|
|
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) checked anglers, ATV riders and small-game hunters. Time was spent in the BWCA for a work detail.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked anglers along the North Shore and bird hunters in the woods and on trails. Manning also completed annual trainings, handled equipment issues and phone calls, and checked ATV operators.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports contacting multiple anglers on Lake Superior tributaries throughout the week. Some nice coaster brook trout and steelhead were caught, along with some lingering pink salmon. A report of a few kings in the net surfaced over the weekend. One angler was observed utilizing treble hooks in a necked down section of the Temperance River. Hill contacted them after they foul hooked a fish in the tail. They were a bit hesitant to disclose to Hill what they were using, but they finally pulled the illegal lure out of their pocket. Enforcement action was taken. A few days were spent in the BWCA and users are reporting excellent fall paddling conditions, aside from a few showers rolling through. A commercial bear guide inspection was conducted. A few miscellaneous wildlife-related complaints were handled. Other enforcement action included no PFDs on board a kayak in the BWCA, illegally camping at a public water access site, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked illegal deer-baiting activity and small-game hunters during the week. Leaves have begun to drop, making grouse easier to see along trails, thus increasing hunter success. Nuisance-bear activity continues as bears try to pack on the calories before a long winter nap. Removing a tempting food source is always the easiest method of deterring hungry bears.
CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) monitored archery, small-game and waterfowl hunters, ATV riders and anglers throughout the week. Several of the anglers checked on Mille Lacs Lake stated the the fishing success has been slow. The Red Top and Solana Loop ATV trails remained busy through the weekend. Griffith would like to remind riders to stay on the designated trail. Assistance was given during the week with a search for a missing person. Time was spent through the week fielding calls on waterfowl hunting and the upcoming firearms deer season.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) checked anglers and archery deer hunters. Several anglers were checked during what seemed to be perfect weather for fishing. Fogarty noticed two anglers throwing fish back as he approached a small boat to check the couples’ fishing license. The fish were clearly dead as they floated near the boat. Fogarty ordered the anglers to stop throwing fish back. The anglers did not listen to the commands as they continued to throw fish back. Fogarty found the anglers in possession of an overlimit of crappies. He later learned these same anglers were cited the week before for possessing an overlimit of crappies. Enforcement action was taken for possession of an overlimit of crappies, failure to have personal floatation device and failure to have a throwable floatation device.
CO Tyler Ramaker (La Crescent) responded to a complaint of someone burning tires in a brush fire. While investigating the fire, an adjacent barn caught fire. The Brownsville Fire Department responded and Ramaker and a Houston County deputy assisted in applying water until more fire fighters arrived. A bass tournament angler was checked and claimed to not have his license in his personal possession. A later check of the electronic license system showed the angler purchased his license online five minutes after being contacted. Enforcement action was taken.
NR Pilot Brad Maas (Brainerd) completed trout stocking by helicopter in lakes north of Grand Marais. He also worked on helicopter maintenance, and attended an aviation webinar.
CO Thor Nelson (New Ulm) received calls about trespassing, animal-related complaints, and requests for hunting law clarification. He worked primarily waterfowl, boating, angling, and ATV activities. Duck-hunting success was better than expected after the split season.
CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) received a call of individuals hunting ducks in the closed zone south of Highway 210 near Dalton. CO Goodman and Osborne responded and found three people hunting ducks during the closed season. Deerseason tagging questions were received and answered, with a lot of people advocating for simpler deer-tagging options. Those people were referred to Wildlife staff.
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) spent the week working fall hunting, fishing, and ATV activity. Extra time was spent working the re-opening of the waterfowl season in the Central and South zones. Most of the investigations worked dealt with hunter-trespass issues. Soybean harvest is nearing completion and the corn harvest has started.
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
Leave a Reply