputy Justin Brian report investigating an incident in which an individual shot a Canada goose with a rifle from a motor vehicle. Multiple charges are being filed.

Lancaster County Game Warden John Veylupek is investigating several cases, including unlawful possession of wildlife, safety zones and trespassing.

Lancaster County Game Warden John Veylupek responded to a call of a dead bald eagle in Ephrata only to find it was a Canada goose.

Lancaster County Game Warden Daniel Gibble reports citing an individual for hunting through the use of bait. The hunter regretfully stated, “I watch North Woods Law. I always said to myself, ‘How can they be so stupid?’ Now look at me.”

Lehigh County Game Warden Tyler Barnes cited a hunter for hunting through the use of bait, and multiple charges involving illegal possession of deer. The hunter has recently pleaded guilty to the charges.

Montgomery County Game Warden Raymond Madden reports investigating multiple cases of illegal bait sites on both public and private property in the county. Under current baiting laws, it is only lawful when done on private property with a mechanical feeder. “We are seeing increased numbers of bait sites with illegal mineral blocks on both public and private lands,” Madden said.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Pennsylvania Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Michigan Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – November 6, 2020

DISTRICT 1

CO Jared Ferguson was patrolling Dickinson County when he observed two kayakers on a local river system fishing. CO Ferguson contacted the two individuals and found both subjects did not have personal floating devices (PFDs). During the contact, one individual was questioning why he should have a PFD on a kayak. At that moment he flipped his kayak in the water and was submerged. The individual was not questioning the law after he had to swim with the kayak in hand, back to shore. A citation was given for no PFDs.

CO Jeremy Sergey checked a group of four waterfowl hunters on Lake LeVasseur. Upon checking one of the individual’s ammunition, CO Sergey discovered the hunter had all lead shot shells. CO Sergey also examined the vessel they used and discovered there was only one PFD for the four individuals on the vessel. Citations were issued for the lead shot and for failing to have PFDs for each person onboard.

CO Josh Boudreaux was patrolling northern Marquette County when he came upon a group of subjects on ORVs who stated they were trying to get back to Ishpeming and were turned around. CO Boudreaux had the group follow him back through a series of two-tracks until he intersected a main road, then directed them south towards the correct trail, which they could follow back to their vehicles. The group was happy to be headed in the right direction as it was getting dark and the temperature was dropping.

DISTRICT 2

COs Mark Zitnik and Cole VanOosten were on patrol during waterfowl season in Alger County when they heard a large amount of shots coming from a remote creek. The COs were able to locate the hunters, and it was determined that one of the hunters was in possession of toxic/lead shot. A citation was issued to the hunter for possessing toxic shot while waterfowl hunting. This was the subject’s third citation for this offense.

CO Cole VanOosten responded to a complaint of ORVs tearing up an ORV parking area near Newberry and as he neared the parking area, a large group of ORVs left the parking lot. As he was following the group, the ORV in the rear was swerving in the middle of the road and attempting to drag race the others in the group. The ORV nearly hit CO VanOosten’s patrol vehicle on multiple occasions without the operator even noticing. A traffic stop was conducted, and a citation was issued for careless operation of an ORV.

COs Chris Lynch and Steve Butzin had a case recently adjudicated on one of two suspects involved in a fish spearing case. The suspects were caught with the speared fish and then eluded the COs on foot. The suspects were quickly apprehended. This suspect was fined $ 3,550 with $ 1,070 of that being restitution for the illegal fish, the suspect was ordered 250 hours community service in lieu 60 days jail, placed on probation, and fishing privileges revoked until 2022.

COs Chris Lynch and Steve Butzin recently had a case adjudicated on an illegal 8-point buck. CO Lynch conducted a taxidermy inspection and located a suspicious 8-point buck that was brought in. After some follow up, CO Lynch developed a suspect. COs Lynch and Butzin interviewed the suspect who confessed to illegally taking the deer. The suspect was fined $ 6,990 with $ 6,000 of that being restitution for the deer, five days jail, probation, hunting privileges revoked until 2025, and the crossbow was forfeited.

CO Mike Evink was heading to conduct a waterfowl patrol when he received a complaint that there were hunters running their bear dogs well before legal hunting hours. CO Evink responded to the area and was unable to locate any dogs hunting prior to legal hours. After further investigation CO Evink was able to locate a camp close to the complainant that was housing bear hounds. It turns out that when people at the camp started getting ready for hunting, the dogs became excited and started to howl like when they were hunting.

DISTRICT 3

CO Tim Rosochacki encountered a subject on a state land two-track who had a doe in the back of his truck. Upon further inspection, the deer did not have a kill-tag attached. The hunter pulled his kill-tag out of his wallet and stated he was just about to tag it. CO Rosochacki advised the subject that it is required to tag the deer before completing any other tasks. After some additional questioning, it was discovered the subject was also hunting over a baited location. The subject was cited for failing to immediately validate his kill-tag and warning him for hunting over bait.

CO Jessie Curtis was patrolling Devil’s Lake in Alpena County for waterfowl hunting activity when she observed hunters in the distance shoot at a bird flying over. Upon further investigation, the hunters had shot an American bittern which is a protected species similar to a heron. The hunters stated that the bittern appeared to be a hen mallard when it flew by them and when they retrieved it, they thought it was some type of merganser. CO Curtis educated the hunters on positively identifying the waterfowl species before shooting. CO Curtis issued a ticket to the subject who had shot the bittern.

Sgt. Mike Mshar was checking a land-locked section of state land in Montmorency County when he discovered a large gun blind on a trailer. Further investigation discovered several bait piles consisting of corn, acorns, and salt. Sgt. Mshar was familiar with the blind as he had previously warned the same subject two years prior for the same violations. The subject was also accessing the state land by going through a locked gas facility which was not a legal access. Sgt. Mshar removed the blind and contacted the subject. The subject became very belligerent with Sgt. Mshar, blaming him for the terrible hunting conditions in Michigan as well as numerous other world issues. The subject ended the conversation stating he was moving back to Ohio.

