DNR Conservation Officer Report – District 9 (Brainerd area)

Last updated: 2022-11-01

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) completed another week of training with COC Ohnstad. They spent time on ATV/ORV enforcement and checking hunters in the field. Some of the violations were failure to register ORVs, riding within the public roadway with Class I ATVs, and fishing with extra lines.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) reports the fantastic fall weather has allowed everyone to have several options for recreation over the past week. Area anglers reported having success fishing and hunters also had good reports. Enforcement action was taken for fishing, boating and recreational vehicle violations.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent the week checking anglers, archery deer hunters, and anglers. Enforcement action included deer hunting without a license. As a reminder, the state recreation area bike trails are closed Nov. 5-20 for the firearms deer season.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) continued working sport fishing and big-game baiting investigations. A reminder to anyone convicted of hunting big game over bait is subject to a forfeited firearm/bow, a one-year big game hunting revocation including compact states, and approximately a $385 fine. Guida worked with another officer checking angling and sport netting activity. Numerous netters were catching decent numbers of large whitefish. Guida also issued a deer-possession permit for a car-killed deer.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time getting prepared for the firearms deer-hunting season. Multiple hunters have reached out with questions and concerns about the upcoming season. Cook also checked ATV riders and small-game hunters throughout the week.

Pine River vacant.