Minnesota Conservation Officer Tales - June '06

[Dave]

IT’S ALL IN BLACK AND WHITE

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer (CO) Randy Hanzal (Brookston) reported that a routine inspection of a couple of anglers led to what immediately appeared to be an over limit. When asked how many sunfish they had caught, the reply was, “We don’t know.” As Hanzal was counting the fish, one of the anglers asked if there was a limit on sunfish. After a long count, it was discovered the two anglers had a total of 110 sunfish between them, 70 sunfish more than the combined legal limit. Three days earlier the same two anglers asked for and received a copy of the 2006 fishing laws from the officer. Maybe the anglers should have taken the time to read it. Appropriate charges were filed.

PHOTO FINISH

CO Scott Fritz (LaCrescent) investigated a trespass complaint where the trespasser had his picture taken by a trail camera. Later it was learned the photo was of a person who had fled Houston County deputies earlier in the evening.

OFFICER ALL WET IN GREBE RESCUE

CO Brad Johnson (Silver Bay) responded to a call in Duluth where a grebe was entangled in fishing line near the shore of Lake Superior. He performed a bold rescue by donning borrowed chest waders and forged into the frigid waters. The fishing line holding the grebe was caught on a rock in waist deep water. Johnson retrieved the grebe and discovered the hook was lodged in the bird’s neck and upper bill. Only after he returned to shore did he realize there was a large hole in his waders. The grebe was brought to a nearby vet and the hook was successfully removed. After a day of rehabilitation in a bathtub with plenty of fresh minnows, the grebe was released back onto Lake Superior.

FISH LINE TALE

CO Sam Hunter (Grand Rapids) and CO Keith Bertram (Sauk Centre) checked an unattended line left on a dock and then spoke with a woman who said the line belonged to her husband, who was out fishing. When the COs spoke with the husband about the line, he admitted to leaving the line on the dock and then fishing from a boat. When the officers showed him the bass that was attached to his unattended line, he said, “I've never caught a fish that nice when I was actually trying.”

SIX-YEAR-OLD SHOWS DAD

CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) received a Turn In Poachers (TIP) complaint regarding an angler attempting to catch walleye. The officer discovered that the angler’s 6-year-old son had caught and kept a 12-inch walleye “to show dad.” The anglers were warned against fishing for walleye prior to the season. Dad explained the law to his son and the fish was released.

WRONG ON ALL ACCOUNTS

CO Travis Muyres (Ham Lake) encountered a person leaving Ceniakio Lake and driving through a stop sign right in front of him. After the vehicle was stopped, the driver said he just finished fishing Ceniakio Lake (a closed designated trout lake). He admitted that he was fishing for smallmouth bass, although that season was closed. The subject was cited for the fishing violations and taken to Anoka County Jail for outstanding arrest warrants.

GAME HOGS

CO Tim Jenniges (Windom) received a report of deer parts wrapped in a blue tarp. Upon investigation, the remains of two butchered hogs were found in the tarp.

SURE

CO Phil Seefeldt (Moorhead) issued a citation for angling with extra lines. The individual told the officer that he was just trying to see which lure would work best and then he was going to reel up the others.

WAITING AT THE DOOR

During a surveillance detail, CO Dan Starr (Tower) reported a group of fishermen were caught taking walleyes just hours before the midnight opener. Individuals were observed literally running walleyes back to their cabin as they caught them. After observing an individual catch a walleye and run towards the cabin, Starr was waiting at the door to greet the speedy fishermen. The anglers were cited for taking walleyes before the open season.

OPENING DAY BLUES

CO Randy Hanzal (Brookston) reported that despite the cold wet weather, most anglers had at least some luck getting walleyes to bite. One angler, however, had no luck at all. Not only did he not catch a single fish, he was also caught fishing in a closed area and cited for that offense. Then it was discovered he had an outstanding warrant and was taken to jail, where he spent the rest of opening day.

GOT THAT OUT OF THE WAY

CO Adam Block (Prior Lake) reported a fellow conservation officer using a spotting scope from shore observed an angler using two lines off a dock. When Block approached in a boat, the angler set down the second pole. Once the angler was told he had been observed by another CO, the angler stated, “Well, at least I got my ticket out of the way for the summer.”

AFTER HEARING BARKING, HE SAW THE LIGHT

CO Todd Kanieski (Osseo) reported that while checking two shore fishermen along a remote part of the Mississippi River, he found one man fishing without a license. The second man gave a false name and ran into a wooded area. The man was ordered to stop, but he continued out of sight. Kanieski retrieved his K9 partner from his squad and gave another loud warning to surrender or his police dog would be used to locate him. After hearing the barking of the K9, the suspect saw the light. He quickly came out of the woods and was now very cooperative. A search revealed he was carrying a large knife on him. The suspect was taken to jail for several warrants, providing false information to police, and fishing without a license.