DISTRICT 4

COs Patrick McManus and Justin Vanderlinde were on patrol on the Betsie River downstream of the Homestead Dam in Benzie County, focusing on recent regulations passed by the Natural Resource Commission. With incidents of recreational trespass, littering on state land, disorderly conduct, and retaining foul-hooked fish, the COs had a very busy weekend. Overall, the comments were positive about the new rules.

CO Micah Hintze was patrolling the south branch of the Pere Marquette River and was contacted by a concerned angler that a man was fishing around the nearest bend using unlawful gear. CO Hintze located and observed the angler using a large multi-pointed hook with lead melted to the shank, commonly known as a “silver spider.” After watching the angler attempt to snag the spawning salmon from a rock bed, CO Hintze contacted the individual. The angler explained that he had just found the silver spiders on a nearby log and was just trying to get some spawn. After further investigation, it was determined the angler was in possession of eight unlawful devices. The angler was cited for using unlawful gear/exceed hook size regulations.

COs Josh Reed and Steve Converse were conducting foot patrol at Tippy Dam. CO Converse observed a subject fishing with a suspicious lure. After observing the subject for several minutes, contact was made. The angler was fishing with a weighted treble hook and spawn. He advised that he was fishing with the lure because he thought it was the best. The angler was informed to review the regulations and was cited for fishing with a weighted treble hook.

DISTRICT 5

COs Brad Bellville and James Garrett received a complaint of a safety zone violation inside of Rifle River State Recreation Area in Ogemaw County. Two individuals rented a cabin inside the recreation area and had steel shot raining down on the cabin and surrounding area from nearby waterfowl hunters. The COs contacted the complainants and witnessed firsthand shot from duck hunters falling on them and the cabin. Using a range finder, the COs determined the duck hunters were well within the 150-yard safety zone of the cabin. The COs contacted the duck hunters addressing several violations including the safety zone violation.

CO Charlie Jones recently received information about a hunter who had illegally shot a deer in the 2019 firearm deer season in Kalkaska County. An interview was conducted the next day and it was determined that the 8-point buck was taken without a license. The subject who shot the deer admitted to borrowing a tag from a relative. A report was submitted to the Kalkaska County Prosecutor’s Office seeking charges.

CO Ben McAteer conducted a patrol focusing on shining activity in Crawford County. During the patrol, CO McAteer observed a sport utility vehicle driving slowly down a dirt two-track with a light was cast from the driver’s side window. A traffic stop was conducted and as CO McAteer approached the driver’s side window, he observed the passenger frantically attempting to remove the bolt from a loaded crossbow. The driver and passenger were interviewed separately and gave different stories about the light being cast from the vehicle’s window. The passenger admitted being the one responsible for the flashlight being shone out of the window, stating that he had thrown an empty dip can out the window earlier in the day and was attempting to locate it. The passenger’s crossbow, arrows, and flashlight were seized; a citation for shining with weapon in possession was issued.

DISTRICT 6

COs Jill Miller and Jason King assisted Upper Peninsula (UP) COs on an illegal bear investigation. The subject had property in the UP but resides in Bay County. Contact with the suspect was made and COs were able to gain a confession from the suspect of shooting the bear out of season. The information obtained was handed over to the UP COs.

While patrolling central Gratiot County, CO Mike Haas witnessed a large cloud of black smoke in the sky. CO Haas located the source of the smoke – a large pile of items including furniture parts, rolls of carpet, clothes, paint, aerosol cans, and other debris were on fire. A gentleman was cleaning up his property and emptying garbage and debris out of numerous outbuildings. CO Haas explained that he appreciated the man cleaning his property; however, the man was disposing of the items improperly. A citation was issued to address the open burning and improper disposal.

DISTRICT 7

CO Richard Cardenas received a report of several deer carcasses on the edge of a farmer’s field, in an area where he had multiple recent reports of deer being shot and the heads removed. While investigating, he could see two antlered deer heads behind a barn at a nearby residence. A subject appeared from the barn and provided consent to come onto the property and inspect the antlered deer heads. While speaking with the subject, another antlered deer was observed in the barn that the subject was currently processing. Upon further questioning, multiple antlered deer heads were found on the property. Another suspect was identified, and both admitted to possessing the deer illegally. Citations were issued for illegal possession of the deer.

CO Sam Schluckbier was patrolling Silver Lake in Allegan County when he encountered three anglers from Illinois. A routine check revealed the anglers were 49 panfish over their daily limit. Subjects stated they had been fishing for over 10 hours that day and never took the time to learn the daily limits. The panfish were confiscated and citations were issued for the over limit.

CO Justin Ulberg received a complaint that an adult had shot two bucks during the youth deer season. After a lengthy investigation it was determined the suspect took one of his co-worker’s children out for the youth deer season. When the youth stated that he was not comfortable taking the shot, the suspect shot the buck. A second buck was then observed, and the suspect shot that deer as well. While interviewing the suspect, it was discovered that the subject failed to tag either deer. The two deer heads were seized along with the subject’s unused deer tags. A report will be submitted to the county prosecutor for charges.

CO Anna Cullen received a complaint of a potentially poached deer laying in the back of someone’s yard. The complainant was aware of the shooter, and informed CO Cullen of their location and poaching history. An interview was conducted, and the suspect admitted to shooting two antlered deer over bait in the past two days. Both deer have been confiscated, and charges are being sought with the county prosecutor.

DISTRICT 8

CO Katie Baker investigated an illegal deer case of a suspect believed to have taken an antlerless deer without an age appropriate mentor. Interviews were conducted and a confession obtained. The suspect admitted to taking an antlerless deer with her 20-year-old boyfriend while using an apprentice license. The boyfriend admitted to knowing he was not of proper age but wanted to take his girlfriend out anyway. The suspect admitted to failing to immediately validate and attach her kill-tag as well as failing to wear the required hunter orange while in the gun blind. A case report is being submitted for the violations.

CO Larn R. Strawn received a RAP complaint of persons trespassing onto the property of another and putting up a deer blind. CO Strawn responded to the complaint location and investigated. CO Strawn ultimately discovered that although someone indeed entered the property, the trespassers erected a play fort and built a garage for hot wheel cars. Once CO Strawn pointed out his findings the caller took a closer look and, believing the kids next door were the fort builders, he decided to not continue with trespass charges.

