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) patrolled remote lakes by snowmobile during the week and found fewer people out. Colder weather will help to freeze up the slush that has appeared. The officer prepared for an upcoming work detail for the BWCA stream and lake trout season for lakes entirely within the BWCA which opens on Jan. 1.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted a Swiss family who tried to drive an unplowed forest road in their car on one of the coldest days this month. The officer located the abandoned vehicle, and then found the family walking about two miles from it. Several folks contacted offered warm vehicles and rides to a nearby dining establishment and a local logger used his skidder to pull the car out and save the day. Snowmobile trails have a nice base and are clear of deadfalls, but remain rough and ungroomed due to lack of snow. Slush is a problem on some lakes, but the weekend cold snap should help get more anglers back on the ice.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked trapping activity and followed up on illegal deer baiting cases. Ice conditions continue to improve and anglers are enjoying the slushfree conditions but the lack of snow has kept snowmobile activity to a minimum. Questions were answered on new wolf regulation.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) closed a deer season case. The suspect was finally tracked down, interviewed and confessed to taking a deer without a license. Citations were issued for the violation.
Speldrich also investigated a trespass call where a landowner located a blood trail, drag marks and a gut pile on his land. The drag marks left their land, went down the road and stopped at their neighbor’s garage.
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) reports that 2014 remains a banner year for transporting loaded firearms to the very end. A complaint of pheasant hunters shooting a house and breaking a window was investigated. Replacement of the window was mediated. Enforcement action was taken for shooting coyotes from a motor vehicle.
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