Cuffs

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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New York Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – July 24, 2020

Rattlesnake Relocation
(Columbia County)

On June 20, ECO Jeff Cox received a call from a concerned homeowner in Copake reporting a large rattlesnake on their front porch. The homeowner sent pictures of the pit viper, confirming it was a timber rattlesnake. Timber rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snake in New York and listed as a threatened species. The rattlesnake appeared to come and go over the weekend before slithering under the house, causing the homeowner to worry it was taking up residence there. Members of DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement consulted with wildlife staff and decided to trap and relocate the rattlesnake. After a few unsuccessful attempts, ECO Cox wrangled the rattlesnake into a container on the morning of June 24. The rattlesnake was transported to a location in the Taconic Mountains, which is a known den site, and released unharmed. The homeowner expressed great appreciation that the unwanted guest was removed from their residence.

Mystery Snake Finds New Home (Steuben County)

On June 10, ECO Ron Gross received a complaint from an individual in Corning who found a python in their apartment. ECO Gross responded and identified the snake as a ball python, a common pet. The python is legal to own and often sold at pet stores, but the subject had no idea where it came from and neither did anyone else in the building. The subject who found the snake suspected it may have escaped or had been left behind by previous tenants. One of the subject’s neighbors asked if she could keep the animal as a pet. Since ball pythons are not regulated by DEC and the animal appeared to be in good health, ECO Gross allowed the neighbor to take possession of the animal.

Wildlife Response Team Rescues Milk Snake
(Delaware County)

On June 23, ECOs Nathan Doig and Dustin Osborne received a complaint that a milk snake had found its way into a residence in Davenport and was trapped in a live wire electrical box. Officers responded to the residence with snake tongs and hand tools to safely remove it. First, ECOs shut off the main breaker as a safety precaution, eliminating power to the house. Next, ECO Osborne removed the cover to the electrical service box while ECO Doig used snake tongs to safely remove the snake from inside the electrical panel. The snake appeared to have entered the electrical panel through the conduit feed entering the home from outside power lines. ECOs released the snake back into the wild without any harm.

Eagle Released at Letchworth State Park (Livingston County)

On June 6, a rehabilitated bald eagle took to the skies over Letchworth State Park after being found injured at the park several months ago. On Dec. 14, 2019, New York State Park Police requested assistance from ECOs Josh Crain and Ron Gross to capture the injured eagle. Once captured, the officers transferred the eagle to Cornell University for evaluation where experts determined it needed surgery, including placement of a pin in its wing. After surgery, the eagle was transferred to Messenger Woods Wildlife Care and Education Center, where it underwent extensive rehabilitation in a 165-foot flight cage until ready for release back at Letchworth.

Closed Case: Tampering with Diesel Emissions
(Schoharie County)

In April 2020, investigators and staff from DEC’s Division of Air initiated an investigation into an air quality complaint originating from an online ad listing a 2010 Ford F350 XLT complete with aftermarket devices alleged to render the emissions equipment inoperable. DEC Bureau of Environmental Crimes investigators posed as potential buyers and set up a time with the seller to inspect the vehicle. The officers found obvious signs of tampering, as the diesel particulate filter had been removed and the exhaust had been straight-piped. The owner explained that he used an aftermarket tuner to bypass any system alerts due to the missing equipment. This tuner would allow the vehicle to continue to operate without a check engine light or going into a limp/default mode. Investigators charged the man with offering a vehicle for sale with non-compliant vehicle emission equipment, an unclassified misdemeanor, and for operating a diesel vehicle with tampered vehicle emission equipment, a violation. The defendant submitted the vehicle for a follow-up inspection and provided paperwork reflecting $ 2,500 in repair work to restore the truck to the original manufactured specifications. The defendant pleaded guilty to the violation of operating a diesel vehicle with tampered equipment, receiving a $ 150 fine plus $ 75 surcharge.

Closed Case: Abandoned Oil Well Investigation
(Steuben County)

Earlier this year, an investigation conducted by DEC BECI investigators and ECOs concluded in an Order on Consent for multiple violations of DEC’s oil and gas well regulations by a natural gas exploration and production company based in Shinglehouse, Pa. The case began after investigators and officers conducted an inspection at multiple crude oil wells owned and operated by Plants and Goodwin Inc. DEC cited 19 offenses at seven different wells for violations of state regulations relating to oil well operations and reporting. The investigation also revealed an offense of the State Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit issued to Plants and Goodwin Inc. DEC issued an Order on Consent wherein the responsible party was brought into compliance with a $ 5,000 penalty.

Ducks Rescued
(Schenectady County)

On June 21, ECO Brian Willson responded to a call from concerned citizens reporting ducklings trapped in a storm drain in Schenectady. ECO Willson, with help from several citizens, removed the ducklings from the drain. The ducklings were then reunited with their mother and safely relocated to the Schenectady Central Park pond.

Bear Takes Nap and Then Takes Off
(St. Lawrence County)

On June 24, a bear took a nap in a maple tree on Hamilton Street in Potsdam, but it didn’t stay long. The small bear left the tree on its own later in the evening. ECOs and DEC Wildlife staff monitored the situation to ensure the bear’s safety and that of the small crowd that gathered. This is a great example of how residents should respond if a bear comes into their community. If left alone and given the opportunity, nearly all bears that wander into urban or suburban areas will leave as quickly and quietly as they appear, without serious conflict or a need for physical removal. For more information, visit DEC webpages on black bears and reducing bear-human conflicts.

Fawn Rescue
(Otsego County)

On July 1, ECO Russell Fetterman received a call reporting a fawn trapped in a drainage canal in the city of Oneonta. ECO Fetterman contacted Wildlife Response Team member ECO Dustin Osborne for assistance. The ECOs located the fawn trapped in an eight-foot drainage canal running through Oneonta. The animal was unable to get out of the canal and return to its mother. Retired Oneonta Police Officer Steven Havens arrived on scene to assist the ECOs rescuing the fawn. The officers worked together and used a tarp to wrangle the fawn in the drainage before carrying it out and safely returning it to its mother.

Closed Case: Illegal Disposal of Solid Waste
(Ulster County)

An Illegal Disposal of Solid Waste case in Ulster County recently concluded after all responsible parties were brought to justice. In May 2017, DEC Solid Waste Task Force members observed trucks disposing waste at a residence in the town of Rochester. ECOs followed dump trucks filled with debris from an illegal construction and demolition processing facility on Long Island, and witnessed the trucks dumping large quantities at a private residence. ECOs pulled the trucks over and called in Region 3 Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigators (BECI) and staff from DEC’s Division of Materials Management (DMM) to assist. While DMM staff collected samples from the debris piles, the ECOs searched the premises, conducted interviews, and arrested the dump truck drivers and charged them with Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste in excess of 10 cubic yards, a Class B misdemeanor. All drivers later pleaded guilty to lesser charges and each paid a $ 1,500 fine. Environmental sample results discovered the debris contained significant amounts of coal ash and slag, which is only permitted at licensed landfills. In addition, chemical analysis showed the presence of acutely hazardous substances that violated Environmental Conservation Law. Ultimately, the trucking company involved, Modern Leasing Inc., operating as Dump Masters Services, was charged with Endangering Public Health, Safety and the Environment, a felony, and multiple misdemeanor counts of Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste in excess of 70 cubic yards and 10 cubic yards. Modern Leasing Inc. recently pleaded guilty to the felony charge and two counts of Unlawful Disposal of Solid Waste and was ordered to pay the maximum fine for each, totaling $ 112,500.

Missing Man Located by ECO
(Greene County)

On June 16, ECO Lucas Palmateer responded to a 911 call in the town of Coxsackie reporting a man missing from an assisted living facility. ECO Palmateer learned that the man is interested in railroads and headed to a location near a set of railroad tracks where the subject had been seen walking. ECO Palmateer used binoculars to survey the area and spotted the man near a wood line. The ECO made contact with the man and ensured he was returned to the facility in good health.

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Wisconsin Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – May 29, 2020

NORTHERN REGION

Park Falls Team/April

Warden Tom Heisler, Jr., of Winter, received multiple calls regarding two dead tundra swans, just feet apart, near the bridge on Moose Lake. Callers were not sure what caused their death. After viewing the area, Heisler was able to determine the pair flew into the power lines while crossing the river. This was apparent by the location of the swans and burn marks on the swans from being electrocuted. One of the swans also had a broken wing.

