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 and snowmobilers during a work detail along the Gunflint Trail. He also worked a joint operation with Ontario conservation officers and the U.S. Forest Service. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled snowmobile trails and area lakes. Warm weather took a toll on trail conditions, resulting in some bare spots, many moguls and difficult riding conditions in spots. Lake conditions are still decent and fishing success reports are varied.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports taking the time to finalize a few fishing investigations from the week prior. Lakes in the BWCAW were monitored and traffic has been slow. A few last-minute snowmobilers were contacted enjoying the North Shore State Trail and they reported decent trail conditions. If you are kicking around the idea of one last snowmobile trip, remember that the warm weather in the forecast is limiting your time. Get out and enjoy the trails. Ski-pass compliance took a negative turn this past week as multiple skiers did not have their passes in possession and some didn’t have them at all.
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) attended a K9 meeting and training session at Carlos Avery WMA. Several questions were answered on the new feeding ban that recently went into effect in the county. Assistance was given to the State Patrol in apprehending a suspect who fled from them in a motor vehicle and assistance was also given to a local police department by having K9 Schody search for evidence in a homicide case.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) started the week checking for any ice shelters left on area lakes after the deadline. One shelter that was reported was found to be frozen into the lake. Upon locating the owner to see why the shelter had not been removed, Silgjord found the person was on house arrest. Angling activity was monitored throughout the week and a decent panfish bite was seen on several area lakes. A TIP complaint of illegal bowfishing was fielded and resulted in enforcement action for various violations.
CO Nathan Benkofske (Milaca) reports working a snowmobile detail with other District 12 officers along the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais. Snowmobile enthusiasts traveled from all over the state to catch the last of the snow (there’s more than 3 feet). Conditions were favorable with the warm weather and the trout bite was also on. Enforcement action was taken for loud exhaust, snowmobile registration, and various fishing violations.
CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) spent time this past week checking lakes for fish houses and litter left out on the ice. Several fish houses were found out on the lakes past the deadline and enforcement action was taken. Reller also participated in a snowmobile and fishing detail in Lake and Cook counties this past weekend. Trails were in good condition and many snowmobilers and anglers were checked with very good compliance with the laws was found.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) patrolled area lakes for the ice shelter removal deadline. Most houses were removed and very few reminders had to be given. The north access of Cedar Lake opened due to warm weather and road salt. Prior Lake Bait and Tackle reported one driver had put his front axle through the ice on that landing. Fogarty followed up on a social media post about a squirrel-hunting contest. It was discovered the hunters possessed and later sold an overlimit of squirrels after the hunt. Charges are pending in the case.
CO Duke Broughten (Aurora) spent the past week monitoring fishing and snowmobiling activity. Fishing success remained low. Snowmobile trails are deteriorating due to warm weather and lack of new snow. Broughten assisted at a snowmobile crash with injuries. Broughten and other officers assisted a stranded motorist with young children stuck on a forest road. As the officers were rendering aid, a snowmobiler came by and stole the recovery strap Broughten had placed. The snowmobiler had to have driven right by the stranded vehicle. If you were the snowmobiler who decided you needed the recovery strap more than the stranded motorist, it would be appreciated if you returned it.
CO Aaron Larson (Baudette West) worked angling and snowmobile enforcement. The warmer weather has created slushy and wet conditions on Lake of the Woods ice roads. Violations included angling with extra lines, possessing dressed fish fillets on a special regulation lake, unattended lines, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating an off-road vehicle on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail, operating a snowmobile with non-trail use registration on a grant-in-aid snowmobile trail, no angling license, no identification on an ice shelter, no dark house/ shelter license, and no angling license in possession.
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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