Cook County News Herald

Conservation Officer Tales




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 reportDisplayof someAdof the miscreants the Conservation Officers (CO) have encountered.NetworkThe News-Herald shares these stories as a reminder to all to be safe and to follow the rules!

Your newspaper CO Mary Manning (Hovland)hasworkedagreed theto final,participate slushy week of the winter trout season. Thein officerthe 2x2followed up on several complaints: oneDisplayon a AddeerNetworkthat appeared to have been shot (the deerprogramwas goneby whenrunningthe officer arrived and several deerthesein theadsareain theranmainoff when approached); one of a fish housenews sectionstill onoftheyourice (gone when the officer arrived); andnewspaperfinally on(notan theindividual living at a boat access and illegallyclassifiedanglingsection(the ofparty had moved his camp and was foundyour tonewspaper).be cooperativeAt and compliant with regulations). times,Landownersadvertisersare reminded that the spring beaver season mayextendsrequestuntila specific April 30 with no special permits required for section.trappingHowever,done up to that date. Enforcement action wasthetakendecisionfor noistroutultimately stamp.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) up to eachreceived multiple wildlife newspaper. Ads maycalls about skunks in town, dead owls, deer depredation need to be decreasedof cattle feed, wolves frightening newborn calves in size todiedslightlyinto deep snow where they yourand column fita snowmobiler running sizes.over a raccoon and then getting bit by it after he removed his glove to pick it up.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) responded to a moose vs. train call in his station. Although the unfortunate incident did not make the animal salvageable for consumption, it did provide valuable tissue samples that were recovered for moose research. The recent warm weather brought an end to the snowmobile season in the area and several flocks of waterfowl and a great blue heron were spotted, marking spring’s arrival. Some fishermen were trying their luck with late season pan fish and maple syrup began to flow.

CO Thor Nelson (Bloomington) received and investigated several calls regarding injured animals and animals doing damage. He checked a car-killed raccoon that was reported as a 100-pound wolverine.

CO Tom Hemker (Winona) had several calls of deer in unusual locations including one deer that died next to a house.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) concluded an investigation involving an illegally possessed turkey and pheasant, resulting in a citation. The wings and tail feathers of both birds were recovered.



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