Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer reports for Tuesday, Sept. 16

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) spent time on wetland issues within the station. Checked grouse hunters and archery deer hunters, very little activity with the rainy weather. Bear hunting activity starting to slow [...]]]> From the Duluth News Tribune
published Sept. 16, 2008

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer reports for Tuesday, Sept. 16

District 5 – Eveleth area

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) spent time on wetland issues within the station. Checked grouse hunters and archery deer hunters, very little activity with the rainy weather. Bear hunting activity starting to slow a bit. Handled an injured eagle complaint, the eagle was captured and later sent on a plane to Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota.

CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) reports checking grouse hunters on the opener. Very few hunters seen in the drizzling rain and fewer grouse. Violations for juvenile hunters under 14 years of age, unaccompanied by adults, juveniles illegally operating ATVs, juveniles on ATVs without helmets, juveniles without ATV safety certificates, and adults allowing illegal operation of ATVs by juveniles were addressed. Also checked experimental regulation lakes of Kabetogama and Namakan where citations for illegal length walleyes, transporting filleted walleyes on the water, and reducing fish to more than two fillets were handled. Also investigated camper trailers left on state land for more than several weeks unattended with litter.

C0 Troy Fondie (Orr) reports assisting Ely conservation officer with work project monitoring boating and angling activities and working on various equipment up keep issues.

CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports following up on a fire from last week, dealing with a problem bear and mink, requests for bear meat, bear hunting questions, deer hunting questions, grouse hunting questions, internal DNR questions, and checking for hunting activity.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) finished field training with COC Vollbrecht. Officers worked early goose hunters, the opening of the small game seasons, ATV’s, and bear hunting activity. An illegal fire investigation was completed with a citation issued, along with enforcement action for littering for another individual in the case. Enforcement action was taken on no federal duck stamp, no state duck stamp, operate a motor vehicle on a state trail, fail to register bear bait station, careless or negligent fires, and fail to display ATV registration.

CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent time checking bear hunters and their baits. Some unmarked bait stations are being watched. Unfortunately, while looking for bear baits, CO Frericks found some active deer baiting. CO Frericks located a fisher set from last season. The trap had the remnants of a large fisher in it. The conibear trap still had the trap tag on it and an investigation is underway for a trap tending violation.

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) checked fishing activities on area lakes and found fishing to be slow, the fall bite hasn’t started yet. Bear hunters are having some success and report bait stations are just starting to get hit. Officer Fredin also gave a law presentation for the Moose Orientation in Ely, many questions were answered, good luck to all of them.

District 6 – Two Harbors area

CO Brandon McGaw (Babbitt) spent time in the woods and on the water. The fish bite has picked up a little since temperatures are dropping. Bear hunters are having mixed results and most have called it a season. Time was also spent in Ely giving a moose orientation class to some of this falls moose hunters. Grouse hunters hit the woods on Saturday and had trouble seeing birds due to the thick foliage.

CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) kept an eye on bear hunting activity throughout the week. Opening of deer archery and small game seasons were greeted with some soggy weather, which dampened the outing for many. Angling pressure has slowed some after Labor Day, however many are still catching fish both on Lake Superior and inland. Officer Thomasen would like to remind people to give extra consideration to wearing PFD’s as the weather and waters become colder. It could save your life.

CO Tom Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked anglers on Lake Superior. People need to review their salmon and trout identification before heading on the water. Stealhead are to be immediately released. Officer Wahlstrom checked bear hunters and their baits; overall compliance was good. A few grouse were bagged during the small game opener. The hunters enjoyed the changing leaves but found it frustrating to see the birds.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that a bear guide stopped him on the road and showed him some digital pictures of garbage and furniture dumped onto Forest Service land. The CO recognized a recliner that he had seen at another bear camp a few days before. The CO made some phone calls and fingers were pointed in the direction of a suspect and the case was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer. A citation was issued and the mess was cleaned up. The CO issued more citations this week for garbage in bear baits and for baiting with mammal bones. The majority of bear hunters do things right.

