Weekly Conservation Officer Reports – District 9 (Brainerd area)

District 9 – Brainerd area

Last updated: 2022-10-24

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) patrolled for waterfowl-, sport fishing, and deer-hunting activity this week. Guida encountered numerous anglers successfully catching smallmouth bass and catfish. Water temperatures are getting cold and anglers and boaters are reminded to check for life-saving personal floatation devices prior to launching. Waterfowl-hunting activity has slowed and youth deer harvest appears down due to above-normal temperatures.

CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) reports youth deer hunters in the area reported lots of success. One youth hunter was hoping for an eight-point buck and on Thursday evening that hunter harvested the buck, which was a personal best. Sullivan also checked waterfowl and small-game hunters. Common violations reported were trespassing and litter.

CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time checking youth deer hunters and early antlerless hunters throughout the week. A dirty campsite was also investigated, with contact with the individuals. Enforcement action for the week included license violations and ATVs operating on state highways.

CO Chelsey Best (Pequot Lakes) was joined by COC Violet Ohnstad for another week of field training. They focused their time on ATV enforcement, public lands violations, bear baits, and minnow trapping. They also spent time with ongoing investigations of bear and swan carcasses found in the area.

CO Calie Cook (Crosslake) spent time checking multiple hunters out for the early antlerless and youth firearms seasons over the weekend. There was also a fair amount of ATV riders out enjoying the warm fall weather. Enforcement action was taken for failure to validate a site tag and various ATV-related violations. Multiple calls were also received in regard to hunting questions and calls for service.

CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) saw more duck hunters this past week. There are new birds in the area thanks to cold weather. With the added pressure, many groups said it was hard to get the ducks to commit to the decoys. The antlerless/youth deer season had average participation, but resulted in few deer shot. Grouse hunting has been slow. Flerlage investigated a wetland/lakeshore violation.

Pine River vacant.