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 Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week checking anglers and snowmobilers. Wahlstrom worked with several officers during a snowmobile detail along the state trail and up the Gunflint Trail. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile violations, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked trout anglers and snowmobilers. Activity picked up towards the end of last week as cold weather kept most people from the outdoors. Both stream trout and lake trout lakes continue to produce good numbers of fish. Snowmobile registration violations were encountered.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville), while monitoring angling activity on an area lake, found several northern pike that were left lying on the ice. Broughten was able to locate the fishermen responsible for the illegal activity and enforcement action was taken.
Broughten also fielded calls concerning trespass and a complaint about enforcement action in which the violator stated, he “kind of ” broke the law but believed some laws were not meant to be enforced. Enforcement action included no angling license in possession, no ice shelter license, no ID on ice shelter, failure to display ATV registration, false application for a license, and wanton waste of fish.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) encountered a rider who had his snowmobile registration and decal tucked below the hood and behind the front shock absorbers so far that the officer had to nearly get onto the ground to read it. The party felt it was the “cool” place to have it and informed the officer that it was okay because his friend and others had theirs applied that way and said it was okay. It is not okay and there is a specified place for the snowmobile registrations that should be followed to avoid enforcement attention.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) took a trapping complaint where a person got caught in a snare. Other than a little wounded pride, no violation was noted.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) picked up a fisher a farmer had shot that was found in his chicken coop. A call of an eagle nest possibly being destroyed was investigated with the call turning out to be unfounded.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) was patrolling late one evening, and when checking a remote lake found a vehicle driving around the area. The driver was eventually stopped, cited for possession of marijuana and sent on his way. Officers then continued their patrol into the remote area and found where tracks from the recently stopped vehicle led to a private cabin. The cabin had fresh damage from being broken into. It quickly became evident that a burglary in progress had been interrupted. Grundmeier and CO Hopkins were able to catch up to the suspect vehicle and the driver was arrested for burglary, theft and criminal damage to property.
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