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 Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) found lots of walleye anglers during the week as border walleye season comes to a close. A fair amount of snowmobilers were also out getting their last rides of the season in. Fishing slowed down from the previous week, but a few nice pike were seen. Enforcement action was taken for no fishing licenses in possession, no fishing license, extra lines and unattended set lines. One fellow was using his snowmobile to go into the BWCA to check his illegal unattended set lines. He didn’t even have a fishing license.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted with inspection of a commercial fur buyer. The officer also checked Lake Superior tributaries for break-up. Manning took a call on a pair of deer stuck on Lake Superior’s ice; the deer had apparently walked or swam off by the time the officer arrived.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) attended a meeting with the Superior National Forest LEO, district rangers and area game wardens to discuss nuisance animals and cooperative law enforcement efforts on national forest lands. The officer conducted a fur buyer inspection with area officers and met with the county attorney to discuss big game cases.
CO Troy Ter Meer (Marine Unit) spent the week checking anglers along Lake Superior. Many are showing up to fish, and sometimes having to change plans depending on where the ice has drifted to. The officer has not seen anyone fishing the rivers yet, but plenty of people looking and ready.
CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) spoke with a party who reported a muskrat chewing through a garage door and targeting old beer cans once inside. The party set a live trap and jokingly planned on getting the muskrat into a support group for his alcohol problem.
CO Tom Hemker (Winona) received a call from a person asking about taking his 4-year-old turkey hunting. Hemker asked about the young hunter’s ability to use a gun and the proud father explained he was really almost 5 years old.
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