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) checked anglers
on Lake Superior and on designated trout lakes. Time was
dedicated toward invasive species enforcement and education. Some anglers were encountered with unclipped wild
steelheads, which are unlawful to possess.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) responded to nuisance
bear complaints in the area. The officer monitored angling
activity on Lake Superior with area officers. Illegal fish kept
were a common problem this weekend with anglers on Lake
Superior. Wahlstrom attended use of force training at Camp
Ripley and addressed AIS issues to boaters and anglers.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers and boaters
on inland lakes and Lake Superior and patrolled area campgrounds. Manning also answered calls and questions about
ATV operation, fish possession limits, camping time limits
on state lands, nuisance beaver, overly friendly skunks, dragons in the Grand Marais harbor, and one possible cougar
heard prowling and screaming in the Hovland area. The officer also completed state required trainings and dealt with
office paperwork.
CO Keith Backer (Blackduck) received a complaint of a
bear entering an occupied residence and leaving with a bag
of sugar and flour.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) observed a lone out-ofstate angler fishing for several days with good success. When
contact was made with the angler, he stated that fishing had
been slow, but several filleted out walleye were found in his
boat. After further investigation the man was found to be
in possession of numerous walleye over the limit, including
protected slot fish. The man stated that he has done this for
years and this was his “one big trip to Minnesota” for the
year. Charges are pending on the suspect.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) assisted Otter Tail County
sheriff ’s deputies with a group of anglers stranded on a lake
during a thunderstorm. The boat was towed to the access.
Deputies determined that all the anglers were intoxicated
and/or under the influence of marijuana. Drugs were found
in the boat, some of the anglers did not have angling licenses,
and the craft was short PFDs.
CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) responded with other law
enforcement officers to a report of a downed hot air balloon. Ground forces and aircraft searched the area and were
unable to locate a balloon. It is believed the balloon was
flying low but never touched down. No balloons or people
have been reported missing.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) said he observed a
91-year-old angler who was fishing with too many lines.
When the officer contacted him the angler stated he knew it
was illegal and had been watching for the game warden, but
his eyesight and hearing weren’t as good as they used to be!
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