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) spent time checking anglers on area lakes. He responded to complaints and attended an equipment meeting. Enforcement action was taken for angling violations.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took a report of a wetlands violation and met with local authorities to help resolve the issue. Manning also worked with other officers and DNR personnel to inspect watercraft and educate boaters on aquatic invasive species. Would-be campers were contacted before illegally camping at an area overlook and directed to a slightly more remote but also easily accessible and legal location. As a reminder, overlooks, boat accesses, trailhead parking lots and such are not legal locations for bivouac camping and campers should verify with DNR Forestry regarding condition of roads to some more remote campgrounds.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports angling and boating activity is beginning to pick up. Citations were issued after a group of four anglers were found in canoes without PFDs. This was during a day of high winds and cold waters. During the contact, one of the parties provided a damp angling license and explained that he fell into the water the previous day. Even though they put themselves in a dangerous situation, they still complained about the tickets. Commercial minnow inspections were done at a few local businesses and no violations were detected. Hill took part in an AIS detail in the Duluth area. Numerous contacts were made and a few violations were handled. An ATV was stopped for illegal operation in Tofte.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd East) worked sport fishing this week. Angling licenses were checked. An Academy presentation was given to the new conservation officer candidates with Lt. Eric Benjamin. A reminder was given numerous times this week to the good-hearted public of leaving newborn wildlife, including newborn fawns, baby birds, and brush wolf pups in the wilderness where they are found.

CO Kevin Prodzinski (Wabasha) reports working several boat and water enforcement details this week, as well as answering calls and questions regarding nuisance wildlife, hunting and fishing. The most interesting contact was with a person who was flying his pet Canada goose with his jet ski. Upon contact it was determined the person had the required permits. Violations this week included fish overlimit, no license, slot-limit violation, along with safety equipment and registration issues.

CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) took a lot of calls from people reporting abandoned wild animal babies along with lot of reports of black bears being a nuisance around houses and outbuildings. As happens every spring, callers were advised to not touch the baby animals and leave the area alone so momma can come back to collect her babies and to put away whatever was attracting the bear. Bear-damage complaints included bird feeders getting destroyed, garbage cans being dragged around, dog food being eaten and grills and smokers getting tipped over and licked clean. Reports of wolves killing calves and harassing livestock were also dealt with.

CO Mitch Lawler (Alexandria) watched this week as area lakes became very busy with recreational boating traffic. It was the first weekend that PWCs, pontoons and anglers all shared the lakes from dawn to dusk and after. Several anglers were cited this week for not having a valid angling license; one was even cited for fishing while their privileges were suspended. A focused effort was made on the water for BWI enforcement in conjunction with Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office water patrol deputies. A devastating tornado destroyed many homes in the town of Forada, with Maple Lake becoming overwhelmed with debris. Efforts to clean up the lake bed will take several months, if not years.

CO Michael Cross (Lake George) returned to duty from military activation. Cross conducted training, equipment preparation/maintenance, and patrolled on local lakes. Enforcement action was taken for angling and boating violations. Finally, Cross rescued a beached loon stranded on the beach. With a little assistance, the loon was helped back to the water where it was able to navigate safely again.