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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) assisted with firearms qualifications at Camp Ripley this week. She also checked ATV riders and anglers. Manning also took a report of a couple who decided that free state park entry was not good enough and decided to skip out without paying for their campsite.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) responded to a complaint of individuals illegally spearing bullfrogs. A law and ethics presentation was given at a firearms safety field day in Rushford. Ramaker was the first officer on scene for an individual who jumped off the Cass Street Bridge over the Mississippi River. The individual sustained serious injuries but survived. A sincere thank you to the recreational boaters who assisted in pulling the victim out of the water. Their quick action likely saved the victim’s life.
CO Sean Williams (Ely) focused on fishing and ATV activity in the Ely area. Fishing reports picked up towards the end of the week as the weather began to change but success was still only fair. Several nuisance-bear complaints were received, all involving poor garbage and food storage. Visitors are reminded to be conscious that bears are still hungry and extra care should be taken to prevent bear issues.
CO Garrett Thomas (Eagan) spent time checking local anglers on the rivers and lakes. Time was also spent assisting with field days for multiple ATV safety classes. During one class, while Thomas was presenting graduation certificates to the newly certified kids, a random individual (not part of the class) set a terrible example for the students by driving by the class while violating multiple ATV laws. Thomas finished the awards presentation and promptly cited the individual, who had parked nearby. Violations included having a young child onboard with no helmet, recreational vehicle trespass, no registration, and a suspended driver’s license.
CO Vinny Brown (Northome) conducted boating, fishing, and ATV enforcement. Brown assisted Forestry with complaints of illegal birch-pole cutting and camping. Assistance was also given to local counties with a stranded boater and with finding a missing person. Brown participated in the fisheries boat survey with CO pilot Tim Gray. Enforcement action was taken for transporting aquatic macrophytes and operating a Personal Water Craft too close to swimmers.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) reports time was spent following up on previous cases and primarily working ATV enforcement throughout the week. Many ATV violations were encountered, and he observed quite a few individuals under the age 18 not wearing helmets. Zavodnik also encountered an individual carrying a 3-year-old passenger on a moped. During Zavodnik’s observations, the passenger had no helmet on and was riding in the operator’s lap as both lanes of traffic were slowing down for them. Enforcement action was taken.
CO John Slatinski IV (Ray) reports time was spent monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic for aquatic invasive species compliance. The most common violation was transporting watercraft without removing drain plugs. Angling reports continue to mostly be negative, with overall lower catch rates. ATV complaint areas were monitored. Slatinski fielded a variety of wildlife-related calls. He reminds people to leave young-of-the-year animals alone, as this gives them the best chance for survival.
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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