Conservation officers? tales ? January 2005 (2005-01-04)

LUCKY Conservation Officer (CO) Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) handled various TIP calls including one of duck hunters hunting the day after the season closed. When the duck hunters were approached they expressed how unhappy they were that there were no birds flying and that they had only shot one drake mallard. After explaining that the season had closed the day before and watching their mouths drop open, CO Kruse explained how lucky they actually were. Besides the fines for hunting during closed season, they would only have to pay restitution for one duck.

DIDN'T HAVE TIME

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) investigated a deer that was field dressed and dumped in a city park in St. Francis. An investigation lead to wanton waste charges for a nearby homeowner that stated they didn't have time to cut the deer up.

I JUST WANT YOU TO SCARE HIM, OFFICER

CO Stuart Bensen (Erskine) received a trespass complaint weeks after the incident. The landowner did not want the violator charged, but wanted the officer to "scare him." As no enforcement action was wanted, it became a civil matter between the two parties.

SPRAY TO DISSUAVE HUNTERS

CO Dan Book (Rushford) investigated a complaint in which someone intentionally sprayed liquid manure in a wooded area - presumably to dissuade hunters and campers from using the area.

OVERLIMIT STEALTH

CO Tyler Quandt (Red Wing) reported an overlimit of walleyes case was made where the individual that was caught had more than twice his daily limit in possession. He was caught while trying to sneak off the river in a rubber raft under the cover of darkness.

NOT THINKING

CO Dan Starr (Tower) reported when he stopped an ATV for no registration the operator used his deer license for identification, which led Officer Starr to determine that the person had failed to register a deer he took in season. Snowmobiles were also out and about. Starr checked a young male on his new 900 cc sled when the operator happened to mention, "She's supposed to do 120 mph, but I've only had it to 108 so far."

CAUGHT IN THE TRAP

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reported a hunter, who found what he thought was a illegal trap set in a ditch, investigated and ended up getting his hand caught in the trap. The hunter had to flag down a passing motorist for assistance. The conibear trap was turned over to the CO. The box set was legal. Don't tamper with traps!

DON'T RUN ME IN MINNESOTA, I HAVE WARRANTS THERE

CO Brad Schultz (Center City) encountered group of anglers on St. Croix River backwater. Violations included extra lines, illegal length bass, and multiple ATV violations. Just to round out the event, when checking to verify identification on the group, two of them had outstanding arrest warrants and one had three warrants. When the officer advised he was getting information, the person with three warrants said, "well don't run me in Minnesota, I have warrants there." We were standing in Minnesota at the time. Deputies transported them to jail.

 

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