Conservation officers' tales - August 2005 (2005-08-02)

CREATIVE, BUT NOT LEGAL

When Conservation Officer (CO) Bob Marts (Wheaton) asked a boater if he could inspect the watercraft's device to make sound and/or warning, the operator pointed to his lips. When it was explained to him what the features that sounding device needs, he decided he would get a device that complies with the law.

TIME WAS NOT ON THEIR SIDE

At the end of a boat-and-water project, CO Neil Freborg (Lake George) was heading into the landing and observed two anglers in a small boat that had no lights. It was 45 minutes after sunset. The anglers said that time just got away from them. The officer followed them to shore and ran a license check prior to issuing the citation for no lights. The boat owner had an outstanding gross misdemeanor warrant and spent the remainder of his weekend in jail.

TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY

CO Larry Francis (Remer) reported a boater insisted that it is the government's responsibility to find and notify him when his registration is expired. Another nonresident said he figured he didn't need an angling license because Minnesota state government was shut down. They where both informed otherwise.

HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE OFFICERS, BUT THEN?

CO Tony Arhart (Deer River) and CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) reported an angler landing a large dogfish was happy to see the officers. It then became apparent that the angler was fishing with two lines.

WOLF SCARE

CO Brian Buria (Bigfork) said farmers have reported several animals killed by wolves. An elderly resident waited a week before checking her mailbox due to the constant timber wolf howling.

CHART TOPPER

CO Dan Starr (Tower) and CO Mark Fredin (Aurora), working Fourth of July activities on Lake Vermilion, encountered a pontoon party that was seven lifejackets short of what's required for the number of occupants. Thinking that would top the chart for the day, the COs found another pontoon that was 12 people over capacity and 13 lifejackets short.

DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE

While traveling north on State Highway 6 from Emily, CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) observed a truck with a gas pump hose dangling from the filler cap. Shoutz stopped the vehicle and the driver didn't have a clue the hose had been left in the tank. Embarrassed, the driver drove several miles back to the station and returned the hose.

LEAVING WITH A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW

CO Brad Schultz (Center City) encountered an individual operating a pontoon while under the influence. There were three sober passengers and the driver on board. While awaiting booking the operator commented to the officer, "Well, I suppose you think you saved the world tonight." Officer replied that no one would never know for sure what he saved tonight, but that by putting him (the operator) in jail, where he would not be driving the boat any more that night, he may well of saved his life and the lives of others. The operator was of a different opinion, but still ended up in jail.

AMAZING

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reported an incident where a juvenile dirt biker was driving illegally on a public road attempting to evade contact with the officer. The kid turned to run and collided head-on with an oncoming car on the road. Amazingly the youth, although not wearing a helmet, did not get hurt.

ONE ANGLER, THREE FELONY WARRANTS

While working the Rum River, CO Dan Perron (Onamia) came across a man who didn't have a fishing license or any ID. The man at first gave a wrong name. After some checking, CO Perron was able to get his correct name and found out he had three felony warrants out for his arrest. CO Perron arrested the man and took him to the Mille Lacs County jail. The man also didn't have a fishing license.

NO, THAT FISH IS TOO BIG

Officer Neil Freborg (Lake George) reports while checking a boat with CO Colleen Adam (Park Rapids) on a special regulation lake, she observed an angler in a nearby boat land a northern and put it on a stringer. The officers contacted the angler and his first words were, "I hope you're not going to tell me my fish is too small." The fish in question was a northern that was 26 inches long. The protected slot on the lake was 24-inches to 36-inches. The fish was seized and the angler cited.

MALE CURIOSITY

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) spotted a big bull moose on an area road. The moose ran off into the heavy cover of the roadside. CO Fagerman was able to call the bull back to within a few yards of his truck for a photo op. After a couple of grunts at the COs truck the moose trotted off. Obviously it is not mating season so the bull was probably more curious than anything.

IT DIDN'T HURT THEM, IT KILLED THEM

One late afternoon, while watching boaters from shore, CO Bret Grundmeier (Mora) heard two shots from a nearby lake home causing a flock of geese to scatter. Further investigation found dead geese along shore. After additional investigating and interviews, a local resident admitted to shooting at the geese. The individual said he didn't think #7 shot would hurt them.

