CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) responded to another part of the state for Wild Land Arson Team duties. The CO continued intensive aquatic invasive species enforcement, issuing citations for failing to pull drain plugs from boats and for transporting water in a boat. Enforcement action was taken for burning violations, illegal length coaster brook trout, no fishing license in possession, and for a shortage of life jackets.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked with volunteer instructors teaching ATV Safety classes in Grand Marais and Silver Bay. She checked anglers and boaters on inland lakes and investigated a couple of suspicious fires. The officer also assisted with the fire in neighboring Ely.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked an AIS detail with officers Osborn and Oberg. Overall compliance was good and most seemed to be supportive of the increased AIS enforcement. The officer gave a presentation on ATV laws and regulations to an ATV safety class in Sliver Bay. Wahlstrom attended taser training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for AIS, ATV and watercraft violations.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) responded to a wolf depredation incident in which a wolf attempted to carry off a potbellied pig. The squealing of the pig and quick response of the owner caused the wolf to drop the pig and retreat into the forest. The pig should make a full recovery.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) investigated a fishing TIP call of a person who was fishing without a license and had game fish in a home aquarium. The officer also dealt with a group shooting illegal fireworks on a street near a home during high winds. The fireworks container on the street started on fire with three-inch flames and embers blowing toward the woods. An individual shoveled the fireworks packaging into a campfire while the winds became even stronger, causing embers to blow under vehicles across the street and into the garage.
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) responded when a Pine River man reported that his English setter was chewed on by a timber wolf a few weeks ago before he could scare it away. He got the vet bill that was over $200 but was advised that there is not reimbursement for domestic dogs.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) received a TIP call of a possible over-limit in progress. Upon further investigation three anglers were found to be making multiple trips per day. One of the anglers was found at a cabin where numerous bags of fish were located. Gorecki seized several over-limits of walleye, sunfish, and northern pike from a freezer. After leaving the cabin the other two anglers were found taking another limit of fish for the day. These two anglers were warned prior to CO Gorecki’s arrival and dumped seven dead walleye into the water. Charges are pending on the anglers for over-limit of walleye, sunfish, and northern pike, angling without a license, wanton waste, and possession of marijuana.
CO Daniel Baumbarger (Wheaton) received a complaint regarding an individual killing a pelican. The individual was located and admitted he hooked the pelican in the wing and killed it so that he wouldn’t lose his dare-devil. After receiving his citation, he admitted it would have been a lot cheaper to buy a new fishing lure.
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!
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