Caption: DNR Assistant Commission Bob Meier (far left), DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen (second from left) and Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director (far right), are pictured here with the 18 new conservation officers who graduated from the CO Academy and now are field training across the state.
District 1 – Baudette area
Last updated: 2025-11-03
CO Tony Hams (Warroad North) spent the week checking area small-game hunters, monitoring ATV traffic, following up on various complaints, and preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season.
CO Coby Fontes (Warroad South) spent the week following up on open cases and preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette West) continued field training with COC Jayden Frank. The officers worked big-game activity in the area, followed up on trespass complaints, and investigated a possible hunter-harassment case. Time was also spent on ATV enforcement and small-game activity. The officers attended a district meeting to discuss the upcoming firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for allowing unlawful operation of an ATV and transporting grouse without the required wing attached.
CO Bobby Stringer (Thief River Falls West) reports an increase in hunter contacts as the weather changes, the deer begin to move, and the firearms season rapidly approaches. Remember, purchase firearms deer licenses early to avoid same-day license violations. Also, keep in mind that alcohol and firearms never mix. Significant enforcement actions for the week included burning without a permit, burning prohibited material, hunting big game and small game without licenses, hunting over bait, possession and consumption of alcohol by persons under 21, multiple transporting loaded firearms, and no hunting license in possession as required.
CO Nick Bruesewitz (Karlstad) checked waterfowl hunters throughout the week. They reported slower success. Deer-shining activity was worked during the late hours. Bruesewitz spent time preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck North) monitored waterfowl-hunting activity on area lakes and grouse-hunting activity on area trails. Hunters are reporting mixed results. He attended a district meeting/training.
Baudette East – vacant.
Blackduck South – vacant.
District 2 – Bemidji area
Last updated: 2025-11-03
CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week checking grouse, squirrel, and archery deer hunters. He conducted a wolf-depredation investigation, handled a nuisance-bear complaint, attended training, and answered questions from the public.
CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) had a busy week attending training, assisting with a firearms safety class, and conducting deer-hunting investigations. Hunting pressure for small game and waterfowl slowed, while a short break from gusty winds brought anglers back to area lakes. Numerous deer-season-related questions were received and answered. Goodman would like to remind everyone that detailed and timely TIPs can be the difference between fish and game crimes being solved versus going undetected.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week preparing for the upcoming firearms deer opener. Swedberg also checked small-game, archery deer, and duck hunters. Other time was spent following up on TIP calls and addressing a hunter-harassment situation where a landowner was shooting fireworks at a group of duck hunters.
CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) attended training and worked big-game and recreational vehicle enforcement. Numerous complaints of dogs running at large, and some chasing big game, were received.
CO William Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week preparing for the upcoming firearms deer season and following up on ongoing cases. Calls from the public included nuisance-beaver complaints, trapping law questions, and CWD law questions.
CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on area hunting activity. A call of possible illegal waterfowl-hunting activity was investigated. Wildlife management areas and waterfowl production areas were patrolled, and angling activity was worked, with anglers reported good success. ATV and off-road vehicle activity was worked. Warren also patrolled for illegal shining activity.
CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) checked public lands for recreational activity and answered questions about deer-hunting licenses and zones. Information about equipment on public lands was investigated and TIP calls were followed up on.
Bemidji #2 – vacant.
Pelican Rapids – vacant.
District 3 – Fergus Falls area
Last updated: 2025-11-03
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) and COC Josephine Homeier spent time working trapping activity, small-game hunters, and archery deer hunters. Assistance was provided to other agencies on a serious motor vehicle crash. An illegal fish-stocking case was concluded, and enforcement action was taken for stocking/transporting fish without a permit.
CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking pheasant and duck hunters during the week going into the weekend. Additional time was spent checking anglers and working on ongoing investigations. Miscellaneous animal-related complaints were also received and fielded.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked waterfowl, deer, and pheasant hunters. Anglers and ATV riders were also checked. Several hunting related questions were received and answered. Equipment maintenance was completed.
CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling Douglas County. Those braving the wind and cool weather have been able to capitalize on the walleye and muskie bite. Homan also spent time checking duck and pheasant hunters.
CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) noticed a rise in waterfowl and pheasant hunters throughout the week and weekend. Lots of birds in the bags made happy hunters. She received multiple complaints of dogs chasing deer. Several violations encountered including possession of lead while waterfowl hunting.
CO Curtis Jepson (Wheaton) spent the week primarily focused on pheasant and waterfowl hunters. While patrolling public lands, he observed a good number of hunters afield. Hunters report seeing fewer ducks than in previous years. A few hunters checked were able to shoot limits of a wide variety of duck species. He also observed some walleyes being caught out of the river systems.
CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports plenty of activity is still underway with waterfowl, pheasant, and deer hunters in the area. The numbers of birds harvested has been consistent. Questions were fielded regarding the upcoming firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for no PFDs and no HIP certification.
CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) spent his time on small- and big-game, waterfowl, and angling enforcement. He fielded questions regarding tagging procedures for big game. Multiple stands and cameras were seized, as they were left overnight on wildlife management areas. Enforcement action was taken for possession of a northern pike within the 22- to 26-inch protected slot limit.
District 4 – Walker area
Last updated: 2025-11-03
CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) spent time getting ready for the firearms deer season. Time was spent on training at Itasca State Park. Complaints of dogs chasing deer have been frequent, and a citation was issued to one dog owner as the incident of the dogs chasing a deer was caught on camera. People are reminded to keep pets on their own property.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked Winnibigoshish and Leech lakes during the week. Waterfowl hunters are reporting slow success, and walleye anglers are still finding a few fish. McGowan also attended a meeting and completed follow-up work on cases from this fall.
CO Corey Sura (Remer) attended trainings during the week and began preparations for the upcoming deer season. Sura assisted on investigations of unlawfully taken deer and hunting small game in a state game refuge (where not allowed). Three anglers were cited for taking and possessing an overlimit of perch on Leech Lake.
CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) checked hunting and ATV activity. She followed up on multiple hunting related concerns and ongoing cases.
CO Levi Brown (Staples) encountered many archery deer hunters trying to tag a deer before the firearms season kicks off. Deer are on the move, though many people are reporting movement is still occurring after dark. Brown also encountered multiple hunters out prepping for the upcoming firearms der season. If utilizing an ATV for deer season, familiarize yourself with the ATV laws and rules.
Walker – vacant.
ATV rec officer – vacant.
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