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 anglers during a snowmobile patrol along the border lakes. Fishing activity was slow. The CO attended training at Camp Ripley. He also tried to answer a question as to whether or not there was going to be a burning ban in the BWCA when the man planned on visiting in May. The CO was stumped and couldn’t answer the question.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled state parks along the North Shore; compliance was good and only a couple visitors had to be reminded to purchase vehicle permits. Manning checked shore anglers; rivers are flowing, but most still have plenty of ice and water temperatures are still low. The officer also checked WMAs and followed up on fall trapping issues.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) followed up on a trapping violation which involved a trap being left after the close of the season and a dead fisher that was in the trap. The subject was interviewed and admitted that the trap was his but thought he collected all of his traps at the close of the season. Enforcement action was taken for the violation.
Speldrich also handled an incidental otter trapping issue. Three parties were located scouting for spring turkey hunting spots on a local grant-in-aid snowmobile trail which was on private property. When asked if they had permission to be on the trail, they replied that they thought it was public property. They were educated that most of these trails run on private property.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) assisted the USFWS on a case involving illegal sales of rhinoceros horns and elephant tusks.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) stopped an ATV on April 1 that was running down the lane of traffic on a paved county road. After having to use lights and siren to get the person to stop, the driver asked if this was an April Fool’s joke whereas the officer assured him it was not.
CO Craig Miska (Ortonville) reports that a TIP complaint led to multiple violations for shooting Canada geese out of season, shooting from a motor vehicle, transporting a loaded/uncased firearm, and shooting within 500 feet of a corral containing livestock.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom 218-370-0244
Darin Fagerman 218-387-9751
Mary Manning 218-475-0121
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