DNR Conservation Officers share tales

District 9 - Brainerd area

CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked invasive species, boating and angling enforcement during the week. He also inspected a new mink ranch.

CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that invasive species enforcement work on Gull Lake continues to receive most of his attention. The most common violation observed were persons transporting a watercraft with the plug in the boat. Fishing activity in the Brainerd area is high and anglers are doing better on walleye. He worked on the Mississippi River checking anglers, bow fishermen and boaters no fishing license violations were found. He checked horse riders and campers and looked for ATVs in the Pillsbury Forest.

CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) handled complaints of dog chasing deer, nuisance beaver, nuisance muskrat, and suspected over limit of sunfish. She assisted with a Boat and Water Safety class on Gull Lake and prepared for upcoming Boat Safety classes at Breezy Point. Car kill deer permits were issued and an investigation continues involving dumping of ashes in the creek bed on an area lake.

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) activity included giving presentations on furbearing animals at the Brainerd Northland Arboretum's Kid's Camp event, patrolling the Crow Wing State Forest and complaint areas for recreational use and ATV activity, invasives enforcement, checking fishing and boating activity, and responding to several water level related issues on area lakes as a result of recent high rainfall. Contacts were made for ATVs operating on county roads, illegal youth ATV operation, ATVs operating in state forest campground, and people illegally altering lake water levels.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) patrolled the station and worked at academy training. Officer Guida worked the Outdoor Wall of Shame at an area youth expo. The event attracted over 250 kids some of which went home with firearms. Most kids had an opportunity to shoot a 22 caliber rifle, muzzleloaders, and shotguns. Numerous non-profit groups were also on display.

CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Rec. Area) patrolled rec. facilities, trails and lakes in the Cuyuna Country SRA, Crow Wing and Pillsbury State Forests. The 2nd annual Cuyuna Lakes mountain bike festival held in the SRA and the Crosby city park was well attended and bike traffic was heavy all weekend. Officer Tischler located a juvenile biker lost along the trail and reunited him with his group who had reported him missing to 911.

Cross Lake - vacant.

McGregor - vacant.