District 7 — Grand Rapids area

CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) and COC Paurus spent the week on fishing and small game enforcement. They completed a dumping investigation where a large amount of garbage and vehicle parts were illegally left on public land. The officers also investigated wanton waste of some Canada geese.

CO Randy Patten (Northome) worked bear hunting activity, checked anglers, finished a required defensive driving training session, attended a trails meeting, and issued a cease and desist for a potential wetland violation.

CO Jeff Koehn (Grand Rapids – OHV Specialist) presented an enforcement report to the Itasca County Trails Task Force. CO Koehn helped train COC Vollbrecht in OHV enforcement efforts. They patrolled by ATV along trails and in known ATV use areas. Numerous deer stands were located and checked prior to the archery deer hunting opener. CO Koehn and COC Vollbrecht checked campgrounds common to ATV users. Enforcement activity for the week included, operate ATV with youth passenger no helmet, fail to display ATV registration, operate ATV without headlights, allow illegal juvenile operation of an ATV.

CO Gary Lefebvre (Pengilly) worked fishermen, watercraft, ATV’s, small game and archery deer hunters. He also checked bear hunters and handled several complaints during the week.

District 8 — Cloquet area

CO Randy Hanzal (Brookston) despite the rainy weather lots of sportsmen were contacted this weekend for the opener of small game and archery seasons. A district meeting was attended where current law updates and other issues were discussed. Bear hunters are reporting more activity at bait stations. A few ATV violations involving juveniles were encountered during the week. An informational visit was made to a local Game Farm and some of its neighbors.

CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended a district meeting with other conservation officers and also spent time working on wetland cases in the area. One citation was issued to a person for failing to comply with a Wetland Conservation Act Restoration Order. Other time was spent checking small game and bear hunters in the area. Success rates are slow in the area. One hunter harassment case was worked and is still under investigation. CO Staples and CO Humphrey assisted with and taught the law portion of a trapper’s education class in Cromwell.

CO Jeff Humphrey (Kettle River) worked small game and archery deer opener and investigated complaints of trespass and deer shining. Officer Humphrey attended a district enforcement meeting and assisted at a Trapper Education class in Cromwell. Inclement weather put a damper on opening weekend activities in the area.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent time working small game opener over the weekend. Several people were out chasing grouse, but the weather didn’t cooperate for most of opening weekend. Contact was also made with several archery deer hunters. All were excited about being in the woods again for another year. Some time was also spent checking goose hunting and fishing enforcement. Several calls have been taken during the week, with some requiring time and follow-up with possible enforcement action needed when completed.

CO Sarah Sindelir (Duluth) continued to investigate a dock complaint this past week. She also attended a district meeting in Cloquet. She spent time working early goose, bow, small game, and bear hunting activity. Enforcement action was taken for no license in possession.

Duluth Marine Unit

CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) attended a district meeting, worked on reports and paperwork from some past cases, and performed equipment maintenance. He checked boaters and anglers and assisted in area stations with early goose, small game, bear and archery deer hunters. Enforcement action was taken for a bear hunter who did not have his license in possession and investigation is ongoing into another possible violation.

CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit) checked anglers near Silver Bay and Tofte. The salmon and lake trout are cooperating with anglers much better now. Equipment maintenance issues were handled, and work areas were scouted for the beginning of hunting season. Enforcement action was taken for angling, boating, and controlled substance violations.

C.O. Keith Olson (Marine Unit) checked muskie anglers on the St. Louis River. One fish of +50″ was seen. Moved the Lake Superior boat for repairs. Attended a District 8 meeting. Calls of the upcoming deer season are on the increase. Small game hunters and ATV’s were checked over the wet and rainy weekend.

Jeff Koehn, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer and OHV specialist, reminds those using four-wheelers for grouse hunting of these regulations:

In “limited” state forests, which are the majority of lands south of U.S. Highway 2, you cannot operate an ATV on a trail unless it’s posted [...]]]> From the Duluth News Tribune
published September 7, 2008

Jeff Koehn, a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer and OHV specialist, reminds those using four-wheelers for grouse hunting of these regulations:

In “limited” state forests, which are the majority of lands south of U.S. Highway 2, you cannot operate an ATV on a trail unless it’s posted and signed as open to ATV use.

