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 excellent winter traveling conditions on area lakes with very little slush reported. Caution is still urged around rocky points, reefs and flowages where the sun is starting to make those areas unsafe. A fresh 14 inches of snow has given snowmobilers new life. One man told the officer he had a choice of putting in his dock in the metro area or come snowmobiling up north. He chose the latter. Officer Fagerman saw some very nice lake trout during the week. Enforcement action was taken for fishing violations.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) completed required online training. Snowmobile trails were steady with snowmobilers from all over getting in their last rides of the season. Wahlstrom testified in court and met with the assistant county attorney regarding upcoming trials.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled area trails and forest roads after the recent snowfall. Snow depth was generally good but due to warm weather and soft ground, trails had not been groomed and many were in rough shape. The officer met one pair of riders who had gotten stuck at an unexpected berm on an unplowed forest road; after making sure the pair got unstuck, the officer was glad they returned the favor as it became clear that the berm was problematic going both directions. Lake conditions are still varied and anglers are advised to check depth and quality of ice frequently if they venture out.
CO Chris Vinton (Perham) was contacted by a concerned citizen to report a possible wolverine sighting. After hearing the description of the animal, it sounds most likely to be a fisher. Vinton was also flagged down by a cabin owner who had a skunk with its head stuck in a small box. Vinton was able to free the skunk without it spraying.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) received a call of several dead ducks dumped in a state forest. Further investigation showed they were breasted out snow geese for which the season is open. However, it is against the law to dump carcasses on state property.
CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) encountered two youths fishing without valid licenses along the Mississippi River. As soon as the officer walked up, one of them said, “I’m going to tell you right now we only have our 2015 licenses and we were just talking about needing to get our new ones.” Kuske told the young man she appreciated their open honesty and not making up any stories about why they didn’t have current licenses, which is often what the officer hears.
CO Nicholas Klehr (Litchfield) conducted an investigation into deer that were acting strange and dying, and it was discovered that they were eating moldy corn.
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