CO Nick Wellman was just starting his patrol when a medical call came out for a logger who had a tree limb come down and break his leg. The logger was approximately a half mile into an unknown area of a block of timber. CO Wellman was very familiar with the area and was able to traverse the woods with his patrol truck and locate the man in a blowdown of trees he was cutting. CO Wellman worked on navigating other units to his location including EMS, while talking to and packaging the patient for transport. Ultimately the man suffered a complete fibula-tibula fracture and was transported to the hospital. CO Wellman then loaded the logger’s gear and equipment into his patrol truck and transported it and another logger back to their truck.

DISTRICT 9

CO David Schaumburger received a complaint that a hunter had self-reported he made a mistake and shot an antlered deer instead of antlerless during the early antlerless season. The CO contacted the hunter who stated he was hunting in the evening and he made a mistake and shot a deer with a 5-inch spike. He stated that he was looking at the deer for 10 minutes through his binoculars and did not see the spike until he took the shot and walked up on the deer. The CO appreciated the hunter for self-reporting his own mistake; however, the hunter was given a stern warning for future hunts. The deer was seized and donated to a disabled hunter.

CO Jaime Salisbury received a complaint of a deer that had been unlawfully taken earlier in the week. While conducting surveillance on the area, CO Salisbury was able to determine that there were several different people hunting the area during the closed season. One morning before the sun came up, CO Salisbury snuck into the area. While waiting for the sun to rise CO Salisbury saw a faint light from across the bean field. He watched it trail along the field edge and then up a tree. About 30 minutes after sunrise CO Salisbury went to contact the individual, who had a bow on his lap with an arrow nocked. The man said he was, “just scouting.” He did not have a valid hunting license and deer season was still a week from opening. Citations were issued for hunting deer out of season and hunting without a license. A Mathews compound bow was seized as evidence.

COs Breanna Reed and Brad Silorey received a complaint from an individual who stated he was in line at a local hunting store when the person ahead of him had admitted to shooting a doe without a doe tag. With the help of DNR dispatchers, CO Silorey was able to find an address for the suspect. The COs made contact and the suspect admitted to shooting the doe, stating that he thought it was a buck. He had a single deer tag in his possession when he shot the doe but did not think that he could tag the deer with that tag. The COs had the hunter take them to where he had shot the deer. Before arriving to the location, the hunter admitted to having bait out because he thought it was legal this year. The COs cited the hunter for failing to immediately validate his kill-tag and gave the hunter a warning for hunting over bait.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Michigan Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Oztent RV 5 Plus Canvas Touring Tent – How to setup & pack away

Check out the Oztent RV 5 Plus Canvas Touring Tent here: https://www.snowys.com.au/rv-5-plus-canvas-touring-tent They say, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ but it’s the smart ones who over the years work out how to keep the good bits while making just a few impressive improvements. Maintaining the multi-award-winning design of their fast and easy 30-second tent, Oztent has got the smarts with their RV-5 Plus. Same size, same high quality 8 oz ripstop polyester canvas, same large attached awning but the Plus has improved zips to make it even more waterproof when attaching accessories. There’s now a SkyMesh Skylight built into the roof which unzips from the inside to allow for a full, insect-free view of the stars while also providing extra ventilation on warm nights and the included fly improves the airflow even more plus reduces condensation. The tub floor is heat-sealed and made from heavy-duty 510g PVC and the strong aluminium frame can still be effortlessly assembled and disassemble by one person in less than half a minute! So although there was nothing broken with the original design, sometimes all good things need an upgrade and that’s just what’s on offer with the RV-5 Plus from Oztent.
[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – October 30, 2020

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked duck hunters and began preparations for deer season. Duck hunters were breaking ice on Thief Lake and other small wetlands. Reports about bears in trees are coming in, and onlookers are encouraged to give the bears space until they can get down from the tree and leave.

CO Aaron Larson (Baudette) worked angling, waterfowling, and big-game enforcement. Training was attended at Camp Ripley, and assistance was given to the Lake of the Woods and Koochiching county sheriff’s offices with various calls this past week.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) continued training with COC Brown, monitoring waterfowl and small-game hunters. Woinarowicz and Brown attended annual training, monitored the Lake Bronson State Park youth deer hunt, and patrolled during the northwest Minnesota elk hunt.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports working small-game hunting, trapping, and waterfowl-hunting activity throughout this past week. Time was spent monitoring shining complaint areas, issuing car-killed deer possession permits, assisting firearms safety instructors with a field day, and answering questions from the public regarding the upcoming firearms deer season.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck) assisted Beltrami County with a DWI stop in the early morning hours. The driver was arrested by Beltrami County officers for being twice the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle. During that time, Prachar consoled an infant, who was unrestrained in the backseat. He found a couple of blankets and was able to comfort the child Social Services officials were contacted.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) continues field training with COC Corey Sura. They assisted with two firearms safety classes this past week and also attended annual training at Camp Ripley. The officers also investigated a wolf-depredation complaint.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored angling activity on area lakes. Recent snowfall and wind have slowed activity. Vollbrecht also assisted the Forestry Division with addressing illegal balsam bough harvesting.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) investigated possible deer shot from the road, hunters hunting deer with rifles prior to the rifle season, and hunters camping in a wildlife management area.

CO Steve Chihak (Moorhead) spent the past week working deer-hunting and small-game enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer over a baited area and leaving portable deer stands overnight in a wildlife management area.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) spent the week focusing on waterfowl, small-game and angling enforcement. Wood also went to Camp Ripley for annual training and received calls regarding deer limits, an injured eagle, trapping in a WMA, waterfowl hunting on Lake Traverse, and a complaint about waterfowl hunters.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the past week focused on checking bowhunters, pheasant hunters, and waterfowl hunters. Additional time was spent handling nuisance-animal complaints, shining complaints, and answering waterfowl-hunting-related questions.

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) and COC Charles Scott checked multiple waterfowl and pheasant hunters in the area. Duck hunters were moving to larger bodies of water with the colder weather.

CO Brian Holt (Osakis) attended training at Camp Ripley during the past week. Time also was spent inspecting and maintaining Division-issued firearms.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) continued to monitor hunting and fishing activity in the area. Follow up was completed on calls, with complaints including a trespass/hunter-harassment issue.

