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 Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time at Camp Ripley to help organize and set up active shooter training for in-service. The officer worked muzzleloader hunters and checked traps during the openers this weekend. As the ice is forming on area lakes, the officer urges people to use caution before venturing out.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked trapping activity during the week. He took care of seasonal maintenance and storage issues. A few people were taking advantage of some decent weather for a little late-season grouse hunting.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) prepared equipment for the upcoming snow season and handled other equipment main tenance. Manning also checked traps and answered ATV and trapping questions.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) is investigating the illegal killing of a black bear during the regular firearms deer season. The bear was found dead approximately 1.5 miles west of Longville, north of Cass County 5.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) investigated after a call came in about a sick juvenile loon that had bands on its legs. The following day, an eagle had already made a meal of the loon, but the legs with bands were retrieved so the researchers could be notified.
CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) dealt with a swan that landed at the Aitkin Airport. It was taken to the Garrison Animal Hospital to see if it was sick or just low on fuel.
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) contacted some people who decided to burn a brush pile with parts of a house in it; it was determined that a roll-off and trip to a demolition dump would have been cheaper. Enforcement action was taken on burning violations and license issues.
CO Joel Heyn (Plainview) assisted two duck hunters with getting their boat back after it drifted away as they were getting their hunting blind ready before legal shooting time. The hunters were there for about two hours with not much to do since their decoys and guns were still in the boat.
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