Conservation Although the Cook County News-Herald knows that
the majority of sportsmen and women are lawabiding
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 Mary Manning (Hovland)
worked archery and firearms deer hunters. Manning also responded to reports of portable stands left in area WMAs prior to season and reminds hunters that they must be removed each day. The officer flew the area with CO Pilot Buchert looking for baited hunting sites, and she worked areas of past deer shining complaints.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
issued citations for deer hunting over bait and seized the hunters’ rifles for forfeiture. Several deer hunters were encountered operating their ATVs outside of legal hours for licensed hunters. The CO took calls of stolen traps and trap tampering.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte)
spent time checking deer hunters on the opening weekend. Wahlstrom reports fewer hunters out trying their luck in the area than in past years. He worked with area officers on complaints with assistance from DNR Enforcement aircraft. Wahlstrom handled several hunting violations with the Superior National Forest officer.
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls)
reported that one individual fled from him in his vehicle and then ran into the woods after removing his blaze orange jacket. Theplane was soon overhead and when the violator heard it circling he realized escape was futile and came out of the woods. He was arrested and faces charges for DWI and other violations.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing)
charged an individual who was purposely trapping owls. CO Shane Siltala (Water Resource
Enforcement Officer)
said that while checking one nervous hunter, he asked if he had any luck, and the hunter nervously answered he hadn’t seen anything. When the officer then asked how the specks of fresh blood got on his coveralls, a look of dismay appeared on the hunter’s face. The truth soon emerged and he admitted he shot a doe but didn’t have a doe permit.
CO Mark Fredin (Aurora)
started hunting season when he was called by some hunters reporting someone was shooting at them while they were in their stands. Both hunters stated they believed shots were fired in their direction and the shots were coming from a residence playing loud cartoon music over speakers. A call was placed to the residence and the owner came and met with the CO and stated he did not shoot toward the hunters but in the air to scare the deer away from his home so no one will shoot his house when the deer are there. He also stated he likes cartoon music and feels he can play it however he wants.
A search of the home found a loud speaker attached to the garage and pointing out into the woods with deafening music and empty shot gun shell casings. The homeowner was charged with hunter harassment. Other hunters in the area also inquired what the deal with the loud music was.
CO Marty Stage (Ely)
worked the deer opener and arrested several people for baiting violations. All the bait users were aware that it was illegal to use bait, but gambled that they would not be checked or caught. Firearms were seized in all instances and the time it took to investigate and watch the bait sites took away from the time the officer had to work other activities and complaints in the area. If you don’t want to lose Grandpa’s family heirloom rifle, don’t use bait.
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