Warden Joe Paul, of Phillips, responded to a complaint of a person burning tires and waste on private property. Enforcement action was taken.

Woodruff Team/April

Warden Timothy Ebert, of Minocqua, investigated an illegal fish harvesting case related to the spring fish run in which four illegal gill nets were discovered and removed.

Warden Tim Price continued enforcing the deer baiting and feeding ban currently in effect in Vilas County. The ban has been in place since 2016 for the area.

Ashland Team/April

Warden Amie Egstad, of Bayfield, responded to a 111-gallon diesel spill at a gas station in Washburn, caused by an overfilling of a station tank by a truck driver. Egstad worked with the fire department on how to keep any diesel from reaching Lake Superior through the storm sewer drains. A clean-up company was summoned by the fuel delivery company.

Warden John Krull, of Superior, contacted a turkey hunter who was sitting in a blind on opening day of the second period season. A significant amount of seeds and corn had previously been documented at the site. The man had placed additional bait when he walked in to hunt.

Warden Krull responded to a call of a recently deceased animal on the beach along Wisconsin Point. After contacting the very concerned caller by phone to get a location, Krull found it to be a deer that had died over the winter.

Warden Adam Stennett, of Brule, responded to a complaint of two people fishing in a closed portion of the Brule River near the Winneboujou Canoe Landing. Stennett found two people who stated they had been fishing in the area for a few hours.

Warden Stennett responded to a complaint of road hunting in the town of Cloverland. Based on the description of the vehicle, Stennett was able to find the parties involved. Stennett found that a man attempted to harvest a tom from a field while on his way to a friend’s house. Stennett also found that the hunter did not have a valid 2020 turkey license or stamp and that he was attempting to harvest a turkey in a time period for which he was not authorized.

Warden Phil Brown, of Iron River, contacted an individual who did not have a trout stamp or license while fishing for trout on the Brule River. The individual also purchased the improper trout stamp in 2019, did not purchase one at all in 2018 and admitted to trout fishing on the Brule River both years. Another member of the group was unable to provide proof of a license.

Warden Brown stopped an ATV operator in the Brule River State Forest for failure to have headlights on while operating on a road route. Brown also discovered the ATV registration expired in 2014, the ATV had not been transferred to the new owner from several years ago and there was no rear plate. Enforcement action was taken.

Warden Brown responded to a complaint of an individual with a camper set up on state land in the Brule River State Forest. Brown located the camper parked in a hunter walking trail lot right next to a sign that said the area was closed to camping. The occupant of the camper said he was camping for the evening.

Spooner Team/April

Warden Jesse Ashton, of Luck, was on night patrol at Big Butternut Lake near Luck when he located two men who were attempting to net walleyes with a landing net. Butternut Creek is a designated and sign-posted fish refuge. One man also littered by throwing beer can in the weeds by the creek.

Warden Ashton was patrolling in rural western Polk County near the St. Croix River when he located a car parked near some campsites. The car’s license plates were expired, and, based on some of the contents visible inside the car, Ashton believed there may have been meth use activity associated with the owner/occupants. Warden Chris Spaight, of Grantsburg, responded to assist, and a man and woman were located. They were fishing without licenses. Both subjects were found to be in possession of a large amount of meth, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The woman also had a valid arrest warrant. Charges were forwarded to the county’s district attorney for the drug-related offenses. Citations were issued to both subjects for fishing without a license.

Wardens Ashton and Pete Carlson, of Frederic, received a hotline call about two individuals keeping walleyes during the closed season in Interstate State Park. The wardens contacted the group when they were leaving the area and discovered they had four illegal smallmouth bass and two walleyes, with one of the walleyes being 10 inches. Enforcement action was taken for keeping game fish during the closed season.

Wardens Dustin Gabrielson, of Webster, and Ashton were on night fishing patrol in Burnett County when they contacted two fishing groups on the Clam River. One person in each group was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The illegal contraband was seized, and associated charges were forwarded to the county district attorney.

Warden Ashton overhead police radio traffic that Polk County Sheriff’s Department deputies were involved in a motor vehicle pursuit with a man who had assaulted a deputy and also had active arrest warrants. The deputies had lost sight of the vehicle, but a citizen observed the vehicle heading toward Luck. Ashton patrolled through Luck and located the vehicle. He followed the vehicle while other squads positioned to attempt a traffic stop. Upon attempting the stop, however, the driver fled again. Ashton, along with other officers, pursued the vehicle until the driver crashed at a residence and fled on foot. A perimeter was set up. Wardens Josh Loining and Pete Carlson also responded to assist. Ashton located the man an hour later sneaking through a rural property. Ashton summoned a Polk County Sheriff’s Department canine unit because the suspect failed to comply with officer commands. The suspect was apprehended by the dog.

Warden Pete Carlson, of Frederic, was working fishing enforcement when he saw a vehicle approach after dark. Two persons exited the vehicle; one wore waders and held a flashlight. The individual returned to the vehicle, retrieved a net and walked back to the shallow water. Carlson contacted the individual. Enforcement action was taken against the individual for taking game fish during the closed season, fishing without a license, fishing in a fish refuge and fishing by means other than hook and line.

Warden Joshua Loining, of Rice Lake, and a Barron County deputy contacted a person operating a dirt bike on the Cattail Trail in Turtle Lake. It is illegal to operate dirt bikes on the trail system in Barron County.

Warden Loining and a Barron County Sheriff’s Department deputy received complaints of a person operating a loud ATV in the city of Barron. They located the ATV operator and discovered he was under the age of 18, operating an ATV on a road not designated as a route, operating an ATV without a helmet as required, and operating the ATV with a modified exhaust in excess of the decibel limit.

Warden Dustin Gabrielson, of Webster, with the assistance of a Burnett County deputy, intercepted two individuals who were using a spear to harvest spawning walleyes. It was found that one of the individuals had speared a 24- and 28-inch walleye.

Warden Gabrielson contacted an individual near Siren who had kept a walleye during the closed season. This was the fourth time the individual was caught and cited over the previous one-month period for keeping game fish during the closed season.

Warden Gabrielson observed several unattended fishing lines off a dock with no one around. Gabrielson came back early the next morning and found the lines still unattended, and one of the lines held a catfish. An individual came down to check the lines when he saw Gabrielson.

Wardens Chris Spaight, of Grantsburg, Jon Hagen, of Spooner, and supervisor Mike Melgaard assisted the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department in catching a man who fled in a vehicle when he was caught burglarizing a home. The suspect ultimately got his pickup stuck in a wooded swampy area and fled on foot. Officers from multiple agencies responded to help secure the area and assist with the search. The State Patrol Air Support Unit provided aerial surveillance, and canine units from Burnett and Polk counties also helped. After several hours of searching, Melgaard caught the suspect in the woods. The suspect was turned over to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Department.

Antigo Team/April

While Warden Pat Novesky, of Tomahawk, was talking to an angler who complained about slow fishing and having no luck, the warden noticed a rock with a fishing line tied around it. Novesky pulled the line in and learned the angler was using the line as a stringer to keep and to conceal the walleyes he caught that were below the size limit.

While conducting a patrol near the town of Hiles, warden Brad Dahlquist, of Forest County, overheard radio traffic from Forest County dispatch regarding a two-car accident on Wolf River Road. Dahlquist was requested to assist and aided the Forest County Sheriff’s Department and Crandon Police Department with the accident investigation. While on the scene, the investigation revealed one of the operators did not have a valid driver’s license or insurance and was cited for the offenses.

NORTHEAST REGION

Green Bay Team/April

Warden Alyssa Neff-Miller, of Manitowoc, contacted a turkey hunter who was hunting for turkeys on private property. During the license check at the vehicle at the end of the hunt, it was determined the hunter had never purchased a turkey hunting license.

Northeast Marine Unit/April

Warden Mike Neal, of Sister Bay, resolved an incident involving the poisoning of two bald eagles with a local farm. Two citations were issued for the unintentional poisoning of the eagles and one coyote.

Warden Neal checked on a complaint at Newport State Park regarding individuals camping at the state park during the closed campground order. Two individuals said they came to the park to escape the COVID-19 issues in the Fond cu Lac area. Both said they knew about the governor’s Safer at Home order and chose to come to Door County anyway. A citation was issued for camping in an unauthorized area.

Wardens Jeff Lautenslager, of Peshtigo, and Gaven Brault, of Green Bay, followed up on a complaint of people taking walleyes out of a ditch after dark. The wardens contacted two people for shooting bows into the ditch at the walleyes. Citations were issued to each individual.

