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 the BWCAW trout opener with several officers. Few people ventured into the wilderness with the cold weather. The ones who did landed some nice fish on the ice. Wahlstrom responded to a medical call on the cross-country ski trail and also to a call for a lost couple who were extremely cold and didn’t have any survival gear. Enforcement action was taken for angling and snowmobile violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked trap sets and assisted DNR Wildlife with fur registration in Grand Marais. She patrolled area grant-in-aid trails and smaller lakes, worked a chilly Boundary Waters trout fishing opener, and attended the funeral for Itasca Sheriff’s Deputy Jayme Williams as part of the DNR Honor Guard.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports seeing a heavy amount of snowmobile activity throughout the week in Cook County. The secret appears to be out that the area has seen quite a bit of snowfall as of late with riders from all over Minnesota being contacted. One citation was issued for failure to transfer a snowmobile title. Hill also worked a detail in the BWCA during the trout opener that took place on New Year’s Day. Activity was way down compared to other years, but with temperatures well below zero with a deadly wind chill, that was to be expected. Those who braved the cold and started fishing early in the day were rewarded with limits of lake trout. One angler was found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Continued work was done on a trapping report.

CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls #1) reports fur registration was attended at the International Falls Area DNR office. Overall trapper numbers were down in the area, but just about everybody had their furs. A report of a vehicle going through the ice on Rainy Lake was taken. Luckily, the individual was able to get out safely. People are reminded that there is no such thing as safe ice, use caution, and be prepared for the worst.

CO Corey Sura (Baudette East) assisted local wildlife offices with fur registration, and spent time monitoring trapping activities in the area. Sura responded with fire and rescue and ambulance crews when a propane tank exploded inside a fish house on Upper Red Lake with four occupants inside. All four made it back to shore, where they were given medical attention by a husband and wife. The two both had emergency medical backgrounds and just happened to be on shore at the resort at this same time. Violations that were handled included no shelter license, fishing without a license, and possession of illegal-length walleyes. Enforcement action was also taken for an individual leaving fishing lines unattended. After the initial contact, Sura followed the man back to his own fish house, where he stated his fishing license was. The individual proceeded to shut and lock the fish house door. Sura then watched through the fish house window as he rapidly pulled up several fishing lines.