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 (Grand Marais) checked anglers on remote trout lakes, as well as ATV riders and small-game hunters. He spent time in the BWCAW checking anglers. Nuisance-wildlife complaints were handled. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked ATV and deer archery hunting activity during the week. Deer are on the move and archery hunters are having some success in the area. Waterfowl continue to be scarce as reported by most hunters but fall fishing has improved. Murray attended annual department training and took nuisance-beaver complaints.
CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked angling activity this past week. Time was spent checking grouse hunters and ATV activity as well.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) responded to a call of a dead calf where the livestock owner had observed 15 bald and golden eagles over the past week. The livestock owner was concerned that the eagles had caused the 2-week-old calf’s demise. An investigation showed that the calf was likely killed by coyotes.
CO Shane Zavodnik (International Falls) assisted the State Patrol with an individual who was driving a commercial truck without a valid driver’s license and was carrying a load 9,000 pounds over capacity.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) investigated a TIP call of illegal activities in the state forest, which revealed legal harvest of squirrels and chipmunks.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) reports that one hunter he checked forgot to put the plug back in his gun before hunting migratory waterfowl. The hunter also experienced outboard motor problems and paddled all the way back to the landing.
CO Angela Londgren (Cambridge) investigated an overlimit case where an angler was found with 14 crappies. That’s four over the statewide limit, but he was on a lake where only five crappies are allowed.
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