CO Mary Manning (Hovland) handled calls about public waters including a dock installation and a nuisance beaver on a trout stream. Both callers opted to contact the local CO before their project started rather than find out later that some paperwork was lacking and thus earn more. The officer also checked anglers inland and on Lake Superior; several local boaters were reminded that their boat plugs need to be out even when driving the short distance from home to the launch.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) monitored angling activity on inland lakes and Lake Superior. The officer handled complaints on possible illegal ATV use, damage to trails, wildlife complaints and assisted the county with a trespass complaint. Enforcement action was taken for AIS, boating, angling and ATV violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) responded to a report of an individual clinging to rocks in the river in Gooseberry Falls State Park. It was determined the youth was not in need of assistance but was frightened by the rushing water over the falls.
CO Chad Davis (Owatonna) located an individual who had just pried open and removed the soft body inside of a native freshwater mussel. The individual claimed he didn’t know they were protected and was so excited because it was the first one he had ever seen. Enforcement action was taken and outdoor enthusiasts are reminded that all of Minnesota’s native freshwater mussels are protected.
CO Tim Collette (Pequot Lakes) made a Boating While Intoxicated arrest after a member of a bachelor party on a pontoon boat threw a wine bottle in the air, landing in the water, while motoring across the lake. The pontoon had to be towed to shore as none of the party was sober enough to operate the boat.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) responded to a call regarding inexperienced boaters who beached a pontoon boat on rocks and sand near Pelican Island. The occupants disembarked onto the island. The seven boaters were safely removed from the island after they were guided on a long walk through bog and thick brush to the leeward side of the island with the rescue boats waiting.
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!
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