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) took calls regarding angling on Lake Superior tributaries and checked a few folks trying their luck for early steelhead. The officer also checked anglers taking advantage of the nice weather for the last few days of the inland trout season. Forest roads in the area are still largely snow covered and drivers are reminded that as snow melts, road conditions will deteriorate quickly so use caution if you venture onto back roads.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling activity and investigated a trapping complaint. Spring has arrived on the North Shore with the return of flocks of northbound geese, grouse drumming, and maple trees being tapped. Seasonal closures of ATV trails are in place until trails dry up.
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) assisted with a black bear underneath a front porch of a residence in East Duluth. Apparently the bear spent the winter underneath the porch without the homeowners being any the wiser. Officers were successful in coaxing the winter resident to move out and on his way.
CO Marc Hopkins (Tower) assisted CO Fredin with an illegal birch sapling cutting case and charges were submitted to the county attorney. A dead eagle was recovered this week and appeared to have died of natural causes. The officer also took a report of two calves that were missing. The owner believes they may have been taken by wolves.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) was called out to investigate a poached goose. Upon investigation, three juveniles were found with killing two geese, two muskrats, and 27 red-wing blackbirds at different locations. The geese were taken 100 feet from a resident. Charges are pending.
CO Leah Weyandt (Mound) handled several nuisance wildlife calls including mountain lion tracks that turned out to be canine tracks, a deer with a broken leg, and a muskrat stuck in a fence.
CO Jeremy Henke (Albert Lea) located 50 light geese that had been shot and then dumped near the parking area; only 10 of the geese had any meat harvested, the other 40 were wasted. The investigation is ongoing.
CO Brittany Hauser (Red Wing) gave assistance to a group of guys who managed to get a vehicle stuck in the mud on state land while they were driving off trail. After hours of digging, the group was finally able to pull the vehicle free.
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