Cook County News Herald

Conservation Officer Tales




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) took several calls and talked to people about the slush conditions on area lakes. Snow is very deep on many lakes and slush can come up fast after holes are drilled. The CO recommends carrying snowshoes to be able to walk out on if you get stuck. With knee deep snow on the lakes, walking any distance becomes a greater challenge. It is best not to travel alone, let people know where you are going and when they can expect you back. It is recommended to cut your fishing day shorter because being stuck in the slush is bad, being stuck in the slush in the dark is even worse. There is no greater stress test than the workout you get when getting your snowmobile out of the slush.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a conference for training officers. Manning also patrolled snowmobile trails and area lakes, took calls regarding deer on Lake Superior’s ice, and cross country ski passes.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time on his patrol snowmobile working trails and checking backcountry trout lakes. Time was spent in the vacant Silver Bay station as well. Mandatory online training was completed and lesson plans for the upcoming in-service were prepared.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) was made aware of a possible incident where a barred owl attacked a resident, although the story could not be confirmed as no one involved had yet stepped forward.

CO Larry Francis (Remer) handled a call regarding the sale/ theft of two snowmobiles. Apparently the original owner sold the snowmobiles to a friend and another party, who now possessed them. This resulted in a disagreement about who owned them. When CO Francis asked where the original owner could be found he was told that he was currently in jail for burglary and theft. The original complainant decided he did not want to pursue charges against his “friend” who “sold” him the sleds.

CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) dealt with a sick deer call, a dead wolf investigation and a citizen report of a mountain lion in Hibbing that the officer verified via paw prints in the snow as a house cat or a very small bobcat.



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