Rare, but not unheard of
CO Jeremy Woinarowicz (Thief River Falls) was able to see a rare but not unheard of sight of a female deer with antlers.
Then he became very quiet
While investigating a complaint, CO Joe Stattelman (Detroit Lakes) and three hunters heard shouting coming from the neighboring property. Within minutes, the officer received a TIP call regarding the shouting and an intoxicated hunter. The officer was able to locate the intoxicated hunter who complained about the complaint not being investigated. The officer then advised him he heard the shouting while investigating a complaint. The intoxicated hunter became very quiet.
These "fawns" were all ears
CO Al Peterson (Osage) was able to locate the deer from a TIP call when the suspect returned to the scene, with his three kids. The kids were all ears when the officer spoke of the illegal and unethical act. Deer and firearm were seized.
Blazing away
CO Jason Jensen (Forest Lake) noted an illegal fire that was extinguished by the landowner. The landowner put the charred pile in his truck and drove off down the road. Unfortunately, the fire reignited and the truck caught fire. The truck was a total loss.
The endless uses for duct tape
CO Lisa Kruse (White Bear Lake) responded to a TIP call by an ELS agent that an individual registered two antlerless deer, but pulled away with a doe and buck in their trailer. Upon arriving at the suspect's home, CO Kruse found two does on a trailer and one of the does had antlers duct taped to its head! The owner of the deer stated that his friends wanted him to feel better about the results of his hunt.
Insanity they say is doing the same thing over and over again
CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports an individual caught three years ago after shooting a deer at night on posted private property was caught again doing the same thing in the exact same place. This time a 10-point buck was killed after dark within 150 feet of where the poacher killed a doe at night in the fall of 2004. This time the poacher also shot directly at an occupied residence with a high power rifle.
Think again
A hunter contacted CO Bob Mlynar (Aitkin) after seeing someone walking the ditch of a state highway with a gun and no blaze orange clothing. The person was located and found to be over twice the legal limit for alcohol. He was relieved of his rifle and upon conviction will be relieved of his hunting privileges for 5 years. In the second case, a hunter was found using a pickup box as a portable deer stand. He thought it was ok to shoot a deer from it as long as the truck wasn't moving.
Venturing into the unknown
CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) ventured into the unknown when dealing with five illegal immigrant hunters from Mexico. Upon checking a campsite, Officer Speldrich found a respectable 9-point buck without a site tag located on the animal. The shooter was located after a two-mile walk through hills and swamps. The hunter did not have any ID on him and offered to return to the camp. He produced a Mexican ID and stated that he wasn't a US Citizen. His license, firearm and deer were seized. He was also found to be hunting on a Minnesota Resident Firearms deer license. As his fellow hunters returned to camp, they too were found not to be US Citizens. Immigration officials were contacted.
Blaze orange for man's best friend
CO Brandon McGaw (Babbitt) reports after explaining the safety value of orange clothing to one individual, the hunter immediately went to town to buy some blaze orange. Officer McGaw observed the hunter laughing when he drove around a man who was in full blaze orange walking his dog. The dog was also outfitted in blaze orange!
A temporary memory lapse
CO Bret Grundmeier (Hinckley) and CO Gene Wynn (Pine City) watched three individuals in a mini-van shine a spotlight at some deer in a field late one night. A young man carrying a spotlight and loaded, high powered rifle, got out of the van and started walking into the field. When the officers approached, the poacher dropped the rifle and spotlight, pretended to relieve himself, and asked what the problem was. The two individuals that stayed in the van claimed to not understand English. They eventually remembered they could speak English and told Officer Grundmeier that they "seen a critter in the field and were wondering what it was."
They knew they were wrong
CO Stacey Sharp (Bemidji), assisted by CO Hruza, CO Freborg, and DNR Pilot Heineman, answered a TIP call that resulted in the arrest of multiple hunters and the seizure of 7 deer. DNR aircraft guided the officers to the stands the hunters were in. Once there, the officers observed corn, sunflower seeds, and alfalfa pellets spread on the ground near each stand. The hunters knew the deer baiting law and knew they were in violation.
Patience pays off for conservation officer
CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River) was parked along a country road contemplating whether or not she had picked an effective spot to work shiners, but several minutes later saw a vehicle coming towards her. In somewhat disbelief she observed the vehicle shine the fields with the headlights. She waited. The vehicle backed up and shined the field again. She slowly moved towards the suspect vehicle with her vehicle's lights out. The night silence was broken by a single rifle shot. Heaton was behind the suspect in a matter of seconds. He exited the vehicle with his hands in the air. He was later asked why he did it. He replied, "I haven't had time to go hunting yet." His vehicle, rifle and the deer were seized and he was transported to jail.
An interesting investigation
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) was called to investigate a buck fawn deer that had 3 ears. There was an extra small ear behind the left ear.
Unloaded rifles discovered in crash
CO Dan Starr (Tower) was the first on scene of a motor vehicle crash that involved one vehicle and 3 young adult hunters. One of them was ejected from the vehicle along with a couple of cased, but loaded rifles. Once the dust settled, the driver, who was not injured, was cited for the infraction.
