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) answered many questions and concerns about the new invasive species law recently passed. Walleyes are starting to cooperate even though the water remains very cold in most lakes. Beavers are a concern to some property owners as their dams are backing up water over driveways. The CO took calls about burning, the upcoming bear season and wetlands.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) patrolled inland and BWCAW lakes checking anglers and boaters. Manning also worked areas of ATV complaints, patrolled forest and park campgrounds and issued nuisance beaver permits. Enforcement action was taken for failure to display registration on numerous canoes, unattended campfire, transporting illegal firewood into a state park and possession of cans and glass in the BWCAW.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) focused enforcement efforts on fishing, ATV activity and addressed invasive species to many boaters. The officer handled calls involving nuisance beavers, gray wolves and attended training at Camp Ripley.
CO Dan Thomasen (Two Harbors) investigated a complaint of illegal camping in a remote area of a state park. The area, while not occupied at the time, did have some litter from previous uses. Bear and coyote complaints are coming in on a regular basis.
CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) reports a busy weekend despite rainy and cool weather. Mathy and Fairbanks responded to a TIP report of anglers keeping an over limit of fish. The information led to an over limit of 12 walleye and 68 perch.
CO Darrin Kittelson (International Falls) checked on a litter complaint in which 10 bags of household garbage were thrown into the woods along a trail; owner was located and enforcement action was taken.
CO Dan Starr (Tower) was called when a naughty house cat brought a woodcock chick in to the DNR for rehab; however, the chick expired due to injuries from the cat. Reminder to cat owners to keep them home.
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) investigated a call of a fawn possibly killed by a dog. The dog was seen carrying a dead fawn around a local campground.
Heaton also spoke with one individual who was certain he bought his angling license when he bought his trapping and small game licenses. When he realized he forgot to purchase his angling license he laid down on the dock and became very upset. He was found to have been drinking alcoholic beverages.
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) was called when a beaver walked into one of the state park parking lots but did not want to leave. Parks workers got the beaver into a dog kennel and Langevin transported it to the nearest WMA.
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