Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few who 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) worked ATV trails in the vacant Silver Bay station. She also checked area lakes and boat accesses — fishing was reported to be mostly slow, but many recreational boaters were contacted. The Hovland “hyenas” are back — actually, the reported animals are more than likely wolves with severe mange, as was the previously reported “hyena.” The officer also worked area SNAs and wetlands looking for OHV violators; she’s glad to report no problems or illegal operations were found. Manning also took calls on cougar sightings and commercial netting, and completed required trainings. Following a couple close encounters, CO Manning would like to remind drivers to slow down, especially on winding roads and when pulling your boat or trailer. Manning also took two separate reports of cougars in her station and a possible lynx-bobcat hybrid.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) worked the vacant Silver Bay station at different times during the past week. Angling pressure is way down probably due to a lack of cooperation from the fish. Many grouse are being observed lately. Hopefully, this will mean a good bird season, which is just more than a month away. Thomasen also participated in a security detail for the area state parks. CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) spent most of the week providing extra security to the area state parks for the Hells Angels motorcycle run. He worked Fisherman’s Picnic weekend in Grand Marais with the area CO, although the weather was poor. Boats and anglers were checked on Lake Superior throughout the week. Some equipment maintenance was performed on station equipment.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) dealt with three older ladies who tried to deceive the officer about their identity and had angling license violations. After getting the issues resolved, one of the ladies said, “If my kids would have tried this I would have kicked their butts.”
CO Mike Martin (St. Cloud) checked anglers and watercraft operators in the local counties. One local angler was checked twice one morning, while fishing the Mississippi. The second time he was checked he had an over limit of crappies. The angler said he wasn’t going to fish ever again because “the DNR is out to get me.” A citation was issued, the fish seized, and restitution assessed. Enforcement action included angle w/extra line; possess over limit; angle w/o license; operate watercraft with child less than 10 w/o a PFD; no PFD in watercraft; and no navigation lights.
CO David Schottenbauer (Princeton) responded to a call where a homeowner stated that a beaver had been eating his house and he had to shoot it. When Schottenbauer arrived he found the first three rows of the house’s siding chewed off, and part of a wood door. The homeowner said he shot it when he caught it in the act. CO Schottenbauer took photos and issued a permit for the beaver to the homeowner. Homeowner’s insurance will not cover the damage because the beaver is a rodent, and rodent damage is not on the policy.
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