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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 the week checking snowmobilers and anglers. He attended training at Camp Ripley and worked on equipment. Enforcement action was taken for multiple snowmobile violations.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) helped provide use of force training and participated in annual training at Camp Ripley. Manning attended a meeting of the DNR’s Honor Guard to review previous events, plan for Police Week in 2022 and practice drill and rifle work. She also hit area forest roads on snowmobile. Groomers are working to pack trails and roads, so conditions are varied. Trails and ditches may appear good, but hidden rocks are not far below the surface in many spots so ride cautiously.
CO Dave Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) worked early ice anglers, muzzleloader hunters and trappers throughout the week. Recent snowfall has brought many snowmobilers to the area, but riders should use caution as trails are not in prime condition. Trails crews are packing current snow to make a base, but more snow is needed before any meaningful grooming can happen.
CO Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) investigated a deer-hunting incident where it appeared that a doe’s leg was shot off. The doe was found alive on the land of the person who called it in. An investigation is pending. Speldrich assisted the county with a vehicle that went into the ditch twice. The person who reported the incident assisted the driver in getting out but suspected the driver to be under the influence. Speldrich and the deputy located the vehicle. The driver was arrested for driving after cancellation inimical to public safety.
CO James Fogarty (Prior Lake) patrolled for snowmobile activity. Fogarty made several traffic stops for expired snowmobile registration. One operator went through the ice of Gifford Lake on his snowmobile. The operator was not injured, and the snowmobile was removed from approximately 8 feet of water. Enforcement action was taken for operating a snowmobile with expired registration, metro recreation trespass, and failure to validate an otter site tag.
CO Mikeena Mattson (Wealthwood) worked sport fishing and hunting activity this past week. Some anglers were walking onto Mille Lacs Lake. Ice conditions are extremely variable throughout the lake and anglers are reminded to use caution when venturing out on the ice. Anglers are also reminded to bring safety equipment, such as flotation devices, ice picks, ice chisels, and cleats with them. Anglers checked reported low success walleye fishing, but pike and perch were seen being kept over the weekend.
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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