Cook County News Herald

Conservation Officer Tales





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 (Hovland)
patrolled North Shore trout streams, which saw an increase in angler activity and some success. Manning also checked inland lakes and rivers, including closed fish spawning areas. The officer seized a very mange-infested, road-kill wolf, patrolled forest roads for ATV activity and checked campsites. Some forest roads are worse for wear following the snow melt, so folks are advised to contact area foresters before venturing too far off the county roads. Another reminder: a seasonal burning ban is also now in effect for Cook County and no permits will be issued.

CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette)
investigated a complaint of sewage being pumped into the Rainy River. When Gorecki arrived he witnessed a septic tank being pumped into a ravine

week beginning 4/11/2010 North
running into the river. The individual stated that his drain field had not worked for some

he Min eso a
21
time, and that “bringing up to code would just cost too much.” The individual was stopped,

enforcement action was taken, and the incident was forwarded to the Soil and Water Bureau for further action.

CO Marty Stage (Ely)
reports the ice is nearly all gone and one evening (March 31st) the officer reports that there were more than 20 mosquitoes circling him at one time. This was all happening during a time that in the past, people would be fishing trout out on the ice.

CO Rhonda Keniston (Long Prairie)
was called after strong winds assisted a campfire in becoming a grass fire. One wildfire began as a small, unlawful, leaf burning pile in a fire

Disp ay Ad
ring. The wind took it uphill, engulfed an old outhouse, and crept under the deck of a cabin.

Netwo k
The elderly fire-starter did not want the fire department called because it “was not out of

control!” Enforcement action pending completion of the investigation.

Your

CO Craig Miska (Ortonville)
took numerous calls in regard to a deer carcass that was stuck

a agredt p

in a tree, about five feet above the ground. It was determined that the deer became lodged

ict te2x2 during the winter, as a result of the deep snow and was unable to free itself. The ice is off

Northern
isp ay Ad Netw most area lakes and spring anglers have enjoyed the recent warm temperatures.

p og am y unni g

218
CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing)
gave assistance to one angler who got a snake tangled up in

these ads n the main his motor. The snake was swimming across the channel and decided to take up refuge in

the guy’s motor.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.