Minnesota Conservation Officer Tales

Hunters forced to grin and bear it

CO Jim Guida (Brainerd) reports an interesting story where two area hunters in a stand experienced two yearling bears arrive eagerly at their bait pile. The hunters did not shoot because it was too close to the end of legal shooting hours and the shot was not clear. A few moments later a large sow arrived. Prior to her eating from the bait, she circled the entire area as to make it safe for the yearlings. The sow stopped at the two hunters perched in a ladder stand approximately 17 feet up, stood up on two feet, stared down the hunters and placed her paws onto the rung of the ladder. The bear was close enough for the hunters to hear her breathing. The ladder shifted from her weight and the bears were scared off after one of the hunters made a noise.

Hunters and non-hunters

CO Brad Schultz (Center City) spoke with an upset lakeshore owner who had recently moved here from California. The individual complained that watching geese "being blasted out of the air" was traumatizing his 4-year old. Officer suggested blocking the view out the window and was treated to a litany of the individual's rights to ownership of the lake, how terrible it was for his child, how those people have guns and how I should do something to stop them and their activity. When officer pointed out that gun ownership and hunting were a longstanding tradition in Minnesota, the individual stated, "I can see now you are one of them - a gun owner and a hunter." Hunters should always be aware that their actions, even if legal, may not be viewed the same by non-hunters.

Ignoring the signs

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports on the Pine Center Trail system, ATVers have been ignoring the fact that it is illegal to operate in wetlands and willfully destroy them. ATVers going off trail in one area turned a lush green wetland into a bowl of mud and dirt. Officials posted the area closed and within 24 hours of the posting CO Kuske found two ATVers that ignored the sign and were stuck in the wetland with their machines.

CO thanked for discovering loaded weapon

CO Randy Hanzal (Brookston) checked a goose hunter that handed the officer his cased gun saying the firearm was unloaded. To the disbelief of the gun owner it was quickly discovered it was. Even though enforcement action was taken the hunter thanked the officer for discovering the loaded weapon because of the possible danger it may have posed had he returned home with a loaded gun.

Officer tells nag to stay home

While on patrol CO Kathy Larson (ATV Recreational Officer-Duluth) encountered a horse at a slow gallop eastbound on State Highway 23 near Kerrick. CO Larson followed the horse with her red lights flashing so the traffic could be warned to slow down or stop for the horse. The horse continued to gallop at approximately 10 mph for 2 1/2 miles, stopping briefly once or twice and looking back at CO Larson frequently. There was no shoulder on this stretch of Hwy 23 and many cars and motorcycles had stopped in the oncoming westbound lane to watch the spectacle of CO Larson in a slow pursuit of a galloping white horse. The horse took a left turn onto County Road 46 in the small town of Kerrick with CO Larson close behind. The horse then took a right onto County Road 56 for a short distance and into the driveway of a residence. The horse seemed to relax and made itself at home by eating apples from a tree in the front yard of the residence. A citizen stopped by CO Larson's truck to inform her that the horse did reside at the residence. CO Larson left a note on the door of the residence, told the horse to "stay home" and resumed her patrol duties.

A grease fire in the woods

CO Keith Olson (Marine Unit) happened upon a bear hunter in a stand using a charcoal fired coffee can, boiling aromatic grease. CO Olson detected a hint of panic in the hunter's eyes as the flames from the can approached 4ft in height. What made the fire more immediate was the fact that it was next to the bear hunter in his stand! The hunter quickly controlled the flames and reported not a bear to be seen as of yet.

Irresponsible things

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reports six ATVers were found operating on a high traffic public highway on the wrong side of the road! Two of the ATVs were being operated directly in the traffic lane right into oncoming traffic. When stopped the group proclaimed they were from an ATV club and do not do irresponsible things. Tickets were issued for careless operation of an ATV.

45 pound turtle survives "hit and run" driver

CO Sarah Backer (Cambridge) handled a couple of orphaned animal calls. One in particular dealt with a snapping turtle weighing about 45 pounds. The snapper was hit on the road and had some minor injuries. It was taken to a rehabilitator and at last report was doing fine.

Pipe bomb contains lure

CO Mike Hruza (Bemidji) assisted Bemidji PD restrict access to an area containing a possible pipe bomb. The bomb squad destroyed the object. The container actually contained a musky lure.

Trespass IS a big deal

CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) handled an incident where two trespassers ran and hid in a swamp after being discovered and confronted by a landowner. The two individuals told the officer that they didn't think that walking past "No Trespassing" signs, under a fence, and around a gate was a big deal. They now face trespassing charges and a court appearance.

One expensive fishing trip

CO Stacey Sharp (Thief River Falls) reports one particular fisherman ended up having a very bad week. When contacted it seems he forgot his license at home. Upon issuing the proper paperwork and checking with dispatch it seems the individuals driver's license was revoked with two outstanding warrants with a bond totaling $31,000. It ended up being a very expensive fishing trip.

Mechanical genius

CO Daniel Baumbarger (Warroad) contacted an individual on an ATV who wasn't sure how he should register his "new" machine. The individual custom made an old 3-wheeler by installing an engine from a street bike, which he said should make his new machine very fast if his frame will hold up.

Bait and switch

CO Pat Znajda (Karlstad) received a report of someone hunting deer with a crossbow and using bait. Upon locating the hunter it was determined the man had a permit to use the crossbow. When the man was asked about the grain and sugar beets by his stand he said it wasn't like he was hunting right on top of the bait, but just using the bait to bring the deer a little closer. Enforcement action was taken for hunting deer in a baited area.

A good indicator that bulls are in the rut

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) stopped his truck to keep from hitting a bull moose. The bull moose quickly turned his antlers towards the driver side door of the truck as if he were going to leave his mark. CO Fagerman stepped on the accelerator to move away from the bull as he was only a lane width away. This in turn startled the bull that just turned and walked beside the truck and then down over the ditch bank into the darkness. This is a pretty good indication that the bulls are starting the rut and have no time for anything that gets in their way.

A couple of interesting stories

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) responded to several interesting calls. A deer archery hunter was found illegally operating their ATV in a Wildlife Management Area. He had driven to the WMA down a county road though his driver's license was revoked. He then was arrested for an outstanding warrant and his biggest concern was that he would not be able to go out and bow hunt that evening. The best line of the week goes to the donkey owner though. CO Kuske followed a donkey running loose down a township road away from a small store and it ran into the yard of a nearby residence. The homeowner was there and said he would have to reprimand the donkey because it sometimes likes to go to the store by itself and knows he's not supposed to.

Couple lock themselves in trunk

CO Brad Schultz (Center City) encountered a vehicle in the Carlos Avery WMA that had been driven past a sign prohibiting motor vehicles. While scrambling around in the vehicle as the officer approached, they somehow ended up rolling off the folded down rear seat into the trunk. The seat then snapped up locking into an upright position, locking the couple into the trunk. With all four doors locked, the windows up, and the keys in the ignition, plus the inability to locate the internal trunk release, it was quite some time before a system was devised to let them out of the trunk. The officer thinks he will not have problems with those folks driving in prohibited areas in the future.

And now you know

CO Larry Hanson (Marshall) was traveling a township road when he came upon a vehicle parked on the side of the road. The officer stopped to see if the driver or passenger needed assistance. The driver and passenger were found to be smoking marijuana. They had removed the sunroof of the vehicle to use as a table for the marijuana. During the course of the investigation, the driver stated that he was unaware that CO's are licensed law enforcement officers.

Minnesota Conservation Officer Tales is produced monthly by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Division of Enforcement