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 bear hunters, small game hunters and ATV enthusiasts. The officer worked the small game opener checking hunters, who had spotty success. The foliage is still thick in the woods. Hunters who actually got out of their vehicles and walked are seeing more birds than the typical “road hunters.” Wahlstrom responded to a gunshot victim at an inland campground with the Lake and Cook County sheriff ’s departments and thanks the Tofte and Finland rescue crews for the rapid response and help.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked grouse hunters during the opening weekend of the small game season. Most people were hunting from the road and commenting that they weren’t seeing any birds in the thick cover while they were traveling 30 miles per hour down the road. The people who got out of their vehicles and walked did much better. There are birds around, but many of the young birds are still in coveys. Once the leaves fall, it should get much better.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked grouse hunters on opening weekend and found good compliance. Manning continued to work bear hunters, check bear hunting camps and inspect bears taken. Illegal filling of wetlands areas at a lake home was investigated and a Resource Protection Notification was issued to the land owner. The officer also took reports of illegal ATV operation, answered questions about sighting in firearms before deer season and answered general ATV operation questions. Visitors are again reminded to talk with local DNR Forestry staff and pick up the latest maps for unfamiliar areas they are venturing into.
One hopeful angler stopped just short of getting his SUV and large boat stuck down an unmaintained road when he almost collided with Officer Manning operating an ATV up the steep, narrow grade. He was stopped prior to incurring a very large towing bill and assisted with finding a turnaround location and a road suited to his vehicle’s capabilities.
CO Ben Huener (Roseau) worked a case involving a 400-plus-pound bear that was taken during the first weekend of the bear season. Everything but the hide and skull was intentionally wasted. Charges are pending.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) observed an angling boat with very old registration on a minimally used lake. The officer switched gears from hunting enforcement to issue a citation as the boat had last been registered in 1987.
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