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 in the BWCAW checking anglers. A detail with area officers was worked along the U.S./Canada border. Enforcement action was taken for angling, snowmobile and BWCAW violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports hitting the ski and snowmobile trails throughout the past week. The snow is starting to deteriorate on the snowmobile trails and the groomers are doing everything they can to keep up. Hill hit border lakes and checked for fishing activity. A few anglers were coached on how to utilize their fish after it was determined they had tossed a few northern pike on the ice and never brought them into the cabin. Some nice jumbo perch were seen in the bucket along with eater-sized walleyes. Hill was in contact with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency after Hill took a call about a plow truck leaking hydraulic fluid on the road, possibly causing an environmental concern.
CO Amber Ladd (McGregor) patrolled area snowmobile trails and checked anglers on area lakes. She observed a portable fish house that, upon further investigation, was unattended. There was no identification on the shelter or shelter license displayed. There was also a tip-up out near the house with the flag up. Through the windows she was able to see several lines down in the house. Later, the anglers returned and advised her they had to go in to the bar to get lunch. They said they were super hungry, so they forgot to pull in their lines. They also explained that they were targeting crappies with the tip-up. There was a northern pike hooked on one of the lines that was down inside the house. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) responded to a call of a dog caught in a snare on a neighboring property. Thankfully, the dog was uninjured, but during the investigation it was found that the responsible person had not checked his snares in three days. The requirement is that snares be checked once per calendar day. A group of ATV riders was contacted after they had been observed riding three abreast on a county road. None of the ATVs had registration displayed and two of the individuals were juveniles who did not have ATV safety certificates and were not wearing helmets. Enforcement action was taken.
CO Pilot Jason Jensen (Brainerd) reports flying a wolf telemetry flight and a fish shelter removal flight. Jensen spoke to a natural resource law enforcement class at Central Lakes College. During the shelter flight, Jensen also found a potential Wetland Conservation Act impact and a possible unmarked aeration system in operation.
CO Tim Collette (Brainerd) checked and marked fish houses for litter and potential removal issues and checked anglers. A TIP call was received about an out-of-state angler possibly taking too many fish. The investigation found the angler had been stockpiling fish in a rental unit freezer to take back home. The angler was issued citations totaling more than $1,500. The public’s help in cases like this is always appreciated and helps to protect our natural resources.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) spent time answering questions and talking about the DNR K9 Unit at the annual Safari Club International Expo in Brooklyn Park. Staples also assisted in picking up one of the newest additions to the K9 Unit. Calls about nuisance animals were answered. One involved a complaint of cats urinating on a garage and a house. There wasn’t much help that could be offered other than advice to put up a fence. A day was spent at a local school being on a mock interview panel where seniors prepared resumes and went through actual interviews
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji) monitored angling activity on area lakes and patrolled snowmobile trails. He worked a detail with COs Huener and Johnson on Lake of the Woods. While approaching one house, Vollbrecht heard occupants moving around and some banging around. After further investigation and a short interview, it was found the two individuals were attempting to hide the fillets of a 24.5-inch walleye and a 26-inch walleye under the fish house. The carcass of the 24.5-inch walleye was found in a garbage bag with several other plastic bags containing fecal matter outside the house. It was later determined one of the two anglers had their angling privileges revoked for unpaid fines from last summer. Proper paperwork was mailed to both anglers. Vollbrecht received a phone call regarding a bear cub at a private residence. Vollbrecht interviewed several individuals and later found a small bear cub weighing less than 5 pounds in a residence. The cub was picked up after logging equipment hit the den site and the sow left. The bear cub was taken to the Garrison Animal Hospital for rehab. Later, it will be placed in a den site with a foster mother.
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
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