District 8 - Duluth area

CO Derek Peterlin (Brookston) the first half of the week was spent at Camp Ripley training. Time was then spent investigating a possible wolf depredation, picking up incidental catches, checking out an illegal camping site, and fielding concerns about an injured black bear and working with the wildlife division on a plan to address the issue.

CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked angling activity and checked anglers along the shore. ATV/OHM complaints continue and especially near Island Lake with the low water levels and illegal riding along shorelines. A wolf depredation complaint was investigated, and an illegal camping issue was handled.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) spent time working along the north shore of Lake Superior focusing on spring fish run activities. Time was spent working smelting activity, spring trapping activity, and continued to assist USDA wildlife services with a wolf depredation. Officer Duncan also took a few calls reference bear activity around the Duluth area. If people feed wildlife around the Duluth area, there will be a good chance a bear will eventually stop by to eat.

CO Tony Elwell (Cloquet) monitored turkey hunting and angling activity this week. Poor weather this week put a damper on turkey hunting, but a few harvested toms were observed. Open water season equipment was maintained, and a possible wolf depredation was investigated.

CO Mikeena Wehr (Carlton) continued work on special projects. A law and safety talk was given at an ATV safety field day, which successfully certified about 50 students. As a reminder, before heading into open water season, check your safety equipment onboard watercraft to make sure it is present and in good, working condition.

CO Aimee Hand (Willow River) attended training. She also followed up on trapping complaints in her station and CO Hand completed administrative tasks as the week ended quietly due to the rain.

Hinckley vacant.
Statewide Marine Unit
CO Arnaud Kpachavi (Marine Unit - Metro) focused on training and watercraft activity during the week. In addition to attending training, he assisted two stranded boaters on Lake Superior and patrolled Lake Minnetonka. Enforcement action was taken for a registration violation and a boat operation violation.

CO Joe Kulhanek (Marine Unit Metro) spent the first part of the week attending training on the capabilities of the unit?s new vessels on Lake Superior. He then assisted local deputies with watercraft training. Enforcement action for week included failure to display valid watercraft registration.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit Duluth) attended training for watercraft sonar and GPS operation involving new Marine Unit patrol craft. Cooperative investigation with other Great Lakes states was completed regarding sales of invasive species. Preparations for the upcoming sheriff?s deputy watercraft enforcement school were completed.

CO Mitch Lawler (Marine Unit Alexandria) trained this week on Lake Superior with other Marine Unit officers, learning the functions of their watercraft electronics in a law enforcement and first responder setting. A group of ATV riders on a busy county road was stopped for transporting numerous children without any helmets. After educating the adults on some basic operation rules, a citation was issued, and warnings were given, for several other violations. Boaters have been few and far between with the recent rains and strong winds seemingly daily.

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