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 Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports the red fox are having little trouble finding fresh turtle eggs. Many places where turtles lay their eggs are dug up and egg shells litter the area. The CO also saw a pine marten with a red squirrel in its mouth heading for a safe area to have lunch. The CO arrested a man for domestic assault after he cut his girlfriend in the face with a sharp object. Boat registration and PFD violations rounded out the week.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) received several calls about the potential state government shutdown. Manning seized several untagged minnow traps, checked anglers and spoke with boaters about recent law changes regarding draining boats and minnow/leech buckets. The officer also took a report of a young otter accidentally killed in a beaver trap.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) investigated what appears to be a large carnivore attack on a horse. The horse was raked/bitten across the throat and received severe neck injuries but will survive. Backer also received a bear damage complaint regarding flower beds and bird feeders.
CO Gary Sommers’ (Walker) received a call from the TIP hotline regarding an angler who was unable to identify a fish he had caught. He was fishing on Woman Lake and caught a fish that he was not able to identify, so he was wondering what he should do with it. The angler described the fish to the officer, who determined it to be a bowfin (dogfish). When asked what he should do with it, Sommers advised him it was his choice.
Leave a Reply