CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) attended a use of force meeting at Camp Ripley to set dates and prepare for upcoming training. The officer met with the assistant county attorney to discuss cases that are set for trial. Wahlstrom met with the LGU to work on a wetland case. Time was spent getting his patrol snowmobile ready for the season and on other equipment maintenance.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that many lakes just froze over during the week. A heavy, wet snowfall has caused many trees to fall over trails and roadways causing an epic mess that will take weeks to clear. Check with your local clubs before heading out skiing or snowmobiling as some trails will be closed. People are heeding the message to stay off of lakes until we get colder weather. A few sledders are hitting the backcountry and finding some riding opportunities.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended an instructor meeting at Camp Ripley to plan for the upcoming new officer academy and annual statewide qualifications and training. The officer also followed up on open big game cases and handled equipment maintenance tasks. Heavy wet snow has made many forest roads and trails impassable and folks hoping to get out and use these are advised to contact local foresters and local snowmobile/ski clubs for information and to offer help clearing trails before the next big snowfall. Ice conditions on area lakes have also been negatively impacted by weather, so check with nearby resorts and businesses before venturing onto your favorite lake, and check the ice as you go, if you go.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) had a squirrel hunter contact her to get a permit to keep an 11-point buck he found while hunting, and a resident called to report they think they have a bobcat getting into one of their sheds and killing opossums.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) spent time during the week following up on big game investigations. A large buck was turned over to Silgjord after being found dead. The buck’s cause of death is currently under investigation. In another case a landowner contacted local law enforcement regarding another large buck that was found with his antlers stuck to a tree. It appeared that the buck was attacked by another deer prior to expiring and that deer had left a sizeable shed antler behind as well.
CO Nicholas Prachar (Baudette) was assisted by CO Regas on a follow-up investigation with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources on live bait (minnow) violations. Minnesota residents had purchased live bait here and transported it illegally across the border into Canada. The individuals went as far as forging receipts from a bait store in Ontario to sell the story to a Conservation Officer if they happened to come across one. While the investigation is concluded, charges are still forthcoming.
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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