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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 on remote lakes checking anglers. Some nice lake trout were seen in the bag. He checked ATV riders and worked AIS. Enforcement action was taken for ATV, boating and angling violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) attended the funeral for retired Conservation Officer Joyce Kuske. She met with members of the Cook County ATV club and worked ATV enforcement during the week. Manning spent a few days working in the BWCA, including with U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Belmore. In a first for both, Belmore and Manning took a report of an armed bear in the BWCA. A camper reported a bear stole a backpack containing his handgun (and several delicious-smelling snacks) from a portage landing and ran off into the woods. They were unable to track and locate the bear or the pack. The officers responded and, after searching the area, located and recovered the partially shredded pack, numerous empty snack wrappers and the undamaged firearm.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports heavy OHV patrol throughout the week. One operator was stopped for multiple ATV violations. During the stop, Hill noticed liquid leaking out of a paper bag that was sitting on the floor of the machine. Further investigation found that the operator was drinking a Twisted Tea while on the roadway. When Hill stopped them, they tried to hide the open container by putting it in the bag. They were cited. Hill met with local ATV riders and answered questions about regulations. Nuisance-animal calls were handled.
CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports angling success in the Ely area continues to be spotty as warm weather and water temperatures dominated over the week. A burning ban is in affect for the BWCA after several fires popped up following a thunderstorm on the Fourth of July. Conditions continue to be very dry, and residents and visitors are urged to be extremely careful.
CO Amber Ladd (Aitkin) followed up on a complaint where an angler decided to launch his boat from his truck by backing over the posts at a carry-in access only. While out on the lake, the angler also decided to help himself to some fishing poles that were in another person’s boat parked at their dock. Unfortunately for this angler, several lakeshore owners keep a watchful eye and were able to get good photos for Enforcement to follow up on.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked fishing, ATV, boating, and fire enforcement. Several ATV riders were contacted, with violations found for no registration, unlawful highway travel, and no training certificate. Assistance was given to the sheriff ’s office on clearing up a hit and run ATV vs. vehicle crash. Fishing violations for no license, extra lines, and using game fish for bait were found.
Fireworks continue to be cause for fire concern because of the current dry conditions.
CO Ryan Hanna (White Bear Lake) patrolled the area lakes for angling activity. Hanna was informed that an angler accidentally caught a snapping turtle and needed help removing the turtle from the line. Hanna responded and was able to successfully remove the hook and the turtle was released.
CO Ashley Whiteoak (Malmo) spent time patrolling for fishing, boating, and ATV activity. She spent a couple days assisting DNR wildlife managers banding geese. Time was also spent working the TIP Wall of Shame at the Aitkin County Fair. She answered many questions while working there.
CO Eric Sullivan (Brainerd) attended a kids fishing day at Mills Fleet Farm in Baxter. Area lakes are seeing a tremendous amount of activity and violations detected included angling with extra lines, illegal personal watercraft operation, minor consumption of alcohol and possession of controlled substances. One contact involved educating a young passenger about safe operation of watercrafts. After the education was provided, the young child asked Sullivan to race. Sullivan recapped safe watercraft operation.
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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