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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 anglers on area trout lakes. He helped instruct at a youth snowmobile field day in Grand Marais with area officers and volunteer instructors. All the students passed and enjoyed the class. Enforcement action was taken for fishing violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) was busy on the ice this past week as trail conditions deteriorated and lake conditions made for mostly easy traveling. Fishing success was not as high as the enthusiasm for the nice weather. Checking the regulations book was also a low priority for some, and a few groups of anglers were educated and cited. A snowmobile event on one lake over the weekend led to at least one citation for speed after the event had concluded. Manning also took calls on an injured wolf and a road-killed deer.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) primarily worked trout anglers, checked fish house removal and wrapped up a big-game case. A complaint of a deer with a bullet hole, hanging in a garage, was investigated. The individual had shot the deer with a bow and out of season, but claimed it was first hit by a car. A second individual was also charged as it was stored at their residence. Bozovsky assisted the Hibbing Police Department with a felony warrant suspect who fled in a car and then on foot. Bozovsky assisted searching for the suspect and then with the arrest after the suspect was found hiding in a pickup box in someone’s driveway. Enforcement action was taken for minnows and extra lines on a designated trout lake, possessing big game without a license, no car-killed deer permit and possession of marijuana.
CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) monitored the angling activity on station lakes. A call was received from State Patrol dispatch about a large cat that was living under a home. The elderly caller was fearful for her life and didn’t want to get scratched.
CO Mikeena Mattson (Wealthwood) worked sport fishing and ATV enforcement this past week. Time was spent addressing fires as a result of spring yard cleaning. People are reminded to check on burning restrictions in their county before starting a fire. Calls were fielded regarding new panfish regulations on area lakes. Enforcement action was taken for illegal youth ATV operation, youth ATV passengers not wearing helmets, operating an ATV without lights on, failure to display valid ATV registration, failure to renew ATV registration, no fishing license in personal possession, driving after revocation, open bottle in a motor vehicle, failure to obtain a burning permit, and burning prohibited materials.
CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) spent the past week conducting investigations and working ATV enforcement. Some good flocks of light geese are passing through the area. Swans continue to be seen in flocks.
CO Eric Schettler (Fairmont) reports ice conditions are very poor, and the ice is beginning to pull away from shore. A few ice anglers were out for their soon-to-be last shot. Hunters are scouting for light goose activity with only a handful of light geese being seen among Canada geese. Deer are still attempting to cross ice and falling through. Two small bucks were observed crossing a lake and had to turn back swimming.
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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