Domestic raccoon attack among items DNR conservation officers report in weekly update – Grand Forks Herald

Here is the weekly report from Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in northwestern Minnesota and adjacent areas of northern Minnesota for Monday, September 12:

CO Ben Huener (Reed) he instructed at the DNR Academy at Camp Ripley and reviewed goose hunters near the Middle River.

CO Corey Sura (Baudette East) followed up on complaints over the weekend. Coercive measures were taken for not allowing AIS inspection of water-related equipment.

CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls West) he continued to monitor local bear hunting activity, taught game enforcement at the CO Academy, and taught the law and ethics portion of the firearms safety class at Halma. The week’s enforcement action included operating an ATV with no current registration and no helmet on a youth ATV passenger.

CO Demosthenes Regas (Blackduck South) reports on bear hunting, early teal season closure, and early goose hunting activities last week. He spent time investigating a report of wolf predation, checking on fishermen, and patrolling the area for ATVs and ATV trails. Regas assisted the sheriff’s office with a burglary complaint and enforcement action was taken. Violations found and addressed included juvenile operators and/or passengers not wearing helmets.

CO Nicholas Prachar (Blackduck North) reports that he continues to work on the bear hunting activity. He dedicated time to working with hunters on big game and ATV activity.

warpath #1 – vacant.

warpath #2 – vacant.

baudette #1 – vacant.

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports spending time this week at the CO Academy with game week instruction. He also spent time working on grievances related to bear hunting. Goose hunters were also controlled.

CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) controlled area anglers, goose hunters and bear hunters. An inspection of the deer farm was completed.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) I spent the week reviewing bear hunters, ATV drivers, and some of the early teal hunters. Bear season has been going well, and most hunters are having bears at their bait stations. Teal season was a good one, for the most part, for hunters, and most were able to find some blue-winged teal. There were some licensing and duck identification issues, and hunters are reminded that an early season is a privilege and we must be very careful about which ducks are shot.

CO Al Peterson (Osage) He worked on bear baits, verified hunters, and handled calls about hours of operation, working on public waters, and personal watercraft-related complaints. She handled violations of unsigned and unregistered bear bait and unregistered ATVs.

CO Steve Chihak (Moorhead) I spent the week working on sport fishing, early goose hunting, and ATV enforcement. Time was also spent working on the juvenile waterfowl season over the weekend. The most common infractions found continue to be the lack of licenses and/or seals and unplugged shotguns.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time in ATV and ATV activity. Open cases were followed up. Pole fishing activity was monitored. Nuisance bear calls, a possible injured eagle, a dead fawn and litter were received at a WMA. Warren taught the law and ethics portion of the firearms safety class. The wild rice harvest was monitored. A possible break-in call while the goose hunt was being investigated.

CO Bill Landmark (Pelican Rapids) he spent the week at Camp Ripley helping out during the big game and small game enforcement week. The calls from the public were related to questions about upcoming hunting seasons.

Bagley – vacant.

#two – vacant.

CO Andrew Goodman (Fergus Falls) continued focus on waterfowl hunting and angling enforcement. Some ducks were present for the juvenile waterfowl weekend, while geese remained limited. Additional time was spent on monitoring and reporting related to wetland and public water violations.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) area checked for juvenile waterfowl weekend, finding minimal activity. Goose hunters in the area are having some success and the fishing has been good. Plautz helped train conservation officer candidates at Camp Ripley throughout the week on big and small game control. Plautz helped a local group of Amish children get supplies for an upcoming gun safety class.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking out hunters weekdays during early season for teal, geese and young waterfowl. Hunting success varied between hunting groups. Several waterfowl-related violations were noted and enforcement action taken. He also oversaw angling and boating activity in the area.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) fishermen, boaters, ATV drivers, and waterfowl hunters. A question was handled regarding the legality of shooting ranges in Hubbard County. Fishing has recovered in area lakes and waterfowl populations in the area have declined.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) watched early goose hunters and early teal hunters last week. Several groups were having some success in the warm weather. Fishing activity remains high throughout the area with several citations issued for not having licenses and exceeding limits. A call involving an attack on a person by a tame raccoon is being investigated. Time was also spent at the CO Academy testing the cadets during the last week before graduation.

CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) spent time working across the state last week. He worked at the DNR Enforcement booth at the Minnesota State Fair with CO Calie Cook; she helped with a women-only firearm safety/hunter education field day in St. Cloud with COs Emily Douvier, Cassie Block, Leah Kampa, Jen Mueller and Amber Ladd; and she participated in Kerkoven’s “Welcome Week”. She was issued permits for minnows and she also spent time working on her background investigation.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports that he worked early in teal and goose hunting, fishing, and RV enforcement. Assistance was also provided to teach at a girls’ firearm safety field day, where 24 girls achieved firearm safety certification.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports that law enforcement efforts during the week focused on controlling waterfowl hunters, fishermen and boaters. He took extra time to attend training and investigate an allegation of illegal work being done in a wetland. He fielded calls about nuisance beavers and water access rules.

osakis – vacant.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) I worked on the Cass and Crow Wing county lakes all week. Many boaters were enjoying the warm weather and a good bite of fish. Enforcement measures were taken for numerous infractions related to boating and angling.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) mainly anglers and controlled RVs. A public water disturbance complaint and a garbage complaint were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for angling and ATV infractions.

CO Jacque Hughes (Longville) Hunting and fishing activity was controlled. He also investigated an all-terrain vehicle allegation.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports assisting with the ongoing CO Academy at Camp Ripley, attending training and performing unit maintenance. She also received calls regarding hunting questions, firearm questions, nuisance animal concerns, and target shooter complaints. Now is a good time to make sure her land is legally posted. Check tree stand safety and read current rules/regulations for upcoming deer and small game seasons. As a general reminder, the Information Center should be used Monday through Friday for general questions and concerns: (651) 296-6157 or 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

CO Jordan Anderson (Wadena) he spent the week cleaning up paperwork from the busy Labor Day weekend, helping with training at the CO Academy, and preparing for a busy fall season ahead.

ATV Recreation Officer – vacant.