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 Mary Manning (Hovland) checked ATV operators and grouse hunters. The officer also patrolled area lakes to check anglers, and took calls on the upcoming deer season and road-killed deer. Manning also attended the funeral of Aitkin County Sheriff ’s Investigator Steven Sandberg, who was killed in the line of duty.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) followed up on bear bait stations and checked small game hunters. The officer completed equipment maintenance on his patrol boats for the winter season. Damage to state park property was looked into and nuisance calls were handled.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) talked to a family for the second time whose three dogs are out running deer trails. This time the dogs showed up on a game camera a mile from where they live. The homeowner unfortunately said they now own five dogs. Kuske asked them to be better neighbors and keep the dogs locked up.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) received TIPs of illegal minnow trapping and deer hunting activity that both led to enforcement action being taken. The TIP of illegal taking of a deer turned out to be illegal possession of a car-killed deer plus transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and taking small game without a license.
CO Paul Nelson (Elbow Lake) worked on complaints regarding an injured deer, trespass and wild animals killing farm chickens.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) received calls on four whole ducks dumped and wasted, a “truckload” of whole fish dumped, and a trespassing call.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) received complaints of trespass and took care of a deer that injured itself after jumping a fence to get into a garden. Reports of baited deer stands have been received.
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