District 9 - Brainerd area

Last updated: 2013-05-07

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reported activity this past week included monitoring panfish bites on area lakes, monitoring fish run on area creeks, patrolling the Crow Wing State Forest for OHV trail closure compliance, checking turkey hunting activity, and responding to numerous calls including nuisance beaver, squirrels, injured deer and bald eagle, and wolf depredation of livestock. One individual was found trapping beaver out of season.

CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) monitored creeks and streams where the spring spawning ritual is going on, and checked the first open water anglers of the season who were lucky enough to find a little bit of open water. Other activity included setting up a wolf control area for a local cattle rancher, checking turkey hunters, and answering calls of dead fish in lakes that have frozen out due to the extended winter. Enforcement activity included ATVs in seasonally closed state forest, allowing illegal juvenile ATV operation, illegal spearing and bow fishing in a designated trout stream, and expired ATV registrations.

CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) assisted with annual in-service training held at Camp Ripley. At in-service training Conservations Officers receive mandatory training that is required by MN Peace Officers Standards and Training. Officers also receive First Aid and CPR Training, along with updates and training in DNR Enforcement activities.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) continued work with Officers at annual in-service training at Camp Ripley. Officer Guida followed up on an early morning spearing complaint which resulted in enforcement action. Another call resulted in an individual receiving a citation for leaving his fish shelter on the public water access. Officer Guida also instructed the law and ethics portion of an area Firearm Safety Training class.

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) attended enforcement in-service training at Camp Ripley and followed up on deer hunting issues from the fall. A loon was picked up for testing as it was found dead along a shoreline of an area lake while the mate helplessly wailed, apparently missing it. Few fishermen were checked as area ice conditions are rapidly deteriorating. A car injured deer was dispatched and car kill permit issued. Assistance was provided at the district all-day range day in Lakeshore for Firearms Safety students needing the range testing to complete their Firearms Safety Certificate requirements.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports there have been a few anglers out trying their luck and the pan fish bite has been slow. Violation of no license in possession was found. He spent time in the Pillsbury Forest finding evidence of vehicles operating on closed forest roads and causing damage. He checked few turkey hunters and they reported poor success. He stopped a boat being transported with a plug in it. The operator had just purchased the used boat and it had not been in the water yet this year CO Posner reminded him of the AIS laws. He warned and explained the rules to a property owner who was had an unpermitted fire to burn yard debris.

CO James Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area) monitored area creeks and rivers for sucker spearing and fish run activity, and turkey hunting and ATV activity and enforced temporary road and trail closures in the State Rec. Area and Pillsbury State Forest. He also assisted with a fisheries project on Gull Lake.

McGregor - vacant.