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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 Mary Manning (Hovland) reports more drivers either stuck or nearly stuck on forest roads that were until recently snowmobile-only access. Again, the mapping apps led some folks astray. Drivers are urged to talk with folks who are familiar with the road system before going out on a driving adventure. Manning checked steelhead anglers and state park visitors, took reports of nuisance beavers, and spoke with a responsible ATV owner regarding spring road and trail closures.
CO Annette Kyllo (Rochester #1) spent time checking into TIPs of illegal netting and suspicious activity happening on the riverfront late at night. Time was also spent checking anglers on the Mississippi River near Red Wing. Kyllo taught the law and ethics portion of a firearms safety class and dealt with a call about an abandoned fox pup. The pup was taken to a licensed wildlife rehab person.
NR Pilot John Heineman (Bemidji) flew a wolf telemetry flight for nonfunctioning GPS collars. Heineman also attended to administrative tasks and training.
CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) worked throughout the week checking panfish anglers both from shore and boats. With heavy rains, it was hard to get outside most of the week, but by the weekend anglers were enjoying nicer weather and some mixed crappie success. A few anglers were reminded that targeting bass before fishing opener is not allowed. Another angler was cited for possessing marijuana and paraphernalia while fishing with his children.
CO Angie Warren (Mahnomen) spent time on angling, leeching and fish run activity. Boating safety regulation checks were performed. Patrol was conducted for ATV and off-road vehicle activity. A call of a car-hit eagle was received. Upon investigation, it was identified as a Canada goose. WMAs and waterfowl production areas were monitored for activity.
CO Jake Swedberg (Detroit Lakes) spent the week working sport fishing, ATV, and fish run activities. Water temperatures were rising through the first part of the week. The surface water temperature in a lot of areas lakes is in the mid-40s. Some anglers were having success with crappies, but for the most part it was still difficult to find crappies in shallow areas. Swedberg also worked a TIP complaint with CO Landmark on early bowfishers along the Pelican River. The COs were able to make contact with two groups of bowfishers who did not realize the season starts in two weeks (April 24). Enforcement action for the week included angling without a license, bowfishing out of season, illegal operation by a youth on an ATV and OHM, operating an OHM on a county highway, and expired boat registration
CO Keith Olson (Lake Superior Marine Unit) worked Lake Superior and the tributaries along the North Shore. River and shore anglers were out in force, along with boat anglers in the Duluth-Two Harbors waters. Smelters and night surveillance work was focused on, resulting in several equipment violations. Olson assisted with a fleeing victim of a drug overdose.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked anglers, ATV riders, and fire activity. Activity was relatively low due to the cold and wet weather. Mathy investigated a report of littered snow goose carcasses along a roadway. Mathy also assisted at an ATV accident in the Paul Bunyan State Forest. Enforcement action was taken for an angling violation and driving on closed forest roads in the state forest.
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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