DNR Conservation Officer Reports for District 9 (Brainerd area)

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2022-11-28

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) spent time on outstanding deer-season complaints. Anglers were testing the ice and found some panfish-fishing success.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) saw a low number of hunters for the weekend muzzleloader opener. Grouse hunters were more common, as were squirrel hunters. The weather has been cooperating for people still getting out in the woods.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) reports warm weather in the area has cleared any snow cover that was present. The warm weather also stalled out ice that was forming on area lakes. As the cooler weather comes, make sure to check ice conditions because ice thickness will be variable. The muzzleloader deer season opener was pretty slow but some hunters reported successful hunts.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) worked the opening weekend of the muzzleloader deer season. Warm weather slowed the activity and slowed ice formation. Guida continued following up on deer-feeding and hunting-with-aid-of-bait violations. An ATV was stopped after the driver was observed failing to stop at three public road intersections and the front tires of the ATV were observed leaving the ground. Area lakes have varying ice conditions with many open-water spots visible.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time throughout the week working ATV-related complaints in the rec area and checking waterfowl and muzzleloader deer hunters.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time checking hunters in the area. The warmer weather brought small-game hunters back out, as well as the muzzleloader hunters for opening weekend. Cook took enforcement action on transporting a loaded firearm, lend-borrow deer-hunting licenses and hunting without a small-game license.

Pine River vacant.