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) checked anglers in the Lake Superior tributaries. Anglers are starting to have better luck with steelhead as the season goes on. The CO did a snowmobile patrol of designated trout lakes to check for after-season activity. A couple of people were encountered using treble hooks in Lake Superior tributaries. Always read the fishing synopsis before trying a new type of fishing.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) took possession of a road kill otter to be donated to the MTA fur project. Manning checked anglers on Lake Superior tributaries; fresh snow made for cold water temps in the rivers. The officer also patrolled area state parks and contacted visitors regarding park permits, checked burn permits, and handled seasonal maintenance issues.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) worked the spring fish run along the North Shore and responded to numerous animal complaints. More people are showing up along the rivers and the bite is starting to pick up with the warmer weather. The officer also checked beaver trappers in the area, monitored ATV activity and prepared for the upcoming in-service training.
CO Tricia Plautz (Henning) received a call regarding cattle that were stirred up during the night and broke through a hefty fence. She also checked on a small calf that was attacked and had large claw marks on its back.
Water Resource Enforcement Officer Mike Scott (Northeast) reports smelt season 2011 is officially under way. Smelters were seen in force on area rivers and Park Point in Duluth where success was seen by everyone present. Many anglers were seen with five-gallon pails full of smelt and numerous coolers and 30-gallon totes were seen filled with smelt. Old-timers reminisced about the days of smelting in the ’70s and early ’80s when they would take smelt in numbers that are unheard of in this area.
CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) apprehended two individuals who were netting fish from a spawning sanctuary in the middle of the night. Although one ran off to spend a cold wet night in the woods, plenty of evidence was recovered for criminal charges involving angling and controlled substance crimes.
CO Scott Fitzgerald (Malmo) investigated a case of someone setting up a maple syrup collecting and processing station on state forest land who was found by forestry personnel and is being investigated by the officer. Enforcement action for the week included various ATV and forestry violations.
CO Brice Vollbrecht (Blackduck) responded to a complaint of a group of people shooting beaver and destroying a beaver dam. The dam was destroyed and an area road flooded. Enforcement action was taken on the suspects for numerous violations.
CO Gary Sommers (Walker) encountered a careless driver when he was nearly struck by an oncoming vehicle. After initiating a traffic stop he discovered the driver’s license privileges were revoked and he had no insurance on the vehicle. The matter will be referred to the Cass County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
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