District 4 – Walker area

CO Randy Posner (Staples) worked fishing enforcement this past week, as well as a fair number of hunters who were out despite the snowy weather. Muskie anglers report seeing good numbers of fish. Complaints about water appropriation and aquatic vegetation cutting without a permit were investigated. Hunting-related trespass and baiting complaints were also reported and received enforcement time.

CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) checked hunting and angling activity. She spoke at a firearms safety class and received multiple hunting-related calls. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) and a conservation officer candidate patrolled for small-game, waterfowl, and archery hunters. Mathy also worked ATV enforcement and responded to calls about trespassing. Complaints about hunter harassment, ATVs in wetlands, deer feeding/baiting, and littering also were received and investigated.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports that although the snow has slowed grouse activity, there were still plenty of hunters in the area chasing them. Whitefish netters have begun to brave the icy waters and their efforts were rewarded with a few nice fish.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports the water trapping opener was a non-event as most waterways froze over. Bays on lakes have frozen and waterfowl hunting appears nearing the end. Grouse hunting has slowed with multiple inches of snow on the ground.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) reports possession of controlled substances was collateral damage for suspects during two incidents. One duck hunter was cited for drug paraphernalia and marijuana. Three people were arrested for felony-level drug possession during a spruce-top case. One passenger had syringes, meth, and two felony warrants (car theft and drugs). The driver and another passenger were in possession of enough meth and marijuana to be considered dealers.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) continues working on decorative forestry product cases and a walleye-overlimit case from the previous weeks. He also observed that waterfowl and small-game hunting screeched to a halt after several snow storms hit the region.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) reports some follow-up interviews were done regarding juveniles who were successful during the early youth hunt. The problem was that they used early antlerless tags and were nowhere near an early antlerless zone. Their excuse was that the guy at the gas station said that was what they needed. Frericks reminds all hunters to ask a CO if they have questions about licenses and not the guy at the gas station.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports hunting activity has slowed greatly in the Ely area after several days of snow and cold weather. Violations included taking an antlerless deer in a bucks-only zone, failure to register non-motorized watercraft, and no life-saving device on board a watercraft.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended and helped instruct at annual in-service training held at Camp Ripley. Manning also helped volunteer instructors and other officers with an ATV safety field day for students in Grand Marais. A few overeager snowmobilers were spotted this past week, although snow depths are not quite enough to prevent serious damage to sleds.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) checked trappers on the water-trapping opener, checked grouse and duck hunters, and worked a big-game investigation.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports conducting multiple commercial minnow retailer inspections throughout the week at area businesses. All paperwork was in order.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Jayson Hansen (Bigfork) checked anglers, small-game and waterfowl hunters, and boaters. He also patrolled campgrounds, ATV riders, and AIS activity.

CO Sarah Grell (Grand Rapids) took a report about illegal birch pole harvesting this past week. She also checked big- and small-game hunting activity.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) worked angling, migratory waterfowl, boating, and ATVing enforcement.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) and COC Brown responded to a complaint that resulted in enforcement action for hunting with the aid of bait and for unlawful lend/borrow of a deer license. Enforcement action also was taken for no HIP certification, failure to obtain a burning permit, and insufficient blaze orange during a firearms deer season.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth) focused work toward small-game hunters during the past week. Some pothole lakes in the area already have ice, which has limited some waterfowling activities. Complaints about baited stands were handled, and snowmobile issues were encountered.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent several days in the woods working archery deer and small-game hunters, and investigating possible hunting violations for the upcoming firearms deer season. Waterfowl hunters and water trappers were checked.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) and K9 Schody assisted with a deer-poaching case in the Detroit Lakes area. Annual training was attended at Camp Ripley where part of the training was giving trapping updates to the rest of the conservation officers in the state. Assistance was given to a local resident who was having problems with a bobcat killing pet ducks.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) assisted fellow district officers with a baiting case that resulted in an illegal deer and equipment being seized. AIS enforcement was focused on as pontoon boats, swimming rafts, and docks are being removed for the season with the recent snowfall and low temperatures.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked ATV operators and shore anglers. Ice anglers are anxiously awaiting first ice, but need to be cautious as water temperatures are not yet allowing for the formation of safe ice.

District 9 – Brainerd area

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) patrolled station public lands for archery deer-hunting and small-game/trapping activity. Some squirrel hunters were checked.

CO Amber Ladd (McGregor) and COC Victoria Griffith report high activity this past week. The officers spent time checking small-game, big-game, and waterfowling hunting. ATV activity was monitored as well.

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) patrolled Cass and Crow Wing county lakes for angling and waterfowl-hunting activity. McGowan also attended training at Camp Ripley. Questions were fielded regarding the upcoming firearms deer season.

CO Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) reports deer hunters have been active hunting and preparing for the firearms season. Due to the increase in hunting activity, Sullivan started receiving property-line dispute calls and reports of deer that were taken illegally. Portable stands have also been set up illegally in the area.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) attended training at Camp Ripley. The area received enough snow to see the first snowmobilers of the season. Duck hunters checked saw the best days of duck hunting of the season.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) investigated complaints about feeding deer during a feeding ban, archery hunting over bait, and trespassing.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked deer shining, small-game, ATV, and trapping activities. There was confusion about when the trapping season for the south zone opens, as several water sets were found to be set early.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) found high numbers of archery deer hunters out enjoying the snow-covered ground. The earlier-than-normal snow and cold also had fall fishing activity way down from normal. Nuisance-animal complaints were received, including one regarding damage by wild turkeys. Farmers commented that a handful of turkeys in the cattle feed could be tolerated, but dealing with more than 50 wild turkeys sharing their livestock’s feed was starting to affect the pocketbook.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) spent this past week patrolling for ATVing activity, checking for boat and water safety equipment, and investigating game law violations.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked complaints of shining and fishing overlimits this past week. He also attended annual training and online training.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) spent the past week checking pheasant and duck hunters, anglers, and ATVing activity. Enforcement action for the week included hunting without a license.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) and COC Curtis Simonson started the past week monitoring duck-hunting activity in the area. The cold weather had new ducks arriving. Enforcement action was taken for transporting loaded firearms in a motorized boat. Deer-hunting activity was monitored in the area as well, with enforcement action taken for unregistered deer.

