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 remote lakes and areas during the week by snowmobile and snowshoes. He checked anglers in and out of the BWCA and snowmobilers. Violations for snowmobile and fishing were encountered. Assistance was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled state and GIA snowmobile trails; registration compliance was very good. The officer also checked area lakes, attended a district meeting and training and answered questions regarding big game and wolf hunting.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked a snowmobile detail on area trails. Trails are in great shape and snowmobile registration compliance was excellent. There were a lot of snowmobilers out enjoying the nice weather. Wahlstrom attended a district meeting and trained officers on patrol rifle maintenance.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) reports that Lake Superior anglers are still enjoying trout and salmon fishing on rare ice formations on the big lake.
CO Brad Schultz (Cook) reports that an incident of someone cutting firewood where he shouldn’t have been cutting firewood turned out to be a misunderstanding
Officer Tony Arhart (Grand Rapids) says the first migratory Canada geese and trumpeter swans were observed in open parts of Third River. The next day it was minus 12 degrees and the birds disappeared. Dead whitetails were observed in the woods via snowmobile and area pilots are reporting dead deer as well, apparent winter casualties.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) received several complaints of dogs chasing deer along with a complaint of gray wolves harassing cattle. One local farmer was able to remove a 110- pound gray wolf that he found circling his pasture and trying to get at the livestock within.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) took part in an investigation of a dog chasing and attacking deer which led to enforcement action and observation of a wounded family dog. Two separate neighbors of the dog owner saw the springer spaniel attacking the deer. They both shot at the dog and one of them wounded it. The dog ran home and needed veterinarian attention. The deer was bleeding, but ran off. This is a good reminder for dog owners to keep them at home.
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