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LOCAL DNR CONSERVATION OFFICERS' REPORT
• CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) TIP calls handled included: hunting over bait (corn), trespass, untagged deer and possession of firearms before the deer opener. Enforcement action included: loaded/uncased rifle on ATV, no blaze orange, illegal posting of public land/trespass and fail to validate big game site tag. Shoutz also assisted a neighboring officer with a taxidermy shop inspection. Confusion was observed regarding lottery area hunting/registration. If you are hunting in a lottery area received an antlerless permit in the mail, it means that you can only tag one deer in the lottery area.
• CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) reports deer hunting success running about the same as last season with most hunters seeing deer despite warmer weather. Enforcement action was taken for illegal baiting, license violations, trespass, failing to validate site tags and illegal party hunting.
• CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) concluded an investigation on hunting big game over bait with others still pending. Officer Guida spent time working complaints of trespassing, shooting from the roadway, and illegal party hunting.
• CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reported checking numerous deer hunters and camps over the opener with success varying widely throughout the area. Several complaints of baiting deer were investigated. In one of the cases three individuals face fines in excess of $1,200 and confiscation of firearms for hunting over bait. Another matter investigated involved a truck that was accidentally shot in the engine area and disabled by a first time youth hunter as he shot his first deer. Another complaint resulted in locating and disarming a person out deer hunting who cannot legally possess a gun as per a court order. Deer shining work turned up two individuals' head-lighting deer while in possession of an uncased high-power rifle and open containers of alcohol. The rifle was seized and charges are pending in the matter.
• CO Tim Collette (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) checked late season duck hunters, archery hunters and firearms deer hunters over the busy opening weekend of season. Archery hunters were seeing success during the week as the deer were active. Opening day of firearms season saw good action in the morning and then was much quieter the rest of the weekend. The officer investigated a complaint of illegal placement of duck decoys and several reports of illegal deer baiting. Some violations were observed, but overall, compliance was good.
• CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) spent most of the week working on deer hunting issues. Enforcement contacts included untagged deer, hunter harassment, uncased handgun, false information to a peace officer and hunting over bait. One contact began with the officer thinking that a hunter lying on the ground had taken a fall. However it proved to be a young hunter who was too tired to stay awake an hour into legal shooting time. One hunter, who earlier was charged with hunting over bait on private property, was seen parked at a public land hunting area. The law requires a 10 day waiting period once the bait is removed before the area can be hunted.
• CO Chad Sherack (Pequot Lakes) spent this past week following up on deer baiting, trespass, and illegal water crossings complaints. Officer Sherack was busy over the weekend checking firearm deer hunters and following up on complaints. Officer Sherack took enforcement action for hunting over bait, illegal parting hunting, take antlerless deer without permits, no license in possession, untagged deer, fail to validate deer tag, transport loaded firearm, operate ATV during closed hours, litter, and insufficient blaze orange. Officer Sherack also took a complaint from a local farmer that a calf was shot over the weekend. He took many reports from hunters that tree stands and ground blinds were stolen over the weekend.
• CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that the deer opener went well. Numerous hunters were out and enjoyed the nice weather with mixed success. Some of the violations detected include shooting from a road and trespass and failure to validate site tag.
• CO Duke Broughten (Longville) observed several deer hunters taking advantage of the nice weather; however, hunters appeared to have mixed success. CO Broughten also investigated several trespass complaints and completed a taxidermist inspection. CO Broughten would like to remind individuals using deer stands and ATVs to check the regulations that are specific to the land they are hunting. Enforcement action was taken on operating an ATV on the roadway, no license in possession, hunting big game without a license, dredging public waters without a permit, operating an ATV in a WMA, and trespass.
• CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) worked deer hunting opening weekend activity. Enforcement contacts were made for transporting loaded firearms, taking an antlerless deer without a permit, no small game license, and hunting over bait.
• CO Greg Verkuilen (Garrison) reports that in the last three weeks, three 8-point bucks have been hit on the same 6 mile stretch of Hwy 18. It appears that the deer are moving around a lot in the area. Verkuilen worked the gun deer opener which included the expected array of baiting violations, trespassing complaints, un-validated tags, and shooting from the road.
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