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the past week checking small-game hunters. He also assisted with armoring department shotguns and attended Enforcement Division training.

CO Blong Lor (Center City) spent the past week working small-game, big-game, and waterfowl hunters. Time also was spent following up on an ongoing wetland issue.

CO Nate Benkofske (Milaca) reports investigating unlawful deer-hunting and waterfowl-hunting activity. Trespass calls and injured-animal calls were handled.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Tim Maass (Osseo) continued to work waterfowl hunters, anglers, and boating activity on area lakes and rivers. Maass also investigated a trespassing complaint involving deer hunting.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) monitored small-game and duck hunters in the metro area. Lee also answered questions from the Asian community on deer-hunting regulations.

CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) located archery deer hunters within the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, which is closed to hunting. When asked why the hunters were hunting in the closed area, the response was, “It’s public land.” Fogarty explained that not all public land is open to hunting. Fogarty also showed the hunters how to use the Recreation Compass (interactive map) DNR website.

CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) spent time checking waterfowl hunters. Many more diver ducks were observed in the area. Enforcement action was taken for no PFDs, unsigned federal duck stamps, and an unplugged shotgun.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked hunting activity in the district. He also attended annual training at Camp Ripley and completed online training. He spent time performing maintenance on state-issued equipment.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) primarily spent time patrolling for waterfowl hunters and following up on various TIP calls. Time also was spent on numerous wildlife-related calls and assisting local officers with big-game cases. Thomas also assisted local agencies with a domestic assault call, and numerous motorist assists were required due to slick roads.

CO Tony Salzer (Ham Lake) and COC Cassie Block patrolled Anoka County for waterfowl- and small-game hunting activity. Block also investigated a deer-hunting case from last season that recently came to light.

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) issued a car-killed deer possession permit, investigated a public waters violation, and attended training at Camp Ripley. Violations included overlimits of ducks, unsigned federal duck stamps, hunting with the aid of bait, taking big game without a license, and lend/borrow of a license.

CO Chris Tetrault (Maplewood) and COC Tou Vang continue to investigate deer-baiting and hunter-trespass cases. They also worked anglers, waterfowl hunters, bowhunters, and small-game hunters.

CO Ryan Hanna (White Bear Lake) was patrolling for shining activity in Anoka County when he located a vehicle in a closed location. Hanna stopped the vehicle and ultimately identified the vehicle as stolen. The occupants also had warrants for their arrest. The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office assisted Hanna during the incident.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Luke Gutzwiller (Redwood Falls) spent time this past week continuing to follow up on deer investigations and complaints of shining after hours. Assistance was also given on a K9 call involving evidence recovery of shell casings.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the past week working pheasant-, waterfowl-, and archery deer-hunting enforcement. Most shallow sloughs have frozen over with nighttime temperatures in the mid-teens. Parts of the area have received 6-plus inches of snow, which has packed down prairie grasslands and made it challenging for pheasant hunters. Assistance was given over the weekend with a youth deer hunt held at Camden State Park.

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) worked ATV and OHM enforcement and worked with the courts to follow up on a few cases. Waterfowl hunters were also checked as the ponds started to freeze.

CO Brett Wiltrout (Hutchinson) reports calls were fielded about retrieving wounded wild animals on posted private property. If the land is posted, you must have permission to retrieve a wounded wild animal.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) continued a focused enforcement effort on waterfowl hunting in the area. Deer and pheasant hunters were checked and appeared to have limited success.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) spent time checking waterfowl hunters, anglers, and pheasant hunters this past week. A shooting-from-a-motor vehicle complaint is being investigated.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) reports a joint investigation with a metro-area CO uncovered a violation of hunting deer without a license. Other deer-hunting violations were investigated.

CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) spent time checking duck hunters on North Lake of the Mississippi River. A good number of hunters battled the iced-up water to get some shooting in. Enforcement action was taken for license violations and possession of lead shells while hunting waterfowl.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) received information about illegal deer hunting and illegal transport of deer. Hemker also followed up on a fishing case from information received from Wisconsin wardens.

CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester) received a call from an individual stating he had shot one of the DNR’s collared deer. Kyllo also assisted with a trespassing complaint, checked pheasant hunters, and attended annual training at Camp Ripley.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

GEAR | Jetboil Zip, The Portable & Compact Cooking System – Review

Jetboil are market leaders in the backpacking stove market for a reason, and the Jetboil Zip proves that you don’t need to compromise when it comes to light and portable cooking systems.

Jetboil Zip The Portable, Compact Camping Stove

What is it?

Jetboil Zip Cooking System £90.00

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

Stockists

Features

Highly portable, the whole stove packs down inside pot (excluding gas canister)
0.8 litre capacity pot- designed with one person in mind
Rapid heating system, boiling water 0.5 litres of water in 2 minutes 30 seconds
Fuel canister stabilizer and drink-through lid with pour spout and strainer included; easy to pack and carry at only 12 ounces
Strainer and pour lid

What We Thought

In the midst of a Pandemic, opportunities to gather in large groups at the crag for a climb or camp with friends have been few and far between. As a result, I’ve found myself out on more solo hikes and wild camping trips, giving me the perfect opportunity to put the Jetboil Zip through its paces.

The Jetboil Zip is a no-frills compact stove option for backpackers and whilst it’s towards the bottom of the Jetboil range, it’s still a decent bit of kit.

The stove is incredibly light and provides good functionality in a compact form factor. Upon reaching your destination after a long day’s hiking, you can immediately see why Jetboil has been the market leader in this industry for so long.

Some of the features I liked during use include a reinforced grab handle, which doubles as a great way to hang your Jetboil from your backpack, a lid that can be used as a strainer and legs that stabilise the stove more effectively – a problem I have found with similar, cheaper stoves in
the past!

The Jetboil Zip is such a joy to use that I’ve even found myself reaching for the Jetboil instead of using the gas stove in my camper van, just because it’s so quick and easy to use and all credit to Jetboil for making something
that is so easy to clean too!

