High Temperatures Blamed For Slow Small Game Opener

Authorities in Northwest Minnesota report a slow start to this year’s small-game opener. 

Conservation Officer Jeremy Woinarowicz in Thief River Falls says that there was a variety of success among goose and grouse hunters. Enforcement action for the week included multiple ATV violations, angling without a license, unregistered bear bait, and several other bear-hunting violations. 

Conservation Officer Sarah Jahn in Thief River Falls reports “while groups saw limited success with grouse, many sandhill crane hunters had full limits”.

Meanwhile, Conservation Officer Ben Huener in Roseau says “all hunting activities were reported to be slow, with high temperatures being blamed”. An illegal bear bait was followed up on in the Greenbush area. Assistance was given to local law enforcement with a deceased individual in the Lost River State Forest.

Conservation Officer Nick Bruesewitz in Karlstad says enforcement action was taken for various ATV violations. Officers want to remind ATV operators that all firearms must be unloaded while traveling in vehicles.