Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few that run afoul of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Conservation Officers. Periodically, the DNR provides a report of some of the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered. The News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled station campgrounds, lake accesses and forest roads. Officer Manning also attended a meeting on the DNR payable fine schedule and a training on the new 800 MHz radio system.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked anglers and boaters on Lake Superior. Warmer weather and clear skies have led to an improvement in fishing on the big lake. Compliance with invasive species control rules remains moderate to fair. Boaters need to remember to keep their live wells and bilges open both to and from the lake. ATV violations were encountered, and assistance was given to local agencies with calls. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, angling, and invasive species issues.
CO Reller (Buffalo) took several nuisance animal calls and numerous calls about bow fishermen leaving shot carp in the water and on the shore creating a smelly mess. This has been the worst year for this illegal activity and enforcement efforts will be increased on this violation in the area.
CO Brent Ihnen (Waseca) spent time at area lakes and public accesses informing the public about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species. Two out-ofstate fishermen visiting the area were disappointed in hearing about the outbreak of AIS and stated, “We’ve been coming all the way from Ohio for over ten years because we love your lakes so much.it would be a shame to see them go to waste.”
CO Scott Fritz (La Crescent) reports that fishermen saved a victim from a potential drowning. A 43-year-old man stopped his car on the I-90 bridge and jumped off the bridge. If it weren’t for the fishermen present at the time, we would have been doing a recover and not a rescue. Fritz also did an interview with Channel 19. The topic was about rattlesnakes and other snakes.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) assisted CO Seefeldt with a blown-down eagle nest. The eaglets were fine, and a surprising number of duck carcasses were found in the area.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) stopped an ATV for illegally operating on a public highway. The officer found a snorkel device on the ATV and while looking for the snorkel piping destination, the officer found a robins’ nest with four eggs on the frame. The eggs were candled and it appeared they had been abandoned, no doubt because the ATV had been dusted off and used more frequently.
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