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)
continued to check anglers on inland and border lakes, including the BWCA. Slush continues to be problematic on many lakes. Warm weather and lack of new snow has resulted in snowmobile trail conditions deteriorating further. Manning worked with USDA Wildlife personnel to dispatch a very sick wolf that had been problematic for more than two months. Manning checked cross-country ski trail passes and found good compliance.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte)
checked anglers on area lakes in Cook and Lake counties. Snowmobile trails were monitored and are wearing thin around corners with lack of snow. Enforcement action was taken for angling, cross country ski and snowmobiling violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
reports a very good start to the trout season so far. Some lakes are producing better than others. Some of the designated lakes have been better than anything in the last 10 years. A few big brookies were seen as well as some very good action on lake trout. The slush monster is starting to creep in and is something to keep in mind now with the heavy wet snow that we are receiving. The slush monster can swallow a snowmobile in a single bite and put stress on even the strongest of hearts. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobiles failing to stop at crossing, fail to display registration and for no trail sticker.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck )
monitored angling activity on Upper Red Lake and snowmobiling activity in the Kelliher area. While approaching one fish house he observed an individual through the fish house windows moving swiftly from one hole to the next. After being invited into the house, Vollbrecht observed
E, he week beginning / 1/ 01
three rattle reels with no hooks attached to the line There wer
E, the week beg nning 1/31/201
black braided lin s floating n each of the holes Theindividual later
admitted to angling with five lines and cutting three of them with a knife before answering the door.
CO Matt Miller (Marine Unit)
checked inland trout anglers and snowmobilers. Warm and windy weather has kept any part of Lake Superior from freezing over this year, and it seems that ice fishing may not be had on the big water unless a change in the weather comes about. Snowmobile issues were addressed for registration, trail stickers, and loud exhaust. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville)
continued to follow up on careless coyote hunters. Numerous complaints continue to come in concerning blatant violations: Trespass, shooting from a motor vehicle, and shooting too close to residence and livestock. One individual
k beginning 1/3 /2010 North
stated that a group of coyote hunters said they can’t kill them
if they have to do it legal.” An investigation into when they do kill
2
them showed someone pitched the unused hide and carcass into an
open river.
Leave a Reply