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) reports a relatively quiet end to the fisher/pine marten season. The area finally got enough snow to allow for snowmobile operation, although riders should use caution on rougher sections of trail as the base layer is sufficient to conceal but not fully cushion some rocks. Manning worked with DNR Parks and Trails staff to improve signage on snowmobile trails, followed up on ATV issues, and answered questions about snowmobile operation, registration issues and angling.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports the fisher and pine marten season came and went with extremely low activity despite Hill seeing decent critter sign leading up to the season. Cross-country ski enthusiasts were out in force taking advantage of the nice weather and trail conditions throughout the holiday weekend. Ski pass compliance was overall pretty good, but a fair number of people took to the trails without buying their pass. Hill expects the skiing activity to ramp up after the new year and suggests people get out early in the day to avoid large crowds and cramped parking. Snowmobile activity is beginning to rise and enforcement action was taken for registration and safety certification violations.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Cook) reports that with the recent snowfall, an increase in snowmobile activity was observed on the lakes, but the trails are still lacking adequate snow cover. Zavodnik checked a number of permanent fish houses with anglers in violation, including unattended lines, extra lines, and taking walleyes within the protected slot limit. One individual who admitted he had three lines out, stated, “Good thing you checked me now, because I was just about to put three more tips-ups outside.” During the incident, the angler also stated that he thinks everyone should be able to have an unlimited number of lines out in order to catch the first fish. He was informed of the rules and regulations and enforcement action was taken. Zavodnik wants to remind snowmobilers to follow the staked trails due to pressure ridges forming on the lakes.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked trapping, ice fishing, ATV, and snowmobile activities. Some walleyes are being caught, with an overlimit found. Panfish are providing some action for youth, with one family enjoying time together with a 3-month-old newborn in the fish house. ATV-registration violations for lack of registration were also found.
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) worked anglers, bowhunters and ATV activity. Reports of ATVs going through the ice have been coming in. A lot of lakes have spots that geese and swans have kept open and have only just now frozen over. Enforcement action included expired ATV registration, illegal-length fish, and license violations.
CO Trent Seamans (Big Lake) focused patrol efforts on ice anglers and snowmobile operators. Additional time was spent following up on cases from the firearms deer season. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer with an invalid license, possessing an overlimit of crappies, and operating a motor vehicle off-road in the Sand Dunes State Forest. While patrolling a local lake, Seamans observed an individual operate an ATV from a fish house to a vehicle parked at the access. The individual had a bucket in his lap and nothing else. When contacted at the vehicle, the individual admitted that he was trying to hide what he thought were illegal northern pike. Turns out, all three pike were of legal size. However, the individual was operating an ATV with expired registration and was cited for the violation.
CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) spent the past week monitoring anglers and pheasant hunters in the area. He responded to a report of an icehouse falling through Lake Byllesby. He also monitored deer hunters during the first special CWD hunt. Enforcement action for the past week included no blaze orange, no license in possession, trespass and metro recreational vehicle trespass.
CO Dustin Miller (Windom) encourages all ice anglers to monitor the ice closely as heavy winds have opened up portions of many local lakes. Ice safety equipment does not benefit you unless you have it with you. Deer investigations continue with multiple license and overlimit cases being worked. A big thank you to the Cottonwood County Game and Fish/Des Moines Valley Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Chapter for donations that will assist local COs with enforcement efforts. A blizzard moved through the area Wednesday evening, causing complete whiteout conditions. Miller assisted the Cottonwood County Sheriff ’s Office and State Patrol with rescuing numerous motorists who were stranded or had drove off the roadway. One particular group was surprised to find the bad conditions when they became stuck, as several occupants were wearing shorts and traveling from the southern United States.
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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