Every week I read the Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer reports and every week I am surprised.   The number of people who are cited for violating game laws including hunting and fishing regulations seems unreal to me. I like to think people who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors are people who respect the great outdoors, especially the animals that live there. IF a person enjoys hunting you would think that person would want what is best for the wildlife they are hunting.  It makes me wonder why they are out in the woods hunting in the first place. Do they need the meat so badly they have to hunt over baited stations in front of their cabin? Do people just want to kill something?  Because I don’t think it is really hunting if you’re driving around in your vehicle and shooting at something from the roadway.

When I deer hunted I did it to spend time in the woods. I saw a few deer from my deer stand but never shot one. I just liked sitting up in a tree watching other wildlife and being out in nature. What other time of the year is it OK to just go sit by yourself in the woods for 8 hours?

I’m not sure why there are so many violations but I do hope these people aren’t passing these bad behaviors on to the next generation.

Weekly Conservation Officer’s report

District 6 – Two Harbors area

Last updated: 2017-11-13

CO Sean Williams (Ely 1) reports deer hunting activity continued to be high over the second weekend of the regular firearms deer season. Unfortunately so was the violation rate. Investigations included trespass, litter, and several deer shot off the roadway.

CO Marty Stage (Ely) found the deer season to be slow for a lot of people. There has been a lot of shooting from the road complaints, and it is completely amazing that some people are actually surprised that it is against the law to shoot from the roadway. The deer hunting trespass incidents seem to be on the increase as well. Take the time to read the laws before you hunt.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that some hunters have ditched the gun for the ice rod as the CO checked his first ice anglers of the year. He also patrolled by snowmobile for the first time this season. Some of the hunters that are waiting for the big buck, don’t believe the rut is in full swing quite yet as some have seen many does with nothing following behind. Other hunters report that wolves are responding to grunt and bleat calls thinking it?s the dinner bell. One person described what he saw as a fight between a doe and a wolf, but the fight soon ended as other wolves joined in. The CO has never heard it described this way.

CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) worked a snowy week of deer season. The officer investigated a trespass case involving deer hunters and took calls on wolf depredation. While there is some snow on the ground, conditions are not good for snowmobiling in most places and the lone group of sledders seen was towing a broken down machine down the road back to the cabin.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) reports numerous cases resulting in deer violations with several noteworthy incidents over the past week. One individual was caught hunting from the same baited stand twice in seven days with a citation and seizure of equipment both times. Enforcement action was taken against two people who shot deer off the road, one of which was transported untagged in a vehicle. Two people were apprehended for killing deer over baited areas, one of which was shot right next to a cabin over a feeding trough. Numerous other deer hunting violations were charged as well. A TIP call led the officer to an individual who had illegally cut balsam boughs along the edge of hole #2 green at the Ely golf course, with enforcement action taken. Ice fishermen are out on several area lakes.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) checked grouse hunters, trappers, ATV riders, ice anglers, snowmobilers, bough collectors, and deer hunters. CO Schottenbauer did not see the partridge in the pear tree, but still assumes Christmas is around the corner.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked multiple hunters with success rates varying. Hunting and trespass complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for hunting, state park and trespass violations.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked a cold and wintery second week of deer season. Most area lakes were completely frozen this week but are not safe for travel yet. Enforcement action was taken for licensing violations and illegal ATV use.