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) continued to check grouse hunters and trout anglers. She assisted CO Darin Fagerman in releasing two grey wolves from legal, leghold traps. The officer reports an increase in trap tampering incidents and reminds folks to leash their dogs when walking roads and trails and to leave all traps alone. It is a crime to touch, spring or otherwise disturb a trap. Manning attended a presentation by Thunder Bay Police Department on gangs in the border country, worked a joint detail with U.S. Fish and Wildlife officers at the Pigeon River Port of Entry and took two reports of swans in the area.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) monitored waterfowl hunters, small game hunters and trappers throughout the week. A shining complaint was worked and bear hunting investigations were followed up on. Wahlstrom worked with the state park manager on several issues within the park. The officer also responded to nuisance animal and trapping complaints.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports the week of the timber wolf as many wolves have been reported being caught in fox/coyote sets. CO Mary Manning and Fagerman released one cooperative wolf and one uncooperative wolf. They both ran off with no apparent injury. Trap tampering reports also came in and people are reminded that they are not to touch a trap regardless of whether or not they agree with trapping. If you have any concerns about traps or trappers, please call your local conservation officer and don’t risk criminal charges. Contacts for no helmets on youth while riding ATV’s and for riding in unlawful places were also made.
CO Jon Paurus (Alexandria) was investigating a hunting complaint when he heard what sounded like a cat howling. A short time later a cat was seen running up a tree with a fisher in hot pursuit. When the fisher grabbed a hold of the cat they both tumbled nearly 25 feet to the ground and more howling was heard. The officer approached to within 10 yards of the fisher and cat when the cat again attempted to run up a tree. The fisher again snatched the cat and both fell to the ground. The fisher then skillfully proceeded to finish the cat off. As the fisher caught its breath after the kill, it picked up the cat and scampered off!
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) investigated a TIP call involving a suspect who shot two bucks and two does with his bow in a managed area. The suspect used licenses of individuals who didn’t bow hunt to tag the deer. The suspect also shot the deer over bait. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) investigated a complaint of two trumpeter swans shot by hunters. A subsequent investigation found two persons who shot and killed the swans. Charges are pending.
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