If you are a family camper, this isn’t the stove for you and it’s clearly aimed at solo backpacker. If you often head outdoors on your own, or even if you are hiking or wild camping with friends, this is the ideal stove to take along, as it’s just as capable of making a quick brew for 2 as it is heating up food for 1.

Pros

Compact and highly portable, in fact you might occasionally worry you’ve forgotten to pack it!
Fits in large water bottle holder pockets on your backpack or hangs off a bag brilliantly
Plenty of features
0.8 litre capacity is a perfect size for a solo camper or making coffee for two
Fires up incredibly easily and has water boiling in just a matter of minutes with a clever insulated design that leads to a roaring stove, even when windy
Locking mechanism means nothing is loose while cooking, reduces fire risk and ensures usability even in windier conditions
Very easy to clean after use

Cons

The fuel canister remains separate and doesn’t pack down inside the stove
No in-built ignition (don’t forget matches or a lighter!)
Control knob is not the most accessible or biggest, when your pan is about to overflow which can cause a bit of a panic!

The Verdict

Our Rating

Quality 4.5/5

Practicality 4/5

Cooking Ability4/5

Value 4/5

Overall Rating (4.5 / 5)

After having used numerous different compact camping stoves in the past, both on wild camping trips and at campsites I thought lightweight stove systems were all designed to be fiddly and to topple over at the first gust of wind. How wrong I was!

The Jetboil Zip is definitely head and shoulders above anything I’ve used in the past. It has never once toppled over thanks to the stabilising legs and it has remained lit even in pretty stiff winds. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that it’s been a delight to use at every opportunity, with just a few minor niggles.

The small form factor cannot be complimented enough either, as it makes it so easy to pack and means you can head out and you don’t need to take bulky extras with you like pans or a kettle.

Quality camping stoves are often not the cheapest of purchases but for anyone who’s backpacking, wild camping or spending time in the mountains, I can’t recommend the Jetboil Zip enough.

My experience of cheaper stove systems is that they are usually a compromise, generally offering poorer stability and fewer features than the Jetboil Zip system. It’s available for £90 at Cotswold Outdoor, and whilst it’s still a considerable investment for a stove, it’s a price that you certainly won’t regret paying for such a great piece of equipment.

DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Cotswold Outdoor who supplied the featured product for us to test. We were not paid to write this review.

Where to next?

[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – September 25, 2020

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) reports checking sandhill crane, grouse, and goose hunters during the weekend. A firearms qualification in Perham was attended, and a presidential security detail was worked in Bemidji.

CO Aaron Larson (Baudette) worked primarily small-game and big-game enforcement. Hunters found some success hunting grouse, but it remains difficult with many leaves still on the trees.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) assisted with an executive protection detail during the President Donald Trump’s visit to Bemidji. Enforcement action during the week was taken for transporting a loaded firearm, transporting an uncased firearm, no helmet on a juvenile ATV passenger, and ATV registration violations.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports working the small-game hunting opener, bear hunting, early-season goose hunting, and angling activity on special-regulation lakes this past week. Area ATV trails were patrolled.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck) reports a busy small-game opener. Time was spent working small-game hunting activity and ATVing activity. Prachar worked with other COs and numerous local agencies surrounding the visit of the president of the United States.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) worked a busy opening weekend of small-game and archery hunting. ATVing activity increased during the weekend with the nice weather. Grouse hunters reported mixed success with tree foliage making it difficult to see birds.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports a quiet small-game and archery deer opener. A couple of groups of squirrel hunters were contacted on local wildlife management areas, as were early goose hunters and a few bowhunters.

CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) started Step 2 of field training with COC Meng Moua. The officers spent the past week checking dove and early goose hunters, anglers, following up on aquatic plant removal violations, and assisting with President Trump’s visit to Bemidji. Anglers checked reported a few good crappies being found. Hydraulic jet operation was a common occurrence near many docks. Landowners were informed that hydraulic jets must not be used in a way that they disturb bottom sediment or uproot aquatic plants in the lake. Enforcement action was taken for removing emergent vegetation without a permit, failure to have enough wearable life jackets onboard watercraft, operating watercraft without a legal fire extinguisher, and taking waterfowl without the proper licenses or without licenses in possession.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the past week focused on checking anglers and goose hunters, and monitoring AIS law compliance. Baumbarger participated in a detail in Bemidji and a work crew during the small-game opener in the Itasca State Park area.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) worked goose and bear hunters, and fishing and boating activity. She received information on archery hunters starting the season a day early and an investigation is ongoing for multiple violations.

CO Brian Holt (Osakis) worked small-game hunting, fishing, and boating activity throughout the week. Time also was spent on littering complaints and violations of the deer-feeding ban.

CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) issued several minnow permits and is working on ongoing investigations.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) reports an investigation into a group of goose hunters was conducted after carcasses were dumped into the woods across from their residence. Multiple citations were issued to the group for license and litter violations.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked boaters, anglers, and ATV riders. A controlled substance violation was detected during a fishing/boating contact.

District 4 – Walker area

CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) checked hunting and angling activity. She retrieved a sunken canoe for a person who tipped it over and was unable to get it back to shore.

CO Jordan Anderson (Wadena) spent time on game, ATVing, and fishing enforcement, as well as division training. Several calls were received with questions regarding the deer seasons.

