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) reports that this was nuisance bear week. One bear was more than a nuisance when it critically injured a family dog. The owner of the dog shot and killed the bear. Reports of bears breaking into a garage and a boat house were also taken. Another bruin wrecked three apple trees and destroyed a bird feeder when he found it to be empty.
Wolves continue to walk around the city of Grand Marais during the middle of the day like neighborhood dogs. Watch your pets closely, even in town.
The CO reports the past MEA grouse hunting weekend to be the busiest one he’s ever worked. He was asked several times, “Is it always this busy up here?” Most hunters are reporting fair to good success with a few limits seen. Enforcement action was taken for allowing illegal youth operation of ATVs, no helmets on youths and youths operating ATVs on public roadways and without safety certificates.
CO Traci Hanson (Thief River Falls) was called to a trespass complaint where a deer hunter explained that he knew he was on the correct land he had been given permission to hunt because the owner lived up the road and had his sign at the end of the driveway. It was explained to the hunter the land he had permission to hunt was a mile away and the sign at the end of the driveway was a political sign posted on several driveways across the county for a pending election.
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports that two very ethical and concerned waterfowl hunters who observed an individual shoot, injure, and fail to make any effort to retrieve a downed trumpeter swan did the right thing and reported the violation. The reporting hunters went further in assisting the officer with details in locating the violator, and capturing the injured swan.
The violator now faces a mandatory court appearance, fines and restitution in excess of $1,000, and confiscation of a nice shotgun. The injured swan was taken to the Wild and Free wildlife rehabilitation program at the Garrison Animal Hospital for treatment and hopeful rehabilitation to be returned to the wild. Trumpeter swans are a species of special concern as they are protected under state and federal law as threatened/endangered.
CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) assisted and enforcement action was taken when an individual brought an untagged deer and un-validated site tag to the check station. His hunting partner said tagging the deer isn’t that important, but they changed their mind when informed that with those two violations comes a three-year revocation of big game hunting privileges.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) responded to a call of an alligator in a city park near Chisago Lake. The alligator ended up being a stuffed animal and was removed from the area without incident.
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