Minnesota DNR conservation officer notebook

ID on fish shelters

Identification on fish shelters is still a problem. All shelters placed on the ice must display either the complete name and address, a driver's license number, or the nine-digit DNR number on the license of the owner. The information must be plainly and legibly displayed on the outside of the shelter, in letters and figures at least 2 inches high. The requirement includes ice skating warming houses and other traditional structures placed on the ice, either temporarily or overnight. More information can be found at this link: http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/index.php/2010/12/10/fish-shelter-identifica...

Anglers in portable shelters are reminded that even though they are not required to have a shelter license, they still need identification on their portable shelter.

Fish house owners are encouraged to check their houses frequently to be sure they are not freezing in.

Close call on ice

While checking ice anglers on foot, CO Matt Miller (Lake Superior Marine Unit) fell through a thin spot of ice into knee-deep water. Just 50 yards away there was over 18 inches of ice. Be careful of ice conditions on all waterways.

Anglers are reminded to pack up all trash prior to leaving the lake.

Dogs running deer

Complaints were taken regarding dogs running deer. Suggested tips for dog owners:

• Do not allow your dog to chase big game wildlife at any time.

• Keep your dog controlled within your property boundaries.

• Report wildlife harassment to your local conservation officer.

• Respect all types of wildlife.

• The owner of a dog that kills or pursues a big game animal is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and is subject to a civil penalty of up to $500 for each violation.

• Any peace officer or conservation officer who observes a dog wounding, killing or pursuing a deer in a manner that endangers the deer may kill the dog. Additionally, between Jan. 1 and July 14, any person who observes a dog doing the same can kill the dog.

Odds and ends
-- Conservation officers are still seeing snowmobiles that have expired (2010) registrations and no state trail stickers on them. Also, remember the speed limit on the trails is 50 mph.

-- Some hunters have been dumping geese carcasses along roadways northeast of Rochester. If anyone has information about the dumped geese please call the Turn-in- Poachers hotline at 1-800-652-9093.

-- People who are fishing Rochester area reservoirs are reminded of the 10 panfish (crappie, sunfish, and perch) limit that cannot include more than 5 crappies.

-- CO Chris Vinton (Perham) reports that during the peak of last week's winter storm, the he assisted with the rescue of a snowmobiler that became disoriented in the storm and drove onto thin ice. The snowmobile broke through the ice. The operator was able to stand on the submerged sled and call for help. In another incident, a person leaving a fish house in a truck also became disoriented in the storm (at the same time as the snowmobiler but a different lake) and broke through thin ice. The driver was able to get to a fish house to stay warm until he was picked up. The storms dumped about 18" of snow in the Perham area, and lakes have water on top of the ice, causing many slushy areas.

-- Anyone witnessing wildlife or fishing code violations is encouraged to contact the nearest conservation officer, law enforcement agency or the toll-free TIP hotline at 1-800-652-9093. Also, #TIP is available to most cell phone users in Minnesota.

-- Finding your local conservation officer is now just a click away at: www.mndnr.gov/officerpatrolareas.com People can click on the map and a balloon will pop up that shows the officer phone number and State Patrol dispatch number.