Conservation Officer Tales

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) worked anglers, small-game hunters and waterfowl hunters. He spent time at Camp Ripley armoring Division-issued rifles.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked small-game hunters and archery deer hunters. Anglers fishing Lake Superior tributaries were also checked as the pink salmon move in. Manning also took calls about firearms deer licensing, nuisance bears and property stored on state land. She also attended annual training at Camp Ripley for first aid and defensive tactics.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports seeing a large number of harvested grouse in the station throughout the week. There’s a lot of traffic on the roads with leaf season in full swing, so if you plan on hunting, the earlier the better. One hunter was cited after they were observed shooting a grouse from their truck window. Had they taken the time to step out of the truck, they wouldn’t have received a few-hundred-dollar ticket. Reports of anglers illegally snagging pink salmon in the local tributaries are starting to come in with the ongoing run. A few duck hunters were checked and, oddly enough, they harvested more grouse than ducks. Other violations for the week include an unsigned federal duck stamp and an ATV headlight violation.

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) checked grouse hunters in the Beltrami Island State Forest. Enforcement action was taken with an individual who dumped multiple bags of garbage and two large televisions in the state forest. A report was investigated of a bear in a trap.

CO Calie Kunst (Remer) spent time checking waterfowl hunters over the opening weekend. The majority of the hunters found success in the morning hunts. Enforcement action was taken for various violations. Small-game hunters were also checked throughout the week. Kunst also assisted Cass County with a search for a missing person.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) stayed busy with small-game, bear-hunting, angling, and waterfowl-hunting activities taking place. Some duck hunters had good success over opening weekend while others didn’t fare as well. Some hunters report a decent number of teal still in the area. Enforcement action was taken for expired ATV registration, transporting a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, and taking a non-game migratory bird. A campsite was checked after grouse hunters had vacated the area and their fire was found still smoldering and smoking. The hunters were contacted and enforcement action was taken for failing to extinguish the fire.

CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked waterfowl hunters during the opening weekend. Plenty of hunters were observed enjoying the great weather for the opening weekend. Fogarty found that the drought had concentrated hunters and birds. Violations encountered were possession of toxic shot, no state stamp and no federal stamp. Fogarty checked archery deer hunters and found the warm weather was keeping deer from moving much during the day.

CO Derek Daniels (Lake Benton) spent the week primarily checking archery deer hunters and migratory waterfowl hunters over the opening weekend. Quite a few hunters were out over the weekend, with many having good success. Background investigations were conducted and assistance was given to local law enforcement with a stranded angler.

NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) worked on helicopter maintenance items and completed a maintenance test flight. He also began plans for fall trout stocking by helicopter in the northeast.

CO Nate Benkofske (McGregor) reports checking bear, grouse, and duck hunters in the area. Mixed bags of ducks were seen in most areas. A mallard/widgeon cross was seen in a local hunter’s bag as well. Forgetting life jackets and not knowing which species hunters are shooting at continues to be a problem. Benkofske also returned a dock segment to a camp on Big Sandy that had floated away in a storm and become a hazard to other boaters.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) patrolled for migratory waterfowl hunting and sport fishing. Hunters had varied success for ducks. Complaints were fielded regarding the new sunset close time vs. the traditional 4 p.m. closure. Assistance was given to a couple of individuals in determining who owned the cattle that were showing up on their game cameras and impacting their archery deer hunting.