Deer takes dive into den

[Lee Borgersen]

Conservation Officer Report: Deer takes dive into den

By BRAINERD DISPATCH on Mar 22, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
Officer Mathy, as well as officers from multiple agencies in the area, responded to a complaint from a homeowner that a deer was stuck in her basement. The homeowner was feeding deer near a basement window and the deer, for some reason, crashed through the window and ended up in the basement.
 
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 officer Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) primarily checked perch and panfish anglers. While the ice has held up relatively well in many spots, anglers who are unfamiliar with area lakes continue to drive over typically weak ice areas. As a result, two more vehicles went partially through the ice on Leech Lake with one occupant sustaining a head injury.

Officer Mathy, as well as officers from multiple agencies in the area, responded to a complaint from a homeowner that a deer was stuck in her basement. The homeowner was feeding deer near a basement window and the deer, for some reason, crashed through the window and ended up in the basement. The deer, as one can imagine, didn't have much regard for the furniture, carpet, and personal effects of the homeowner. The officers eventually were able to gain control of the deer with a variety of containment devices, after an attempt to coax and herd the deer outside was unsuccessful, and it was released to the nearby woods. Enforcement action for the week included over limit of perch, angle with unattended lines, and use game fish as bait.

Officer Duke Broughten (Longville) spent the week monitoring angling activity. Anglers reported poor success. Ice is slowly deteriorating, anglers are advised to use caution and to continually check ice conditions. Officer Broughten fielded calls regarding burning permits, trash left on ice, and angling questions.

Officer Halverson (Staples) worked fishermen and handled miscellaneous wildlife calls. A dogs chasing deer complaint was investigated.

Officer Eric Sullivan (Pequot Lakes) observed very little angling activity this past week due to poor ice conditions. Officer Sullivan assisted a landowner with current information about a wetland violation and also observed burning violations in the area.

Officer Amber Ladd (McGregor) attended EMT training at Camp Ripley and patrolled area lakes for some late ice anglers. Several ATVs were contacted this week, one resulting in a DWI.

Officer Patrick McGowan (Pine River) assisted with teaching waterfowl enforcement techniques to the last conservation officer academy on the Mississippi River. Officer McGowan also checked late season ice anglers on area lakes and also answered questions pertaining to the upcoming turkey and boating season

Officer Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) checked ATVs and dirt bikes. Officer Hunter received information of an escaped deer and started an investigation. A special thank you to those monitoring social media sites and reporting suspicious activity.

Officer Randy Posner (Brainerd) reports that he worked on fishing enforcement this past week. The ice anglers that are out are finding some active panfish. The ice conditions are poor and unpredictable crusty ice ridges and slush are becoming dangerous. Officer Posner worked on a trespass complaint of a coyote hunter and checked anglers with an extra line and no license. Complaints of trash left on the ice by anglers were reported and investigated.

Officer Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) worked panfish and ATV activity. A few complaints were handled and the officer also assisted with waterfowl training.

Officer Gregory Verkuilen (Garrison) checked fishing activity as anglers made use of the extended northern season on Mille Lacs. Local ditches are free of snow which is bringing out the ATV traffic. He also followed up on an ice house left out late, checked some beaver trappers, and recovered a dead eagle.

Officer Dustie Speldrich (Willow River) investigated a prohibited burning violation where the property owner unknowingly dumped hot ashes from a wood stove onto the grass starting a grass fire. Enforcement action was taken for the violation. She also patrolled for illegal ATV use in the Nemadji State Forest which is closed due to trail conditions. Officer Speldrich investigated a call of a dog caught in a trap which turned out to be a small breed puppy caught in a rat trap. The puppy was not harmed. She also received a call of eagle and other protected animals dumped at a WMA. Further investigation showed the animals were actually chickens and domestic ducks illegally dumped.

Officer Dan Starr (Onamia) checked fishermen and ATV activity with a few folks still venturing out on the ice. A penned deer was checked on with the Board of Animal Health and found to be legal. Officer Starr is looking into an illegal fire and assisted the Sheriffs Office with an ATV and driver that fell through the ice on Mille Lacs Lake. The operator got out fine, but the ATV is still in the water.

 

  I didin't do nuttin wrong!