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 Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais)
reports that a man encountered a mangy wolf on a snowmobile trail. The wolf refused to leave the trail so the man followed at a safe distance until there was a wide spot for him to pass. As he passed the wolf, it lunged at him and snapped. The antler hunters are starting to find their trophies as the moose are starting to lose their antlers. Many of the places accessible by snowmobile are being searched for these antler treasures. Time to strap on the snowshoes.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit)
checked snowmobilers and ice anglers. A grey wolf was picked up along Highway 61 and calls returned to passersby who wished to keep the carcass. They were advised of the wolves’ continued endangered classification and the inability of the officer to sign it over to another person. He took enforcement action for snowmobile violations.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake)
received a call about a fox pulling a leg hold trap around the city of Bemidji. Unfortunately, the fox couldn’t be located.
CO Keith Olson (Marine Unit)
checked ice anglers and shore anglers along the North Shore. He tended to an injured deer in the last few days of the Duluth city bow hunt. Complaints of snowmobiles operating on the roadway are higher than in years past.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette)
spent the week monitoring fishing activity on Lake of the Woods and Upper Red Lake. Anglers are reporting a slower than normal bite on Lake of the Woods. One angler thought it was so slow that he wanted to improve his chances by attempting to fish with eight lines. Enforcement action was taken, and the angler stated that he didn’t even catch a single fish while using the extra lines.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City)
reports heavy snowmobile trafficon area trails. Themain violation is speeding. Many people stopped for speeding are unaware there is even a speed limit in the state. The fastest speed CO Langevin saw was 84 mph. CO Langevin has also received several calls from local farmers about trespassing — the snowmobilers will drive by no trespassing signs to run the fields. The fields usually have a crop that will be damaged due to the traffic. Snowmobilers are reminded to stay on the trails.
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