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) investigated accidental and arson fires around the state during the week as part of the wildfire investigation team. One fire burned a few boats, a car and one outbuilding. Another man had his car seized and will be charged with arson. Others were charged with failing to extinguish fires or careless negligent fires and will be responsible for the costs of putting them out, some of which can be very costly. It is never a good idea to be careless with fire and arson doesn’t work out too well either.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended annual training and firearms qualifications at Camp Ripley. The officer checked anglers on Lake Superior and its tributaries. Warm weather brought out anglers, but cold water temperatures kept the fish numbers down. Anglers are reminded that only clipped rainbow trout may be kept and all unclipped fish must be immediately released. Manning also conducted commercial minnow retailer inspections at area resorts, assisted Cook County with a public waters case, and answered questions about wolf depredation.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent time checking anglers along the North Shore tributaries. The officer handled calls on nuisance bears and a possible waters violation. Wahlstrom attended instructor training at Camp Ripley, responded to area fires, completed commercial enforcement checks and armored another officer’s patrol rifle.
CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) responded to several fires, one that was ignited when some individuals shot at a deer decoy that they had placed some tannerite (a binary explosive) in. The mixture of tall dry grass, warm weather and high winds along with the resulting explosion of the tannerite made for an instant fire that consumed several acres of land. A reminder to heed warnings from the DNR concerning Red Flag conditions.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) reports that a moose that was comfortable with its living situation caused a concern with Clay County residents. The officer observed the moose and determined that it was not sick or injured.
CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) received a dog chasing deer complaint. The owner denied that his dogs were running even though they were caught on a game camera almost 2 miles from home.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) investigated a TIP call where a man at an apartment complex was seen taking two Canada goose eggs from a nest. The man was found and interviewed and admitted to taking the eggs. The man had eaten the goose eggs for dinner. He stated that they tasted like chicken eggs, but the whites of the eggs were more rubbery. Enforcement action was taken for taking geese out of season.
CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) took a call in Carlos Avery WMA where she found two individuals who said they were hunting for snow geese. They were using 30-06 rifles and shot a Canada goose which they thought was a duck.
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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