In “managed” state forests — most of those north of U.S. Highway 2 — ATVs may be operated on any state forest ATV trail that is not posted as closed.

In all state forests, cross-country travel is prohibited.

ATVs may not be used on designated and signed hunter walking trails.

In a change this year, grouse hunters using ATVs no longer have to shut off their machines and be 60 feet away from them to shoot at a grouse. Hunters still must get completely off the vehicle and not use the machine as a shooting rest, Koehn said.

Honda finally jumps into the side by side market with what they are calling their MUV unit (Multi-Purpose Utility Vehicle). After 15 years of development and research, Honda has finally come up with what they are calling a multi-functioning side by side [...]]]> Video of the new 2009 Honda Big Red 700 MUV Side by Side

Honda finally jumps into the side by side market with what they are calling their MUV unit (Multi-Purpose Utility Vehicle). After 15 years of development and research, Honda has finally come up with what they are calling a multi-functioning side by side that is great for work and recreation.

I was recently invited by Honda to their press introduction of their new Big Red MUV. What a blast it was! The ride took place on Catalina Island off the coast of California. This island granted special permission to Honda to bring out their new Big Red MUV units and ride some of the back dirt roads. The ride time was actually a little shorter than normal events like this, but Honda did things right in presenting a great new vehicle to the market with a little different approach.

First Impression

My first impression was this new Side by Side was bigger than I had anticipated. This new Big Red 700 boasts nothing but pure Honda quality and putting simplicity/convenience and safety to the forefront.

Here are a couple of quick thoughts as I wanted to get this video posted to give you a first glance at the new Big Red from Honda. They are now available at select dealers now. A more in-depth article will be coming up in a future issue of Hunting Illustrated Magazine.

The fit and finish and overall quality is commendable. Honda is always at the top of their game on quality, but the Big Red seems top notch

This thing is big. This will NOT fit in the back of your truck (64″ wide and 114.7″ long). The cab is very roomy and Honda chose to do the bucket seats with seat belts with the parking brake lever in the middle.

Full cargo nets and doors are not a surprise being how safety is a big concern. However, the full cargo net on the sides was a little surprise and wasn’t bad getting in and out, but was a little obtrusive when looking out while drive, etc.

The foot pedals (brake and gas) are very good and don’t wiggle at all. Nice and tight. A lot of room on the floor and good angle areas for putting your feet on.

Dump box is wide enough to fit a full wood pallet in the back with the tailgate down. Back dump box has composite plastic sides and the bottom is a metal wrapped in composite plastic. Includes nice rubber mat as well and slight rounded corners so dirt and junk don’t get caught.

Maintenance is very convenient and the most thought out of any Side x Side. Easy access to the battery, air filter, oil and dipstick.

All four tires are the same size. At first I think this is what kind of gives the Big Red its “weird” look for lack of a better term. Kind of looks a little disproportionate, but the tires are a 25 x 10-12.

How is the power? Not bad, and for the size of the machine and the motor being a 675cc I think it does fine (1,431 lb. curb weight). Nothing that will blow your socks off, but Honda doesn’t like to blow your socks off with these kind of vehicles. Good low end power for the rough stuff and decent mid and high range. Also comes with fuel injection to help on cold starts, high altitude and performance.

But what about transmission? This was a big question for me as I was curious if they were going to put in their Hondamatic or not. I like the transmission they have in their Rubicon ATVs, etc. However, I was not impressed with the newer transmission they put in their 700 Rincon ATV. It looks like they did a little combination of both, however it leans more to the Rincon-type transmission. They call it an Automotive-style with three gears. The transmission is not a fluid pull of power. This has three distinct forward gears that does shift automatically as it goes through the power train. Overall this worked fine. However, this is still not my most preferred choice of transmission for an automatic.

