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 ATV riders, bear-bait stations and travelled in the BWCAW along the border checking anglers. He responded to several nuisance-bear complaints. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) continued to check bear-bait stations and educate hunters and non-hunters on bear-baiting and -hunting issues. Manning also patrolled forest roads and campgrounds, including taking a call on abandoned camping gear at an area campground and more reports of human waste, diapers and trash left by visitors along the North Shore. A roadkilled bear call was also handled. Enforcement action was taken for an early bear bait station and baiting with illegal materials.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports a nice mix of activity throughout the station this past week. A few PFD and registration issued were handled after Hill contacted some paddlers in violation on an area lake. The leaves are thinking about changing, and Hill ran into some ATV riders “scouting” for the upcoming season. Bear season is right around the corner and last-minute baits were checked. Hill worked in the BWCA as well, and one person was found to be in possession of a few aluminum cans full of soda pop. Station paperwork and equipment maintenance were also handled.
CO Mike Fairbanks (Deer River) monitored bear-baiting activity, responded to nuisance bear complaints, attended training and assisted with the Vice Presidential detail this past week. Many bears have been hitting baits and patrolling the area homes for meals. Enforcement action was taken for license issues, illegal bear baits and arrest for outstanding warrants.
CO Mike Krauel (Mora) spent the past week checking anglers. He also worked ATV activity and bear-baiting activity. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license and angling with extra lines. An arrest was made for possession of a handgun and methamphetamine.
CO Ryan Hanna (White Bear Lake) conducted routine patrol. This past week, he assisted New Brighton Police with an animal complaint of a wild turkey in a house. Due to the window reflection, the turkey believed the window was just more trees and ended up crashing into the house. Upon his arrival, the turkey was gone.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) received training on safe handling and removal of live rattlesnakes. Kyllo also worked on locating the owner of an abandoned vehicle in a WMA parking lot. Kyllo assisted the county with reports of juveniles causing damage at a local swimming hole.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Bemidji #1) continued Step 1 of field training with COC Victoria Griffith. They worked angling and boating activity on area lakes and Leech Lake. They also worked bear baits and ATV activity on area trials. Enforcement action was taken for angling without a license in possession and providing false information by giving a fictitious date of birth. The officers also met with Forestry staff and followed up on complaints of yard waste being discarded on state forest land.
CO Hanna Wood (Wheaton) spent the majority of the past week focusing on angling and recreational vehicle enforcement. She received a call about a dead eagle and a report of a mountain lion sighting near Doran. Wood also held an ATV Enforcement class for the Wilkin County Sheriff ’s Office. Enforcement action for the week included operating an OHM on a public roadway, operating an unregistered OHM, insufficient number of PFDs on board a watercraft, failure to display a watercraft license number, and no angling license in possession.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) reports the lakes and trails remain very busy. Many ATV riders, including several juveniles, were violating ATV regulations. Anglers were out trying their luck but found little success. Several bear baits were also checked. He fielded two injured-eagle calls, one injured-swan call and one-injured loon call. He also received a report of a cougar sighting. Enforcement action was taken for several ATV violations and boating violations.
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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