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) observed two wolf puppies cross the road under the watchful eye of their mother. The mother crossed first and waited for the pups to cross before they went off into the woods. Not an hour later, the CO observed a small girl cross a busy highway while her mother was busy looking at her smart phone screen on the other side of the road. Luckily she crossed in a crosswalk and traffic saw her dart out into the highway. The mother looked up briefly when she heard the vehicles slowing down, but then went back to whatever was interesting her on the smart screen. Sometimes animals are smarter than we are.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers, ATVs and OHM activity. Anglers on the big pond are enjoying the salmon bite as it picks up. A few nice lakers were also seen in the bag. The officer worked a boat and water detail with the Coast Guard, Border Patrol and Cook County Sheriff ’s office during the dragon boat races in the Grand Marais harbor.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) followed up on a wolf depredation case and took a call on treble hook use near Lake Superior tributaries and a call regarding a nuisance bear in the BWCAW. Campers in the area of the bear were advised of the hazard. Anglers on inland waters were checked, as were boaters. Manning also took a call regarding a conflict over a boater approaching some loon chicks; anglers and boaters are reminded that approaching to what may seem like a non-threatening distance to them may in fact be stressful for wild animals and birds.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) responded to a call that came in to the Lake County sheriff ’s office of a possible finding of human remains at a local campground. The officer quickly determined that they were animal remains much to the relief of the campers in the area.
CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) received a complaint of a gray wolf attempting to take a leashed dog from a resident’s yard. The owner needed to use a firearm to protect his dogs; the wolf ran off and was not located.
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