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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 time checking anglers and snowmobilers during a work detail with several officers. The officers focused on enforcing speed on the trails after a snowmobile event. Enforcement action was taken for snowmobile and angling violations.
CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports spending time checking anglers and monitoring snowmobile activity throughout the week. Some nice lake trout were seen on the ice, but the anglers had to work for them. Hill took part in a snowmobile detail up the Gunflint Trail. Numerous sleds were seen. A few speed violations were documented. A few snowmobiles were contacted with modified exhausts. The operators who were contacted did not agree with the law and they stated they had loud exhausts so that they would be found if they got stuck operating in deep snow off of the trail. Remember, regardless of your reasoning, if the exhaust makes the snowmobile louder than stock, it is illegal.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked snowmobile riders and area lakes. She attended a DNR Honor Guard meeting and training and assisted with the funeral for retired CO Kurt Nelson. She was also contacted regarding tip-ups left unattended near a local lodge and the investigation is ongoing.
CO Shane Zavodnik (Virginia) spent time patrolling area snowmobile trails. He also worked a snowmobile detail around the Grand Marais area with several other COs and surrounding law enforcement entities. Several angling and snowmobile violations were encountered over the course of the week.
CO Troy Fondie (Orr) reports monitoring angling and snowmobile activities over the past week. Comments continue about high numbers of wolves. Weekly field patrols revealed plenty of wolf sign across the work area. Area forest roads and logging operations continue to be checked. Fishing remains poor overall.
CO Amber Ladd (Aitkin) checked area lakes for shelters left on the ice after the deadline. One portable was worked that Ladd had been keeping an eye on all winter as it was not licensed. She was able to make contact with the owner after some investigation and the owner was in possession of nine crappies. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the angler had not purchased a 2022 angling license yet, and he also did not have a 2021 angling license. Ladd also patrolled area snowmobile trails.
CO Andrew Dirks (CCSRA) spent time throughout the week checking ice anglers and snowmobilers. A detail was worked in Cook County. Enforcement action included snowmobile speed, registration, and loud exhaust on snowmobiles.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) noticed an increase in car-killed deer throughout the area along with high numbers of bald eagles feeding on the carcasses. The increase in eagles hanging out along roads resulted in a few eagles also getting hit by cars. Drivers should keep in mind that an eagle that has just eaten its fill is often slow to move out of the way. Snow and slush on area lakes kept ice fishing activity very low throughout most of the Hinckley area.
CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked late-season ice anglers and found some pike being caught. One individual was cited for having two tip-ups out on the lake while he was back in the cabin. A call came in from a local butcher shop owner who had a cow get loose and was on the run. The panicked owner was asking about legalities of hunting the wild beef as compared to wild game. Starr explained the laws that applied and suggested he pursue a shooting preserve permit if the current mishap becomes more frequent.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) spent most of the week working on fish houses that were not removed by the deadline. Snowmobilers were checked. Bertram also responded to a call where two dogs killed a deer.
CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports that while investigating a fish house left out on the ice after the deadline, a call was aired about someone trespassing with a Class 2 ATV on city property. Birdsall responded to the scene and discovered the trespassing driver was also the owner of the fish house. Enforcement action was taken for metro recreational vehicle trespass, no shelter tag, improperly marked fish house, and leaving a fish house on the ice after the deadline.
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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