CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) reports a variety of different activity during the week. He checked trapping, pike spearing, snowmobile, ATV, and ice angling activity. He also assisted with fur registration in Grand Marais.
CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked the fisher/marten trapping season and assisted DNR Wildlife with fur registration. Snowmobile trails are snow-covered, but it is thin and grooming will have to wait for more snow. Lake ice thickness is extremely varied and anglers are advised to check frequently when they choose to venture out.
CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week checking trappers and anglers. Wildlife calls were handled. Enforcement action was taken for trapping violations.
CO Caleb Silgjord (Sauk Centre) fielded a call regarding a stranded deer on Big Birch Lake. The deer became exhausted while trying to gain traction on the ice. Upon Silgjord’s arrival, two area residents were assisting the exhausted deer toward shore. Silgjord assisted with the effort and after a couple of unsuccessful attempts the deer was removed from the slippery ice. After a little time, the deer regained its composure and headed off into a swamp.
CO Keith Bertram (Long Prairie) reports walking up to a fish house one night, knocking on the door, and stating he was a CO. A voice from inside the house said “OK, you got me.” The angler quickly opened the door, invited Bertram in, and showed his extra line without Bertram saying another word. The angler said he never thought a CO would walk across the lake on a cold, windy night to check one fish house. He thanked Bertram for the citation he received.
CO Corey Wiebusch (Mankato) assisted Martin County deputies with a snowmobile crash involving a 4-year-old child. The snowmobile was left idling unattended when the child got on and crashed into the house.
CO Phil George (Rochester) assisted with an investigation of a hunter who transported a deer head out of a permit area before receiving a negative test result for CWD. The deer ultimately tested positive for CWD but the hunter had already taken the head to a taxidermist outside of the restricted area. The hunter was cited and the deer was destroyed.
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