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 Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
helped the Marine Unit with the Tall Ships Festival in Duluth. He did a remote canoe patrol. More people are picking berries than fishing. Some found walleye fishing to be very good.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte)
worked the Duluth area on Lake Superior while the tall ships arrived with area officers and the USCG. The officers escorted the ships into the Duluth harbor and provided a security zone around them. A lot of people were enjoying the nice weather and seeing the ships. Wahlstrom also spent time working anglers on Superior and enforcing invasive laws.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland)
took a report of a “floating island” installed on an area lake that turned out to be a loon nesting platform. Manning worked a joint patrol with USFS in the BWCAW; glass bottles, trash in fire grates, and fishing without licenses in possession were a few of the violations found. The officer also took information on a cougar sighting, answered questions about moose hunting and the illegality of hiring a guide to help, and spoke with a couple concerned individuals about boaters harassing wildlife and PWC operations.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning)
responded to a call from a woman who was swimming in an area lake and experienced tingling sensations in her hands and feet afterward. Plautz explained the lake would not produce a tingling sensation. Plautz met with the lady at her cabin and observed the lake. It was found that an electrical cord to the boat lift was possibly faulty and as she unplugged the cord, it was very hot. Plautz advised her to call an electrician.
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples)
handled an unusual call for help. Utilizing his Aqua View camera, he retrieved a Barbie fishing pole that was accidentally dropped off the Dower Lake fishing pier. The little owner stopped crying and was very thankful.
CO Brad Schultz (Cook)
reports the mosquitoes are as bad, if not worse, than ever in the area. Talk is that area stores are selling out of bug spray. Many are hoping for an early frost to reduce the population.
CO Tom Hemker (Winona)
was at a residence that had four incidents of rattlesnakes near their home. Thesheriff ’s officealso found a bag of snakes that was dumped near the river.
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