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) investigated a complaint of tampering with fish nets. Anglers were checked on inland lakes and Lake Superior tributaries. The officer taught the law and ethics portion of the Silver Bay FAS class and presented an award to one of the volunteer instructors. Wahlstrom responded to calls about injured wolves and checked bear bait stations.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) responded to a bear complaint in which a bear had entered a home owner’s porch in search of food. Bear baiting activity is in full swing, with some baits appearing to be hit. A smattering of berries still remain in the woods, but should be gone soon. Angling on Lake Superior continues to be decent, with salmon still showing up in the bag. A few successful moose applicants have been seen out scouting their moose zone, which should help greatly in their upcoming hunt.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) received a call questioning if there was any recourse when their old lab got shot by the neighbor claiming it was chasing deer; the caller believes the dog wouldn’t chase deer.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) followed up on several weedroller cases and in one instance, a lake homeowner was found to be operating two unpermitted weedrollers on his lakeshore. The man admitted to having operated the rollers in past years without permits, and also admitted to moving and operating the weedrollers on neighboring rental properties that he owns.
CO Thomas Sutherland (Grand Rapids) took an interesting call. Sutherland was called to the local sports complex where a young man decided to get a closer look at some Canada geese. As he approached, the flock of geese started to take off from the grassy location. The young man threw his baseball bat at the flying geese. One goose was struck and knocked down to the ground. The goose’s wing was broken and another individual standing nearby thought that he should dispatch the goose since it could no longer fly. An individual living close by saw the whole thing happen and called TIP. Enforcement action was taken for taking a goose out of season and by using an illegal method of take.
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