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 Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) was called out to another part of the state as part of the wildland arson team. Enforcement action was taken for burning violations, fishing law violations and invasive species laws. Nuisance bear problems are starting to build. One bear ate a 25-pound bag of wood smoking pellets, so they are getting hungry. A couple of people went out of their way to run over nesting turtles on the back roads.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked boat accesses, checking anglers and boaters and enforcing new AIS laws. Manning participated in a work detail at the U.S. Port of Entry at Pigeon River, checking anglers importing fish and educating boaters on AIS regulations. The officer also took a report of nuisance bears at a campground and one nuisance bear that tried to enter a home through the front door and was lawfully killed by the homeowner, who reported the shooting well within the 48 hours he was required to do so.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked a detail with area officers and three K-9 officers at the Pigeon River Port of entry. Overlimits, AIS and transportation of fish were common violations. The officer followed up on a deer case with the USFS which resulted in seized equipment. Wahlstrom also offered advice to several people who called with bears on their property.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) reports that bear complaints have been coming in steadily to both the wildlife and enforcement divisions. Home and cabin owners should be reminded that bears follow their stomachs and if bird seed, garbage or even picnic baskets are left where a bear can access them, you will potentially have bear problems. Removing all food items or attractants will minimize human/bear interaction.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) received a call requesting that he remove a skunk from a yard. He provided suggestions on how they could take care of it. He also received a call regarding an injured/sick eagle that was gone upon his arrival.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) reports great TIP information led to the discovery of three unlicensed anglers possessing an overlimit of fish in the triple digits. Charges are pending on three nonresident men with the restitution alone totaling over $1,000.
Charges are also pending on a lake cabin owner who was caught in the act of chemically treating the lake water in front of his cabin without a permit.
Several more “rough fish left to rot” complaints came in, with all the fish found to be speared or shot with archery equipment. In one incident, the dead fish appear to have been stacked up for a picture opportunity and then left behind. One problem spot is in a residential area near Alexandria where the local residents have to deal with the sight and smell on a daily basis.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) received a TIP complaint regarding anglers keeping overlimits of fish. A check revealed 20 anglers had 767 perch for several days of fishing. Lots of perch were present, but the anglers were not over limit.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) dealt with a June snowmobile violation when a snowmobiler water-skipped the length of a ¾-mile-long lake, with a spectator crowd of about 25 people. The driver was cited for unregistered snowmobile and advised it was not the safest thing to do.
A couple who turned out not to be married was cited for false application for a fishing license after they fraudulently bought licenses only married people can purchase.
CO Mike Lee (Isle) received a call of a young moose walking around on Hwy. 65 north of McGrath. Upon arrival, Lee observed the young bull moose attempting to eat peacefully in the bottom of the ditch, but with all the onlookers and individuals trying to take pictures, it was tough for the young moose. After a period of time, Officer Lee was able to clear all the traffic and assist the moose in traveling further away from the roadway.
Lee also received a call about a possible injured fawn in a resident’s yard. Upon arrival, no visible injuries were observed, but the fawn’s behavior was still very odd. The fawn was transported to the Garrison Animal Hospital where it was determined that the fawn was almost completely blind. The fawn was left in the care of the Garrison Animal Shelter for further treatment and care.
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