CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais 2) reports a slight downtick in the number of nuisance bear calls received this week. The officer also noted an uptick in the number of grouse hunters’ slow-trolling the forest roads in their vehicle of choice and questioning the warden as to where all the birds are. Manning assisted Cook County deputies and Search and Rescue volunteers with an all-night search to locate a party who called 911 multiple times from somewhere in the woods near Grand Marais. Located safely asleep in his tent, the person reported he had overreacted to a situation, tried to call for help, and then his cell phone went dead – leaving responders with the task of locating them and verifying everyone was okay.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Grand Marais 3) spent the week in Red Wing for Use of Force instructor training.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais 1) finished up a couple of commercial bear guide inspections, assisted the Forest Service with a snowmobile that had been left abandoned since last season, started a wetlands investigation, and checked grouse hunters. Hunters report seeing lots of birds, but add that they are very spooky. Hunting pressure has been down a lot compared to the last few seasons. Assistance was also given on a medical call.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) was notified of a headless moose in a gravel pit. When he checked the area, he found an old horse carcass heavily scavenged.
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) responded to an injured bald eagle complaint; it ended up being a dead herring gull in the city of Duluth.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spoke to an area camper who called to report a bear made numerous attempts to get inside his camper while they were inside it. Frericks called the following morning and learned they shot the bear. A lengthy track of the bear revealed it was likely a non-fatal wound.
CO Amber Ladd (McGregor) had a complaint about a public access issue where an angler would launch his boat, leaving his vehicle parked on the ramp with the trailer still in the water while he fished. It was explained to the angler that just because there is not a parking area at the public access does not mean he can keep his vehicle on the boat ramp while out fishing. Enforcement action was taken.
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