BWCA Weekly Conservation Officer report Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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      Weekly Conservation Officer report     

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07/31/2017 07:46PM  
week ending 7/31. some stuff is pretty entertaining.

District 6 - Two Harbors area
CO Darin Fagerman (Grand Marais) encountered two young anglers who remembered to bring along beer which they weren’t old enough to have, and forgot things they needed like a fishing license and life jackets. One young man told the CO that his buddy told him to look out for CO Fagerman and when we didn’t see you, we opened our beers. Then you just showed up. They were in a small boat with no life jackets and enough beer to get intoxicated. They were escorted off the lake. The CO assisted in a wildfire investigation where charges and restitution are pending. After a very wet summer, the woods are now starting to get dry and rain is much needed. Please obtain burning permits if required as the fire danger will start to creep up.

CO Mary Manning (Hovland) followed up on nuisance bear complaints and a wolf depredation case. The officer checked anglers and boaters and found good compliance. Folks were not so good with fires and several left smoldering logs, stumps, and campfires - two of which needed to be extinguished by local fire personnel. Visitors to campsites are also reminded to take trash home to dispose of it. The fire pit is not a disposal unit for cans and plastics.

CO Thomas Wahlstrom (Tofte) spent the week focusing on angling, boating, and ATV enforcement. Wildlife calls were handled regarding nuisance animals and general questions. Some nice lakers were seen in the bag on Lake Superior.

CO David Schottenbauer (Silver Bay) checked area angling activity on Superior and inland lakes. Time was spent checking ATV trails as well. CO Schottenbauer stopped a boat with a six year old riding on top of the bow of the boat. When he asked to see everyone's life jackets he noticed what turned out to be a loaded 30-30 in the bow compartment. Anglers had it along to scare the bears away from camp, enforcement action taken.

CO Don Murray (Two Harbors) worked angling and ATV activity during the week. Fishing remained good on Lake Superior and inland lakes. Calls of nuisance wildlife complaints were handled and a report of trespass is being investigated.

CO Sean Williams (Ely) reports he and nine other members of the enforcement division attended Peer Counselor training over the week. Several complaints of inspection refusals at invasive species check points were received and are being investigated. Violations included failing to allow inspection of water related equipment.

CO Anthony Bermel (Babbitt) worked with the county attorney on a case coming up for trial and spent time on several ongoing investigations. A nuisance bear report was taken at a local resort. Time was also spent on the water in and out of the BWCA. Enforcement action for the week included fishing without licenses, no trout stamp, possession of illegal slot northerns, extra line, fail to remove drain plug, unregistered watercraft, and insufficient PFDs.
 
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07/31/2017 09:29PM  
Love he story of the 2 young anglers. They didn't see you, opened beers, "then you just showed up" . Their parents may not find it so funny tho. As they were mixing alcohol, water, and no PDFs I'm glad this didn't become an accident report.
 
08/01/2017 08:54AM  
I enjoy these summary reports. Thanks for posting.
 
QueticoMike
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08/01/2017 12:42PM  
Thanks for sharing. Forgot to get a license but remembered the beer....haha
 
08/01/2017 02:00PM  
Interesting note about the forest starting to dry up after such a wet start to summer. If no rain comes in soon, folks planning for mid-August should plan stove/food contingency in case of fire ban.
 
carmike
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08/01/2017 02:31PM  
Kids these days! :)
 
08/01/2017 09:55PM  
I love this
 
paddlefamily
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08/03/2017 10:47AM  
Thanks for passing along. It's always interesting.
 
08/03/2017 06:59PM  
Thanks! I love reading these reports!
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