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) assisted with instructing firearms qualification in Hibbing. Steelhead anglers were checked, nuisance wildlife calls were handled, and watercraft was prepared for the upcoming opener.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) did a remote trout lake and BWCA patrol by canoe. The dark woods still have some ice and snow from the winter which is pretty normal for this time of year. Seasonal equipment maintenance was tended to along with division training in Hibbing.
CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) patrolled area forest roads and trails checking ATV operators and road conditions; grouse season this coming fall should be good based on the number of birds seen this week. The officer assisted with firearms qualifications in Hibbing and patrolled fish sanctuaries and spawning areas.
CO Eric Benjamin (Warroad) worked fire, ATV, boat/water safety, and angling enforcement. An injured American bald eagle that was recovered last week just north of Skime and sent to the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota has reportedly been euthanized due to unrecoverable injuries. The eagle had high levels of lead in its blood and upon further inspection it was noted that it had also sustained a shotgun wound. Information leading to the responsible party for the death of this eagle is subject to a TIP reward.
CO Al Peterson (Osage) handled a report of a person killing red-winged blackbirds for target practice.
CO Bill Landmark (Moorhead) investigated a report of a dead swan and it was determined that the swan died of natural causes. Another report of a dead fox pup was investigated near Dunvilla and it was found that the pup had been shot with a high-powered pellet rifle.
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