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) saw a cross country skier out on a forest road during the week. A few people wandered out for some early ice walleyes during the week while most stayed inside and warm. The snowmobile trails open on Dec. 1, but check ahead for conditions.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked muzzleloader hunters, trappers and a few ice anglers. A very similar report for muzzleloader hunters as it was for rifle hunters – few deer seen in the woods. The officer responded to complaints in a state park and followed up on big game investigations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) followed up on firearms deer season issues and handled seasonal maintenance. Calls were taken on wolf season, fur registration and hunting license purchases. The officer also checked beaver traps and early marten and fisher trapping.
CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) took a complaint of a bald eagle killing a domestic duck. The eagle flew into a fenced area holding the ducks. After having a fabulous Thanksgiving feast of duck, the eagle was too “stuffed” to fly away. It remained in the fenced enclosure for almost two days. Making the best of a difficult situation, the homeowner took some fabulous photos and after the eagle did fly away, examined the droppings left behind by the eagle to discover what the eagle had been eating. Inside the droppings, the homeowner found some lead shotgun pellets and…duck feathers!
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) investigated a case where a large male fisher attacked a medium-sized dog that was near a home. The fisher had to be physically removed from the trap and would not discontinue the aggression. The homeowner had to kill the fisher, which appeared to be healthy and well fed.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) investigated a TIP call that involved a guy who shot a deer six days after the close of the season and it was his second deer of the year, making him over limit. He tagged his first deer with his girlfriend’s tag. The lending and borrowing of license violation has been a big problem this year.
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