District 15 - Marshall area

CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working on investigations dealing with illegal big game and small game hunting activities. Pheasant hunters continue to struggle with a lot of standing corn. Hope might be on the horizon for duck hunters with a few northern ducks starting to arrive. Enforcement action was taken for trespassing, leaving a portable stand on a WMA overnight, illegal motor vehicle operation on a WMA, and license and stamp violations.

CO Doug Lage (Marshall) reports assisting with a youth hunt that was sponsored by the Canby Sportsman’s Club. Several youths from the area had a great time in the field finding many birds. Enforcement action was taken on loaded firearms and using a motor vehicle on a WMA. Waterfowl have been noticed in the area. Pheasant hunters are finding times tough with large amounts of corn & beans in the fields.

CO Neil Henriksen (Benson) reports enforcement time was sent checking fishermen, hunters and OHV operators. The waterfowl / pheasant hunting remained slow this past week.

CO Gary Nordseth (Worthington) responded to several nuisance animal complaints and assisted a Nebraska CO with a big game investigation. The DNR has received numerous reports of an elk in Rock and Nobles counties. The officer requests that any further sightings be reported immediately to the area Wildlife Manager or the MN State Patrol Dispatch Center at 507-537-6278.

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) monitored pheasant, waterfowl, fishing, and trapping activity. Pheasant action has been slow due to continuing rainfall and standing crops. A morning on Marsh Lake was spent w/CO Picht. Infractions for the week: shooting from a motor vehicle, no hunting license in possession, and no HIP certification.

CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the past week checking hunters and conduction investigations. Pheasant and duck success is still poor but hunter numbers are still fairly high. Enforcement action was taken for trespass, operating an ATV on a roadway, and license/stamp/registration violations.