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) is receiving calls on mangy wolves picking off low hanging suet balls on bird feeders. One mangy wolf was on a deck sleeping against a house door. The CO tracked it on snowshoes, but couldn’t get close enough to locate it. Some of the wolves in the worst shape will probably struggle for survival during the frigid temps we are now experiencing. A couple of young boys had their snowmobile clutch blow apart in deep slush, leaving their snowmobile buried. The CO was able to pull them out after a few attempts.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) found that cold temperatures and bitter wind chills kept many folks indoors. Manning checked anglers and shelters on BWCAW lakes and inland lakes. Manning also patrolled snowmobile trails and found good compliance including trail stickers on new GIA sections of trail. The officer noted that many snowmobilers are using only the inside corners on winding trails, endangering themselves and other unseen riders. The officer also investigated a report of a dead wolf near Grand Marais and completed office work.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) patrolled snowmobile trails and checked anglers on area trout lakes. Anglers are doing well on splake and rainbow trout. The officer spoke to a youth snowmobile safety class in Silver Bay about safety, laws and riding ethics. The officer also completed administrative duties.
CO Rick Reller (Buffalo) found a deer caught in a snare that was around the deer’s neck. The deer was released after a little wrestling match with the officer. One angler had a strange response after a delay in coming to his fish house door. He opened the door followed by a wave of marijuana smoke and stated, “Sorry, I was just smoking some marijuana.” Enforcement action was taken.
CO Angela Warren (Thief River Falls) responded to a call of a young deer seeking shelter in a straw-covered dog house.
CO Robert Gorecki (Baudette) checked two anglers in a large house. The anglers stated they only had a few fish. The officer checked the fish bucket that was sitting in one of the floor cut outs, and noticed a fish tail sticking out from under the house. A subsequent search revealed 33 walleye and sauger stashed under the house. The fish were seized and citations issued for over limits.
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) was sent on a train-injured wolf call that turned out to be a three-legged coyote that paid the price for not wanting to get off the tracks into the deep snow.
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