Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that the majority of sportsmen and women are law-abiding folks, there are a few who 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!
While monitoring anglers on Red Lake while working in plain clothes, CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) observed two boats of fishermen fishing in the northwest corner of the Minnesota side of Red Lake. After watching the fishermen for a short while CO Gorecki observed one of the men catch a sheepshead, throw it down on the bottom of the boat, and toss it into the water. Thesheepshead began to float away from the boat. A short time later CO Gorecki observed the same fishermen catch another sheepshead and do the same thing. Two pelicans landed nearby and began to swim over to the floating fish. When the pelicans got close enough, the fishermen pulled out a rifle and started shooting at the pelicans. CO Gorecki immediately moved in and made contact with the men. When asked why they did what they did, they replied that pelicans eat walleye fry, and sheepshead are “rough fish” anyway. CO Gorecki seized the rifle, and charged the fishermen with wanton waste for the fish, and taking non-game migratory birds.
CO Tom Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked anglers in the BWCAW. Nuisance wildlife calls and questions from the public were fielded. CO Wahlstrom monitored ATV activity in problem areas. Efforts and attention paid to boat and water activity on the big water, Lake Superior. Enforcement action was taken for registration and other boating violations.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) did a couple of BWCA patrols. The black flies and fish are biting. Complaints of dogs chasing deer were taken during the week. TheCO had to put down a sick moose during the week and it was shipped off for testing. The lack of canoe registrations was the most common violation.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) was called out to deal with a sick moose which was wandering in the traffic lanes of a busy county road at night. Deputies and a State Trooper had been herding the animal with their squad cars to keep it from getting into traffic. The small bull would stumble directly into the squad cars as it was largely unable to control its movements. The moose appeared malnourished and dazed. Officer Thomasen dispatched the animal and arranged for transport of the moose for necropsy with the Fond du Lac tribal biologist. The moose was found to have a severe liver fluke infection which would have led to the certain death of the animal.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled inland lakes and water accesses. One party commented that in 30 years he had never seen a game warden near his lake cabin; another party on the same lake was contacted for having two unattended lines off his dock and no registration on his boat. Manning also patrolled areas with OHM complaints; two illegal riders were contacted within 10 minutes of each other and enforcement action was taken. Officer Manning also patrolled area state park and forestry cabins and assisted U.S. Customs with a fish overlimit case.
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