DNR Weekly Conservation Officer Reports

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2022-07-25

CO Calie Kunst (Crosslake) spent time checking anglers, boaters and ATV riders throughout the week. Multiple violations were addressed including juveniles on ATVs without helmets, operating ATVs without headlights and failure to have life jackets on watercraft. Kunst also received calls in regard to aquatic plant management violations and ATVs causing damage to properties.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking anglers, ATV riders, and recreational watercraft throughout the week. Enforcement action included violations for no state park pass at the recreation area and youth passengers on ATVs without helmets. A couple days were also spent at Camp Ripley helping with the Academy.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot lakes) worked on fishing, boating and ATV activity this week. Enforcement action was taken for registration issues, failure to stop at a road crossing, and no helmets on kids. Time was also spent helping out at Camp Ripley for the Academy class of new COs.

Pine River vacant.

District 10 – Mille Lacs area

Last updated: 2022-07-25

CO Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked lake activity and boats leaving lakes. Aquatic vegetation is most lush this time of year and large quantities can attach to trailers. He spoke to a hunter education class and assisted with an invasive species check station.

CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) spent time working angling and ATV activity in the area. Griffith worked a detail with local officers focusing on aquatic invasive species. Assistance to local agencies was also given on a car accident and a domestic-in-progress call.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports spending time patrolling ATV trails and lakes. Enforcement action was taken for not having life jackets, no angling licenses, jet skis driving too close to docks, expired ATV and OHM registration, and juveniles on Class 2 ATVs without seatbelts. Benkofske also spent time training the new cadet class at Camp Ripley.

CO Dan Starr (Onamia) focused on fishing and ATV activities. Numerous animal-related complaints came in, which included beavers, bears, woodchucks, cranes, and a possible cougar. ATV registration violations were found, along with youth without helmets. Failing to transfer ownership of ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles continues to be a large problem.

CO Mikeena Mattson (Wealthwood) worked sport fishing, boating, aquatic invasive species, and ATV/OHM enforcement this week. Time was spent working an aquatic invasive species check station on Mille Lacs Lake this weekend.

Malmo vacant.