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 trout anglers in the BWCA and other remote areas during the week. Many people are reporting that the lake trout are suffering from a case of lock jaw as they have become more stubborn in hitting lures as the season goes on. A fisher was the recipient of a couple easy meals as tracks indicated it went along until it found a grouse burrowed into the snow and then went in after it. Although the burrow provides refuge to the grouse from the harsh winter elements, it turns the grouse into a sitting duck when it comes to predators. The CO worked with an Ontario warden regarding an issue on the Ontario side of Saganaga Lake. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile registration and muffler violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked many snowmobilers enjoying “one last ride.” The officer checked anglers and met with the emergency management director regarding USNG Emergency Trail Marking. Manning and CO Wahlstrom also worked a detail in the BWCA.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked area anglers and the last remnants of snowmobile activity. Very warm temperatures have taken their toll on the area trails.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked area lakes for the ice house removal date. The officer spent part of the week in the BWCAW for an operation with Officer Manning. Phone calls were returned and the last few snowmobilers were checked before the rain came.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) worked on a taxidermy investigation, a deer poaching complaint (ended up being a deer lawfully taken last deer season), assisted a neighboring officer with an investigation of a stolen DNR sign and handled an injured bear in a culvert.
Kuske also stopped to return a firearm to a hunter that had been seized during deer season for evidence, and by sheer coincidence it was the hunter’s birthday that very day, which was also ironically Friday the 13th.
CO Tom Hemker (Winona) checked two different people who went through the ice. In one case it was just a leg, while in the other case, a person went through in 10 feet of water. The person who had gone through in the 10 feet of water was fine but later on was using his power auger and got his hoody string caught in the machine and nearly strangled himself. He said his day could only get better.
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