Conservation Officers Report

If you read my blog on a regular basis then you know I like to read the Weekly Conservation Officer Reports. It’s a slower time of the year for them but they are still quite busy. One thing I learned from reading all of the District Reports is the ice is not yet safe. Recent warmer temperatures have deteriorated the ice and most lakes are not safe. Here are our local reports.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) worked trappers and assisted with fur registration. Some trappers were again tripped up by the regulations on sets in the northern lynx zone, which differ from the rest of the state. The officer also helped volunteer instructors and COs teach snowmobile safety to a small but attentive class. Enforcement action was taken for incorrect tags on traps, lynx zone violations, and operating a snowmobile without a safety certificate.

CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) assisted with the field day portion of a snowmobile safety course. Big thanks to all the volunteers that make this happen. The CO did check some ice anglers during the week and the reports on ice thickness vary with some coming off lakes where only three inches was reported. Some of the bigger lakes are still wide open and some lakes that were completely frozen over have now begun to open up with the warmer weather. Waiting for colder weather would be the best option, but ice picks are must if you venture out. The CO also checked muzzleloader hunters, registered pine marten, fisher and otter, and checked trappers.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week checking trappers. The officer assisted in teaching a snowmobile safety class and the riding day. All the students passed and are ready to ride their snowmobiles when the snow arrives. The officer worked at fur registration in Finland with officer Schottenbauer. Enforcement action was taken for trapping violations.