District 9 - Brainerd area
CO (Conservation Officer) Patrick McGowan (Pine River) worked muzzleloader deer hunters and worked on cases from this fall’s firearms deer season. Early ice anglers are starting to venture out on some lakes. McGowan also spent time on equipment maintenance, and assisted the Forestry Division with a spruce harvest inspection.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) monitored angling activity on station lakes. Assistance was given to a local police department on a call where a vehicle went through the ice. Guida also worked on watercraft maintenance and investigated an incident where a contractor cut down a tree with an active bald eagle nest within it.
CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) continued to train with COC (Conservation Officer Candidate) Brown. They did not see as many hunters out this past week due to the lakes starting to freeze over. People are switching over to ice fishing. Remember that ice conditions vary and not every lake is the same. Be sure to check ice thickness. Violations this past week included possession of marijuana, no fishing license in personal possession, fishing with an extra line, and unattended lines.
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked muzzleloader-deer-hunting and angling activity. A trespass complaint and a call involving ice fishing equipment with no anglers visible were handled.
ADVERTISEMENT
CO Tony Flerlage (Crosby) checked the first ice anglers of the year. The small lakes have enough ice that people are trying their luck. He saw a few hunters out for the muzzleloader season. Grouse hunters were checked, and they were finding some birds.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) reports checking muzzleloader deer hunters during the past week and weekend. A few late-season small-game hunters were also seen out trying their luck. Calls regarding a possible people through the ice, car-killed deer permits, dumped deer, and many outdoor law-related questions were fielded. Ice anglers were checked, with a few having some luck. As a reminder, ice conditions vary this time of year with the varying temperatures. Please be careful if you venture out on the ice because not only do you risk your life, you risk the life of rescuers. Time was also spent patrolling the SRA for state park permits and illegal vehicle activity.
