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) focused enforcement efforts on small game hunters and ATV activity. Equipment maintenance was performed on seasonal gear. The officer attended the second part of active shooter training in Silver Bay. Enforcement action was taken for illegal burning and driving after revocation.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked grouse hunters and a few designated trout lakes during the week. A couple of loaded guns were found on road hunters. The CO also checked to make sure that bear hunters are removing their stands and signs.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked ATV riders and grouse and archery deer hunters. The officer assisted the Cook County Sheriff ’s Department in locating a missing elderly woman; she was found safe but a little tired from a long day’s walking. Manning also attended active shooter training in Silver Bay and completed office paperwork.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) worked a case in town where a local hunter had shot two mallards and a goose over a week earlier. The ducks and goose sat on the front step of his house the entire week uncleaned in the sun, spoiling the meat. When asked, the hunter admitted they were spoiled and said he hadn’t cleaned them for over a week because he didn’t have a knife. A citation was issued for wanton waste.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent a large amount of time meeting with landowners and taking complaints regarding hunters who are trespassing on private property. Some hunters are going so far as to cut locks off gates and replace them with their own. One bow hunter who disregarded a “No Trespassing” sign and shot a deer about 75 yards from a residence was issued a citation for trespassing. The hunter’s bow and deer were seized. The archery hunter will also face a $500 restitution charge for the deer upon conviction.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) handled a complaint of trespassing that turned into arson in the Wrenshall area. A landowner who chased some trespassers off his property a few weeks ago found one of his deer stands was vandalized and burned this past week. With the dry conditions, the fire also burned about an acre of tall grass before putting itself out. If it weren’t for the small amount of rain we have had, the fire could have been a lot worse.
Conservation Officer Mike Martin (St. Cloud) spent time tracking down a local hunter on tax forfeit land who was baiting with apple flavored minerals. When Martin confronted the hunter, the hunter said, “It should be legal because they sell it at a local store.” The product’s web site clearly stated that the product was illegal in Minnesota due to natural apple flavoring.
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