Four-Wheel drive mode is the best Honda has ever put out. Why? This is Honda’s first attempt at all-wheel drive differential lock in any ATV or MUV. They have a simple lever on the dash that you can slide into two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive with limited slip in front, then you can go into four-wheel drive with all-wheel differential lock. This works very well and for a machine of this size is a must. I am impressed with Honda’s new four-wheel drive system and hope they start implementing their differential lock on their ATVs.

Braking and engine braking is good. For a vehicle of this size you need to get it stopped. The disc brakes does the job and Honda has a good “hold back” engine braking system that helps on steep descents. Put it in four-wheel drive mode and you have all four tires holding you back.

How is reverse? There is no override button on the Big Red so reverse power is just what you get. I stopped coming down a steep hill and purposely put it in reverse and went back up it. There was no problem and the power was good and strong.

Handling is good and overall the machine feels very stable. It is not made to bust in the corners and try and brake the back tires loose. For what it is it does fine. The suspension is also similar, as it works for moderate speeds and roads. The front suspension does have some limitations at higher speeds on rough, bumpy roads.

So what about price? I was actually a little surprised Honda was able to keep this vehicle in the 11,000 range. Not to say that is not a huge amount of money, but puts it competitive with the Ranger and Rhino. List price for the red Big Red is $11,399 and the Natural Gear Camo version of Big Red is $11,899.

Is it a good Hunting Rig?

I had at one time one of Honda’s lead Japanese developers with me riding in the passenger seat. During this ride I was purposely looking for anything I could go over that was rough or nasty. There was a rut that ran up the full length of this hill. I could have clearly avoided this and stayed on the “good” side of the road. As I busted up the ruts and put it into four-wheel drive, scraping the bottom, jerking us around quite a bit, spinning the tires, I could tell he was quite curious and amused.

After we had stopped at the top, he questioned why I choose to take the line that I did. He asked if that was similar to what I would find while out hunting. I told him that was nothing to what you will find out in the West during a hunt, but it was close to the circumstances that you will run into. Ruts, rocks, mud, steep and deep hills, and more are common. I think the Honda’s new Big Red 700 MUV will make a great hunting rig and they have plenty of cool accessories to add.

Early Conclusion

My ride time was limited to what was available at this event and we weren’t able to really let it all hang out due to the location and some of the restrictions that we had on the island. Honda is targeting the new Big Red 700 MUV Side by Side to the hard worker who likes to do some recreation on the weekends or hunts in the fall. More utility minded then sport, but overall recreation is very good. Definitely targets more of the Polaris Ranger crowd than say the Razor RZR or Yamaha Rhino 700.

Dealer Specs

Engine Type 675cc liquid-cooled OHV semi-dry-sump longitudinally mounted single-cylinder four-stroke
Bore and Stroke 102.0mm x 82.6mm
Induction Electronic fuel injection (PGM-FI): 40mm throttle body
Ignition Full-Transistorized type with electronic advance
Starter Electric

DRIVE TRAIN
Transmission Automatic with hydraulic torque converter, three forward gears, and reverse
Driveline Direct front and rear driveshafts with 3 drive modes: 2WD, 4WD, and 4WD with all-wheel differential lock

CHASSIS / SUSPENSION / BRAKES
Front Suspension Independent double-wishbone; 5.9-inch travel
Rear Suspension Independent double-wishbone; 7.1-inch travel
Front Brakes Dual hydraulic 200.0 mm discs
Rear Brakes Dual hydraulic 200.0 mm discs
Front Tires 25 x 10-12 bias
Rear Tires 25 x 10-12 bias

DIMENSIONS
Length 114.7 inches
Width 64.0 inches
Height 76.9 inches
Wheelbase 75.7 inches
Seat Height 34.0 inches
Bed Length Inside 33.0
Bed Width Inside 52.6
Bed Weight Capacity 500 lbs
Towing Capacity 1200 lbs
Ground Clearance 10.3 inches
Turning Radius 13.8 feet
Curb Weight 1431 pounds
Fuel Capacity 7.9 Gallons

OTHER
Note Recommended for Drivers 16 years of age and older.
Available Colors Red,Camo
Model ID MUV700

FACTORY WARRANTY INFORMATION
1 year Transferable, unlimited mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan

Go to Source