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 Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) checked area lakes for compliance with fish house removal deadlines and found good compliance. Anglers on area lakes were also checked. One angler checked forgot to buy his new license, although he remembered to get minnows; he was relieved of the fish he had caught and received paperwork in exchange. The officer also checked local WMAs and SNAs for activity.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) checked anglers, snowmobiles, and patrolled by dogsled in the BW to work complaints. Enforcement action was taken for extra lines, unattended lines, and live minnows on designated trout lake.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) reports that more open water anglers are venturing out on Lake Superior and are having some luck with salmon. Anglers are reminded to make sure they have all safety equipment required in their watercraft (including PFDs) as they start the open water season.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) handled a complaint of a dead bald eagle along Interstate 94 outside of Evansville. The eagle turned out to be 13 snow and blue geese that were harvested during the spring light goose season. The geese were cleaned and in bags and appeared to have fallen off or blown out of a hunter’s truck.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) continued working on cases of birch trees being cut from state lands and sold as decorative material.
CO Andy Schmidt (Duluth West) worked shore anglers along the North Shore and reports that anglers were having some luck. The officer also assisted Fond du Lac wildlife biologists with a wolf collar that was emitting a mortality signal. The collar was located and appears to have been a mishap with the collar fastener.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) investigated a TIP complaint of improper disposal of light geese. A total of 58 light geese were breasted out and dumped from an overpass onto the grass right of way of Interstate 90.
CO Kylan Hill (Zumbrota) reports taking enforcement action on various burning violations throughout the week. A would-be violator was deterred after the officer discovered a pile of cabinets, carpet, and other various household items stacked approximately eight feet in the air placed on an already prohibited materials burn pile. The subject was grateful the officer stopped the violation before it occurred and agreed to dispose of the items in the trash.
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