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) reports lots of bear, moose and grouse chick sightings called in this week. A man in a canoe was taking pictures of some turkey vultures. He told the CO that the “golden eagles” sure were beautiful. The CO just smiled and decided to let whoever he showed the pictures to explain it to him. The CO just didn’t want to spoil the moment. Several boating, fishing, and aquatic invasive species violations were encountered during the week.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled the BWCA; one group of campers didn’t bother to pack out leftover food items and dumped them at the edge of the campsite so the next group could enjoy the company of the bears and other scavengers drawn to the food. On a pleasanter note, also during that trip the officer contacted a group including foreign exchange students from India and Pakistan getting a taste of Minnesota outdoors. Eighty-five leech traps left behind in a small lake by a former commercial minnow dealer were seized and paperwork was issued. Manning also spoke with parties on deterring nuisance bears and nuisance woodchucks.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) was certified in an interview and interrogation training program that took place at the Blaine Police Dept. The officer also spent time on Lake Superior checking anglers and responded to a call of a moose that had a trap on its back leg.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River), while working after dark, came across a boat headed into shore with no navigational lights on. The operator of the boat said he figured he didn’t need his lights on since he didn’t see any other boats in his way. Enforcement actions were taken for no angling license in possession, fail to remove drain plug, angling with extra line, and fail to have navigational lights illuminated after sunset.
CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River) assisted when a cougar was reported by two young horse riders off of Hwy. 6 and Larson Road north of County Road 11. Their horses were spooked by the large cat and one was thrown from her horse and they recovered the horse later. A call was taken but unfounded, regarding a family digging up turtle eggs to remove them from where the turtle laid the eggs. Turtles are protected as well as their eggs.
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) received a report of an individual who took some logging equipment for a joy ride in a local state forest. The incident is being investigated. Heaton also received a call from concerned residents who had been seeing a fox in town.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom
218-663-7183
Darin Fagerman
218-387-9751
Mary Manning
218-475-0121
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