Weekly C Officer Report

[Lee Borgersen]

                                       .....more
     DNR Weekly Conservation Officer Report staff reports.

Posted: Saturday, August 20, 2016 7:00 am

  .....
Here are highlights from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer (CO) reports for the week.  The complete report is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/co_report/index.html

In the Baudette area, CO Demosthenes Regas investigated a case where an individual dumped hog carcasses in area road ditches. Enforcement action was taken for littering.

CO Ben Huener (Roseau) reports that charges are pending against a group of young adults who killed or injured multiple migratory birds.

CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston) assisted other agencies with first aid and security for a deputy and his home/family after the deputy was injured when a person shot a rifle through a U.S. Customs helicopter.

CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) reports that a nonresident lakeshore owner decided he did not like the way his shoreline was, so he moved his weed roller to an unpermitted area, sprayed cattails along the shoreline and used a hydro sweep to illegally blow away some of the sediment in front of his property, creating a hole in the lake bottom about 20-by-30 feet.

In the Fergus Falls area, CO Paul Nelson handled a complaint on an aquaculture fish farmer’s activities and spent time working a complaint of people shooting cormorants/birds for a minnow dealer.

Conservation officers in the northern half of the state fielded many calls about nuisance bears, bear baiting zones and regulations and early bear baiting.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) responded to a car versus moose accident where a collared moose was struck and killed.

In the Brainerd area, CO Jim Guida received a complaint of an adult transporting four kids without helmets on an ATV. The person was contacted  and enforcement action was taken. He also worked with the DNR’s aviation wing on a public waters violation. After tracking down the landowner, the owner told him that numerous ATVs were trespassing and operating in the lake bed along his shoreline. The owner had no idea who did it and didn’t think to report it, because there were no suspects, so he removed a large amount of vegetation from the shoreline and covered up the damage with a nice blanket of beach sand.

In the Mille Lacs area, CO Scott Fitzgerald investigated calls regarding ATVs operating in the Rice Lake Refuge and a vehicle blocking the Soo Line Trail. A call of a bear that was damaging a local farmer’s field was taken and the bear was dispatched and given to a person who would utilize the carcass.

CO Luke Croatt (Wealthwood) reports area rice beds are being monitored, with most being in tough shape due to recent rains.

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) handled a call about an injured owl, a complaint of fishermen using lights on a lake at night (legal bow fishermen), questions about surplus bear licenses, and a complaint of a nuisance bear on the Little Falls golf course.

A TIP call about a “fresh” deer skin on the front deck of a residence was investigated by CO Rhonda Friese (Long Prairie). From a distance the deer hair looked fairly fresh, especially after a drenching rain. Upon closer inspection, however, the folded skin had no hide left, only hair. It had been undisturbed since last fall and was quietly decomposing.

In the west Metro area, CO Vang Lee (ELCOP) assisted Fort Snelling State Park staff in looking for a homeless person who built a shelter in the park.

CO Joe Kulhanek (Hastings) responded to a call of a boat adrift on the Mississippi River with no one around Upon locating the vessel, he discovered it was stolen and the suspects had cut a hole in the side to sink the boat and destroy any evidence. Unfortunately for them, the boat was filled with foam and continued to float.

In the Marshall area, CO Matt Loftness reports an AIS check station was conducted on East Twin Lake with 100 percent compliance rate. Thanks to all those boat owners who did their part to help stop the spread of invasive species.