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) assisted U.S. Customs and Border Patrol with four people who were bringing 38 walleyes over the limit back from Canada. The people ended up going back to Kansas with steep fines and no fish. Citations were also sent out to bear hunters for unregistered bait stations and for littering. The CO worked the typical uneventful waterfowl opener. One hunter told the CO that Cook County isn’t exactly in the flyway, but where else can you have the choice of so many lakes all to yourself?
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended firearms qualifications and annual training at Camp Ripley and assisted with firearms qualifications for DNR Wildlife staffers. The officer investigated a reported trespass violation and a possible unlawfully taken moose in the Isabella area. Manning worked duck opener and grouse and snipe hunters with CO Wahlstrom and continued to check bear hunters and bait stations.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) contacted one fisherman as he loaded up his boat at the access. He admitted to having caught “a few” sunfish that day, but definitely “not a limit.” Upon completing the contact, he was found possessing 30 sunfish over his limit; enforcement action was taken.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) made contact with a pair of duck hunters whose dog, a golden retriever, ran away after they fired their first shots of the season. The dog was last seen along the Shingobee River.
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) monitored duck hunting activity during the opener. He observed one hunter in his blind use a smart phone to run an electronic duck call. His hunting partner, in a blind 30 yards away, asked if he was using an electronic call and he answered, “Yes, how did it sound?” His partner replied, “Great, but it is illegal to use!” The hunter advised, “I will delete it as I just downloaded it off the Internet.” Officer Halverson stepped out from behind a nearby tree and advised, “Good idea to delete it as it could cost you your phone and a $285 fine.”
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