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 Mary Manning (Hovland) assisted U.S. Forest Service wilderness staff with a report of ATV damage to a forest trail and possible motor use in the BWCAW. No motor was located but trail damage was verified. The trail is now temporarily closed and users were notified. Anglers and boaters were checked, as were ATV operators. Some parents continue to treat ATVs as toys by allowing illegal operation by their children and risking the kids’ lives. Manning is also looking for information on the person or people who unlawfully removed the dock from Tom Lake, presumably to keep people off “their lake.”
CO Jacob Willis (Brookston) gave instruction at Camp Ripley for the current Academy of conservation officer candidates. ATV complaint areas were worked in the Nemadji State Forest and multiple calls regarding water being taken from Grand Lake were fielded and handled. Enforcement action was taken for no ATV registration, no OHM trail pass, failure to display OHM/ATV registration, nonresident failure to obtain an ATV trail pass, no angling license, and no license in possession.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) investigated a wolfdepredation call. Three injured calves were documented and confirmed likely injured by wolves. USDA trappers were contacted and traps were set. Speldrich patrolled area lakes, taking enforcement action for failing to display current registration. ATV patrol was conducted and enforcement action was taken for operating ATVs in public waters. A reminder to Class 2 owners that operation on roadways is permitted but you must be to the extreme right of the roadway, not right down the center of the lane where regular motor vehicles travel.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) dealt with a high number of nuisance-bear complaints. Several reports were taken of black bears destroying apple trees, garbage cans, bird feeders, gardens and flowerbeds. Time was also spent dealing with violations of the Wetlands Conservation Act and people who altered shore land areas within public waters.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) reports that rocks were a common theme of calls this past week. One instance involved large rocks that were being used to block an illegal ATV trail in a WMA. They were removed. Another call involved people blocking a public access ramp of a popular fishing lake with large rocks. Another subject decided to build an illegal rock point into a lake. Bertram handled several non-rocky calls as well. Enforcement was taken for extra lines, expired ATV registration, and no PFDs while on the water. Benkofske and the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office are also investigating an abandoned boat found on the St. Francis River near Santiago.
CO Chris Tetrault (Maplewood) conducted investigations regarding people selling minnows to retailers without minnow dealer licenses. Calls regarding fishing regulations were answered, as were nuisance-animal calls. He is also looking into a case where a significant amount of litter was dumped in the Vermillion WMA.
CO Tom Hemker (Winona) reports the river was in good shape for boating and fishing pressure was high. There was a bowfishing contest in the area. Hemker also checked ATVs on the local trails. Nuisance-animal calls continue, with rattlesnakes being out earlier than usual. The highlight of the week was a young angler having a fishing conversation with Hemker and asking him if he wanted to “hang out” that day or maybe the next.
CO Clint Fitzgerald (Rochester #2) spent the week focusing on angling activity around Olmsted County. Time was also spent investigating cases involving the illegal taking of a duck and an endangered Blanding’s Turtle. Enforcement activity for the week included taking frogs without an angling license, fishing without a license and not enough life jackets.
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) investigated a public waters violation where a landowner conducted excavation work within a stream without a permit. While checking anglers, Ramaker encountered a man whose dog had one treble hook of a Rapala stuck in its foot and the second treble hook stuck in its mouth. At the request of the dog owner, Ramaker assisted by removing the hooks with a pliers while the owner restrained the dog. The young dog jumped up and continued its play in the water, not appearing too resentful.
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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