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) checked anglers on area lakes and monitored snowmobile trails. He attended training at Camp Ripley. Enforcement action was taken for possession of live minnows on a designated trout lake, snowmobile-registration violations and an overlimit of lake trout.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) spent some time early in the week training at Camp Ripley. Beautiful weather and excellent trail conditions made for some top-notch recreating throughout the week. Enforcement action was taken for angling with an extra line and no license in possession.

CO Kylan Hill (Tofte) reports attending a district meeting early in the week, followed by a few days of training at Camp Ripley. Equipment maintenance was also completed. A law and ethics talk was given with CO Ledeen and U.S. Forest Service Officer Belmore at Cook County High School.

CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) is seeking any information from the public in regards to a house being struck by a high performance rifle round around the first week of February. The area in question would be west or northwest of the city of Cologne. Remember to know what is left, right, and beyond your intended target while hunting or engaging in target practice.

CO Sean Williams (Ely #1) reports very warm weather and high snowmobile traffic in the Ely area meant trail conditions began to deteriorate, especially on the well-travelled state trails. Although the majority of the trails are still in very good shape, several muddy spots were seen. He also assisted the St. Louis County Rescue Squad after they received a call for help from a snowshoer who was several miles inside the BWCA and had become lost and exhausted. When he was located it was discovered that his foot was caught in a deadfall and he required help to get out of the snow.

CO Troy Fondie (Orr) monitored snowmobile and angling activities. Weekend temps in the 40s have caused trails to deteriorate, and dirt and rocks have appeared in corners and high-traffic areas. Angling success remains poor with very little observed caught. Timber sales continue to be checked.

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) assisted in freeing a bear that attempted to come out of hibernation early. Anglers and snowmobile riders were checked on Lake of the Woods. Various minor violations were encountered. Enforcement action was taken for angling with an extra line, non-resident snowmobiles operating without a trail pass, and possession of an overlimit of walleyes/sauger.

CO Kipp Duncan (Duluth East) continued to work snowmobile enforcement on area trails throughout the Duluth area. Common violations included no snowmobile safety certificate, modified exhausts, and registration issues. Winter fishing was also checked on area lakes. Time was spent investigating complaints involving dogs chasing deer. Duncan assisted with a MNUSA snowmobile ride in the Hinckley area. Duncan also spoke to a group of youth anglers learning how to fish steelhead this upcoming spring.

CO Adam Stennett (Sauk Rapids) worked the station for snowmobile and fishing activity. He also followed up on investigations. The trails have been holding up so far with the warm weather but are starting to take a beating. A TIP call of a dumped deer carcass was investigated and found to be a legal car-killed deer that was butchered and dumped on private property. No violations were present. Stennett assisted in setting up the TIP Wall of Shame at the St. Cloud Sport Show and attended the show for a few hours with a TIP volunteer. Stennett worked the Lake Julia Ice Day event with CO Trent Seamans. Enforcement action for the week included recreational vehicle registrations, fishing without a license, fishing without licenses in possession, fishing with extra lines and shelter tag violations.