Eighteen people graduated Tuesday, Sept. 13, from the 21st Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Academy, after training for 16 weeks in all aspects of their new careers as conservation officers. The graduates already have spread out across the state and will spend the next several months field training with experienced conservation officers before assuming…
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CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fishing and bear hunting are the main focuses of the work activities with more people venturing into the woods. People are reminded to check that they have current registration on their ATVs. A special operation was worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and U.S. Customs and…
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Last updated: 2022-09-06 CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) worked waterfowl, bear hunting, and ATV activities this week. Enforcement action was taken for numerous violations. CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking anglers, recreational watercraft, ATV riders, and working the early teal and goose opener. Enforcement action included registration violations and taking wood ducks out of season.…
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District 9 – Brainerd area Last updated: 2022-08-29 CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) continued patrolling ATV traffic and anglers throughout the week. The majority of her time was spent monitoring bear-baiting activity and taking calls in regards to the bear-hunting season. Aquatic plant management complaints were also received and followed up on. CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes)…
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CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fishing and boating continue to be the main focuses of the work activity. Bear baiting started this weekend so work is starting to shift from the water to the woods. An invasive species check station was worked at the U.S. Customs Port of Entry in International Falls over…
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CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) worked fishing and boating enforcement on the Rainy River and Rainy Lake. Kittelson also attended meetings in regards to upcoming Academy training at Camp Ripley. Questions were fielded about a recent boating accident on Rainy Lake. CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports checking anglers on Rainy Lake and…
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District 9 – Brainerd area Last updated: 2022-08-01 CO Calie Kunst (Crosslake) spent time checking anglers, boaters and ATV riders throughout the week. Multiple violations were addressed, including no helmets on juvenile ATV riders, personal watercraft violations and various angling violations. Kunst also followed up on aquatic plant management complaints. CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) took…
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CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports with the water on Rainy Lake receding approximately 40 inches since the crest and warmer weather, people were out in full swing enjoying lake life. The fishing has slowed a bit on both Rainy Lake and the Rainy River, possibly because of a mayfly hatch. A youth ATV…
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CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls#1) reports water levels on Rainy Lake continue to drop, but are still at flood level. The Voyageurs National Park Visitor Center boat ramp is back open, which will give people more access to the lake. People are still reminded that the no-wake zone ordinance is still in effect. Several animal-related…
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CO Curtis Simonson (International Falls #2) reports spending time this past week working at the Port of Entry in International Falls, patrolling area forest roads for ATV activity, working AIS enforcement and checking anglers on area lakes and rivers. Enforcement action taken this past week consisted of walleye/northern pike overlimits, transporting fish without skin patches,…
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