“Great Success” Reported From Area Deer Hunters

Authorities with the Minnesota Department of Natural resources say the deer hunting season is off to a great start in northwest Minnesota. 

Conservation Officer Ben Huener in Roseau says “Hunters saw great success this past weekend with abundant deer activity”. Enforcement action taken this weekend included hunting deer over bait, unlawful party hunting, failure to tag deer, transporting loaded firearms, hunting deer without a license, and ATV-related violations. 

Conservation Officer Coby Fontes in Warroad happily notes that numerous people had successful hunts, and he checked a group with a 12-point swamp buck in the Beltrami Island State Forest. Enforcement action was taken for hunting with the aid of bait, leaving a permanent stand on state land, and no license in possession.

Conservation Officer Tony Hams in Warroad says violations encountered were wildlife management area trespass, constructing a permanent stand on a WMA, hunting with the aid of bait, failure to validate tag, transporting untagged big game, and allowing illegal hunting (juvenile hunting over bait). Assistance was given to local law enforcement with a second-degree assault case.

Nick Bruesewitz in Karlstad says injured-animal calls were answered throughout the week. Violations encountered were hunting deer over bait and shooting at deer from the road right-of-way.

Conservation Officer Sarah Jahn in Thief River Falls says enforcement action was taken for failing to validate tags, transporting loaded firearms, operating ATVs during the closed hours, and hunting over bait.

Conservation Officer Jeremy Woinarowicz in Thief River Falls says enforcement action was taken for untagged deer, taking deer with an invalid license, no ATV registration, occupying a permanent stand in a WMA, shooting at big game from roadway, trespass, and multiple instances of transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and taking deer over a baited area.

Woinarowicz reminds people that timely reporting of violations dramatically increases the likelihood of being able to apprehend violators. 

Hunters are reminded to review the hunting rules and regulations booklet before hitting the field.