DNR Reports Mixed Waterfowl and Small-Game Hunting Outcomes in Northwest Minnesota
The latest weekly report from the Department of Natural Resources conservation officers, dated Monday, October 27, 2025, offers insights into hunting activity and wildlife conditions across northwest Minnesota and nearby northern regions.
Waterfowl and Small-Game Hunting Activity
Conservation Officer Ben Huener of Roseau monitored hunters pursuing ducks, geese, grouse, and archery deer throughout the week. Waterfowl hunting success was generally slow, though some hunters found opportunities in flooded agricultural fields, which serve as key stopover habitats during migration.
Violations reported included the illegal use of unplugged shotguns for waterfowl hunting and minor licensing infractions. Notably, officers assisted an injured rough-legged hawk, transporting the raptor to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. This species is a migratory raptor known to winter in northern regions, making rehabilitation efforts particularly valuable.
Officer Tony Hams from the Warroad North area focused on small-game hunting compliance, ATV monitoring, and complaint response. Despite recent rainy conditions that can affect hunter access and wildlife behavior, small-game hunters continued to report favorable success.
CO Coby Fontes from Warroad South tracked waterfowl and small-game hunting patterns and reported mixed results from local hunters, reflecting variable migration timing and habitat accessibility.
Big-Game and Angling Updates
CO Nicholas Prachar in Baudette West conducted field training with COC Jayden Frank while addressing trespass reports and big-game issues. They also monitored fisheries in anticipation of the emerald shiner spawning run, a critical forage fish supporting larger game fish populations. However, few shiners have been observed to date, though anglers reported generally strong fishing results.
Officer Bobby Stringer, covering the Thief River Falls West district, noted increased deer activity consistent with the approaching firearms season. Landowners have been erecting “No Trespassing” signs, a crucial measure for protecting private property and managing hunting pressure. Stringer emphasized the importance of clearly marking property boundaries and suggested hunters sight in firearms early to ensure safety and reduce potential conflicts.
Enforcement Actions and Hunting Compliance
Several enforcement issues were recorded during the week, including:
- Hunting waterfowl without possessing a valid license
- Failure to obtain required burn permits
- Illegal burning of prohibited materials
- Allowing youth hunters to hunt without licenses
- Abandonment of equipment within Wildlife Management Areas (WMA)
CO Nick Bruesewitz of Karlstad coordinated patrols focusing on ATV usage and waterfowl hunting. His team also monitored forest roads for grouse harvesting activity and nocturnal observations for emerald shiner presence.
In Blackduck North, CO Brice Vollbrecht conducted routine patrols along ATV and forest routes, engaging with grouse hunters who reported varied hunting success; waterfowl hunting success on local lakes also appeared limited.
Additional Regional Observations
The Baudette East and Blackduck South districts remain vacant at this time.
CO Tom Hutchins and COC Kaitlyn Istvanovich from Crookston prioritized compliance checks among waterfowl hunters, grouse hunters, and shoreline anglers. They recorded mixed levels of success reflecting changing environmental conditions and wildlife availability.
CO Jamus Veit of Bemidji #1 maintained efforts inspecting small-game hunting activities and ATV use, while also investigating ongoing cases and addressing public inquiries. Additionally, Veit participated in a shining detail with fellow officers, a method often used to monitor nocturnal wildlife or hunting concerns.
Finally, CO Andrew Goodman of Perham continued his conservation and enforcement duties, though specific notes from his week were truncated in this report.
Additional reporting and sources from: DNR officers report mixed waterfowl, small-game hunting success – Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports
