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 many people are out enjoying good winter conditions for traveling through the back country and lakes. People are reporting more wolf encounters. Lots of questions have come up about the ciscoe/ smelt for bait. Several anglers were checked in the BWCA.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) checked cross-country skiers for state passes. Manning also checked anglers and snowmobilers. The officer worked the Fish Lake Classic snowmobile rally; many unique classic sleds participated in the rally and ride.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) reports that the number of injured deer calls has been on the increase. Icy areas are likely the cause of deer falling and injuring their legs and hips. Thomasen checked area lakes for litter and fishing shelters which may be frozen into the ice.
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) responded to a complaint from a homeowner who watched out the kitchen window as two stray dogs took down and killed a small doe in the front yard. Owners who allow their dogs to chase or kill a deer are subject to fines up to $500.
CO Doug Lage (Marshall) investigated a report in which a caller said a deer was taken and was on top of the vehicle, it was found to be a coyote. Snowmobilers are out in force with compliance high.
CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) worked snowmobile and fishing enforcement on area lakes and trails. She encountered a snowmobile personal injury crash which resulted in the operator being thrown from his machine after trying to cross a stream that was not frozen over in the road right-of-way. Violations included careless operation of a snowmobile, loud mufflers, no state trail sticker, no safety certificate, and failing to display registration.
CO Robert Haberman (Little Falls) investigated a TIP call on a possible over limit of fish near Upsala. During the investigation no over limit of fish was found, but Haberman and two other COs discovered the suspect failed to register a doe he shot during the archery season. Law enforcement action was taken.
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