Warden Dave Allen, of Kewaunee, received a complaint of trespassing, littering and illegal spearing on the Little Manitowoc River. He found the responsible parties that left the fish along the bank of the property owner. The responsible parties returned the next day to clean up all the dead fish.

Warden Jordan Resop, of Sturgeon Bay, responded to the area of Little Sturgeon for a report of a capsized canoe with one individual in the water. The victim was pulled from the 43-degree water by two neighbors who heard the cry for help. The victim was treated by EMS and released on the scene with no injury. Kudos to the citizen heroes for potentially saving a life.

Warden Resop received a call regarding illegal netting below the Forestville dam. Warden Chris Kratcha responded with Resop. Two citations were issued for possession of perch over the daily bag limit. A verbal warning was issued for attempting to overbag on steelhead.

Warden Josh Voelker, of Sturgeon Bay, observed an ATV on a road route with a child riding without a helmet. He stopped the ATV and contacted the operator, who stated he was just out for a short ride. There were no headlights on the vehicle and no rear ID plate displayed. The operator was given a warning for the headlights and rear ID plate. Enforcement action was taken for allowing a juvenile to ride without a helmet

Warden Brault received a tip that someone had netted a fish on Brown Road. Brault responded and located the vehicle described in the complaint. Brault interviewed the individual, who admitted he intentionally netted a walleye. A citation was issued.

Wardens Brault, Darren Kuhn and Jill Weisensel worked together on a case of walleyes spawning in the ditches. Brault observed an individual get out of his truck and catch two walleyes, put them in his truck and drive off. Kuhn and Weisensel stopped the vehicle not long after.

Warden Brault responded to a complaint of an individual fishing at a refuge in De Pere. Brault contacted the individual and issued a citation for fishing in the refuge at the De Pere dam on the Fox River.

Warden Brent Couperus, of Fish Creek, assisted Door County Sheriff’s Department with a 911 call coming from 9891 Shore Road. The vehicle was located near Peninsula State Park golf clubhouse with no one around. About 15 minutes later, contact was made with the person. He was simply out running and showed back up at the vehicle. No emergency.

Wardens Nicholas Hefter, of Fish Creek, and Jordan Resop patrolled Lake Michigan and contacted a male who was fishing for brown trout. It was determined the male did not have a wearable PFD onboard. This was the second time the person was out in this boat that also had expired signal flares. Enforcement action was taken for not having a wearable life jacket onboard and a warning for the expired signal flares.

Peshtigo Team/April

Warden Jacob Cross, of Shawano, assisted with a brush fire in Bowler. Cross helped secure the area and assisted with the investigation.

Warden Cross responded to a house fire in the village of Eland. Cross was first on the scene and checked the residence for people inside. The home was vacant. Cross then took up scene security until deputies arrived and fire departments arrived on scene. Cross worked with the sheriff’s department to provide security until the fire was out.

Warden Clark Delzer, of Shawano, responded to reports of an underage drinking party on state land. No one was of legal drinking age. Two people were operating an ATV in violation of absolute sobriety.

Lake Winnebago Team/April

Warden Michael Disher, of Chilton, investigated complaints of closed season spearing and bowfishing activity on Winnebago system waters. Disher contacted two anglers illegally harvesting fish with archery gear at the mouth of Mill Creek. One of the anglers did not have a fishing license.

Warden Disher investigated a complaint of hunter harassment during the first turkey season. Disher located two blinds that were illegally baited with sunflower seeds. Disher later apprehended two suspects for the illegal baits. One suspect had previously been convicted of an illegal baiting violation.

Warden Michael Disher contacted multiple turkey hunters in the field with loaded firearms, blinds, calls and decoys who did not have valid licenses and tags for the time period they were hunting. Enforcement action was taken for hunting outside authorized time periods or management zones.

Wardens Ben Mott of Wautoma, Jonathan Kaiser of Waupaca and Joshua Wiedenhoeft responded to a complaint of three individuals smoking marijuana in a motorboat while fishing in Waushara County. The individuals were contacted at a residence and, after working with the Waupaca County and Waushara County sheriff’s departments, enforcement action was taken for operating a motor vehicle and motorboat under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, fishing without licenses, and operating a motorboat without boater safety.

Wardens Jonathan Kaiser, Joshua Wiedenhoeft, Zachary Seitz and Kaitlin Kernosky, and a Waupaca County deputy, teamed up to patrol for fish run and boating enforcement on the Wolf River. Kaiser and Wiedenhoeft observed multiple boat occupants who appeared to be intoxicated and under the legal drinking age.

Wardens Kaiser, of Waupaca, and Kernosky and Seitz patrolled during the Wolf River walleye run. Anglers in two fishing rafts were contacted, one with two anglers who were seven walleyes over their bag limit. On the other raft they found two anglers who were fishing with four lures over the allowed limit of three per angler.

While patrolling on opening day of the turkey season, wardens Heather Gottschalk, of Waupaca, and Kaiser contacted an individual who had not purchased a turkey hunting approval and stamp prior to hunting. The individual had also harvested a turkey earlier that day without a license and unlawfully over bait and had failed to register multiple turkeys over the course of previous years.

Wardens Wiedenhoeft and Kaiser assisted the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department with a vehicle accident in which the operator fled the scene in the damaged vehicle – one wheel missing and a smashed windshield. The wardens were first on the scene with the individual and after ensuring medical attention was not needed, the case was turned over to the sheriff’s department.

Warden Kernosky and supervisor Ted Dremel, of Wautoma, addressed a hotline complaint in the Fremont area where an individual was reported to have overbagged on walleyes below the Hwy. 10 bridge on the Wolf River. The wardens located the man when he returned for a second time later in the afternoon with a companion. It was determined the angler had kept 10 walleyes in total from the previous evening and into the morning. The angler had taken the fish to his hotel in the New London area as to not to appear to possess more than his limit. This angler was aware the daily bag limit on walleyes was three.

Warden Kernosky contacted four people who were walleye fishing from a fishing raft on the Wolf River near New London. It was found that of the four raft occupants, two were fishing. Those two anglers had caught and kept 13 walleyes. One angler was kept six walleyes; the other took responsibility for the remaining seven walleyes. Both anglers knew the daily bag limit for walleyes on the Wolf River was three per person.

Warden Ben Mott followed up on a complaint of a possible turkey overbag or illegal take. Mott responded and his dog made quick work of a track and found a tom turkey. Mott continued to investigate that day and the next day. Mott contacted an individual in the area. It was discovered that instead of a violation, the second turkey had intentionally been shot by another licensed hunter who was unable to locate it. The bird had been preserved and was able to be returned to the hunter who had legally shot it.

Warden Ben Nadolski, of Montello, responded to a call of people bowfishing during the closed season and entering closed areas in a walleye spawning marsh along the Fox River in Green Lake County. The bowfishing/rough fish spearing season is closed in Winnebago system waters from Feb. 1 until April 21 each year. The area was also a DNR-owned marsh posted as closed March 1 until the first Saturday in May to protect spawning fish. Enforcement action was taken.

Editor’s note: Remaining field reports from April will appear in the next issue.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Wisconsin Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

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Camping Tips, Tricks and Adventures

Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – April 3, 2020

District 1 – Baudette area

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked anglers on Lake of the Woods and followed up on a fish overlimit complaint. Area wildlife management areas and state parks were patrolled.

CO Marc Johnson (Warroad) primarily worked fishing activity on Lake of the Woods and followed up on a complaint about an overlimit of walleyes. Violations encountered included fishing with extra lines, taking fish without an angling license, expired ATV registration, no angling license in possession, and allowing an ATV passenger under 18 without a helmet.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) removed shelters left on the ice past the deadline with CO Elwell, responded to a dogs-chasing-deer complaint, and monitored the end of the snowmobiling season.

CO Tony Elwell (Thief River Falls) reports cranes and waterfowl are starting to filter into the northwest. Elwell is starting to see turkeys strutting as well. Elwell dealt with injured animals, patrolled area state parks/refuges, and investigated a dogs-chasing-deer complaint this past week.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck) reports working ATVing enforcement and angling activity on special-regulation lakes throughout the past week. Violations encountered and addressed included angling with extra lines and operating unregistered ATVs.

District 2 – Bemidji area

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports contacting anglers on area lakes. Some open-water areas are beginning to develop on lake inlet and outlet areas. Time also was spent checking spring beaver-trapping activity and ATV operators.

