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) monitored snowmobile and angling activity. The recent snowfall brought out many snowmobilers to ride the trails along the North Shore. Calls were answered and past investigations from the fall hunting season were also worked on.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took calls on sick owls and forgotten fishing licenses. The officer patrolled GIA snowmobile trails and checked anglers and fishing shelters on inland lakes. Fresh snowfall will mean lots of snowmobilers on the trails next weekend and riders are reminded to drive safely.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) observed free trade in nature during the week. One day he saw three moose crossing from Ontario to Minnesota. A short time later he observed a pack of wolf tracks heading to Ontario. Add three to the moose count. Winter activity is way down this year compared to other years. Some trout lakes were completely empty and the few anglers out had whole lakes to themselves without even stepping foot in the BWCA. The snowmobile trails were quiet for the most part also. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines, too far from lines, and extra line.
CO Pilot Tom Buker (New Ulm) flew the moose capture in the Grand Marais area. A total of 129 moose were fitted with radio collars as part of a joint state and tribal research project.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) issued a citation for littering to an individual who admitted to tossing his drug paraphernalia down the fish hole as the officer arrived.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) encountered a man who claimed he had an angling license (and signed the written warning affidavit stating he had the license) and then tried to cover his tracks by buying the license 44 minutes after the fact. He apparently did not know that the license purchases are date and time stamped. He will be rewarded with a summons for no angling license and signing a false affidavit.
CO Mitch Boyum (Rushford) assisted one hunter who attempted to cross a field in his pickup to hunt coyote only to hit a large drift and damage his vehicle and get stuck. Even if he would have gotten a coyote, the price of the hide would not pay for the damages that were incurred.
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