Stand threat
CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) took a call from a young hunter who was confronted by another who said the young hunter was in a deer stand that he had built. The younger hunter replied that since the stand was on public land anybody could use it. The other hunter left, came back with a chainsaw, and advised the younger hunter to get out of the stand or he would cut the stand down with the hunter in it. The hunter got down and the stand was cut down shortly thereafter. Enforcement action was taken on the hunter who thought he "owned" the stand.
The long nose of the law
CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) and K9 Saber located a light blood trail and followed it to a gut pile. In the dark, Saber followed the drag trail over 100 yards to a large 8-point buck that was hidden in thick brush. The evidence was turned over to the local officer for follow-up.
Surprise on a dusty road
A landowner complained to CO Jim Robinson (Slayton) that he wanted all hunting stopped because he was sick of seeing pickups speeding down the dirt roads and sliding sideways around the corners at intersections. Two hunters, whose deer stand was the front seat of an extended cab pickup truck, were in luck when the two deer they tried to get around on turned south and were out of gun range. When the cloud of dust from the gravel road cleared, the hunters were very surprised to see a DNR Enforcement truck parked twenty yards behind them. Enforcement action was taken.
Bear struck down south
CO Chad Thesing (Albany) reports it?s odd to see a bear this far south, but recently a male black bear decided to wake up from his winter slumber and grab a bite to eat. He got a rude awakening when a car between St. Joseph and Sartell struck him. The bear's hide will be tanned and used in educational presentations.
A CO with four legs
CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) along with his K9 partner Saber, investigated a report of a large 9-point deer shot illegally. K9 Saber's skills were put to use by determining where the poacher and the buck were standing when the deer was shot. Saber located two expended shotgun shells from the suspect's gun. Saber also helped pinpoint where the buck was standing based on a search for trace blood evidence. The suspect was charged for shooting from the road right of way and the shotgun and deer were seized.
Oh, brother
CO Tony Salzer (Eagan) observed two hunters walking through a chopped cornfield. One of the hunters saw CO Salzer watching from the road, put his gun down in the grass and walked the opposite direction through the woods. CO Salzer later made contact with the hunter and it was found that the hunter was using someone else's license. The hunter's brother attempted to obstruct the investigation by giving the wrong name of his brother. Enforcement action was taken for both offenses.
There's no sense in arguing
CO Alex Gutierrez (Metro Recreation Officer) reports while working waterfowl hunters late one evening at Carlos Avery WMA, he watched a duck hunter take several shots after legal shooting hours. CO Gutierrez confronted the late shooter, who did not think he was shooting past legal hunting hours and started arguing with the officer. CO Gutierrez explained the legal shooting hours and described all the shots taken by the suspect that evening. While checking the individual's shotgun, which was unplugged (capable of holding 3 or more shells), the suspect bowed his head in shame. The individual admitted to the shotgun being unplugged prior to hunting that afternoon, and stated he might have taken a few shots after legal shooting hours. The incident resulted in proper enforcement action taken for several violations.
Poacher lurks in garage to take his shot
CO Cary Shoutz (Crosslake) investigated an illegal deer being taken by archery over bait. The investigation revealed a large antlered buck was taken at a deer feeder approximately an hour after dark under a garage light. The poacher stood in the garage and shot through the garage window. The deer was confiscated from the taxidermist shop along with the processed meat from the butcher shop. Gross misdemeanor charges will be filed.
Don't wine about it
While patrolling the Cuyuna SRA, CO Jim Tischler (Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area) interrupted a fellow in mid-throw as he was about to dispose of his empty wine bottle in the woods at the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail parking lot. In the car was another open bottle, and in the woods were 11 other empty wine bottles, all were the same as what the suspect had in his possession. He was arrested by a Crosby police officer for suspicion of impaired driving.
Was it worth it this year?
CO Mike Martin (International Falls) contacted three hunters in the Littlefork area that were hunting over bait and had shot a doe fawn. Officer Martin thought he should speak with them when he watched one of the hunters drive out to his stand with a load of pumpkins on his wheeler. One of the suspects stated that they "Didn't bait last year 'cause it just isn't worth it." The three suspects also had a loaded .270 on the front of a four-wheeler, a tag that was not validated, and were transporting an untagged deer (fawn). Summons and restitution for the deer was issued.
Three for three
CO Lloyd Steen (Ray/Kabetogama) checked a hunter that was loading an ATV onto a trailer after traveling a forest road behind a locked DNR gate for ATV traffic only. After the officer cited him for operating an ATV in restricted hours, the hunter claimed he had another ATV buried in muck behind the gate. When the officer volunteered to unlock the gate and return with the hunter to the stuck ATV to extricate it, the hunter confessed he had cut the lock off already with a hacksaw. When the officer insisted he would still help the hunter after completing the additional citation for criminal damage to a DNR gate, the hunter also confessed that he had an untagged deer at the stuck ATV! Three for three!
