Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are lawabiding 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) worked a snowmobile detail with Lt. Schottenbauer in the Tofte and Silver Bay stations. The officer checked anglers, worked state park complaints and monitored cross country ski trails. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a few more snowmobiles during the week, but angling activity remains very quiet. Reports of slush returning started coming in even before the last big snow. The lake trout have been cooperating and the CO saw a few dandies during the week. Most snowmobiles encountered were registered and had trail stickers, but a few reminders were needed that registration and trail stickers belong on the sled and not in the pocket. The CO also encountered people without fishing licenses in possession.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) spent time patrolling area snowmobile trails and lakes. More heavy snowfalls in the Arrowhead region are resulting in increases in deer moving down to the Lake Superior shore and many more animals utilizing snowmobile trails rather than wading through deep snow. The officer spoke with a party who was not happy that so many folks are feeding deer along the Superior shoreline, drawing deer across the state highway and into the paths of vehicles.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) found out that he was extremely disliked by an individual because the man had called and wanted to keep an owl he found for himself. The officer had informed him that he could not do so, but that he could work with the local schools to have it mounted as a display for educational purposes. The man said he will be angry about it for the rest of his life.
CO Randy Hanzal (Duluth) reports that a deer needed to be dispatched after its leg got caught in the crotch of a cedar tree. Apparently the deer was standing on its hind legs attempting to get to the boughs when its leg was entangled. Hanzal also observed that lots of owls are reportedly coming down from Canada in hopes of finding food. Complaints of people harassing the owls in attempts to photograph them are currently being investigated.
CO Randy Posner (Brainerd) checked a couple of pan fish anglers on the Gull River who miscounted their sunfish. It seems the angler accidentally put a couple of sunfish in the hood of his coat. The angler took off his coat during the warm afternoon sun. He either missed the bucket or his partner thought it would be nice to help his friend catch his fish. Fortunately he was way under the limit and no violations were found.
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