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) spent the week checking deer hunters and investigating hunting complaints. Trespass calls were followed up on and wildlife calls were handled.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a fairly busy week. While following up on an investigation of whitefish nets being allowed to freeze into an area lake, he stopped by a residence to find an untagged buck. Upon further investigation, it was determined the buck was shot over bait from the resident’s deck. The .22 rifle (which is not a legal caliber for deer) used to shoot the deer was seized along with the eight-point buck. Snowmobilers out ditch banging were also checked. Ice conditions are not safe for the most part. Checking the ice thickness frequently, ice picks, and wearing a flotation device is highly recommended if one chooses to venture out.
CO Mary Manning (Grand Marais East) investigated a call about a hunter taking a deer from a county roadway; the shot was legally taken, although it was close to a residence and on public lands. One member of the hunting party was unhappy that the warden had been called. He was told to expect to see us if they continue to drive the roads for deer rather than the woods. Manning also wrapped up a couple cases from bear season and followed up on wolf cases.
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) reported that a large nearly 500-pound black bear was hit by a car outside of Staples.
CO Duke Broughten (Longville) investigated multiple complaints of dead deer. In most cases, it appeared hunters did a poor job of tracking. Broughten also observed his first ice fishermen of the season. However, recent weather has reopened some of the smaller lakes. Larger bodies of water are still open.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) found a spruce top theft in progress on state land, followed by the suspect fleeing from the officer on a snowmobile. The suspect was tracked by the officer and then fled on foot. He was arrested when he was found hiding in the brush.
CO Leah Weyandt (Mound) received a call about an emu loose in Chaska. The emu escaped from a farm approximately two months ago in Laketown Township. CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) took a report of geese frozen to a local lake.
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