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) checked mostly trappers and trap sets during the week. A few anglers are wandering out with not much ice added during the last week. Enforcement action was taken for failing to check traps as required. A red fox was seized and restitution will be charged. People are starting the year off where they left off last year, by leaving their fishing licenses at home. Please remember to throw your old license away when you buy a new one and put the new one where you can find it.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled snowmobile trails and roads; recent warm weather took much of the snow and replaced it with slush. Manning checked ski passes at one trail system and found 25 percent compliance with pass requirements. The officer continued to take calls with hunting and trapping questions and she investigated a report of early angling on a couple designated trout lakes. The officer also cleaned up some household appliances and garbage dumped at Horseshoe Bay access; anyone with information is asked to call the TIP line.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked ice anglers on area lakes and took a report of an ATV that went through the ice. The officer checked some late season archery hunters. Wahlstrom worked a joint operation with the Border Patrol on snowmobiles.
CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth) spent two days in the Grand Marais area working with Officer Fagerman. The officers worked wolf hunting and trapping areas, ice fishing activity, and completed duties for the upcoming winter trout seasons. Duncan investigated a trespass complaint that resulted in charges and checked wolf hunting and trapping areas during the week. Ice fishing enforcement was also worked during the week.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) checked hunters and trappers, and anglers out on very marginal ice. One angler decided to park his truck on the ice, but unfortunately ended up parking on the bottom of the lake instead. One group of small game hunters decided it was too hard to walk in the new snow so they hunted from trucks and four-wheelers instead. Six members of the group ended up with tickets for transporting loaded firearms in addition to warnings for driving on snowmobile trails for their efforts.
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