Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few who 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 Mary Manning (Hovland)
patrolled lakes and checked anglers and ice houses. Cold temperatures, some slush pockets, and few anglers were found. Manning also patrolled snowmobile routes and trails as well as cross-country ski trails. The officer took a call from a resident reporting a young hawk staying around their yard; the young bird appeared to be looking for an easy meal and was not intimidated by the presence of people. Enforcement action was taken for no angling license in possession and failure to display snowmobile registration.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
took a snowshoe trip in the BWCA. The CO followed tracks for about four and a half miles before hearing a rifle shot. The CO walked a bit further and saw a man fishing out on the ice. Theman explained that he had not caught any fish for a couple of days and that he needed some meat. He proudly held up a red squirrel that he was going to eat for dinner. The CO explained that he was going to have to cut the conversation short because the CO wouldn’t make it out of the BWCAW before darkness set in and that it was bitterly cold. The man then told the CO that he had an extra sleeping bag and that the CO was welcome to spend the night in his tent. The CO looked at the red squirrel and decided that there wasn’t enough for the both of them and decided to take his chances with the slush and darkness.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte)
worked a detail in the BWCAW with a Superior National Forest officer over the lake trout opening weekend. Few were inspired to venture into the frigid winter air to test their luck on the frozen lakes. Snowmobile and ski trails saw an increase in activity after finally receiving some snow. Both types of trails are nicely groomed and people were taking full advantage of them. Wahlstrom reminds skiers to purchase their trail passes.
CO Troy Richards (Fergus Falls)
responded to a complaint of an archery deer hunter hunting in the Orwell Sanctuary on the final day of the season. The hunter was located in the sanctuary, in an elevated stand. His season ended prior to the close of the season.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia)
asked an angler why he tried using an extra line, and the angler replied because he thought he would get away with it. Enforcement action was also taken on a snowmobiler who hadn’t registered his sled since 1998. Again, when asked why, the reply was the same, he thought he could get away with it.
CO Greg Salo (East Metro)
responded to a TIP call after a young adult attempted to educate an older gentleman that the fish he just caught was a Tiger Muskie and he should release it. The older, but not wiser, angler said he was going to call it a “northern pike” and keep it. Salo located the fisherman in possession of a 30-plus inch Tiger Muskie. When asked if someone told him it was a Tiger Muskie when he caught it, the fisherman said, “He was just a kid, what does he know?” Enforcement action was taken.
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