THE TRIFECTA PLUS ONE

CO Jackie Glaser (Mound) reported a juvenile had an unlucky Memorial Day weekend on Lake Minnetonka. Earlier during the week he was operating an off-highway motorcycle illegally on the roadway around the lake. He was found a second time a few days later operating a boat without a safety certificate, not wearable life jacket, expired registration, and no throwable PFD. A third contact was made with this juvenile on a personal watercraft the following day. He was operating again with an expired registration and without a safety certificate. Later that day, his older sister was found operating a different personal watercraft without a safety certificate and without a fire extinguisher. Parents were contacted and citations were issued.

ARMED FOR FISHING

While patrolling on Spitzer Lake, CO Shane Osborne (Evansville) observed two subjects fishing. As he approached the subjects, he observed a semi-automatic handgun lying in the boat. Upon further inspection, Osborne observed the operator of the boat had a loaded semi-automatic handgun in a holster on his waist. The other fisherman had a loaded revolver in a holster on his belt that was concealed by a sweatshirt and jacket. The subjects were also in possession of marijuana. The two fishermen did not have permits to possess the firearms in public or motor vehicles. The fishermen were arrested.

DON’T WARM UP THE ENGINE

CO Brent Speldrich (McGregor) came upon a motorist in need of help at Savanna State Park. When asked what the problem was, the driver replied, “I’ve got a woodchuck in my motor!” Indeed, there was a woodchuck keeping warm in the motor compartment of the RV they were driving.

A PLEASANT SURPRISE

CO Joyce Kuske (Little Falls) found a pleasant surprise while checking a group of four local anglers doing some shore fishing at the Lindbergh DNR access on the Mississippi River. The surprise wasn’t the fish catch (only one), but rather the large bag of trash they had. The four anglers had picked up all the unsightly trash around the access and shoreline.

HE BATHES WITH THE FISHES

CO Paul Kuske (Pierz) reported a fisherman on the Mississippi River called TIP after watching a shore fisherman keep two rather large smallmouth bass. The tipster went to shore to get a vehicle license number, but found the shore fisherman had ridden a bicycle to the river. He then followed the bucket of bass and bicyclist home and relayed the address to the TIP line. Kuske went to the residence and found two bass, a couple of perch, and walleye swimming in the person’s bathtub!

A PRETTY FOWL DEED

CO Jason Jensen (Forest Lake) assisted local police departments with reports of someone intentionally running over and killing a goose. Unfortunately for the goose killers, their license plate fell off their vehicle when they hit the goose in front of a group of distraught witnesses.

WE’RE ALL IN AGREEMENT

Upon landing at his “home” lake at the end of a flight day, CO pilot Al Buchert (Grand Rapids) taxied the floatplane to a boat and discovered the two anglers on board were fishing without licenses. One angler commented it probably wasn’t a good idea to fish without a license on a lake where the “game warden” lived. The other angler, agreed.

[Fishin4Life]

Some interesting things go on out there. I take my hat off to the CO's, they deal with a lot of talk sometimes

[archer59]

This one interest me....

""A PRETTY FOWL DEED

CO Jason Jensen (Forest Lake) assisted local police departments with reports of someone intentionally running over and killing a goose. Unfortunately for the goose killers, their license plate fell off their vehicle when they hit the goose in front of a group of distraught witnesses.""

So what happens if you cause an accident while braking for Geese on the road??? (I understand this case was intential )I do brake, but have heard conflicting reports as to liability. Any insite would be great to hear.

Thanks,

Nick

[BobT]

I'm curious. What liability issues are you referring to?

I'll take a stab. Suppose you brake for a goose and someone rear-ends you. If this is what you are referring to then this is opening one of my pet peeves - tail-gating. It's quite obvious there are few drivers out there that know what a safe driving distance is or if they do, they don't give hoot. My wife included. I finally had to dig up proof to settle the argument between us. In order to follow someone and leave yourself enough room to react in an emergency situation one needs to maintain a car length for every 10mph speed. For example, at 60mph one needs a minimum 6 car lengths between you and the vehicle in front. One way to judge that is to use the 3-second rule. Pick a reference such as a road sign and when the front vehicle passes it, you shouldn't pass it for at least 3 seconds. If you pass it sooner, you are tail-gating and risking not only your life but the lives of everyone in your vehicle and the vehicle in front. If you've never done this I think you'll be surprised at what that distance really is. Note, this rule applies to dry roads and good driving conditions. Increase the distance during rain, fog, snow, or icy conditions.

Personally I believe this rule is out of date. With the added distractions from cell phones, gps, cd players, etc., we aren't giving our full attention to what's going on in front of us and for this reason we need to allow ourselves even more room.

Consider this, if you are following only 50' behind a vehicle and turn your eyes for just 1 second (literally) and in that moment the vehicle in front locks his brakes, you WILL be sitting in his back seat before you even become aware he has stopped.

Bob

[archer59]

Bob that's what I'm refering to. I've heard stories where someone hit the brakes for a dog and the person who ran into him sued him for careless driving. ( not sure of the outcome ). This will get things started also No Fault Isutrance.... If it was used as intended like weather condition etc.. that would be great. But insurance comopanies use it to raise everyones rates. I know a few cases where individuals paid out of pocket to not get insurance companies involved with little fender benders. Anyway, There's not much a person can do about it. We all have to drive and pull our boats. ( My problem is I didn't like the look on my agents face when I told him my third teenager will be driving soon )

Woa is me....