Think about what you're saying
CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) reports a deer hunter and his partner paddled across a lake to access a parcel of land to hunt, however neither one were wearing blaze orange during the hunt. The excuse used was that "the deer see it and no one is out here to shoot me anyway." He then went on to talk about a situation where he had almost shot a person without blaze orange in low light conditions last year. They were educated for no blaze orange and a watercraft that was last registered in 1980.
Intoxicated hunter stopped after speeds of over 100 mph
CO Scott Staples (Carlton) and CO Mike Scott (Marine Unit) heard a call put out around Carlton of a car driving erratically. COs Staples and Scott were the first to find the vehicle. Poor driving conduct was observed and an attempt to stop the vehicle was made. The driver failed to stop after lights and siren were activated and at estimated speeds of over 100 mph, the vehicle was finally stopped after traveling after about 12 miles. The driver was intoxicated and tested .20 BAC at the Carlton County Jail. When asked where he was coming from prior to the chase he stated that he just came from hunting and was going to visit a friend. He was arrested for DUI by the sheriff's department.
Eagles do some duck hunting
While checking for waterfowl on an area lake, CO Neil Freborg (Lake George) observed two bald eagles attempting to take a fish out of the lake. Upon closer observation it was determined that the intended victim was a duck. After diving several times to avoid talons, the goldeneye surfaced and flew off with the eagles in hot pursuit. As the birds flew out of sight, the goldeneye was well in the lead.
A family affair
CO Todd Langevin (Center City) reports while issuing a cease and desist order for a wetland violation, he found three untagged deer. When the homeowner was asked who had shot the deer, he responded by saying the three deer were shot by his wife, daughter and stepson. A check with ELS showed the wife and step son had valid licenses but he and his daughter did not have licenses. The invalidated tags of the wife and stepson were located. CO Langevin then made a phone call to the wife and she stated her husband shot the deer. The illegally taken deer was seized and the hunters were educated on the rules of validating site tags, tagging deer, not registering deer on time and shooting deer without the appropriate licenses.
You can keep the coupon; I'll take the deer
CO Brent Wiebusch (Spring Valley) spent some time tracking down a deer that was taken illegally and then self-gifted to a second party who was actually the go-between for the final recipient. The deer was finally found with the self-gifted paperwork filled out on the front of a $1.00 off Burger King coupon. Wiebusch let the party keep the dollar off coupon, but seized the deer.
Teach your children to do the right thing
CO Matt Loftness (Marshall) reports that while working the Friday after Thanksgiving a vehicle was observed driving out in a prairie grass area with a youth hanging out the passenger window with a shotgun. When the vehicle was stopped there were two uncased firearms and two other youths in the vehicle. When the adult was asked what he was doing he replied that the kids were practicing shooting out of the vehicle. The youths were educated and so was the adult with a citation.
True outdoorsmen have your back
CO Neil Freborg (Lake George) received a call from a group of hunters who had come across a portable deer stand hidden in a brush pile. They advised that the previous day they had spoken to another hunter who had talked to them about the theft of his stand, but didn't get his name. The stand they found hidden, matched the description of the one stolen. CO Freborg picked up the stand from the group and located the owner through a theft report made to the Hubbard Co. Sheriff's Office. It's nice to know there are honest and ethical hunters still out there.
Frozen turkey
CO Jeff Halverson (Staples) investigated a number of dead wild turkeys floating in a lake. It was determined that death was most likely from the birds falling through thin ice and drowning.
You'll have to do until the real thing comes along
Conservation Officer Brian Buria from Bigfork reports that a concrete, 320 lb, 8-point buck that had stood in a landowner's yard for five years, was badly damaged and scratched sometime between 1 and 4:30 pm after a large buck mistook it for the real thing.
Time to grow up
CO Bret Grundmeier (Mora) cited an ATV operator for careless driving when he admitted to "whipping cookies" in the neighbor's driveway just because he knew it would make him mad. The adult ATVer will need to take an ATV safety course in order to regain his riding privilege.
Shots in the dark
CO Mike Fairbanks (Grand Rapids) responded to a call of shots being fired after dark in a problem poaching area. Further investigation resulted in finding that the neighbors were lighting fireworks!
100% speechless
CO Tom Sutherland (Hill City) took a call of a deer being shot on private property from the roadway. The caller said the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle got out of their truck and started firing many rounds at the deer as it ran further out into a field. One of the individuals followed the deer into the field as the other hopped into the truck and went around the corner to try to cut the deer off. The individual driving the truck went back and forth down the roadway cutting the deer off as it tried to cross the roadway.
he individuals then got back into the truck and drove away. CO Sutherland found the suspect vehicle later that night parked along the roadway in the area and waited for the suspects to come out of the woods from hunting. Two individuals came out of the woods including one adult and his 13-year-old son who was hunting with him. When asked about how hunting was earlier in the day the kid immediately described how he and his father had "Unloaded their clips at a deer on the corner." CO Sutherland asked if they had taken the deer and the kid said that they had not. The father was 100 percent speechless and said that they had shot at the deer from the road. A citation was issued to the father for shooting at a big game animal from the roadway. The father was told his son would be left out of the equation if he would promise to explain to his son what they had done was wrong. The father agreed to talk to his son.