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 anglers and did boat safety checks during the week. The CO took a complaint on a nuisance bear. Remote areas and designated trout lakes were also checked.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) participated in an ATV work detail in the Hill City Area during the Quadna Mud Nationals. The officer also met with the county attorney regarding ongoing investigations and assisted Cook County Sheriff ’s Office on a reported burglary in progress.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) stopped some boaters who were in an unregistered watercraft. Upon learning he was going to be cited, one boater who received a citation for failure to display a current registration decal swore at CO Frericks with enough variety to make the saltiest Navy chief or Marine gunnery sergeant blush. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a person who received a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia called the CO “a good guy” and stated the CO was just doing his job.
CO Steve Walter (Waconia) responded to a TIP call in Victoria concerning kids shooting song birds. A fawn deer in Belle Plaine was picked up by a farmer cutting hay. He was told to put it back where it was found and the doe returned. Animal nuisance calls of raccoons killing domestic ducks and trap tampering were also handled.
CO Mike Lee (Crosslake) received numerous complaints of bears damaging bird feeders and tearing up garbage cans. In one incident a bear came up onto a party’s deck and was rummaging through the garbage that had been placed out there that evening. While looking through the garbage it awoke the owner who was a little upset about the garbage mess, but went from mad to panic as the bear leaned up against a front door that does not latch well and sat down partially inside the home. After a short time and a lot of yelling at the bear, the bear got up and wandered into the woods, much to the relief of the homeowner.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) encountered one set of shore anglers who claimed to be married and had purchased a combination fishing license. After certain things didn’t make sense such as different last names, no wedding rings, and different addresses on their driver’s licenses, they eventually admitted they’re just dating. A $10 savings on licenses will end up costing them much more.
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