Nick

[Fishin4Life]

No fault insurance only deals with personal injury. It only comes into play if someone is injured. MN put it into place to solve pittle personal injury claims a long time ago. It is not the main factor on why insurance companies raise the rates. As far as the person who was rear ended and then sued by the person who rear ended them. I find that hard to believe. No fault does not come into play what so ever with property damage or help designate the fault of an accident. The people who decide that are usually the police at the scene. A better word for no fault is, personal injury protection. I guess I don't understand when you say if it was used like it was intended....

And yes, teenage kids are expensive, good luck!

[BLACKJACK]

Bob, tailgating is also one of my pet peeves, when YOU tailgate me, you're putting us both in danger when I brake for a deer, kid, etc. By YOU, I mean people that tailgate, and you know who you are. If you not going to pass, get off my a$$. Part of the problem is that people get so used to driving in the Cities where if you leave too big of a gap, someone else will come along and fill it. So when they're out on the open highway in rural areas, they think that 3 car gap at 60 mph is ok - NOT! What I do is wait until I get to an area where that jacka$$ has room to pass, then I will brake hard and slow down and force them to pass. That hopefully lets them know the dangers of tailgating and lets them know I don't like it when they're tailgating.

My wife also has a tendency to tail gate. I've cured her by starting to read the licence plate of the car ahead of us. Try it, at 60 mph, if you have a proper gap, you can't read the licence plate of the car ahead of you. When she complains, I just say pass them or give them some room - don't tailgate!!!

[Fishin4Life]

Blackjack

good idea. I usually just buckle up and don't say anything. I pick my battles carefully, LOL. So far I am still alive.

[archer59]

Quote:

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No fault insurance only deals with personal injury. It only comes into play if someone is injured. MN put it into place to solve pittle personal injury claims a long time ago. It is not the main factor on why insurance companies raise the rates. As far as the person who was rear ended and then sued by the person who rear ended them. I find that hard to believe. No fault does not come into play what so ever with property damage or help designate the fault of an accident. The people who decide that are usually the police at the scene. A better word for no fault is, personal injury protection. I guess I don't understand when you say if it was used like it was intended....

And yes, teenage kids are expensive, good luck!

---

Looks like I stand corrected. Guess I shouldn't quote everything I read. ( but if it's on the internet isn't it true )

Thanks for the update,

Nick

[Fishin4Life]

No prob. Yes everything on the internet is true. LOL

Oh and I can solve your teenager problem. Just tell child #3 you hit your limit for drivers and they can't drive, see how that goes over LMAO, just kidding.

[stmichael]

How about when pulling a boat, you are supposed to be 500 ft from the guy in front of you....

[archer59]

Quote:

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No prob. Yes everything on the internet is true. LOL

Oh and I can solve your teenager problem. Just tell child #3 you hit your limit for drivers and they can't drive, see how that goes over LMAO, just kidding.

---

I told the wife I hit my limit on kids at #2

[BLACKJACK]

FISHIN4LIFE, You're right, you have to pick your battles carefully but I figure if I'm in the car and shes putting me in danger, then I have a right to say something.

[BobT]

That's what started my, ahem, discussion with my wife. Her idea was two car lengths at any speed. Well, when we're going 70mph down the highway in traffic and shes only two car lengths behind it feels like we could have a nice conversation with the car in front. I finally had to tell her that I would get proof and it wasn't hard to find.

Bob

[McGurk]

I've heard of 12 seconds worth of distance at any speed. Look at a sign the car ahead of you is passing and count the seconds until you pass it. Enough time to react and we all live happily ever after.

I've just started doing the 65-68 mph on the interstate (in the right lane, of course) to get about 6 more mpg , and let me tell you; the drive is a lot more enjoyable going 65 and getting passed than doing 80 and passing and getting frustrated by the "slow" drivers. Now I am one of those drivers!

So lay off the tailgating; you can pass me just fine. And to all of you "slow" drivers: go ahead and feel free to give a little tappy-tap on the brakes to let them know you see them. Good Luck! McGurk

[Fishin4Life]

Quote:

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I've just started doing the 65-68 mph on the interstate (in the right lane, of course) to get about 6 more mpg , and let me tell you; the drive is a lot more enjoyable going 65 and getting passed than doing 80 and passing and getting frustrated by the "slow" drivers. Now I am one of those drivers!

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MUCH MUCH MUCH more enjoyable almost relaxing. I agree 100% set the cruise and leave it, no slowing then speeding up...etc. It is even better if you have someone with to chat with as people fly by

[barnyard]

I drive for a living and our training for following distances are: 4-6 seconds below 30mph and 6-8 over 30 mph.

At 60 mph you travel 81 feet per second. It takes most people one second to perceive an emergency and another second to respond appropriately. So, if you allow one car length per 10 mph in speed, at 60, you will be the cause of a crash.

You should also be constantly "looking ahead" 12-15 seconds. You can eliminate alot of emergency braking by looking ahead and looking for brake lights in traffic that are telling you there are problems ahead.

By watching traffic conditions ahead, I have driven to the cities from St Cloud and not touched my brake on the Interstate.

Tom B