Cook County News Herald

Conservation Officer Tales




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) attended division computer training and a regional meeting during the week.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended a regional meeting and training as well as an awards and listening session with Commissioner Landwehr and his staff. The officer also checked snowmobilers and some lakes. Warm weather brought out one young man in a pair of shorts who said he was having a very nice ride! CO Kyle Quittschreiber (Blackduck) received a call from an individual who had hit a raccoon and when the individual attempted to get the injured animal off the road it took after and attacked the caller.

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) was kept busy with spring fire activity. Several arson fires were investigated, a person that had a permit two weeks ago had the fire rekindle and burned about 200 acres of grass land, woods and swamp. Kuske is also investigating a person who is cleaning up a property and burying appliances, along with burning an old building that contained a large amount of prohibited materials.

CO Todd VanderWeyst (Paynesville), while monitoring fishing activity on a local shore fishing spot, observed a homeowner poke a scoped long gun out the door. Thankfully it was only a pellet gun and thankfully he was only attempting to scare the undesired birds from his bird feeder and not the CO from his observation post.

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) received a trapping complaint in the city limits. The trapper was located and it was found he was trying to live trap a baby raccoon to keep as a pet (not legal). Enforcement action was taken.



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