Conservation officers step up on ATV riding and bear-bait rules across the river

If you've been riding or getting a bait site ready in northwestern Minnesota, you may have noticed more green trucks on section lines and at WMA entrances. Conservation officers reported a flurry of ATV and bear-baiting violations in the latest weekly report for northwestern and north-central Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' conservation officer logs. That activity includes areas just across the Red River from East Grand Forks, where many Grand Forks residents hunt, fish, and ride.

The DNR’s summary points to a week spent writing citations, giving warnings, and doing a lot of on-the-spot education about what’s legal and what isn’t on public lands, according to the agency’s weekly conservation officer reports. If you recreate in Minnesota, it’s a good moment to double-check the rules before the late-summer rush.

Bear-bait violations drawing attention before the fall hunt

With bear hunting activity picking up, officers are focusing on illegal baiting and gear left behind on public land, according to the DNR’s weekly report. Minnesota law bans using bait that contains metal, glass, plastic, paper, or other non-biodegradable materials, per the DNR’s bear hunting regulations. Leaving equipment or trash on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) is also illegal under WMA rules, the agency says.

Officer Nick Bruesewitz reported citations tied to non-biodegradable bait and abandoned property on WMAs in his patrol area, according to the DNR’s weekly logs. Those reports underscore a simple point: if you pack it in, you need to pack it out—and bait must meet the state’s biodegradability rules on any land open to hunting.

Beyond tickets, officers continued talking with hunters at access points about how to set up a legal site and avoid problems, the DNR report notes. If you’ve been meaning to brush up, the state’s bear-bait page lays out what’s allowed, where you can place bait, and what to label at the site, all in one place, per the DNR’s regulations.

Off-trail ATV riding on WMAs brings citations and warnings

Officers also flagged off-road ATV use in restricted areas—especially WMAs—where riding off designated routes tears up habitat and creates deep ruts, according to the DNR’s weekly report. On WMAs, off-highway vehicles are generally prohibited unless a route is posted open, per the DNR’s WMA and OHV guidance.

Officer Bobby Stringer documented ATV violations that included rutting and damage in agricultural areas, reflecting a broader issue of unauthorized riding on public and private land, the DNR report says. For riders crossing into Minnesota, the bottom line is straightforward: stick to open, posted routes and avoid fields and wetlands; when in doubt, don’t ride it.

Enforcement this time of year is aimed at keeping trails safe and habitat intact so everyone—from waterfowl hunters to hikers—can use the same landscapes without stepping into axle-deep tracks. If you’re mapping a ride from Grand Forks or East Grand Forks, check the status of routes before you haul.

Routine checks on the water and other officer work

Alongside land patrols, officers ran the usual fishing and boating checks for licenses and proof of compliance with aquatic invasive species (AIS) rules, according to the DNR’s report. Minnesota requires boaters and anglers to carry licenses when applicable and to "clean, drain, dispose" at the ramp to prevent the spread of zebra mussels, starry stonewort, and other invaders, per the DNR’s AIS guidance and license requirements.

The weekly logs also note time spent on background investigations and answering how-to questions from the public—everything from bait-site labeling to where ATVs can legally travel, according to the DNR. If you’ve got a gray-area question, officers would rather walk you through the rule than meet you over a ticket later.

What you can do this week

• Check the rules before you go. If you’re baiting or planning to, review Minnesota’s bear-bait regulations. For riders, confirm where ATVs are allowed on public lands via the DNR’s WMA rules.
• Keep it clean at the ramp. Build in a few extra minutes to clean, drain, and dry your boat and gear, per the DNR’s AIS checklist.
• Ask before you act. For non-emergency questions, start with the DNR Information Center’s contacts listed here: DNR info and contacts. To report a suspected violation, use the Turn In Poachers line: TIP program.
• Crossing state lines? Rules differ. If you’re staying on the North Dakota side, confirm current hunting and licensing details with North Dakota Game and Fish.

What to Watch

Expect stepped-up checks as late-summer riding stays busy and fall hunting ramps up; the DNR typically posts new conservation officer reports early each week on its report page. We’ll keep an eye on enforcement trends that affect popular public lands near East Grand Forks and share updates that help you plan your weekend. If you see a change on the ground—new signs or closures—assume it’s active and adjust your plans until you can confirm the details.