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 Mary Manning (Hovland) checked a few anglers working the North Shore near Lake Superior tributaries, and she checked inland lakes and accesses. A generous amount of wet, heavy snow is extending the winter sport season for some. Reports were taken of road kill deer and of snowmobilers using a closed trail to access border lakes.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time at Camp Ripley instructing officers in Use of Force. The officer also armored several division issued shotguns with various malfunctions. Wahlstrom checked area pan fish lakes with success being slow.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) attended annual in-service training at Camp Ripley during the week. He prepared a big game case for prosecution and took care of seasonal equipment duties.
CO Chris Vinton (Detroit Lakes) reports taking several calls of sick deer. One deer was “fished” out of a deep window well. The deer had been walking close to the house in order to avoid the deep snow when it fell in. The home owners had been gone for three days so they had no idea how long it had been down there. The deer was released unharmed.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) investigated a garbage burning incident when he drove past a residence and noticed a fire emitting dark smoke. A further inspection of the fire revealed plastic items, clothing, and tin cans. Enforcement action for open burning of garbage was taken.
CO Mitch Sladek (Big Lake) issued summons for taking fish by snagging.
CO Brandon McGaw (Mora) reported a turkey hunting trespassing call was investigated and three turkey hunters were located. They advised that they chose to hunt that property because “we saw birds here” and “people have trespassed on our land.” The case will be referred to the county attorney’s office for review.
CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) saw a lateseason ice angler out gaining access to an area lake via an extension ladder to hurdle the open water. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution on area lakes as conditions are changing quickly.
CO Amber Peterson (Maplewood) reports responding to several calls of injured geese. One call came in for a mother goose that was on her nest in an apartment complex parking lot. The goose was not injured, just determined to defend her nest from passing pedestrians and vehicles. Residents were educated and it appears the goose will be allowed to “rent” the space.
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