CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time checking anglers and boaters on area lakes. Action was taken for not wearing a life jacket while operating a jet ski and not having a fishing license in his personal possession. Cook also received numerous complaints about nuisance bears.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) spent the week monitoring off-road vehicle activities, enforcing sport fishing regulations, and monitoring bear baiting operations. Enforcement actions were taken for various violations.

CO Luke Belgard (Pine River) worked this week enforcing fishing, boating and off-road vehicle regulations. Attended a regional training session. Spent time monitoring local public access sites for AIS violations.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) and COC (Conservation Officer Candidate) Andrew Struffert began Level 1 of field training this week. Officers have been dealing with recreational boating and ATV activities, checking anglers and handling nuisance animal complaints. Officers completed a property damage investigation at the Sagamore Unit Rally Center, with enforcement action pending. Other violations included illegal operation of ATVs, operation of recreational vehicles with expired registrations and license violations.

CO Matthew Brodin (Brainerd #1) worked all week on the Gull Lake chain and the Crow Wing River. CO Brodin also prepared for the start of the bear hunt.

CO Patrick McGowan (Walker) I worked on Leech Lake with boats and fishing and time was spent training a new conservation officer in boat handling and patrol tactics. Officers also assisted local law enforcement in responding to emergency calls. Numerous violations of boating and fishing regulations were prosecuted.

CO (Conservation Officer) Nick Baum (Park Rapids) patrolled the area for RV activities, fishing and bear baiting. CO Baum investigated and took enforcement action on a complaint about an individual keeping a fawn in an enclosure. CO Baum investigated a complaint about a motorcycle operating on the Heartland Bike Trail and took enforcement action against the illegal operation. CO Baum encountered several individuals enjoying the local OHM trails after the recent rain. CO Baum would like to remind OHV drivers to ensure their vehicles are currently registered and have the required equipment before riding on the trails.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) Handled several different calls regarding bears or bear hunting as well as campground complaints. Annual training was attended. Sura assisted several other state and local agencies with a car accident.

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) attended training sessions and conducted background investigations. In addition, numerous service calls were handled.

CO Jacque Johnson (Longville) Complaints about the coast were investigated and action was taken against various violations of fishing and watercraft regulations.

CO Adam Seiferman (Staples) attended the graduation ceremony of the 23rd class of the CO Academy at Camp Ripley and continued to work on a pre-employment background check for new employees.

CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) I have been working primarily on a background investigation of a CO applicant and attending meetings on the new licensing system. Bear bait has begun to be placed and some time has been spent checking the bait. Complaints continue to come in about problem bears and beavers. Work has been done on a case related to aquatic plants and enforcement action has been taken against the unauthorized use of weed rollers.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) Reports of fishing trips and off-roading during the week. A report of a deer without a head was recorded. It was later determined that a person had picked up a deer killed by a car, cut off the head and then dumped it in the ditch. Action was taken for discarded garbage. Another report of a deer without antlers killed by a car was also investigated.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Bemidji #1) spent time patrolling local lakes and ATV trails. He also attended a regional meeting on new law updates and investigated several nuisance bear calls, engaging licensed hunters. Enforcement action was taken for OHM operating on the road, not having a license, not having watercraft safety equipment, expired watercraft registration, and leaving trash.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week investigating complaints of nuisance animals and preparing for the upcoming hunting season. CO Swedberg answered many calls regarding nuisance animals and offered help and advice to landowners. CO Swedberg also worked on ATV trails and state forest lands in the area.

CO Jordan Anderson (Osage) assisted hydrologists in the field regarding public waters and WCA violations. In addition, CO Anderson began the first step of field training with COC (Conservation Candidate) Bobby Stringer. The pair patrolled the local state forests for bear baiting. Action was taken for an illegal stay in state forests and an arrest for drunk driving.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #2) spent the week monitoring fishing and ATV activity in the area. Nuisance bear calls and various other complaints were addressed.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) spent time at Mille Lacs Lake. Many anglers were out enjoying the weekend weather with their families. The evening bite was successful. Time was also spent at Wahkon Days where the TIP trailer was on display for the public. Griffith responded to ATV complaints, wildlife calls and continued working wetland cases.

CO Joseph Scholz (Malmö) spent a busy weekend checking anglers on Mille Lacs Lake. Many anglers were out in search of walleye and some were successful and were able to find fish to take home. Time was also spent checking bear bait stations and watching for ATV activity. Measures were taken to stop youth on ATVs without helmets, not enough life jackets when boating, and walleyes out of the slot. Remember, a reliable tape measure can be an important fishing tool.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) inspected watercraft and ATVs in the area. Actions were taken for improper ATV registration, riding with too many passengers, fishing without a license, and jet skiing by juveniles without watercraft safety training. Benkofske also assisted other law enforcement agencies with car accidents and a house fire.

CO Ashley Whiteoak (Aitkin) spent time patrolling fishing, boating and off-road vehicle activities. The officer also spent time following up on various calls that included information about a sunken boat and nuisance bears. The officer also assisted the State Patrol with an accident and worked the Turn In Poachers Wall of Shame booth at Wahkon Days.

CO Stephen Westby (Little Falls) spent time at Camp Ripley for training and use of force. Officer Westby assisted Morrison County with a shooting complaint north of Pierz where several mailboxes and electrical boxes were shot. Additionally, a deer was found shot from the road. Please contact the DNR if you have any information.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville) This week he was in charge of ATV activities and fisheries enforcement. The officer assisted the county’s water protection unit with a call. The officer also attended a regional meeting.

CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked with anglers and boaters on area lakes. A TIP call was investigated involving an individual at a party who had shot a deer outside of hunting season. CO Seifermann and K9 partner Jet assisted with the investigation. Citations were issued, along with the loss of a rifle and three years of hunting privileges. ATV activity and shoreline were monitored. Enforcement actions included failure to wear life jackets, taking deer outside of hunting season, and failure to have a fishing license.

CO Adam Stennett (Annandale) I worked on boating and fishing rights enforcement. I attended firearm safety classes discussing laws and regulations with new hunters. The week’s enforcement activities included: using OHM on the road.