VIOLATOR MISSES OWN WEDDING

Officers Keith Olson, Kipp Duncan and Joe Stattelman checked a fisherman for an angling license while standing on a dock on the St. Louis River. The man said that he had not been fishing and was not seen in such activity by any of the three COs approaching the dock. The man admitted that he had brought fishing gear to the dock and agreed to go get a license right away with a young lady who also did not have a license. Before leaving the dock CO Stattelman took down the man's information and left to patrol more of the river. A check was run on the man and an arrest warrant was found. The COs returned to find the woman with her new license and asked where the man was. She pointed to an empty car and the search was on. After five minutes the man was located and placed under arrest. He informed the COs that he had cleared the matter and was allowed to make several phone calls to prove this. The man was unable to clear things up before Duluth Police Department arrived. The unfortunate man not only missed the 4th of July, but also his own wedding.

NO LICENSE SINCE 2003

Lt. Norm Floden (Perham) reports an angler who signed an affidavit that he had purchased a license, was found to have no record of a purchasing a 2005 license. When contacted the second time, he said he had mistaken his 2004 license for the 2005, since he purchased it about the same time of year. A further check of license records showed no purchase in 2004 or in 2003. Two citations were issued, one for fishing without a license and one for falsifying an affidavit taken in connection with a game and fish law violation.

A HELPING HAND

Officer Tim Gray (Blackduck) and Officer Darrin Kittelson assisted Beltrami County with a call of a missing Alzheimer patient. While they were talking to the daughter of the missing man, he returned home for a glass of water. He said it was too hot for a walk in the woods.

SNAKE SIGHTING

CO Gary Forsberg (Fergus Falls) received a report of a six-foot snake swimming in South Lida Lake near the swimming beach for Maplewood State Park. The caller stated that the head of the snake was the size of a softball and they were concerned for the swimmers at the beach. The snake sighting is still under investigation.

WHATEVER THAT MEANS, IT'S ILLEGAL

A fisherman on Lake Kabetogama (which has a walleye harvest slot limit of 13-17 inches and one over 23) was asked how big the walleye was he had on his fish stringer. The angler told CO Lloyd Steen (Ray), "That walleye is a strong 17 inches officer." The fish was 18 inches!

NO BEARS IN THE POOL

CO Mark Fredin (Aurora) spent time looking for a wounded bear that was shot when the homeowners were fearful it was acting aggressive and they were concerned it was going to pop their rubber swimming pool.

ROCKY REASONING

CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna State Recreation Area) encountered three folks from Brainerd loading their truck with rocks for landscaping. The individuals said, "A teacher told us it was okay; if you can't trust a teacher who can you trust?" They also said they were taking rocks from state land and that they pay their taxes.

GET OFF MY LAWN

CO Dennis Lang (Perham) reports a person was apprehended after chasing and intentionally running over Canada geese in an attempt to kill them because they graze on the lawn.

OFFICERS ASSIST MAN IN REMOTE LOCATION

While on patrol, CO Kipp Duncan (Two Harbors) and Darin CO Fagerman (Grand Marais) came across a very sick person a couple lakes and several miles from any help. The officers used a satellite telephone to contact Cook County Rescue and assisted the individual to a location where rescue personnel could pick him up.

LEAVE FAWNS ALONE

Two young men turned themselves in to CO Brian Buria (Bigfork) after the fawn they picked up refused to eat the food they provided. They believed the fawn's lack of teeth was the reason it would not eat the puppy chow.

MAKING THE SITUATION ONLY WORSE

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) observed two people drinking alcohol by the Mississippi River and then throwing the cans into the bushes. As litter citations were being issued to the individuals one of them fled on foot. The individual that stayed behind said that the partner fled because they had just gotten out of jail and didn't want to go back. It was explained that people don't go to jail for littering. The person who did run away will face additional consequences.

DEJU VU ALL OVER AGAIN

CO Scott Moran (Wabasha) assisted Lake City PD with a felony stop of a man who had allegedly assaulted a woman. The man was also wanted on warrants in Dodge County and Olmsted County. Coincidently, the stop was made within a couple of blocks from the parent's house of the wanted man, where Officer Moran had a high speed chase end with the same man about 20 years ago.

WHEN TAKING MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS IS A MISTAKE

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) responded, along with Brooklyn Park Police, to a 911 call that a house was hit with shotgun pellets and the suspect was believed to be shooting at deer. A lady, born in 1929, was found with a pellet handgun. She admitted that she had enough of the deer in her garden and shot at the deer to scare them away. Because there were no injuries or property damage, and the deer seemed unharmed, no charges were pursued. She was warned that any future attempts at unlawfully shooting the deer would result in her being charged with a variety of local and state law violations. She was forwarded to DNR wildlife staff for advice on reducing her deer problems safely and lawfully.
 

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