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) checked ice anglers and worked snowmobile trails. More sleds are starting to venture out as the state trail is improving. Trapping and wolf complaints were investigated. Enforcement action was taken for angling, shelter and snowmobile violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked anglers and snowmobilers during the week. A few people ventured out, but stayed hunkered down in portable shelters during the windy conditions. Ice conditions on the big trout lakes have improved with up to 15 inches reported. Heaves have formed and caution is always advised when crossing heaves. No fishing license in possession and failing to display snowmobile registration along with some trail sticker violations were encountered.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled lakes checking anglers and fishing houses. Manning also patrolled state and GIA snowmobile trails. She also answered calls and questions related to the de-listing of gray wolves. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession, failure to display snowmobile registration, and no snowmobile safety certificate.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) responded to a call of an injured gray wolf on a snowmobile trail in the New Maine WMA west of Middle River. Upon arrival an emaciated gray wolf barely able to stand was found. The wolf had to be put down. A leg wound from what appeared to be a bullet limited the wolf ’s ability to catch food and accounted for the wolf ’s low body weight.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) assisted with the recovery of a stolen fish house. The fish house was located on a different lake from which it was taken.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) reminds spear fishermen to mark their spear holes and associated ice chunks, as several “near misses” have been reported, and in one case, a young child fell into an unmarked hole.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) received a call from a concerned citizen stating he observed some deer on the floor of a garage in Cloquet. A check of the residence revealed four deer still tagged from the firearms deer season. The owner of the residence was going to butcher the deer for another party. Even though the deer were not in the best shape, no violation was found.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) worked with DNR Forestry staff on an investigation where a private citizen cultivated a part of state land to make a wildlife opening where he intended to hunt deer in the fall. There were numerous hand-planted trees that were killed and the suspect could face substantial restitution charges.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) responded to calls of a muskrat chasing people at a gas station and someone burning a pile of railroad ties.
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