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 anglers, bear baiters, and patrolled ATV trails. The officer instructed students on the shooting range during the Silver Bay FAS field day. Bear baiters were out finding their spots and complaints are already coming in.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) issued a permit for beaver trapping, and was in contact with Forest Service officers regarding problem bear in the BWCAW. Manning attended Active Shooter training with officers from U.S. Border Patrol, Lake County Sheriff ’s Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The officer also checked area SNAs and found one instance of someone driving a motor vehicle around a closed forestry gate for access.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked anglers on Lake Superior, took enforcement action for extra lines and people failing to display registration on kayaks. Not educating yourself on the rules is not a valid excuse for breaking game and fish laws. People without experience fishing on Lake Superior should reference page 85 of the synopsis for basic information on telling the difference between salmon and steelhead.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) spent time checking fishermen in the local state park. A young woman contacted by Forsberg stated that she was 16, a Minnesota resident and did not have a driver’s license or fishing license. About this time, a youth in the boat corrected the fisherman stating, “You are not 16 you are 30.” She finally admitted she was 30 and was a North Dakota resident. A citation was issued to the young woman.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) observed a 26-year-old male and his friend breaking the male’s iPhone with large rocks on a railroad track rail. When asked why he was doing this, he stated he didn’t want his mom calling him anymore.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spoke with two unlicensed out-of-state anglers who found themselves in a predicament after one provided the officer with a false name and date of birth. The individual believed they did not need a fishing license at age 16. After unraveling the pair’s elaborate story, Silgjord found out the individual was actually 18. For their trouble the pair will get to make a return to Minnesota, not to fish, but to make a court date for angling without a license, providing a false name to a peace officer and obstructing a conservation officer.
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