CO Tim Gray (Bagley) cleaned up a few fish house remains on area lakes and took a bear-related complaint.

CO Hannah Mishler (Bemidji) checked anglers on area lakes and the Rainy River. Time also was spent on ATV and OHM enforcement as well as training with K9 Storm. Mishler and Storm assisted the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office in attempting to locate a firearm thought to be discarded from a vehicle.

CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports seeing angling pressure waning as ice conditions on the shore deteriorate. An increase in people walking the trails in area state parks seemed to pick up with the nicer weather and the shelter-at-home order that went into effect. A permit was issued for a car-killed bobcat. A dead eagle was collected and delivered to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

CO Steve Chihak (Moorhead) spent the past week working light goose hunting, sportfishing, and ATVing enforcement. Large numbers of snow geese and other migratory waterfowl have moved into the area. Few hunters have been targeting the snow geese. Ice-fishing activity has dropped off significantly. Preparations have begun in anticipation of possible spring flooding emergencies.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) monitored state wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas. Warren also assisted White Earth Police with a call about a possible domestic dispute.

CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) spent the past week monitoring angling activity and aeration permits in the Pelican Rapids station. Calls from the public included questions regarding snow goose regulations and several individuals expressing their opinions on the proposed wake boat legislation.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) reports ice conditions have deteriorated quite a bit during the past week. Lawler observed a lone angler on a bay catching many panfish. After a couple of hours, the angler walked off the bay and Lawler checked him at shore. The angler said he stopped counting sunfish after his fourth keeper, which, unfortunately for him, led to an overlimit. The illegal fish were seized, and a citation was issued. Another citation was issued to an individual who burned a large pile of bed mattresses and furniture. The subject hung his head and admitted he should’ve taken the items to a landfill instead.

CO Brian Holt (Osakis) focused on angling and recreational vehicle activity during the past week. Time also was spent monitoring coyote hunting and investigating a TIP complaint. Ice conditions continue to deteriorate on area lakes, especially along shore and near public accesses. Anglers were accessing lakes mostly on foot, and caution is advised when traveling out on the ice.

CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) took a call regarding an injured eagle, which the CO picked up and brought to a vet in Glenwood. CO Wood also responded to assist the city of Wheaton with a verbal domestic and a vehicle rollover where the vehicle landed in a river. The driver made it out of the vehicle and was transported to a hospital.

CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls) reports checking open-water and ice anglers during the past week. Light geese in spectacular numbers were observed all week along the western border.

CO Emily Leeb (Morris) reports working fishing, ATVing, and various public waters enforcement. Enforcement action for the past week included various ATV violations as well as operating an aeration system and placing fill into a public water without permits.

District 4 – Walker area

CO Jacqueline Hughes (Longville) continued to check anglers. Lakes are beginning to open around the area, and anglers should use caution when traveling onto the ice.

CO Calie Kunst (Remer) worked ice fishing and ATVing enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for angling without an angling license and failure to renew ATV registration.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) reports angling activity in the area was higher than normal. Ice conditions had held up but are now showing signs of weakening. A big-game complaint was investigated, and work continued on items related to the Bear Committee.

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) reports people were starting to open-water fish on the Rainy River. People are reminded to take the governor’s “Stay at Home” executive order seriously. Get outdoors, but please stay within your local communities and practice social distancing while doing outdoor activities.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports the recent warm weather has put an end to the snowmobile trails. The CO assisted a local law enforcement agency with a domestic incident on the shoulder of Highway 53.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) spent time during the past week presenting local law enforcement with an off-road vehicle refresher class and working ATVing and angling enforcement. Zavodnik also spent time assisting local and state law enforcement on a variety of calls, including a search that involved two ATV riders who fled from the State Patrol.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) worked angling and ATVing activity, investigated a calf depredation, and took part in an online meeting to develop a Living with Bears plan and literature.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing activity. Few anglers were observed and the ones encountered reported limited success. Broughten investigated a complaint about a person on an SUV stuck on an area snowmobile trail.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports angling activity was high for the final weekend of the winter trout season. Many anglers were contacted, including several groups who had traveled hundreds of miles. In line with the “Stay at Home” executive order, enjoy the outdoors but please do so near your home and while practicing social distancing.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area parks, lakes, accesses, forest campgrounds, and cross-country ski trails. She also handled calls about bear hunting, road-killed deer, snowmobile traffic, and fishing licenses. Park visitors are reminded that social distancing does not mean driving past the unstaffed self-service registration kiosk and avoiding buying a park permit. Please enjoy the outdoors close to home and don’t forget to get your current licenses and registrations.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked a busy week of outdoor enforcement activity. Time was spent inside and outside of the BWCAW. Bermel observed the highest number of anglers he’s ever seen on Birch Lake during the weekend. The activity was not due to a hot crappie bite, but more to get out and enjoy the outdoors and nice weather. Plenty of enforcement action to report: trapping without a current trapping or small-game license, untagged trap, taking muskrats in a closed season, fishing without a license, expired snowmobile, OHM, and ATV registrations, ATV and OHM operation violations, and operating an aerator without a permit.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) contacted several groups of young adults from central and southern Minnesota and Wisconsin camping at public accesses and at closed state park campgrounds.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked fishing activity and a litter case where a large pile of trash was dumped at a public access. Many people were encountered from out of town, venturing outdoors. Although outdoor activities are allowed, do not travel across several counties to get to your favorite fishing hole at this time.

District 7 – Grand Rapids area

CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) checked anglers, monitored OHVing activity, patrolled state parks and offices in the area, and investigated TIP complaints. Fairbanks and his K9 partner Si also assisted the sheriff’s office in locating burglary suspects and assisted in the arrest of a suspect who was wanted for multiple outstanding warrants and domestic assault.

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) reports enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession and for trespassing on public lands where forest products were illegally taken from public lands.

District 8 – Duluth area

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent the majority of the past week working along the North Shore of Lake Superior, checking shore anglers. Many boat anglers took advantage of mild weather to enjoy Lake Superior. Area lakes still have plenty of ice, which is allowing anglers to chase crappies.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Cromwell) worked angling and OHVing enforcement, including Fond du Lac State Forest trail closures. Humphrey assisted CO Willis with an overlimit case.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth) worked shore anglers and anglers on Lake Superior. The bite has been slow, but not for lack of effort. Nuisance-animal complaints were handled, and complaints about illegal dumping were handled. Calls concerning public-access use and the upcoming open-water season were returned.

Lake Superior Marine Unit

CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers, boaters, snowmobilers, and paddleboarders. Snowmobile trails are quickly falling apart with the wet, warm weather, and ice conditions inland are deteriorating. When the wind cooperates, anglers are getting out on Lake Superior for trout and salmon. Enforcement action was taken for angling and state park violations.

District 9 – Brainerd area

CO Patrick McGowan (Pine River) worked angling activity throughout the past week. He also spent time checking perch and tullibee anglers on Leech Lake.

CO Chelsey Best (Crosslake) took enforcement action this past week for expired snowmobile and ATV registrations, as well as no licenses and helmets. Ice conditions are deteriorating fast with a few vehicles already going through the ice this past week. Remember, too, that Gov. Walz urges everyone to quarantine at home, not their cabins.

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked angling and ATVing activity. Time also was spent on dogs-chasing-deer and lakeshore-alteration complaints.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked anglers despite shorelines rapidly deteriorating. ATV traffic was up likely due in part to snow-free ditches. Verkuilen also addressed complaints regarding litter and work in public waters.

CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) assisted the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office with a structure fire. The house was a total loss. Speldrich also patrolled state parks and state forests.

CO Ben Karon (Pine City) reports time was spent handling a TIP call about a person using a cast net on the Snake River.

District 11 – St. Cloud area

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) worked the fish bite in the area and assisted neighboring officers with what may be the last of the ice fishing in the area for the year.

CO Adam Seifermann (St. Cloud) reports fielding numerous complaints related to the spring crappie and sunfish bites on several area lakes. Enforcement action was taking for an overlimit of sunfish, no angling license in possession, helmets required on youth, ATV passenger violations, and a traffic stop that lead to a DWI arrest.

District 12 – Princeton area

CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) reports taking calls regarding public land and water access. TIP reports of carcass dumping also were investigated. Illegal-carcass dumping creates a bad image for hunters among nonhunters and hunters alike and will be strictly enforced.

CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) checked ATV riders, patrolled state parks and WMAs, and took complaints about dumped carcasses. A reminder that there are currently burning restrictions on and to view the DNR website (mndnr.gov) for updates on what they are.

CO Trent Seamans patrolled for anglers and ATV operators. Additional time was spent patrolling state lands. Enforcement action was taken for angling with extra lines and operating a motor vehicle off-road in the Sand Dunes State Forest.

District 13 – West Metro area

CO Thephong Le (ELCOP) patrolled Fort Snelling State Park as many people were out enjoying the warm weather. He continued to work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a nonprofit organization to deliver management deer to the designated community.

CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Mound) focused on ATVing and angling activity throughout the week. Ice on area lakes is melting quickly and many will likely see ice-out by the end of the week.

CO Tim Maass (Osseo) continued to check ice anglers and anglers on area rivers. Time also was spent checking bowfishers on area rivers.

CO Mike Lerchen (Bloomington) spent time checking anglers on the Mississippi River. Success was mixed, but anglers noted the fishable conditions. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and angling with an extra line.

CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports some anglers are still out and about along the rivers. Just a reminder that closed doesn’t mean catch and release for walleyes, northern pike, and bass. A littering issue was addressed at a local boat launch, and enforcement action was taken for a juvenile with multiple ATV violations. The juvenile was traveling at approximately 65 miles per hour on a county road on a Class 1 ATV.

District 14 – East Metro area

CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) primarily spent time patrolling Pool 2 and checking shore anglers along the rivers. Time also was spent on numerous wildlife-related calls and helping local law enforcement agencies on numerous calls for assistance.

CO Scott Arntzen (Forest Lake) spent time patrolling wildlife management areas and state parks. He also looked into a littering complaint, responded to an injured-animal call, and fielded questions about the upcoming turkey season.

CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) observed a great increase in trespassers this past week. People are reminded social distancing is not a free pass to trespass.

District 15 – Marshall area

CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) spent the week working angling, ATVing, and waterfowling enforcement. Many area lakes are beginning to open up with the recent warm weather and rain.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the past week working fishing, light goose hunting, and ATVing enforcement. Extra time was spent patrolling state parks. Migratory waterfowl numbers remain high with the spring migration.

District 16 – New Ulm area

CO Brett Wiltrout (Hutchinson) spent this past week patrolling local WMAs, checking anglers, and working ATVing activity. Small-game violations and open burning also were investigated. Questions were fielded regarding dog-training permits and a public water issue.

CO Ryan Hanna (Hutchinson) patrolled his area for spring cleanup brush fires and burning permits. In this past week, Hanna also received multiple ATV-related complaints. He wants to remind people to review the off-highway vehicle regulations prior to operating on public rights of way.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) conducted site inspections for possible creek excavation. Assistance was provided to local law enforcement. Public accesses were patrolled. A couple of lakes have shown fish kill on different scales. Anglers were checked, and even one watercraft was out floating amongst the ice.

District 17 – Mankato area

CO Tony Flerlage (Spring Valley) spent the week checking trout anglers. ATV use increased with a few registration issues. Fishing and hunting are still allowed, but please stay close to home.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) checked fishing, boating, and ATVing activity this past week. Additional time was spent patrolling area WMAs and WPAs.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) reports shore-angler activity is picking up as the ice disappears from shorelines. ATVing activity also has increased with individuals stating they need to get outside and “do something” during these times.

District 18 – Rochester area

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports abundant trout-angling activity. Time also was spent investigating a complaint of people killing pheasants out of season. Shed-hunting trespass is continuing to be an issue.

CO Clint Fitzgerald (Rochester) spent the past week monitoring angling activity. Additionally, time was spent investigating a trapping complaint.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports a lot of activity on the river as it continues to rise. Hemker investigated complaints about illegal trout fishing, illegal walleye fishing, and trash dumping.

CO Derek Schneider (Zumbrota) reports a landowner was cited for burning prohibited materials and without a permit.

CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester) spent time checking anglers and ATV enthusiasts as many people are acting on the suggestion of Gov. Tim Walz and are going outside to enjoy some spring weather. People who Kyllo encountered had a positive attitude and were working to maintain the social distancing guidelines while recreating. Kyllo also took various wildlife-related calls.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Minnesota Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

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Michigan Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – Jan. 31, 2020

DISTRICT 1

CO Ariel Young was out patrolling the lakes within her county when she stopped and checked some ice anglers on Hamilton Lake. Upon pulling into the parking lot, it was noted that there was a large group of people talking and then quickly dispersing and heading back to their shanties. Young made contact with the individuals and found a short northern pike hidden in a bag near a shanty. Through further questioning, one of the subjects admitted to the fish being his and that he did not have a fishing license. The subject was also on the ice with a snowmobile that had expired registration and no helmet. Young issued a citation for the undersized pike and seized the fish and issued warnings for the registration and helmet infractions.

CO John Kamps followed up on a possible illegal deer. During the investigation, it was determined that the individual would commonly hunt and purchase his licenses after harvesting an animal. The subject was interviewed and proudly showed off his trophies including a very large 7-point buck from this rifle season, a 6-point from last year and a large turkey. The subject confessed to shooting all three of the animals and then purchasing the licenses afterward. The deer antlers and skulls were seized along with the rifle used to take them. Kamps has forwarded the information to the Marquette County prosecutor on the two illegal deer, and the illegal turkey is being forwarded to the county in lower Michigan where it was taken.

CO John Kamps made contact with a deer hunter as he was walking out of the woods. The hunter stated that there was someone sitting on his bait pile with no hunter orange clothing. Kamps walked to the bait pile and found a hunter wrapped in a white bed sheet for snow camouflage. When the individual saw the CO, he started looking frantically through his belongings for an orange hat. A citation was issued for hunting without hunter orange clothing. The hunter was questioned why he was hunting on somebody else’s deer bait and reminded about hunter ethics.

CO Doug Hermanson conducted investigations on deer that appeared to have been tagged illegally during the firearm deer season. Hermanson interviewed multiple subjects and was able to obtain confessions for an antler point tagging violation along with two subjects who used tags purchased by another person. Charges have been requested with the Houghton County Prosecutor’s Office.

DISTRICT 2

CO Mike Olesen conducted a taxidermy inspection and located a suspicious set of antlers from 2018. The deer license that was attached to the antlers was purchased after legal shooting hours had ended but was validated for the same day the license was purchased. After a short interview, the suspect confessed to Olesen that he had shot the 8-point buck and then purchased his deer license after the fact. The antlers and firearm used were seized as evidence and a report is being submitted to the Mackinac County prosecutor for review for taking a deer without a license.

COs Colton Gelinas and Todd Sumbera conducted an illegal deer interview in Mackinac County. Gelinas received an anonymous tip reference a deer being killed without a valid license. Gelinas and Sumbera contacted the hunter who admitted to killing the deer and buying a license after the fact. Charges are being sought for taking a deer without a license through the Mackinac County prosecutor.

CO Todd Sumbera conducted a deer processing facility inspection and located a suspiciously tagged 8-point buck. Sumbera contacted the shooter of the deer in question. When asked, the subject told the entire story of the hunt. The deer was harvested in early morning without a deer license and, after the hunt, the subject went to the store to purchase their deer license. The 8-point rack and firearm were seized, and a report will be submitted to the Chippewa County Prosecutor’s Office for taking a deer without a license.

CO Cole VanOosten assisted the Luce County Sheriff’s Department with a domestic assault in progress. VanOosten and the Luce County deputy arrived on scene at the same time and separated the individuals involved. The aggressor was lodged in the county jail by the deputy.

DISTRICT 3

CO Tim Rosochacki followed up on a deer discovered at a local processor where it appeared that a subject purchased a license after harvesting an 8-point buck. Rosochacki contacted the hunter and quickly obtained a confession. He stated that he did not expect to see any deer and did not have time to purchase a license before going hunting. The case has been sent to the Emmet County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Tom Oberg assisted the Gaylord Police Department along with MSP troopers and Otsego County Sheriff’s Department in the search of a suspect who stole multiple items from Walmart and left without paying. A Gaylord Police Department unit spotted the suspect vehicle and tried to initiate a traffic stop when the suspect fled. After a short pursuit, the suspect crashed his vehicle and fled off into the woods on foot. Oberg was just down the road when the call came over the radio. Oberg assisted the responding units in setting a perimeter on the section of woods in which the suspect fled. After approximately an hour, the suspect was located by an MSP K9 unit. The suspect was taken into custody and lodged at the Otsego County jail.