CO Randy Posner (Staples) worked fishing enforcement. He checked and watched a few anglers. He also checked boaters and observed expired registration. The CO also worked on a wetland complaint and report of ATVers driving carelessly in road ditches near Pillager.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) received three separate calls about illegally taken deer. An investigation into one of the incidents found that a deer was shot with a gun and with the aid of a light. Charges are pending. The others are still under investigation. A call about a gill net in Leech Lake was found to be an unidentified net and the net was removed from the lake. Mathy also assisted with an injury OHM accident in the Chippewa National Forest. Annual training was attended and a security detail in Bemidji was worked.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports a busy opening weekend of the small-game hunting and deer archery seasons. People also were out attempting to catch sturgeon on the Rainy River.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) attended annual training in Hibbing. Slatinski also responded to an ongoing bear complaint and coordinated with a local hunter in an attempt to provide some relief for the affected residents and businesses.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports boating and angling activity continue to be monitored. Big-game and small-game hunting activities were checked. Public access sites continue to be monitored, and equipment work was completed.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) reports a busy week of monitoring bear, deer, and small-game hunting. He also assisted local law enforcement with the ATVAM event as well as with an assault involving a victim being pepper sprayed by the suspect, who was under the influence.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked the small-game and archery deer openers, ongoing hunting seasons, anglers and boaters. He also attended training. Bozovsky issued a resource protection notification for fill placed in a bog and worked details in Lake County and Bemidji.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the past week monitoring fishing, hunting, and ATVing activity. Grouse hunter numbers appeared higher than expected, although hunters also reported limited success. Many hunters reported flushing grouse but due to the amount of foliage still on the trees, it was difficult to see birds.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) focused on ATV and small-game hunting activity during the weekend. He also fielded several complaints from visitors to the BWCAW who witnessed hunting activities. No violations were reported, and the visitors were informed that as part of the state of Minnesota, hunting is legal inside the wilderness.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais) checked small-game hunters during the busy opening weekend. Every road was crowded with ATVs and vehicles. The hunters who got out of their vehicles, found a quiet trail, and walked found good hunting success.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) saw a busy start to the grouse opener. Fall colors also brought out folks, and forest roads were packed with ATVs, bicycles, and autos. Hunters are reminded that it is their responsibility to know where homes and occupied dwellings are before shooting at a grouse on the road. There are several apps with great aerial images for that. Numerous “No Trespassing” signs should also be a good clue that there is a home within 500 feet. Hunters also need to remember that some forest roads go through private property and those stretches, if posted by the landowner, are not open to hunting without permission. One hunter shot repeatedly at a bird on a roadway so close to several homes that three different homeowners rushed out to the road to confront the shooter, but the hunter had fled the posted area.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) started Step 2 of field training with COC Ryan Brown. A busy grouse opener was worked, as was the ATVAM weekend in the area with high ATV usage and participation noted. A variety of enforcement contacts were made with violations including no trout stamp, possession of marijuana, and no small-game license. The two encountered ATV and OHM violations, including driving after revocation.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports working a very hot pink salmon bite in the tributaries. A few anglers were spoken to about the legalities of hook choice and one angler was found to be angling with no license in possession. ATVs were out in force as a detail was worked in the Finland area. One operator was cited after Hill determined the machine he was operating did not have registration. Instead of updating the registration, the owner instead decided to put his friend’s extra dealer registration plate on his machine. Nuisance-bear complaints are still coming in almost daily.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) and his K9 partner SI assisted the local police department and county in searching for possible stolen firearms.

CO Sarah Grell (Grand Rapids) worked grouse-hunting and archery deer-hunting activity. Not many birds were bagged, but the leaves are still plentiful and that can make harvesting grouse more difficult.

CO Jimmy Van Asch (Pengilly) focused enforcement efforts on big-game, small-game, angling, migratory waterfowl, and ATVing enforcement.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) saw moderate activity for the small-game opener and few violations. The warm weather seemed to push people to get one last weekend on the water instead of heading out into the woods.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth) and COC Curtis Simonson started the week off working the bowhunting opener and small-game opener. Enforcement action was taken for deer hunting over bait.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended fall in-service training in Hibbing. The small-game and archery deer openers were slow in the area. A call was received about a dead deer found on someone’s property. It was determined the deer was likely hit and killed by a car.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) attended a joint U.S. Coast Guard meeting with multiple agencies and stakeholders for the western half of Lake Superior. Olson worked the small-game opener during a beautiful weekend in the Duluth and Two Harbors area.

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked salmon anglers along the upper North Shore. Complaints about snagging and netting were received and checked. Nuisance bears doing damage are still being reported on an almost daily basis. ATV violations were found in the usual places. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATVing violations.

District 9 – Brainerd area

CO Chelsey Best (Crosslake) finished a commercial investigation, checked fall anglers, followed up on complaints from bear season, and patrolled during the weekend for archery and small-game opener as well as heavy fall ATV traffic.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked early goose hunting and sportfishing this past week. He also followed up on a complaint about a lakeshore owner cutting emergent vegetation without a permit. The landowner was cited earlier this spring for the same violation. The violator stated he was removing all the vegetation so his kids would have a hockey rink without weeds to skate on this winter.

CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports checking small-game and archery hunters during the opener weekend. A few bird hunters were having some luck, but there was still lots of leaf cover that made seeing birds a bit more challenging. Time also was spent patrolling the park for park passes and illegal vehicle activity during the week and weekend.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) attended firearms qualifications. She also assisted with a detail in Bemidji. A call about a dog caught in a trap on private property was taken. It was reported that the dog owner then illegally took the traps from the private property.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) saw high numbers of archery deer hunters, small-game hunters, and bear hunters. State parks were also packed with visitors looking at fall colors, and people had to be reminded to be patient and polite as parking areas exceeded maximum capacity. Wolf depredation of cattle was a problem as fall calving started and a few calves were killed by wolves.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) reports a training event was attended at Camp Ripley and he was able to present CO Joyce Kuske her retirement plaque after more than 19 years of service. Congratulations, Joyce!

CO Adam Seifermann (St. Cloud) reports a big-game investigation with several violations is ongoing. A suspicious vehicle/driver in the area of a WMA was arrested on traffic-related offenses.

CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) received several calls about a fawn that was wandering through the city of Browerville near a busy roadway. Efforts to walk the deer out of town were not successful. Bertram, with help from another former farm kid, was able to catch and “hog tie” the fawn. It was transported and released in a WMA on the edge of town.

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) patrolled for archery hunters and anglers. Additional time was spent checking small-game and goose hunters. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines, driving off-road in the Sand Dunes State Forest, and operating an ATV without a safety certificate. A TIP about an individual transporting northern pike from the Elk River to a nearby pond was investigated. The suspect was cited for wanton waste after a northern pike was found in the pond with a stick shoved through its gill.

CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) reports checking archery hunters and small-game hunters. Illegal fires were addressed around the area.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) focused patrols on small-game and archery hunting activity. He also followed up on a complaint about a turkey harassing business owners.

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) worked hunting and angling activity. He assisted District 18 COs during the small-game and archery deer season openers.

CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked small-game and archery hunters during the opening weekend. Fogarty also followed up on lakeshore violations and complaints on Prior Lake.

CO Brent Grewe (Minnetonka) spent the past week checking anglers and checking in with taxidermists. Grewe also checked small-game hunters and bowhunters. Violations included driving after suspension, fishing license issues, and operating an ATV in a restricted area.

CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) worked the small-game and archery deer opener in southeastern Minnesota. Trout anglers were checked, and he answered many questions from hunters about hunting regulations.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent time checking archery deer, small-game, and goose hunters. Arntzen also attended training at Camp Ripley and helped in getting a deer untangled from a rope.

CO Chris Tetrault (Maplewood) attended training during the week that was useful for case-building when violations are detected. He also worked the small-game and archery deer openers. Calls were fielded regarding upcoming hunting seasons as well. Enforcement action was taken for hunting without a small-game license.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Andrew Dirks (Worthington) checked anglers, small-game hunters, and archery deer hunters throughout the past week. Enforcement action for the week included license violations and motor vehicles being driven in prohibited areas of WMAs.

CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) focused on migratory waterfowl, AIS, small-game, angling, off-road vehicle, and archery deer-hunting enforcement this past week. Assistance was given to local law enforcement regarding a missing person.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the past week conducting investigations and fielding hunting questions. Many archery hunters took to the field as their deer season opened. Soybean harvest has begun and is in full swing in some areas.

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Shane Vernier (Willmar) started Phase 2 of field training with COC Stephen Westby. They followed up on a call about a suspicious dead deer, and checked anglers and early goose hunters. The officers also investigated a public waters violation and took enforcement action for ATVing and angling violations.

CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) began training one of the new officers for Phase 2 of field training. Both officers followed up on a public access litter case, complaints about geese being dumped in a road ditch, and other violations, including leaving property on waterfowl production areas, using an unplugged shotgun while dove hunting, and several ATV safety and registration issues.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) worked anglers, ATV riders, and dove hunters. He also worked the small-game opener and the archery deer opener. Gruhlke noted some corn and beans have been harvested in the county. Area lakes, rivers, and marshes have low water levels.

CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls about hunting law clarifications and a car-killed elk in McLeod County.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked anglers, boaters, and ATV riders this past week. Small-game season seemed a little slow for an opening weekend, with high winds on Sunday.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) began field training with COC Victoria Griffith this past week. The small-game and archery deer openers were worked during the weekend. The officers also spent time on a couple of waters violations.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) checked hunters for the archery and small-game openers. A person was found hunting small game without a license and others were not wearing blaze orange.

CO Clint Fitzgerald (Rochester) encountered a large amount of household garbage and an electric organ dumped in WMA parking areas. Hunters are encouraged to contact law enforcement if they witness littering on public land.

CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester) reports spending time checking small-game and archery deer hunters on the opening weekend. A baited deer stand was located, and several trapping questions were fielded.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports a busy small-game and archery deer opener. Squirrel hunters reported a poor walnut season and squirrel numbers seemed low.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Coleman Instant Up Northern 4P Tent – How to setup & pack away

Check out the Coleman Instant Up Northern 4P Tent here: https://www.snowys.com.au/instant-up-northern-4p-tent Get your breezy tent set up quick-smart on summery getaways with the Instant Up Northern 4P Tent from Coleman. Designed especially for warmer climates, this tent offers No See Um Mesh throughout for maximum ventilation and a fabric roof on the inner to protect from condensation. It also includes a full fly that’s a heavy-duty 150D polyester with windows and an awning for shade. In this video, our gear guru Ben shows you how to set up and pack up the Instant Up Northern 4P Tent from Coleman. He starts out with explaining the differences between this tent and the standard instant up tents, the packed dimensions, shows you what you get inside the bag, and how to orient the tent. Then he unfolds the tent, pegs out the tent, inverts the knuckles, extends the legs, adds on the fly, pegs out the guy ropes, and sets up the awning. Finally, Ben demonstrates everything in reverse to show you how to get it back in the bag – so check it out above for all the details.
[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Coleman Instant Swagger 3P Tent – How to setup & pack away

Check out the Coleman Instant Swagger 3P Tent here: https://www.snowys.com.au/instant-swagger-3p With the convenience of a swag, and the headroom of a tent – the Swagger from Coleman blends the best of both worlds at the campsite. This shelter is constructed from 150D polyester with a 1500mm waterhead rating for weather protection, a PE tarp floor to prevent moisture seeping in, spring-loaded torsion poles to create more headroom and a dual instant spine hub for a simple set up. There are side windows for ventilation, and it’s got a D-shaped door for access and for an awning at the front of your shelter. In this video, our video team headed down to the Brownhill Creek Tourist Park to show you how to set up and pack away the Swagger 3P Tent from Coleman. Our gear expert Ben starts out with what you get with the bag, how to orient the tent, lay down the tent and set up the frame by extending the poles. Then he set up the guy ropes, adds the fly, and adds on the awning and demonstrates the window/ventilation options. Then he shows you the entire process in reverse for packing it away, so check it out above for all the details.
[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Zempire Speedy Stretcher Bed – How to setup & pack away

Check out the Zempire Speedy Stretcher Bed here: https://www.snowys.com.au/search?w=speedy%20stretcher%20bed For your next off the grid expedition, take a Speedy Stretcher along for a solid sleep away from your cold tent floor. This bed has a sturdy leg configuration which uses opposing angles, a quick to set up frame, a heavy-duty 600D surface for resting on with a padded headrest for extra comfort as you snooze. In this video, our gear expert Ben gives you the rundown on how to set up and pack away the Speedy Stretcher Bed from Zempire. He starts out by talking you through the packed dimensions, then takes it out of the bag to show you how to fold it out and lock the legs into place. After that, Ben demonstrates the process in reverse for packing it away and putting it in the carry bag – so check it out above for all the details.
[Read More …]

Be sure to visit UnexploredPodcast.com and connect with us on social below.

Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Pinterest – Youtube

Hear the Unexplored Podcast at any of the below…

Apple – Google – Deezer – Stitcher – Spotify – LibSyn

Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures