Latest DNR hunting/fishing report

Goose hunting slow, deer baiting checked

District 15 - Marshall area

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking hunters, trappers and fishermen. Numerous calls / contacts from the public were dealt with. The cold seems to be keeping many hunters out of the field and fishermen off the ice. Volunteer snowmobile safety instructors were assisted with a class in Benson that was well attended.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) checked the first ice anglers of the season, with limited angler success. A few vehicles were seen on local lakes, but remember to check ice conditions before venturing out. A complaint of illegal deer take was investigated. Muzzleloader hunting activity was monitored during the final week of the season.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) continued investigations of deer illegally taken during the firearm season. The Officer gave a law and safety presentation to a youth snowmobile class in Luverne. Enforcement action was taken for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle to take pheasants.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports the muzzleloader has come to an end with several arrests for trespassing on agriculture land. Pheasant hunting is going strong with blaze orange requirements continuing to be a safety issue. An investigation of shooting a hawk was finalized. Ice fishing is underway with the cold temps helping the ice conditions. Remember, aeration systems are in place and be careful of thin ice conditions.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the week checking hunters and conducting investigations. Muzzleloader season concluded with several hunters fighting bitter weather. Snowmobile activity has picked up with recent snows. Enforcement action was taken for transport loaded firearms, trespass, hunt deer with motor vehicle, and license/stamp/registration violations.

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working big game, small game, fishing, and snowmobile enforcement. Blizzard type conditions during the middle of the week stopped a lot of the outdoor activity. With the subzero temps and some ice being made, ice fishermen were out in full force during the weekend. Ice thickness seems to range from thin to 11 inches. Ice fishermen are reminded to be patient and extremely cautious of the ice. A few trucks were observed on area lakes. Ice fishermen are reminded that fish house identification is required on ALL fish houses. Please read page 61 of the MN DNR Fishing Regulations Booklet for details.

CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports the cold and snow started bringing out the ice fishermen and snowmobile riders. A burning complaint was investigated and enforcement action was taken for burning prohibited materials.

District 16 - New Ulm area

CO Jim Steffen (Willmar) spent the week checking pheasant hunters, deer hunters and goose hunters. Time was also spent doing follow up interviews and reports on deer cases. Goose hunting has really slowed down with most geese leaving because of the temperature.

CO Wayne Hatlestad (Litchfield) checked angling and spearing activity. Additional time was spent checking archery and muzzleloader deer hunting activity. Hatlestad also checked pheasant and goose hunting activity, as well as trapping activity.

CO Angela Graham (Hutchinson) checked deer hunters, small game hunters, and trappers. She also assisted other officers with ongoing cases and followed up on reports of deer baiting and trespassing. With the cold weather ice fishermen have been hitting the local lakes.

CO Jeff Denz (Willmar) worked ice anglers in addition to ATV and snowmobile enforcement. He also followed up on a report of an injured swan and spoke at a chapter meeting of the local Pheasants Forever group. He continued follow up on deer cases.

CO Brett Oberg (Hutchinson) worked the start of the late goose season and the end of the muzzleloader season. CO Oberg also reports a noticeable increase in ice angling within the last week. He investigated a case where a live juvenile loon was brought into a local bar for identification purposes; this wasn’t a good decision. The loon eventually found itself in the hands of a rehabilitator and is currently doing well. Officer Oberg would like to remind residents if they happen to find injured or stranded animals to leave them where they are and contact a Conservation Officer or your local sheriff’s office. Your local sheriff’s office will have phone numbers of conservation officers and animal rehabilitators in the area. Officer Oberg also spoke to a snowmobile safety class at Glencoe High school.

CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) worked the completion of the muzzleloading deer season. The end of the 2009 muzzleloading season brought the same as the end of the regular firearms deer season: complaints of shooting from roadways, trespassing and shooting after hours. Small game and late goose hunters continue to be strong. Ice on area lakes prompt a few anglers to venture out on thin ice.

CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) completed his weekly radio program discussing topics including muzzleloader deer, pheasant, late goose and small game seasons and ice fishing and snowmobiling. CO Gruhlke also talked about ice safety and snowmobile safety on the program. Gruhlke continued to work deer, fishing and small game seasons. Ice fishermen are venturing out onto area lakes with houses and ATV's.

CO Greg Abraham (New Ulm) reports working the end of the muzzleloader deer season, with many more violations and complaints recorded than during the firearms deer season. Snow covered fields resulted in the inevitable calls of rifle out the car window vs. pheasant' complaints, some with no regard for the gender of the bird. He also worked predator hunters illegally using radios/cell phones, and ice anglers taking advantage of early ice.

Windom - vacant.

District 17 - Mankato area

CO Julie Siems (Faribault) reports working snowmobile, angling and hunting enforcement. Anglers are walking on the ice, however ice thickness varies greatly. Trespass complaints were investigated. Violations include unregistered snowmobile, fail to stop at road crossing, use bonus tag in lottery area, unregistered deer, shoot from a motor vehicle, shoot off the road at a big game animal, and transport illegally taken big game animal.

CO Tom Hutchins (Albert Lea) reports working an active last two days of the muzzleloader season. The deer were on the move and many hunters were out trying to get a deer during the last two days of season. Complaints of late shooting and trespass were received. Snowmobilers came out after the snowfall. Ice anglers are venturing out on area lakes.

CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) continues to investigate calls coming in of illegally taken deer. Several snowmobilers were checked over the past week with registration violations being the most common occurrence. Ice conditions continue to improve as several anglers were encountered on area lakes; however, few fish were seen.

CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) monitored deer hunting, pheasant and waterfowl hunting, ice fishing, and snowmobiling activity. Investigations were also completed from the firearms deer season resulting in numerous violations as well as animal, equipment, and license seizures. Officers Ihnen and Wiebusch also testified in court relating to a warrant/DWI arrest that occurred this past summer.

CO Phil George (Mantorville) reports the end of the muzzleloader season brought some shooting from vehicle and shooting from road complaints. Last week’s winter storm brought out some snowmobile activity in the area. Enforcement action was taken for failure to register big game animal and expired registration on a snowmobile. He taught the laws and ethics portion of a snowmobile safety class.

CO Bob Geving (Mankato) worked fishing, snowmobile and ATV activity. Ice anglers were reporting moderate success on local lakes. Enforcement actions included unsigned license and license not in possession.

CO Chris Howe (St. Peter) checked ice angling, snowmobiling, small game hunting, and muzzleloader deer hunters. Some snowmobile and pheasant hunters were checked as well, and muzzleloader activity was light. He also responded to a deer hunting TIP call and spoke on laws and ethics at a Snowmobile Safety class in Waterville.

Spring Valley - vacant.

District 18 - Rochester area

CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) worked deer and goose hunters during the week. Not as many goose hunters were out with the cold temps, but the ones who were did fairly well. Some deer hunting complaints were investigated and enforcement action was taken.

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) reports fishermen are attempting to fish in a few of the backwater areas. The recent cold temperatures made 1-3 inches of ice. Snowmobile trails will be open the week after the close of the muzzleloader deer season. The 17 inches of snow has made the last few days of muzzleloading season a challenge to get around. The deer have bunched up as well as the turkeys.

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reports spending most of the week checking fishing activity. The backwaters are seeing some early ice fishing pressure and there are still a few brave souls fishing the open water. Some time was also spent working on deer cases and checking snowmobile activity.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) saw many deer hunters out in deep snow until the end of the season. There was some snowmobile activity but most of the trails were still closed. Hemker observed a heavy migration of waterfowl after the close of the season. Many limits of sunfish were checked on the river backwaters.

CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) reports checking deer hunters on the last weekend of muzzleloader season. Success was limited. Larger groups making deer drives had some success. One deer baiting case is being investigated. Snowmobilers are out with the snow as are coyote hunters. CO Boyum spoke at a snowmobile safety class as well.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Zumbrota) reports finishing up some investigations from both the firearm and muzzleloader deer season, as well as working the end of the regular goose season. Close to a foot of snow brought out the hunters and snowmobiles in force over the weekend. Enforcement action involved closed season, shining and unlawful possession of deer, as well as several snowmobile and waterfowl issues.

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) reports the changeover to winter is here. Anglers are in search of good ice but snow cover is making for poor ice making conditions. Snowmobilers are ready to go but trails still need some more snow for groomers to get out and make good riding conditions.