CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) did a coordinated remote patrol along the Canadian border with the Border Patrol and COs from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Angling activity has been way down over the opening weeks of the fishing season. Too many people were encountered without fishing licenses in possession. Some were reminded that they need a pre-trip list that includes life jackets, or better yet, leave your life jackets stored in the boat. People who like to feed the birds are calling in complaints about bears wrecking their bird feeders. Bears can’t tell if the sunflower seeds are left for them or the birds.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked boat and water safety and checked angling activity on inland lakes and trout streams. Several calls were taken regarding nuisance bears. People are reminded to bring in their trash and remove bird feeders. Complaints on ATV and OHM activity on illegal trails are starting to come in as the weather gets more enjoyable. Enforcement action was taken for allowing unlawful operation on an ATV, angling and boating violations.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo) reports two black bears were destroyed by a bee keeper after breaking into his bee boxes. Minnesota statutes allow the taking of bear if doing damage.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) found an angler who was triple-tripping on a hot crappie bite. He caught his limit in the morning, at lunch and again after dinner. He had also caught and kept his limit once the day before. When all fish were counted, he had a 30 crappie overlimit in possession.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) received numerous calls of orphaned raccoons and fawns. Also, a call of a possible poaching complaint was investigated as a person’s dog was bringing home fresh deer parts. It was found that the fresh deer was a fawn that had unfortunately gotten caught in a neighbor’s farm mower when the field was cut.
CO Brad Johnson (Maplewood) reports that he investigated a complaint of illegal possession of baby raccoons in St. Paul.
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!
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