K9 Conservation Officers

[CodyDawg]

Had a chance to visit last nite with a Conservation Officer and his K9 pal. Man, those dogs are impressive!

One story he shared really illustrated this. The CO heard a gunshot an hour and a half before legal shooting light on deer opener. He found a vehicle parked and told the dog to track the guy. The dog tracked him right to the tree he was sitting in. They asked the guy if he had shot and the guy said "no". The CO told the dog to search for evidence and the dog sniffed out the ejected shell that had just been fired out of the leaves. The guy then admitted that he had shot at "shiny eyes" illuminated by his flashlight. After listening to him, I am a believer in those dogs!

[cyberamish]

That is fan f$%*ing tastic!! I would love to see more of them out and about!! I wonder how one would go about putting together a donation to the DNR for such an operation. Send them through any of the WMA's around the state on duck opener weekend and they could pay for themselves with citations alone!!

[Tom Wilson]

They do!

I have been checked numerous times by CO's with dogs. Especially out around the Marsh Lake area (LacQuiParle). I remember getting checked one time and as the CO was talking to me and my buddy he just kept telling the dog "hunt em' up" and the whole time that dog ran around us looking for anything. He must have covered a hundred yard area, in the time the CO spent with us. I can assure you that you would not get by with anything in that situation.

[cyberamish]

I've hunted out at LQP many times and never been checked by a CO. We are usually either in one of the handicap accessable blinds with a friend of mine or on the river so maybe that's why.

[CodyDawg]

Funny you should mention funding. They do not get any state funds, they rely upon donations to get it done. The three big contributors that he mentioned were Pheasants Forever, MDHA and Gander Mtn. He also said Terry Steinbach inquired about making a donation. I have heard Terry is a great guy on more than one occasion. So if you are serious about contributing, I am sure they are in need. They have committed to two more dogs currently.

[cyberamish]

I will see if I can track down a contact to send a donation to and post it on here when I do. Thanks!!

[koWALLEYEski]

I have been checked by CO and his pal. He did the same thing you said before about huntin em up. The whole time he checked out guns and ammo the dog did his thing looking around.