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 Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte)
worked anglers on lakes along the US-Canada border. Some nice lake trout were caught. The officer also spent time on snowshoes and skis checking lakes in the BWCAW and other remote trout lakes. Snowmobile and cross-country ski activity was monitored along the trails.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors)
patrolled area snowmobile trails and checked on angling activity. A dead moose was reported by a logging company within the area they were working. CO Thomasen responded at the request of the assistant wildlife manager and found the animal was radio collared and had been fed on heavily by wolves. While the officer was taking photos of the moose and collecting the collar, wolves could be heard a short distance away, obviously waiting for the CO to leave so they could resume their dinner.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
focused enforcement patrol on seasonal activities. He completed maintenance tasks and office work. Snowmobilers are starting to show up.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland)
worked inland and border lakes, including the BWCA. One angler will be unhappy to receive a citation by mail for failing to license a fishing shelter left overnight on the ice at a small trout lake. Manning also worked snowmobile trails and checked sled riders. An existing stretch of snowmobile trail from the Gunflint to Grand Portage is now part of the GIA system and a state trail pass is required. The officer also answered questions from the media about a recent wolf mortality case and issued several road-kill deer permits.
CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake)
investigated a deer shot with an arrow in Coon Rapids. The blood trail was followed to a bird feeder behind a residence. A search warrant was executed on the residence where the deer was shot. The homeowner was subsequently arrested for felon in possession of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine.
CO Ed Picht (Montevideo)
received a call from a lady who suspected coyotes of killing two of her farm cats. Upon investigation it was determined that domestic dogs had killed the cats and not coyotes. Also, a trapping investigation is underway after a deer was caught in a snare.
CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent)
reports predator hunters were busy this past week. Thecoyotes were active both day and night. A state highway work crew witnessed a person shooting at a coyote from a truck. The complaint was passed on to the State Patrol and CO Fritz. While being interviewed one of the suspects told Fritz that he didn’t think the work crew would report him for shooting a coyote from a motor vehicle. Enforcement was taken for shooting from a motor vehicle.
Pilot Brad Maas
continued with deer surveys. Many deer were observed, some bucks still with antlers. A black bear was seen nesting in the middle of a cornfield. The bear looked up at the helicopter, and was soon back in the nap mode.
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