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 Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers on area lakes and worked snowmobile trails. The trails are in great condition. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and fishing violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports that he checked snowmobile trails and crossings and saw lots of sledders out. He checked trapping activity and checked for pine marten and fisher boxes that may have been left after season. Fagerman also checked on a fellow that flipped his sled, but no injuries and only a slightly bruised ego and a cracked windshield occurred.
CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais) patrolled GIA snowmobile trails and checked sled operators. Manning also checked anglers and responded to calls regarding coyote and deer hunting.
CO Marty Stage (Ely) had received a disturbing call in early December about a deer with an arrow lodged in its head below the eyes. By the time the officer arrived, the deer was long gone. But this time, there’s good news. The party called back a couple days ago reporting that the deer had returned, that the arrow had fallen out, and that although there were wounds where the arrow had been, the deer seemed otherwise healthy and was feeding happily at their bird feeder.
CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) reports that vehicles are starting to drive onto the lakes. One was reported to have broken through the ice but it was saved from going to the bottom by the snow plow on the front.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) assisted the county with a rescue of two cows that had broken through the ice in their pasture.
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) encountered one particular angler who tried to use his brother’s angling license as his own. The angler’s poor choice of actions were uncovered by CO Frericks when he recognized the individual from deer season, when he was issued a previous citation. The angler was again cited and his brother’s angling license was seized.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) helped position helicopters in Ely, then began the annual northeast moose survey. Best snow conditions in a few years, with 10-20 inches throughout most of the range. Good numbers of moose observed thus far, many large bulls with very impressive antlers. Very cold below-zero weather made for clear flying days with great visibility.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom
218-370-0244
Darin Fagerman
218-387-9751
Mary Manning
218-475-0121
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