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) checked boaters and anglers on inland lakes with some nice walleyes seen in the bag. ATV and OHM activity was monitored on area trails and roads. Wahlstrom responded to wolf, bear and beaver complaints. Enforcement action was taken for unattended lines, license not in possession, expired ATV registration, and angling without a license.
CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais 2) met with Parks and Trails staffers to check out progress on the GIA ATV trail near Hovland. The officer followed up on a wolf depredation case from last week and assisted CO Wahlstrom on a wolf depredation case near Lutsen. Manning also patrolled inland and BWCAW lakes and boat accesses and handled vehicle maintenance issues.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais 1) worked remote work detail in the BWCAW with other officers. Work focused on boat and water safety issues as well as watercraft registration. The passing of the hot, humid weather and thunderstorms in favor of cooler, dryer weather was welcomed. The plentiful rain has made for a bumper crop of mosquitoes and flies in the forest.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) responded when an upset lake user called in a complaint of illegal buoys placed in a lake, which turned out to be a 300-yard navigational hazard water skiing slalom course. The installer was tracked down and directed to remove the extensive set up.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) handled calls of a sick crow, an injured eagle and questions on getting licensed to raise game farm pheasants.
At a public access CO Kuske encountered an individual who had unfortunately locked his keys in the truck while parked in a “no parking” area of the access. Upon further investigation the person was found to have a revoked driver’s license as well.
Kuske, assisted by area wildlife personnel, also reports that an escaped game farm deer from the Bowlus area, after being on the loose for almost a month, was shot and disposed of this past week with CWD test results pending.
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