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!
Sam Williams and Jimmy Wallner of Grand Marais trudged through deep snow to get their limit of seven pine marten and three fisher. For information on trapping, contact the Grand Marais Minnesota Department of Natural Resources wildlife office at (218) 387-3034.
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand
Marais)
checked pine marten/ fisher trappers and sets. The trapping pressure is down due to impassable roads from recent snowfalls. A few snowmobilers are out and about. TheCO did a snowmobile law talk to 26 students in the snowmobile safety class. Fagerman also found where a big bull recently destroyed a couple of white pines with his antlers then moved on to a poplar tree and left rub marks over six feet high. Remnants of the trees were scattered on the freshly fallen snow.
Friendliest Catch. A little snow did not stop Halle Lamb of Schroeder from catching her limit on a recent fishing trip to the Boundary Waters. Where did she catch them? In a lake, her dad Charles Lamb said.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom
(Tofte)
spent the week checking trappers as the fisher and pine marten season came to a close. A few snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are making their way out and enjoying the snow. Theski trails are in good shape while the snowmobile trails still need some snow. Theofficer issued a few car-kill deer permits and followed up on past investigations. Some ice anglers are venturing onto the ice, which at this point is still unpredictable in some areas.
CO Mary Manning
(Hovland)
checked traps and muzzleloader hunters. Manning also assisted volunteer instructors with snowmobile safety classes, handled equipment maintenance issues, and completed computer and office work.
CO Greg Oldakowski
(Wadena)
was called when a black lab got caught in a fisher trap. He arrived to find the dog still alive, however a hacksaw was required to remove the trap. Thedog was cooperative during the ordeal and lay down in the house after the trap was removed. He may be sore for a few days but should make a complete recovery.
CO Greg Verkuilen
(Garrison)
encountered some snowmobilers who operated without registration. The drivers used the, ‘It’s the first time I’ve had it out this year’ excuse. Although it’s more believable this time of year, it still doesn’t work. Verkuilen also worked a deer case involving carcasses dumped with a cell phone.
CO Dan Starr (Tower)
responded when a snowmobiler fell through a beaver pond and the snowmobile was still in the water. Other snowmobilers found themselves in a pickle while ditch riding, as ditches in northeast Minnesota are not conducive to ditch riding. Violations for ride in median, ride on shoulder of highway, and registration issues were addressed. Ice is not even close to being safe.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake)
was notified that an ATV fell through the ice in the area. Theangler’s large ATV went through the ice and he and his 7-year-old son got a very cold bath. Fortunately both got out quickly and warmed up uninjured at their cabin. Enforcement action was taken for an unregistered ATV, operating an ATV with a juvenile passenger not wearing a helmet, driving a truck on a snowmobile trail, and taking timber from state land without a permit.
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