District 9 Conservation Officer Reports

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) checked spring beaver trappers now that the water is flowing again. The turkey season started slowly due to the cold. He monitored closed forest roads and attended training at Camp Ripley.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) worked turkey hunting activity and patrolled for illegal fires and prohibited all-terrain vehicle operations. Guida and a Crow Wing County Deputy addressed two juveniles and their parents for illegally operating off-highway motorcycles in the public road right-of-way. Guida also trained at Camp Ripley this week and completed equipment maintenance and inspections.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) worked fishing, trapping and recreational vehicle activity this week. Enforcement action was taken for trapping violations and operating a motor vehicle on a closed state forest road.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time monitoring spring beaver trapping activity and motor vehicle use on closed forest roads. Ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly throughout the area.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports checking anglers, trappers, and turkey hunters. A law and safety talk was given to an area ATV safety class. Benkofske also attended department training.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) reports the 2022 turkey hunting season is off to a slow start with poor weather conditions. Turkey hunters reported very little success in the first part of the season. Ice angling activity is decreasing rapidly as ice conditions are starting to become poor.

Pine River vacant.

Cross Lake vacant.