Each Monday, conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources file reports from their field work. It’s a good barometer of what’s happening in the woods and on the lakes.

Minnesota’s duck season opened Saturday, and hunters had some success across Northeastern Minnesota, according to CO reports. Reports were mixed, with some hunters finding ducks and others not having much success. I also heard a good report from the Nature’s Lake area northwest of Deer River.

Some grouse hunters were finding birds, according to conservation officers. Roads are full of leaf-watchers and hunters, so one conservation officer advised grouse hunters to get off the roads and into the woods. A lot of leaves remain on trees.

Members of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa started hunting moose on Saturday, and the 1854 Treaty Authority bands (Bois Forte and Grand Portage) will start this coming Saturday, as will state hunters. Moose appear to be the rut, conservation officers say. Minnesota’s moose hunt will continue through Oct. 14.

Conservation officers checked to make sure duck hunters left the water with clean boats and plugs removed, and compliance was generally good, they reported.