COs Tom Oberg, Kyle Cherry and Sgt. Mark DePew participated in the annual “Shop with A Cop” event at WalMart in Gaylord along with the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department, MSP Gaylord Post, and Gaylord Police Department. Many children were in attendance who were individually paired up with an officer. The children were able to get their picture taken with Santa and then were able to shop throughout the store and pick out the gifts they wanted. Fun was had by all.

DISTRICT 4

CO William Haskin received complaints of two individuals shooting a deer from a vehicle with a crossbow. Haskin contacted both individuals and found that one of them had been purchasing resident tags as a nonresident and just a few years ago was getting free tags as a disabled veteran. Charges are pending with the Wexford County prosecutor.

COs Josiah Killingbeck and Ryan Andrews contacted a subject who had shot two 8-point bucks. Killingbeck had located the deer at a processor and identified a tagging violation. Killingbeck and Andrews interviewed the hunter and determined that the hunter had been hunting without a license and shot both deer without a license. The subject admitted to later purchasing tags and normally never purchases hunting licenses prior to hunting. The subject advised the COs that a family member had also shot several deer, where the COs determined there was questionable license purchases with these deer, as well. The COs contacted the family member and determined that the subject had purchased a single deer license and legally shot a deer. The subject then purchased a combination deer license, which is illegal, and shot another deer. Killingbeck then learned of another subject hunting the property who had been hunting without a license. Killingbeck interviewed the subject on the phone and obtained a confession to hunting without a license. Numerous charges are being sought through the Mecosta County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Jeff Ginn is attempting to locate the owner of an abandoned boat which was located on Croton Pond. If you are missing a boat or know of someone who is missing a boat and can identify it, please call the report all poaching hotline: 1-800-292-7800.

CO Mike Wells received information in late September regarding a property owner who discovered a trail camera picture of a subject trespassing on his property. The subject was carrying a shotgun and not displaying the required hunter orange. After canvasing the area several times, Wells was not able to identify the subject. The photograph was displayed on social media and within a week, the subject in the photograph called in and admitted it was him. Contact was made with the subject and it was discovered that he was squirrel hunting, but did not have a base license, nor had he taken a hunter safety class. Due to the subject turning himself in, a warning was issued for the trespass at the request of the property owner. A report will be submitted to the prosecutor’s office regarding the other violations present.

DISTRICT 5

CO Charlie Jones was asked by MSP troopers to assist in locating an absconder suspect in Kalkaska County with multiple felony warrants. Multiple attempts were made throughout the county without success. The last attempt to locate the absconder was at a residence in Kalkaska County. With consent from the homeowner, the house was searched and produced the suspect hiding under a bed. The suspect was taken into custody. While on scene a second male subject gave a false name. It was determined the second male subject also had multiple felony warrants out of the Flint area. Both subjects were taken into custody.

COs Mike Hearn and Jeremy Cantrell instructed at a snowmobile safety course in Kalkaska County. The COs were assisted in instruction by the Kalkaska County Sheriff Department. Facilities and food were donated free of charge to the students by the Kalkaska County Snowmobile Association. All participants successfully completed the 8-hour course. Later in the week, Hearn presented the snowmobile association with a framed glass photo and thank you card as recognition during its December meeting.

COs Brad Bellville, James Garrett, Kyle Bader, Jeremy Cantrell, Craig Neal, Josh Russell, Charlie Jones and Lt. Brandon Kieft participated in “Shop with a Hero” events across the Roscommon District. The events provided Christmas presents for hundreds of under-privileged kids.

DISTRICT 6

CO Joe Myers received information regarding possible trespassers sneaking in from state forest lands. Myers traversed the private property looking for sign of trespassing activity and located several places where trespassing could occur from the adjacent public land. After over three hours of tracking, the CO was finally able to track the three hunters to the private property. The CO was able to sneak up on all three hunters individually. The hunters were found not wearing hunter orange and were trespassing on the private property. After interviewing the suspects, it was determined that multiple deer were taken on the private land without permission. Charges are being sought via warrant request.

CO Adam Beuthin was working with a federal wildlife officer on a trespassing complaint in Saginaw County. They received a complaint that someone had trespassed onto the Shiawassee River Wildlife Refuge after shooting a deer from the neighboring private property. The hunter failed to obtain a permit to retrieve the deer. When the officers arrived at the private property where the deer was shot, they observed a bait pile near the hunter’s blind. After finding where the deer was originally shot and tracking it onto the federal refuge, it was determined that the deer was taken illegally. Not only did the shooter trespass in the refuge, but he was also trespassing on the property where he shot the deer. A warrant has been requested for baiting and taking a deer over bait. The hunter is also facing federal charges for trespassing in the federal refuge.

CO Mike Haas came across a hunter who had harvested an antlerless deer in western Isabella County. When looking into the hunter’s license purchases, it was discovered that the hunter did not have a valid tag for the deer. Haas interviewed the man who shot the doe and he admitted to shooting the deer, calling a family member to purchase a license for him, and then tagging the deer with the family member’s tag. Charges are pending with the Isabella County Prosecutor’s Office to address taking the deer without a license, using a license of another, and loaning a license to another.

DISTRICT 7

CO Travis Dragomer responded to a complaint of a group of waterfowl hunters that was allegedly shooting ducks while motoring around a Van Buren County Lake. Dragomer observed the hunters motoring around the lake but did not witness them shooting. Dragomer contacted the hunters when they came into the boat launch. The hunters possessed 11 ducks and one of the hunters did not have a waterfowl license or a federal duck stamp in his possession. Dragomer issued the hunter a citation for possessing waterfowl without a federal duck stamp.

CO Kyle McQueer received a complaint on opening day of firearm deer season of an individual who had shot three antlered deer in one season; a 10-point, an 8-point and a 7-point. After interviewing the subject and getting consent to search the property, McQueer found no evidence of an over-limit of antlered deer. A week passed by and McQueer gathered more information. After a lengthy interview, the subject confessed to shooting two antlered deer during bow season without first purchasing deer hunting licenses and then shot a third buck on opening day of gun season with his firearm. Charges are being sought through the St. Joseph County Prosecutor’s Office.

CO Carter Woodwyk received a complaint of subjects baiting deer in Allegan County early in the November firearm deer season and possibly trespassing. The location was checked multiple times throughout the season, but no hunters were located. After the season ended, Woodwyk stopped by the suspect’s house to interview him. During the interview, Woodwyk discovered and received confessions to three separate illegally harvested deer. All three deer were illegally harvested in different fashions by three different hunters. All the deer meat was seized as evidence and charges are pending against all three suspects with the Allegan County Prosecutor’s Office.

DISTRICT 8

COs Jim Nason and Nick Wellman participated in “Shop with a Cop” in Branch County. The COs along with other local law enforcement were assigned and were responsible for a child who came from a household that had been through some recent hardships. The COs assisted the kids in shopping for not only themselves, but also their closest loved ones. The kids were given a $ 100 gift card to shop for family and to also pick out one gift to donate to the “Toys for Tots” foundation. There were roughly 27 kids that were involved, and it was a great success.

CO Edward Rice assisted the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office with a report of a suicidal person in the middle of an intersection with a handgun. Rice arrived on scene along with a sheriff’s deputy and began talking to the man who found his wife cheating on him. Rice and the deputy began establishing a rapport with the man before safely approaching the man eventually getting the man on the ground and into custody without incident. A knife was located on the man, but no gun. The man was transported to a local hospital for further observation.

CO Larn R. Strawn investigated a complaint of a safety zone violation that occurred on the opening day of deer season. While responding to the initial complaint, Strawn discovered the suspect trespassed and shot a trophy-class 8-point buck. Strawn arrested the suspect for an outstanding warrant from a previous deer tagging violation and driving while license suspended offense. Strawn transported the arrestee to the Gratiot County Jail for fingerprinting and booking on the warrant. Strawn is seeking charges through the county prosecutor.

COs Katie Stawara and Larn Strawn, and Sgt. Richard Nickols investigated a RAP complaint regarding four untagged deer hanging in a suspect’s barn. Immediately upon her arrival to the residence, Stawara could see a deer hanging in the barn through an open door. Unable to contact the suspect, a search warrant was drafted and served. The investigation resulted in three antlerless deer, an 8-point buck, and an unregistered handgun. All deer were untagged, and the meat had spoiled. A follow up interview resulted in the deer having been shot by two friends of the suspect, neither had licenses for the deer. A complaint warrant is being submitted for the deer, handgun, and animal cruelty conditions observed during their search.

DISTRICT 9

CO Bobby Watson responded to a complaint of waterfowl hunters shooting under power near the Blue Water Bridge. Watson was able to arrive just as the suspects were packing up their gear to head in. Watson watched the hunters finish packing up, then slowly start motoring north, appearing to be looking around for birds. Eventually the two hunters were seen shouldering their shotguns and firing multiple times at birds that they had scared up, while still motoring forward. The hunters were contacted by Watson and a citation was issued for shooting while under power.

CO Bobby Watson was patrolling down a back road when he observed a hunter walking through a field with camouflage clothing, an orange cap on, and what appeared to be a rifle. Firearm deer season had recently ended, and muzzleloader season had not yet begun. Watson continued watching as the hunter then climbed into a tree stand. Watson approached the hunter in the tree stand, who when asked what he was doing, stated, “deer hunting.” Watson then discovered the man had not taken hunter safety. A citation was issued for hunting with a firearm outside of firearm season.

CO Bobby Watson followed up on an old complaint and interviewed a subject who had allegedly purchased his deer combination tag after shooting his buck first. Watson obtained a confession from the hunter and the hunter stated he had screwed up and admitted responsibility. A report will be submitted to the prosecutor for further review.

CO Luke Robare conducted an interview for CO Mike Haas. Haas found a suspicious deer tag during a processor inspection in Isabella County, but the suspect lived in Genesee County. Robare conducted the interview and gained a confession stating that the suspect who shot the deer did not have a valid deer license when the deer was killed. The information was gathered by Robare and passed along to Haas.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Michigan Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

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Wisconsin Outdoor News Cuffs & Collars – Dec. 27, 2019

NORTHERN REGION

Spooner Team / November

Warden Jesse Ashton, of Polk County, stopped a vehicle operator on the McKenzie Creek Wildlife Area and found the two occupants were road-hunting with a cocked, loaded crossbow. When Ashton approached the vehicle the passenger had the cocked crossbow loaded with the bolt, and the driver was smoking marijuana.

Warden Ashton was responding to a late-night shining complaint near Pipe Lake when he observed a vehicle driving slowly with the passenger shining a flashlight out the passenger side of the vehicle after 10 p.m. When Ashton attempted to stop the vehicle the driver attempted to flee but quickly crashed his vehicle into the ditch. The driver was in possession of a loaded .270 rifle and was arrested for five felony warrants, operating while revoked, bail jumping and felon in possession of a firearm. Enforcement action for shining deer while in possession of a loaded firearm was referred to Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Wardens Dustin Gabrielson, of Burnett County, and Jesse Ashton followed up on an investigation of a landowner shooting deer from his buildings. When wardens arrived, the property owner was hunting out of his pole shed with a crossbow over an illegal bait pile. Also, he did not have any valid deer harvest authorizations. The wardens confirmed the man had been hunting after dark with the aid of a light for the past two years. Multiple charges are pending.

Wardens Ashton and Pete Carlson were patrolling near Turtle Lake when they made contact with road hunters. The individuals were in possession of a loaded .32 rifle and had open intoxicants inside the vehicle. The passenger was uncooperative and highly intoxicated.

Warden Ashton received information that a homeowner was hunting over bait in a ban area while shooting multiple deer off his 1-acre parcel. Wardens Ashton and Pete Carlson contacted the man and determined he had shot two deer over an illegally baited area. They also determined the man called another person and used that person’s harvest authorization to register the deer. Enforcement action was taken against both parties.

Wardens Ashton and Carlson were walking into the gas station in Cushing when Ashton saw two occupants wearing blaze orange in their car while parked at the gas pumps. Ashton saw a rifle sticking up in the front seat. Upon contact with the occupants, Ashton discovered the juvenile rear seat passenger had a loaded .30/30 rifle and had been drinking intoxicants. The passenger said they stopped to get more beer so they could continue road hunting.

Warden Dustin Gabrielson received a complaint about baiting near Coomer. Wardens Gabrielson and Chris Spaight investigated the complaint and learned the landowner had placed 200 pounds of corn on a cornfield near his hunting blind. Enforcement action, along with the prohibition of hunting near the baited stand for 10 days after the bait was cleaned up, was taken for the violation.

Wardens Gabrielson and Ashton followed up on a baiting complaint near Danbury and learned the suspect was illegally baiting deer while also illegally used his 10-year-old son’s and his wife’s archery buck “tags” to register two bucks he had shot.

Wardens Gabrielson and Ashton investigated a complaint of nighttime deer poaching near Danbury. The wardens learned the person shot deer at night with the aid of artificial light, was illegally baiting deer, and killed a deer after legal hours. Criminal charges are pending.

Wardens Pete Carlson and Pete Wetzel were conducting deer shining enforcement when they observed vehicle occupants shining after 10 p.m. The vehicle occupants were found to be in possession of a bow. The operator and passenger also had open intoxicants.

Warden Carlson contacted an individual who was hunting over illegal bait in Barron County. The individual was found to have placed approximately 100 pounds of bait, left a stand overnight where prohibited, cut down a tree on private property and failed to wear 50% blaze orange, as required.

Warden Carlson contacted a man he saw exit a vehicle on the roadway and walk over a hill with a rifle during the gun deer season while not wearing any blaze orange. The man said he saw a deer run across the road and was attempting to hunt the deer by walking over the hill. Action was taken for failure to wear blaze orange while hunting.

Wardens Pete Carlson, Jesse Ashton and Mike Melgaard contacted a man who stopped his truck on the road, exited his truck, loaded his rifle and shot at a deer decoy from the middle of the road.

Wardens Jon Hagen, of Washburn County, and Josh Loining, of Barron County, followed up on an illegal baiting complaint and contacted the person using illegal bait. The man originally said he had not placed any bait after finding out there was a baiting ban. The wardens eventually ascertained the hunter had placed bait with full knowledge of the baiting ban.

Warden Hagen followed up on an illegal baiting complaint. There is a bait ban in Washburn County. Hagen discovered baits were also over the old two-gallon limit. Hagen met with three people on the property. They appeared to be unaware of the bating ban in Washburn County, and they were aware of the old two-gallon bait limit.

Wardens Jon Hagen and Steve Sanidas, of Waukesha County, patrolled for hunting activity in Washburn County on the Friday prior to the gun season. They contacted a group of three goose hunters. One of the hunters had not bought any licenses for waterfowl hunting. Enforcement action was taken, along with the issuance of several warnings.

Wardens Hagen and Sanidas followed up on a complaint of gun-deer hunting over illegal bait and hunting without a license during the opener. They contacted the suspect and determined the man had hunted and harvested deer in 2018 without a valid hunting license, and also that he was hunting over illegal bait this year.

Wardens Hagen and Sanidas contacted two adult hunters and one juvenile hunter with an antlerless deer in Washburn County. One of the adults originally said the juvenile had shot the antlerless deer. The adult hunters did not possess any antlerless deer “tags” for Washburn County. The wardens discovered the adult hunter actually shot the antlerless deer and had planned to use the young hunter’s junior antlerless permit even though the young hunter did not even see the deer harvested. The adult knew it was illegal to group hunt on a junior antlerless permit.

Wardens Hagen and Sanidas contacted a person on county land after shooting hours on opening day of the gun season. Upon contact, the person exited his vehicle with a cocked and loaded crossbow. Hagen also smelled the strong odor of marijuana. The person admitted to throwing marijuana out of his vehicle upon seeing the wardens, and the marijuana was not located. Enforcement action was taken for the loaded crossbow in the vehicle.

Warden Joshua Loining, of Barron County, contacted a person deer hunting from a treestand about 20 yards from a corn pile. The hunter had placed the stand and also a trail camera near the bait pile.

Warden Loining contacted a landowner about a baited area near a treestand on his property. The landowner admitted to placing 100 pounds of corn out just before the gun season even though he knew it was illegal.

Wardens Loining and Melgaard, while assisting the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department with a domestic dispute, stopped an associated suspect pickup truck per the request of a deputy. The driver had two loaded rifles in his truck.

