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 Matt Frericks (Virginia) did not speak with a single hunter who did not report seeing and shooting at a few ducks — hitting them is another story. While checking duck hunters, Frericks observed a boat moving slowly across the lake. The CO soon realized the boater was angling. When the CO pulled up to the boat he immediately noticed a stringer holding four northern pike. The angler said he was just about to let one go. The angler was issued a citation for the over-limit of northern pike.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked what few grouse hunters were out during the week. A couple of camps were able to find enough grouse and walleyes for some surf and turf. The CO reminded some people that you can’t set up camp on forest recreation campsites and leave them unattended for future use.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) was assigned to the Pagami Creek fire. The officer also checked anglers and grouse hunters. Wahlstrom worked the waterfowl opener, and found few ducks were in the bag. Enforcement action was taken for watercraft and angling violations.
CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports a lucky driver escaped injury despite the fact her car had collided with a large bull moose, but unfortunately the animal was seriously injured and the officer had to put the moose down. Samples from the moose were collected as part of the ongoing moose study and the meat was then processed and donated.
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) followed up on a trespass complaint on private property and unauthorized use of county land with violator(s) illegally posting public land, planting a food plot and setting out bait and a deer stand, complete with a trail camera. Shoutz also followed up with a federal trapper after a calf was taken by a timber wolf. A complaint was responded to involving work in public waters and the shore impact zone (bluff) on the Whitefish Chain. The landowner had no permit.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) followed up on a call of an archery deer hunter placing bait at his stand. The hunter seemed to think taking a chance at getting caught was worth it, even with the stiff fine, but became upset when he realized that his bow was being seized as well.
CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) worked waterfowl hunters on area lakes and rivers. He was on patrol in his kayak on a small WMA when he flushed a green heron from a muskrat house. The green heron flew over a group of hunters where it was shot within yards of Sladek. Sladek approached the group of hunters and asked who had shot and what they had shot. One of the hunters responded immediately saying, “I think a blue wing teal.” Sladek advised him he shot a green heron and issued the hunter a summons for his actions.
CO Mike Gruhlke (Jackson) noted a utility vehicle in a peculiar position on a WMA: high-centered on a log and up against a tree. Finding that unusual he called the Jackson County Sheriff ’s Department and asked if they had any vehicles like that reported stolen, which was the case. The vehicle was turned over to the sheriff ’s officer, the owner was apprised and the vehicle was removed.
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