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) checked people doing just about everything during the week. He found duck hunters, grouse hunters, trout anglers, and ATVers checking out the glorious fall colors. Some hunters think the grouse numbers are good and some think they’re bad. Rivers, creeks, and swamps that are normally low at this time of the year look more like spring.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) investigated bear violations, checked grouse hunters and ATV riders. The back roads are busy with leaf lookers and hunters. The officer followed up on complaints in the Finland and Isabella areas.
CO Chris Vinton (Detroit Lakes) had complaints of a dead muskie on Detroit Lake, possible woodpeckers shot, and turkey vultures picking the plastic wrap on silage piles. All were investigated.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) was approached by an individual who wanted the DNR to provide him feed for wild turkeys; he was not happy with the information provided by the officer.
CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports that a field investigation led to a confession from a man who admitted to taking a deer with the use of bait. The person faces a stiff fine, loss of equipment and a one-year revocation for his illegal act.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) served a restoration order and other work associated with an ongoing case involving a person who dug a channel to lower the water level of an area lake.
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