Wardens Chris Spaight and Dustin Gabrielson, both of Burnett County, made contact with a group of hunters following a complaint of illegal baiting. It was found they were hunting over a large pile of pumpkins that contained over 25 pumpkins for each hunter, and some of the pumpkins were filled with corn. Enforcement action was taken

Wardens Spaight and Gabrielson contacted another group of hunters following a complaint of illegal baiting. Burnett County is under a baiting ban. The wardens found several stands on the property with bait nearby, and there were two juvenile hunters hunting and not within sight and sound of an adult guardian.

Warden Spaight was working an illegal night hunting complaint when he was contacted by area law officers who had conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle. There was a cocked, uncased crossbow in the front seat of the vehicle. Spaight responded.

Wardens Spaight and Gabrielson saw a person in the passenger seat of a vehicle who was known by both wardens to have a felony warrant for his arrest. The wardens followed the vehicle for a short distance as they contacted the sheriff’s department to confirm the warrant. The wardens stopped the vehicle and arrested the suspect passenger.

Park Falls Team / November

Warden Aaron Koshatka, of Hayward, contacted a hunter with a freshly harvested antlerless deer in the bed of his truck. The hunter did not have a valid antlerless harvest permit for the animal. Koshatka also learned the hunter failed to register another antlerlesss deer he had harvested on opening weekend.

Wardens Koshatka and Scott Bowe, of Ladysmith, contacted two hunters who were not wearing legal blaze orange. One hunter was wearing green pants, a camouflage jacket and a blaze orange hat. The other was wearing blaze orange pants and hat with a camouflage jacket.

Warden Joe Paul, of Phillips, overheard a radio call from the Price County Sherriff’s Department regarding an arrest of a person who had felony warrants. The person was dressed in full blaze orange and was carrying a rifle when he was arrested. Paul investigated the matter further and determined the person had been hunting deer with a companion for two days. Paul determined the person also had placed and hunted over more than the legal limit of bait. The person did not have a hunting license and his hunting privileges were revoked. Charges will be forwarded to the Price County district attorney for hunting deer without a license and citations will be issued for hunting with too much bait and engaging in hunting activity while revoked.

Wardens Paul and Nick Hefter received a tip that a deer had been shot from a county road. They determined three individuals had shot a deer from the vehicle on the property of another. The shot was nearly in line with another hunter who was hunting on the property. The individuals tried to retrieve the deer and got spooked by a vehicle on the property. The individuals left and returned in a different vehicle where they were met by Paul and Hefter.

Wardens Paul and Hefter received a complaint of automatic gravity feeders on private property. The responsible parties were located. Three gravity feeders and a 6-point buck were seized.

Wardens Thomas Heisler, of Winter, Steven Pyfferoen, of Bruce, and DNR ranger Joe Kraetke, of the Flambeau River State Forest, assisted the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Department with a search for a lost hunter. With GPS coordinates provided from the lost hunter’s cell phone, Heisler, Pyfferoen and Kraetke were able to locate the hunter.

Warden Bowe contacted an individual on state land during the archery season who said he was tracking a deer his father had shot the night before. After ending his initial contact, Bowe continued to investigate and found a stand, a blood trail and crossbow at the stand. The individual was hunting without crossbow authorization and had wounded a buck just before Bowe contacted him.

Antigo Team / November

Wardens Brad Dahlquist, of Crandon, and Jeffrey Nieling, of High Cliff State Park, apprehended four individuals’ near Laona illegally shining deer after hours and while in possession of firearms and bow with arrow.

Wardens Dahlquist and Nieling took enforcement action against two individuals near Wabeno who were illegally shining deer after hours and while in possession of two firearms.

Wardens Dahlquist and Bryan Harrenstein investigated an individual who was found to have harvested two bucks in November and failed to property register either one, as required. It was also found this individual had illegally hunted over bait to harvest one of the bucks.

Wardens Dahlquist and Nieling cited several individuals for placing and/or hunting over illegal bait. They also seized four gravity and mechanical feeders illegally used for hunting deer.

Warden Tim Otto observed the driver of a vehicle stopping adjacent to a field that commonly has deer. Otto stopped the vehicle and found two people in possession of a 7mm rifle with a suppressor, night-vision scope and sub-sonic ammunition. They also had a handheld FLIR unit. They claimed they were coyote hunting. Criminal charges regarding the illegal night hunting are pending.

Wardens Tim Otto and Ben Herzfeldt assisted the Langlade County Sheriff’s Department with an investigation regarding a convicted felon hunting during the gun season with a rifle. The suspect was observed by his probation agent removing a rifle from a vehicle prior to hunting. The deputies were inexperienced at approaching and locating deer hunters, so they enlisted the help of the wardens. Otto, Herzfeldt and a deputy located the suspect sitting against a tree in blaze orange clothing, but he did not have any firearms. After a brief investigation by the deputy, a firearm was located. The subject was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Warden Pat Novesky, of Tomahawk, took enforcement action against four people shining deer at 1 a.m. while in possession of an uncased, cocked, and loaded crossbow.

Warden Novesky received a complaint of an illegal bait on managed forest land. Two individuals had used a chainsaw to create a trail to illegally drive an ATV onto the property to place 300 pounds of corn for the deer season.

Ashland Team / November

Warden Phil Brown, of Iron River, responded to a call of a boat or car in Ruth Lake. Brown observed a paddle boat adrift and, while trying to locate the owners, saw a second boat with two occupants capsized. Brown used a nearby boat to row out to the individuals – one was swimming toward shore with a boat cushion and the other was hanging onto the boat. Quick action and response by Brown and other first responders led to the successful rescue of both individuals.

Warden Amie Egstad, of Bayfield, was contacted by a landowner who found a deer stand and bait pile on his property on the afternoon of the opening day of gun season. Egstad responded just before closing hours and found a teenage boy hunting in a stand over about four gallons of corn. The father was hunting neighboring county land. The father did not realize his son was on private property and admitted to dumping a half of bag of corn at his son’s stand. Enforcement action was taken for the bait and the property owner spoke with the hunter.

Warden Dave Sanda, of Gordon, investigated information on a possible loan/borrow of deer “tags.” Sanda identified two deer harvested, then registered on someone else’s harvest authorization.

Warden Adam Stennett, of Brule, contacted a hunter and found that in the 2018 season the hunter had harvested an antlerless deer in Douglas County using a Bayfield County authorization. Stennett also found the hunter did not have any proof of hunting approvals on him while he was hunting.

Wardens Rick Peters, of Ashland, and Stevie Macy checked an out-of-state hunter who was hunting deer without a license on private land on opening day. He told the wardens he did not have a lot of time to hunt and wanted to save the money on a license.

Woodruff Team / November

Warden Chris Bartelt, of Lake Tomahawk, contacted a crossbow hunter sitting in his stand after legal shooting hours. The person was hunting over an illegally baited site he had been cited for approximately a week earlier. The hunter was also found to have hunted under an incorrect authorization, harvested an antlerless deer under an incorrect authorization, provided false information, and failed to mark equipment left overnight on state lands. Enforcement actions were taken.

Warden Matt Meade, of Mercer, contacted an Iron County landowner who was placing more than 100 pounds of bait to keep deer near his stand for the upcoming gun season.

Warden Meade contacted a person during the gun season as he hunted without a valid license and any blaze orange clothing, had placed too much bait, and operated an unregistered ATV. The person also had failed to register his buck kill from last year.

Warden Meade contacted a hunter who harvested a buck without a license and then took the deer home to be processed.

Warden Tim Price investigated a complaint where a buck was illegally shot on private property. Price found that the buck was shot with a crossbow from the road while the buck stood on private land where the hunter did not have permission to hunt.

Warden Rich Thole, of Boulder Junction, contacted a group of deer hunters on a rural Vilas County road. As Thole exited his vehicle he observed the driver reach down into the passenger side of the truck. The hunters were traveling with a loaded rifle inside the vehicle and the driver unloaded it when he saw Thole.

Warden Thole located a ground blind near Manitowish Waters with illegal bait nearby and evidence a deer had recently been harvested from the blind. Thole located the hunter and learned he had shot a buck over the illegal bait on opening day. The hunter then had a second person, who was not with the hunter at the time of harvest, register the deer so the hunter could keep hunting.

Warden Thole contacted a person near Boulder Junction who was hunting deer over bait in his yard. The person had a sign along his driveway that read: “Warning, baiting deer is illegal. This corn pile is intended for squirrels, chipmunks, and other such critters. Any deer found eating this corn will be shot!” Enforcement actions were taken.

Categories: Cuffs & Collars

Tags: Wisconsin Outdoor News Cuffs and Collars

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