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) spent time on the snowmobile checking anglers and snowmobilers. Time was spent talking with snowmobile clubs about trail conditions and common violations. Area lakes are improving with the cold last week.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended the funeral for retired CO Ken Schlueter as part of the DNR Honor Guard. Manning also checked anglers and snowmobilers and followed up on an ATV case. The pine marten and fisher trapping season is off to a slow start and non-trappers are advised that the season is later this year than in the past. A bucket of fish remains was dumped at a parking area and anyone with information is asked to contact the officer.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports contacting multiple anglers fishing throughout the week. Success was limited but the nice weather made it enjoyable. One lake in particular had anywhere from 6 to 16 inches of ice. The angler who drove his truck out onto the ice was reminded to be careful. One shelter violation was handled. Hill checked only a few traps during the opening weekend of the fisher and pine marten season. Unplowed roads made it tough to get deep into the woods. With the holiday season here, more snowmobiles are being seen coming into the area. Hill continued to work on a background investigation.
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) investigated a complaint of illegal possession/taking of several deer. The call originated from county probation officers during a probation check. They found a whole deer (hide still on) and parts of another deer thawing out in a basement sink of a residence. Charges are forthcoming against several people involved.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) reports the first snowmobile stop of the year was due to an individual operating 82 miles per hour on the trail. Shortly after the stop, Zavodnik smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the driver and he also sensed the operator was under the influence of alcohol. Despite being extremely apologetic, the driver was arrested for operating a snowmobile under the influence and several other violations.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports that during an ice fishing check an angler stated he did not have a fishing license because he hasn’t seen a CO around in a while and figured he could get away with it. The angler was cited for taking fish without a license. Moments earlier, an angler complained about being checked too often on the lake.
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