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) assisted in training the new use of force instructors at Camp Ripley. Time was also spent at Ripley reviewing lesson plans for the upcoming in-service and completing instructor training. Wahlstrom returned nuisance animal calls and checked the few remaining snowmobilers
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended training at Camp Ripley in preparation for spring in-service later this month.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) continued to work snowmobile and fishing activity during the week. Several calls of injured deer were handled along with a report of a gray owl being struck on Highway 61. Area Lakes are still in great shape with plenty of folks out trying their luck with panfish over the weekend. A complaint of illegal dumping is also being investigated by the officer.
CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) responded to a woman who called about a dead deer at her property. She locked her dogs up so the officer could remove it, but she did not mention the pot belly pig that wanted to keep the deer. A litter item pitched from a car was a book; ironically it was titled The Power of Positive Thinking.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) spent time this past week picking up dead birds found by citizens now that the snow pack is down significantly. An owl and two woodpeckers were discovered after the snow melted.
CO Steve Chihak (Spring Valley) investigated a report of livestock depredation, possibly involving a mountain lion, near Lyle.
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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