Conservation Officer Report District-5

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports time was spent instructing at Camp Ripley Academy 21 for sport fishing enforcement. Bear baiting was monitored throughout the station, as was ATV activity. Phone calls about nuisance animals and ATV-related questions were handled as well.

CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week monitoring bear baits throughout the area and checking shore anglers on the Rainy River. Simonson also worked at the Minnesota State Fair this past week.

CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) fielded questions and concerns about bear baiting. Slatinski followed up on an unauthorized trail use complaint and assisted with Academy training at Camp Ripley.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring area lakes for angling activity. Area forest roads were checked and ATV activities were monitored. Bear-baiting activities were tended to. Equipment work was completed and phone calls were returned.

CO Marc Johnson (Hibbing) primarily worked ATV and angling enforcement. In addition, time was spent conducting follow-up investigation on a variety of calls, checking bear baits, and speaking at a firearms safety class in Hibbing.

CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time attending training at Camp Ripley over the week. He also fielded several trespass-related complaints and continues to work on his background investigation.

CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the week monitoring fishing, ATV, and bear-baiting activity. Anglers continued to report limited success. Bear hunters reported little activity at their baits. Broughten also fielded calls regarding nuisance animals and safety education classes.

Cook vacant.