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) checked area hunting activity. Fall anglers were also checked, animal complaints were handled and a bear-hunting investigation was followed up on.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) checked designated trout lakes and grouse hunters. He also made sure bear hunters removed their bait stations during the week.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) reports that there seems to be a rumor about a law change that allows guns to be loaded while on an ATV going around town. Schottenbauer has been clarifying that the rumor is not true. He has also been assisting the Lake County Sherriff ’s Office with lost hikers and motorists following GPS directions into odd places.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (CCSRA) investigated a call of someone possibly posting a county road right of way, and a call of a deer illegally shot. A call of a bull being killed by wolves was also investigated and the federal trappers were called in.
( CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked waterfowl hunters who did not seem to know the rules. In one group alone, two hunters were found without plugged guns, one hunter had lead shot, two hunters shot at black birds, and all were hunting a half-hour past sunset. Education and enforcement action were taken for an unplugged shotgun, hunting waterfowl with toxic shot, attempting to take non-game migratory birds, and hunting waterfowl during closed hours.
(CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports that while on a patrol an unoccupied car was checked in a WMA parking lot. The registered owner had an active warrant and a local deputy assisted in locating the suspect at a nearby house party. Partygoers were able to gather the funds to settle the warrant and returned to the party.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) investigated a report of a very large buck with its head removed on the side of the road near the Expandere WMA. The public is asked to contact Miller with any information related to this deer.
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