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 it was so dry at the beginning of the week that a woodchuck running across the road left a dust trail behind it. Even though the rain washed out some plans for the weekend, it was much needed. The CO encountered a party coming out of the BWCAW that told him they found a spot where a tree had fallen on and killed a small bull moose. Most of the carcass had been scavenged. The CO did a wilderness patrol by canoe and encountered some people without canoe registrations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked many ATV operators and found good compliance; many riders took time out of their weekend to help clear trails still blocked by last winter’s storm-damaged trees. The officer checked anglers and boaters both in the BWCA and on inland lakes. Enforcement action was taken for no boat registration, no throwable device and no noise producing device. DNR campgrounds were patrolled and the officer took calls on illegal camping at boat launches, OHM registrations and dead moose.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent most of the week in the BWCAW checking anglers. Some nice lake trout were seen in the bag. The officer also checked ATV riders and assisted the State Patrol. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations. CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) took a TIP call regarding a snapping turtle being shot, and enforcement action was taken for taking a snapping turtle out of season and with an illegal method.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) received a call from a person who picked up a baby fox. The person didn’t know what to do with the fox after picking it up and wanted it to be transported to a local animal rehabber in Minneapolis. Please remember to leave baby animals alone this time of year.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) walked up to two anglers, a grandfather and grandson who just pulled into the lake access. When he asked the anglers how fishing had been the grandfather replied, “Good, but you’re going to have to give us a citation.” When asked why the grandfather replied the grandson, who had just turned 16 two months ago, told him he didn’t have an angling license until after the 20th crappie was caught. The young angler was spoken to and his 10 crappies were seized. CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) found an individual who was fishing from shore who decided to take off and hide. The fisherman was quickly found, sitting in the grass behind his house. He did not have a fishing license.
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