The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources K9 unit. Left to right: Lt. Phil Mohs and K9 Mack; Conservation Officer Mike Krauel and K9 Bolt; Conservation Officer Mike Fairbanks and K9 Fennec; Conservation Officer Adam Seifermann and K9 Jet; and Conservation Officer Luke Gutzwiller and K9 Earl.

Weekly CO report

District 2 – Bemidji area

Last updated: 2024-07-22

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports taking bear-related complaints this week. Time was also spent checking anglers and watercraft operators on area lakes. ATV activity was also monitored.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time patrolling local lakes and assisting with CO Academy duties. He followed up on calls for service. Violations encountered this week included no license in possession, angling without a license, illegal cast net use, and various other watercraft safety equipment violations. Anglers continue to report a slow bite, but a few anglers have managed to find some walleyes.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week patrolling area lakes for boating and angling activity. Additional time was spent handling nuisance-animal complaints, answering calls from the public, and training with the DNR intern.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) monitored wetland and public water restoration efforts in addition to fielding more aquatic plant complaints. Water-related recreational activity remained steady with a lot of paddlers observed with prime river conditions. As a reminder, all canoe, kayak, and paddle board enthusiasts on public water are required to have a life jacket worn or on board their watercraft.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) spent time following up on ongoing wetland and public waters complaints. Numerous calls were received regarding nuisance-animal concerns. Time was also spent on fishing and recreational vehicle enforcement. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of ATV-related violations. Operators are reminded that once an ATV hits the roadway traffic law applies. Enforcement action was also taken for alcohol-related violations including a DWI arrest, and no ignition interlock. Ignition interlock restrictions also apply to recreational vehicle operation.

CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling and boating activity. AIS compliance checks were performed. Assistance was provided with training at the CO Academy. Patrol was conducted for ATV and off-road vehicle activity.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) responded to calls about nuisance wildlife and bears and patrolled for ATV and angling activity. The week also focused on public lands activities and case follow up.

Pelican Rapids vacant.

District 3 – Fergus Falls area

Last updated: 2024-07-22

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week assisting the CO Academy and working on a CO Prep hiring process background investigation.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) worked with local government units on an aquatic plant violation. Preparation was made for upcoming CO Academy instruction and time was spent on a background investigation.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports spending his enforcement efforts on angling and boating activity throughout the week. Time was also spent talking about boat safety at the Grant County Fair and investigating a TIP complaint with enforcement action taken. Enforcement action this week included taking fish without an angling license and failure to display watercraft registration.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked anglers, ATV riders, and boaters. Questions regarding fish kills, aquatic plant management, nuisance animals, safety classes and personal watercraft were received and answered. Several calls of swimmer?s itch were received over the week.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Time was spent following up on shoreline complaints and checking anglers and recreational boaters. A TIP was received of an individual within city limits shooting a fawn. The individual eventually admitted to shooting the deer because it was eating his flowers. Enforcement action was taken on a variety of violations.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) spent most of her time out on the water checking boaters and anglers with lots of fish in the buckets. Various violations were encountered, with enforcement action taken. She investigated several complaints and spent time assisting at the CO Academy at Camp Ripley during watercraft week.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working fishing and recreational enforcement. Planning for an upcoming firearms safety class was completed and background work was done for a potential new employee.

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Glenwood) reports enforcement efforts for the week were concentrated on checking anglers, boaters, and ATV operators. Additional time was spent following up on wetland violations, and monitoring AIS law compliance.

Wheaton vacant.

District 4 – Walker area

Last updated: 2024-07-22

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent the week patrolling area lakes and ATV trails. A call of an injured eagle was taken. The eagle was captured, then brought to the area raptor center. Other wildlife- and water-complaint-related phone calls were addressed.

CO Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the local area for angling and ATV activity. He found increased recreational vehicle traffic in the area with the county fair and Muskie Days activities. Baum attended and participated in the Nevis Musky Days Parade along with staff from the Hubbard County Sheriff?s Office. Baum took enforcement action on various violations.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) assisted with watercraft operations training for the ongoing CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Sura worked Lake Winnibigoshish and connecting waters for angling activity. Enforcement action was taken for fishing without a license and keeping illegal-length walleyes. Several Wetland Conservation Act/public waters cases remain ongoing with assistance from local authorities.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) investigated multiple shoreline-related complaints. She also took nuisance-bear calls.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) worked on various projects including a pre-employment background investigation, training materials for the CO Academy, and attending meetings on the new ELS program. Mathy also spent time checking anglers and ATV riders. Assistance was provided to the State Patrol on an incident. Enforcement action was taken for ATV violations.

CO Adam Seifermann (Staples) reports assisting with the CO Academy at Camp Ripley and has started a new employee pre-employment background investigation.

ATV rec officer vacant.

Weekly CO report

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2024-07-22

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd #2) worked the station for illegal all-terrain vehicle use. Guida completed use of force evaluations from the CO Academy at Camp Ripley. Guida fielded questions regarding suspected illegal aquatic vegetation removal and dispersed camping violations.

CO Matthew Brodin (Brainerd #1) assisted at Camp Ripley for the current CO Academy. He received TIP call about a suspect fishing with too many lines. Enforcement action was taken for fishing with extra lines, no type IV throwable, and license violations.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) worked angling, boating and ATV enforcement throughout the week. Cook also worked numerous jet ski complaints and responded to injured-deer calls.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) checked anglers and boaters, which both were keeping the lakes busy. There is a high number of bugs in the woods this summer. People were checked enjoying the ATV trails.