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) reports a very quiet end of the firearms deer season. According to many hunters checked, it appears that most of the deer migrated out of the higher elevation areas and headed towards the wintering grounds of the North Shore. Many hunters stated they went for miles and didn’t see a single deer track in the snow. Grouse however, made their magical reappearing act as they were reported to be all over. One hunter reported seeing 15-20 around his stand at once. The CO has noticed more of them along the roads during his patrols. Smaller lakes are frozen in tight and many of the bigger lakes are freezing in the bays. Trapping and deer baiting complaints were followed up on.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) wrapped up deer season checking hunters and ATV operators. Some hunters required reminders that an unloaded gun means fully unloaded, not just “none in the chamber.” The officer also answered questions about injured birds, licenses and the upcoming snowmobile safety class in Grand Marais. Parents are reminded that, with few exceptions, anyone born after 1976 must have a snowmobile safety certificate to operate on public lands and waters.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) continued to check deer hunters. The officer responded to trespass and ATV complaints. Enforcement action was taken for ATV and big game violations.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) took two calls of hunters complaining that other hunters were too close to each other on public land. Schottenbauer soon realized the calls were from opposing hunting parties in the same area. Both parties complained of ethical dilemmas, and wanted the CO’s opinion. Schottenbauer questioned how people were unable to find space in over 300,000 acres of public wilderness.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) responded to a call of a dog falling through the ice and the owner falling through while trying to get to the animal. The dog was pulled from the water by Vollbrecht and a deputy and returned to a very happy owner.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) assisted with a call of hunter harassment and possible terroristic threats when duck hunters called and said that a property owner had yelled at them and threatened to shoot their boat.
CO Jeff Johanson (Osakis) responded to a complaint involving a whitefish net obstructing the ingress/ egress to a public access. While investigating the complaint contact was made with the complainant, who was out fishing on the lake, and found to be in possession of an illegal length northern pike. Enforcement action was taken, and the angler claimed he wasn’t aware of the special regulation, despite parking a few feet from the bright yellow sign explaining it at the access.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) came across two people dressed in camouflage riding an ATV on a snowmobile trail. The misguided duo were stopped and asked what they were doing. When the operator replied that he was just out for a ride CO Frericks asked him if he thought it was a good idea to be riding through the woods wearing camo during the rifle deer season. The operator said probably not. A citation was issued for recreational ATV use on state forest land during the firearms deer season.
CO Sean Williams (Ely) received a phone call from a hunter an hour after sunset on the closing day of the firearm deer season. The hunter had located his wounded deer but was asking for an officer to assist since it was past legal shooting hours. When Officer Williams arrived he was told by the hunter that he had shot the deer and believed it was dead, and even took pictures of what appeared to be a dead deer with the hunter’s rifle leaned on it. The hunter went home to get an ATV and when he returned the deer was gone. He found it a short distance away in the dark, wounded but definitely alive. Officer Williams arrived minutes after being contacted and the deer was immediately dispatched.
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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