Minnesota DNR Conservation Officer Reports Nov 2, 2026

CO Tom Hutchins (Crookston) reports taking various calls regarding the new license system. Time was also spent checking archery deer hunters, duck hunters, and small game hunters. Fall anglers were checked as well.

CO Jamus Veit (Bemidji #1) spent the week monitoring ATV and small game activity. He received reports of suspected shining activity and patrolled late evenings for shiners. Time was also spent answering questions from the public and preparing for the firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for ATV youth helmet required.

CO Andrew Goodman (Perham) reports steady activity of hunting, trapping and angling. Compliance has been very high amongst waterfowlers, to include required life saving devices on watercraft. Additional time was spent issuing restoration orders and resource protection notices for water resource violations. Questions regarding the new licensing sales application continue to be the most frequent call for service and field contact subjects.

CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) checked anglers, bowhunters, and duck hunters this week. It was a pretty slow week for hunting activity, but most people were just happy to be out in good weather. Other time was spent answering questions about trespassing, the firearms deer season, and other wildlife topics.

CO Curtis Jepson (Osage) spent the week preparing for the upcoming deer firearms season. Small game hunters and ATV traffic were monitored throughout the area. CO Jepson answered hunting-related calls and helped the public purchase licenses online.

CO Angela Warren (Mahnomen) worked small game and pheasant hunting activity. Waterfowl hunting was also worked, with hunters reporting a fair hunting success. WMAs and WPAs were monitored. Questions were answered about White Earth Reservation rules and WMA usage rules.

CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) spent the week checking archery hunters, duck hunters, and pheasant hunters in the Moorhead station. An influx of migrating waterfowl brought the best hunting of the year since opener and deer movement increased this week, resulting in productive sits for archery hunters. Time was also spent walking public lands and answering regulation questions. Enforcement action was taken for trail cameras left unattended overnight on WMA property.

CO Brady Manteufel (Bagley) patrolled for shining activity, public lands, and followed up on big game and deer baiting tips. Two separate reports and investigations were conducted 10 miles apart on the same day, within 3 hours of each other. Approximately 150 ft of wire fencing was driven through and damaged between the two locations, in what appeared to be attempts to pick up the deer. Assistance was given to help rehab a great horned owl and license and wildlife questions were also answered.

Bemidji #2 – vacant.

CO Hanna Wood (Fergus Falls) spent the week at Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training . She got a better understanding of mental illness and is now better equipped in interacting with people in crisis. She spent the weekend focused on waterfowl and small game enforcement. With firearms deer season around the corner, she’s been taking several calls with questions regarding the upcoming season. Now is a great time to review the regulations book as rules/ regulations change every year.

CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) fielded several calls regarding the upcoming deer season and license issues. Archery, duck hunters and trapping activities were monitored along with trespass issues handled. The most common call this week was received almost daily with dogs trespassing and/or chasing deer. If you own dogs it is your responsibility to keep them at home.

CO Ryan Brown (Elbow Lake) reports checking primarily duck, pheasant and angling activities during the week. Questions regarding the upcoming firearm season and licensing, were answered and wildlife complaints were fielded. Duck success amongst hunters continue to be slow in areas while pheasant success has increased as fields are getting plowed.

CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) checked waterfowl, pheasant, and archery hunters. Trespass and littering complaints were received and investigated. A talk at the local Rotary Club was given.

CO Jake Homan (Alexandria) spent the week patrolling the area for waterfowl, pheasant, and archery hunting. Complaints were addressed with the upcoming firearm season. Additional time was spent assisting local agencies on calls for service. Enforcement action was taken for transport loaded firearm, No State Waterfowl Stamp, and numerous other violations.

CO Felicia Znajda (Osakis) continues to patrol archery, pheasant, and waterfowl hunting activities. She has noticed a rise in ATV activity as hunting seasons are among us. She received and investigated multiple trespass, shoot from roadway, and shining complaints. Various enforcement activity taken throughout the week including leaving stands on WMA overnight.

CO Emily Douvier (Morris) reports working small game and recreational vehicle activity. Enforcement action was taken for various license violations. Trespass complaints were also fielded.

CO Andrew Ladzinski (Glenwood) spent time on small game, ATV, and angling enforcement. He fielded questions on trapping regulations with the trapping season starting up. Many walleyes were seen in the livewells over the weekend.

Wheaton – vacant.

CO Landyn Saewert (Wadena) Spent the week working angling, small game hunters, and archery hunters. Assistance was given to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office with an ORV crash where two juveniles were air lifted to Sandford Health. CO Saewert arrested an induvial for DWI, the suspect was operating a class 2 ATV while intoxicated.
CO Patrick McGowan (Cass Lake) worked waterfowl hunters and anglers throughout the week. Time was spent on Winnibigoshish, Cass and Leech lakes. Enforcement action was taken for a variety of violations.

CO Jack Lien (Walker) spent his week following up with paperwork as he investigated multiple deer cases as well as other public land violations. Lien continued to patrol the woods and water by ATV and watercraft. Violations were noted throughout the week, and he will continue to patrol for deer violations as calls continue to come to him regarding suspicious activity in the woods and on the lakes.

CO Corey Sura (Remer) fielded trespassing, fishing, and miscellaneous public lands related complaints throughout the week. There’s been some good fishing to be had for those willing to keep their boats ready to go late into the fall. Duck numbers haven’t seen significant change from the last week or two, while waterfowl hunters await some much-anticipated north winds in the coming week.

CO Levi Brown (Staples) responded to multiple reports of hunting violations this week. Turkeys were shot and left on the side of the road in Morrison County. Brown also spent time focusing on big game hunting as the firearms deer season approaches. Brown also assisted CO Lien on a hunter who was injured in the woods after getting out of their stand.

ATV rec officer – vacant.