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) attended tactical medicine/response to active shooter training in Chaska. The officer checked anglers on area lakes and snowmobilers along the state trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that the designated trout lakes gave up some nice fish during the week. The CO saw some nice splake and rainbows. The nice weather brought out lots of anglers over the weekend and the snowmobile trails were also busy. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked cross country ski passes on state-funded ski trails. The officer also patrolled lakes checking anglers and houses, as well as snowmobile trails, registrations and trail permits. Snowmobile riders are reminded that trail permits are required on all out-of-state sleds and any sled with registration expiring in 2014.
CO Sean Williams (Ely) responded to a call from an Ely resident who reported that she had a wolf living in her garage. When he arrived no animal was found but there was evidence of a canine being in the garage. However the species could not be identified.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) handled a complaint of deer eating cattle feed.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) stopped one operator with loud exhaust and asked why he put the loud exhaust on his snowmobile. He responded, “To make it sound cool.” When he was asked if he thought the people who live next to the trail thought it was cool to hear the exaggerated noise he responded, “Probably not.” Proper paperwork was issued.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) responded to a report of a car-hit and critically injured wolf near Willow River. The individual reporting it stated the animal appeared to have head trauma and was walking into trees. Upon arrival, the CO was able to observe the same behavior, as well as severe injury to the animal. The wolf was dispatched.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom
218-370-0244
Darin Fagerman
218-387-9751
Mary Manning
218-475-0121
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