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 her station for early bear bait sites; hunters are reminded that they may only establish three sites this season and these must be registered with the DNR as in past years. Manning also provided several individuals with paperwork for failing to note that possession limits and daily limits for walleye are the same; reading the regulations booklet would have saved these anglers considerable money and time. The officer also answered calls on hunting in WMAs, invasive species and dumping of fish in Lake Superior.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) instructed use of force and firearms training in the Mille Lacs area. The officer focused enforcement efforts on Aquatic Invasive Species, ATVs and boating. Anglers were also checked on Lake Superior.
CO Tony Salzer (Osseo) dealt with an injured otter in Brooklyn Park and responded to a homeowner’s complaint of a nuisance woodchuck.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) received a call stating that a cabin owner left lines unattended from his dock. He arrived at the cabin where he discovered that there were two lines and they were last tended around midnight. Both lines were left unattended for over eight hours and fish were found on both lines. The angler was advised of Minnesota fishing regulations and enforcement action was taken.
CO Alex Gutierrez (Forest Lake) followed up on several TIP calls. One was an individual who had dumped several trees into Clear Lake. During the investigation Gutierrez discovered the individual had just returned from fishing on the lake. The man was in possession of three short walleyes (17-inch minimum), the boat was unregistered, and he had been burning prohibited materials. Enforcement action was taken for all the violations including the initial public waters violation
CO Dan McBroom (Rochester) worked a boat and water detail on the Root River with Fillmore County deputies. Many people are out enjoying the beautiful weather. Even people without watercraft found ways to enjoy the river; one group used two plastic cow tanks to float the river.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) assisted a local resident who had three of his animals killed by a wolf.
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