District 9 Conservation Officer Reports 5-3-22

CO Calie Kunst (Crosslake) spent time throughout the week patrolling ATV activity in the area and responding to a wetland filling complaint. Kunst also assisted in teaching ATV safety and responding to a shining and shooting deer call.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) spent the week on fishing, trapping, burning, spring forest closure and fish run activities. Enforcement action was taken for registration issues.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports checking ATV riders and turkey hunters. Anglers and bow fishermen were also contacted. Nuisance bear calls are coming in with bears out searching for easy food sources and ending up in residential yards after bird feeders or garbage bins. Please acknowledge this in the spring and take measures to get rid of the food sources at night at a minimum.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) took calls of nuisance bears getting into trash cans. Checked for turkey hunters struggling with the wet season. The rain is clearing off the last bit of ice left on the lakes.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) patrolled for angling, all-terrain vehicle, and prohibited burning activity. The couple days of rain improved the area fire conditions. Without three inches of accumulated snow in the forest, a permit is now required to burn vegetative material.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) some area lakes are completely ice free and the majority of other area lakes will be ice free by the end of the week. Sullivan also addressed big game issues that included high populations of deer and nuisance bears. Some turkey hunters are still pursing harvest but are reporting the desired bird is proving to be elusive.

Pine River vacant.

Cross Lake vacant.