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) monitored seasonal closures and ATV activity and worked on equipment maintenance. He met with the assistant county attorney to review and prepare ongoing cases.

CO Hudson Ledeen (Grand Marais #2) reports heavy snowfall over the week have prolonged the spring melt. Most lakes remain entirely locked with ice, while the rivers flowing into Lake Superior remain in a high-flow state. Ledeen had the honor of attending the funeral service for Deputy Josh Owen.

CO Vinny Brown (Northome) enforced trapping activities, checked anglers, and responded to animal-related calls. Brown received calls of an abandoned bear cub hanging out near the road. The bear was seen in the area for a few days with no signs of its mother. Brown was able to capture the bear cub and turn it over to a wildlife rescue. The bear was found to be starving, dehydrated, and with a broken foot. The cub will be released when it reaches a healthy weight.

CO Alexander Birdsall (Waconia) reports receiving numerous calls the past week about three dead deer in close proximity to on another. Each caller thought the site was very suspicious. Further investigation revealed the three deer had died as a result of a lightning strike from the storm the previous night.

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) monitored turkey hunting and sport fishing this past week. A large, active burn was observed from a roadway during a windy, warm-weather day. A daytime variance burning permit inspection revealed the individual burning a large number of prohibited materials including painted boards, pressed board furniture, particle board, cement blocks, aluminum cans, steel frames, and cardboard – in violation of his permit. The individual was issued a citation. The following day, Guida received an email from the area forester who had issued the individual the burning permit. The forester said that the permittee had called and asked for another copy of the citation Guida had issued because after Guida left, the citation blew into the large fire and burned up.