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 checking anglers during the trout opener on area lakes during a work detail. He assisted in the search and rescue of four snowmobile riders who were wet, cold, lost and stuck in a swamp, off a backcountry trail. All parties made it out safely. Enforcement action was taken for possession of drugs and paraphernalia, as well as angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked a snow-filled trout opener. Heavy snowfall led to a good deal of slush on area lakes, which caused problems for some anglers and led to at least one portable fishing shelter becoming not so portable. Manning checked sled operators, anglers and fishing shelters, and spoke with the local radio station on the importance of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a busy weekend of winter activities in Cook County. Multiple snowmobiles were seen on the trails and lakes with one operator being cited for a juvenile helmet and safety certificate violation. Hill took part in a detail with other officers during the opening weekend of the winter trout season. Anglers from all over the state were contacted in the area with some nice fish being seen. Some anglers easily obtained their limits while others used every trick in the book just to get a mark. A few license violations were handled. Hill and other officers assisted Cook County with locating four stranded snowmobilers on a remote swamp after they had gotten a snowmobile stuck. Aside from wet feet and a few signs of hypothermia, the parties were in good spirits and were thankful the officers were close by when the call came out. A reminder that it is a necessity to have survival equipment handy when riding snowmobiles in remote areas of the state. Things can go wrong at any moment, even on shorter rides. The riders were extremely lucky they had cell phone coverage.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) checked inland trout anglers on the trout season opener. Deep snow required people to expend extra efforts all along the Gunflint Trail and North Shore. Snowmobile riders were checked, with common violations found for safety training requirements and modified exhaust systems. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) patrolled for ice anglers and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent investigating violations from the firearms deer season and presenting for a Boy Scouts group about ice fishing. A complaint led to the seizure of three stands unlawfully left in the Uncas Dunes Scientific and Natural Area. Enforcement action included operating a snowmobile with expired registration, failing to validate a site tag, and operating a snowmobile off-trail in a closed state forest. An ice angler was caught in possession of 32 sunfish on an area lake. When checked, the angler stated he thought he had 18 sunfish. The angler was cited and excess fish were released to the wild unharmed.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) took a call of a coyote trapped in a baseball field; it turned out to be a decoy to keep geese away. The trout opener was worked with anglers reporting mixed success. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobilers trespassing, no trout stamp, and extra lines.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) reports snowmobile riders have been taking advantage of the fresh snowfall. The snow was timed perfectly for a snowmobile safety class Kyllo assisted with. Kyllo’s favorite contact this past week was a dad and his 3-year-old out hunting crows. The child had requested they go hunting after daycare and had brought his Nerf gun with him for the occasion. Kyllo also checked ice anglers and followed up on a deer-hunting investigation.
CO Aaron Larson (Baudette West) worked trapping, snowmobile, and angling enforcement. Violations included angling with extra lines, no angling license in possession,Promo code unattended lines, failure to display dark house/shelter license, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of an overlimit of walleyes/sauger.
CO Hannah Mishler (Bemidji #2) spent time patrolling snowmobile trails and checking area lakes for angling activity. Assistance was given with the search and rescue of a lost/ missing snowmobiler on Upper Red Lake. The individual was located and brought back to shore safely. If weather conditions are poor and you find yourself lost and unable to locate the shoreline on a lake or if you are unable to safely navigate the lake, please remember that the best thing you can do is to remain in one place, stay calm, and wait for help to arrive.
Contact local DNR Conservation Officers to report violations or ask questions:
Thomas Wahlstrom
218-370-0244
Kylan Hill
218-387-4393
Mary Manning
218-387-5285
Leave a Reply