Warden Blotters: Sleeping porcupine or napping hedgehog? Mudding, AIS checks and more
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Summer warden cases include camper rescues, overbagging, Red-tailed Hawk case ends and the pet squirrel
Fond du Lac, Outagamie, Calumet, Dodge and Winnebago counties
Warden Ryan Propson of Appleton assisted the Grand Chute Community Service Officer with a complaint of an abandoned baby porcupine that was sleeping on someone’s back porch. The “porcupine” looked very unusual and was thought to be a hedgehog based on a quick Internet search. Propson brought the animal to a local rehabilitation facility and received confirmation that it was a hedgehog.
Warden Ryan Propson of Appleton, while working from a department-issued motorcycle, observed an individual towing a boat with aquatic vegetation hanging from the trailer. Upon contact, the investigation revealed the individual was aware he didn’t do a thorough job cleaning the boat and further explained he didn’t drain his live well because he didn’t want to pay for ice. The individual and his son said they couldn’t wait to tell their friends the warden stopped them from a motorcycle.
Warden Tom Truman of Winneconne received a complaint of individuals driving trucks and “mudding” on state lands in the Clayton area. A State Patrol officer contacted the individuals who became stuck in the mud and needed to be pulled out. The individuals did not know it was illegal to operate vehicles on state lands. The individuals were showed the signs which advised it is illegal to operate the vehicles. Enforcement action taken.
Warden Michael Disher, of Chilton, worked Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) enforcement duties along the east shore of Lake Winnebago throughout the month of June. Disher conducted numerous traffic stops near the various boat landings on vehicles that were transporting boats and trailers with aquatic vegetation attached, or live-wells, buckets, or coolers full of lake water, and for transporting live fish away from the lake. In total, Disher encountered 19 AIS violations over several days; including, four for transporting aquatic vegetation, nine for transporting lake water away from the landing, and six for transporting live fish away from the landing. Disher issued multiple citations and warnings for the violations. Lake Winnebago is a VHS positive water body, and all the boat landings are posted with signs.
Warden Benjamin Nadolski of Waupun, while checking boaters for required safety equipment, contacted two different boats on one lake that had discharged fire extinguishers. The fire extinguishers had not been used but had slowly lost their pressure over time. Remember to regularly inspect your fire extinguishers per the manufacturer’s directions.
Warden Ben Nadolski responded to a complaint of a person illegally keeping a squirrel in their home. The squirrel was turned over to a licensed wild animal rehabilitation facility. Well-intentioned people may cause more harm to wild animals or to themselves or other people by attempting to care for wild animals. Contact a licensed rehabilitation facility for sick and injured wild animals. They are listed on the DNR web site under “rehabilitation.”
Warden Ben Nadolski conducted presentations at the Beaver Dam Fishing Club Kid’s Fishing Event and helped take kids fishing as part of the Cops ‘n Bobbers Law Enforcement/Youth Fishing Event in Dodge County.
Warden Al Erickson of Fond du Lac and Recruit Warden Brandon Smith of Madison responded to the scene of a fatal windsurfing incident on the southeast shore of Lake Winnebago south of Roosevelt Park. The victim’s windboard had washed up on shore and was located by a landowner. After a two-hour search, the victim’s body was located by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. The victim was determined to have drowned and was not wearing a life jacket.
Grant, Crawford, Richland, LaCrosse, Green and Rock counties
Wardens Mike Nice of Richland Center, Cody Adams of Prairie du Chien, Ed McCann of LaCrosse and Dale Hochhausen of LaCrosse assisted with flooding issues in the Boscobel area after it received 14 inches of rain in a single day. Wardens helped locate and rescue some of the 54 stranded campers on the Wisconsin River.
Warden Mike Nice of Richland Center participated in the fishing derby at the local pond. Nice spoke with each participant and handed out a coupon for a free ice cream from the local Dairy Queen.
Warden Rick DeWitte of Cassville reports the conclusion of the case from last October involving an individual shooting and killing a Red-tailed Hawk from his vehicle while parked on a roadway. The individual also shot a passing vehicle occupied by a mother and children during this incident. The case concluded in Grant County Circuit Court. The individual pleaded no contest to charges of endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon and killing a protected species. The individual was fined $2,320.80, paid restitution to the motorist for vehicle damage in excess of $1,000, had DNR privileges revoked for 3 years and the firearm was confiscated and transferred to the DNR hunter education program.
Warden DeWitte received a citizen complaint of manure slurry in a local Grant County stream. DeWitte found a manure company was pumping manure from a farm ground pit several miles along a creek bottom to ridge-top fields. A defective section of hose resulted with up to 8,000 gallons of manure flowing onto the adjacent ground and into the stream. The responsible party pumped the manure-contaminated stream water as remediation. Enforcement action was taken for a water pollution violations.
Wardens Ryan Caputo of New Glarus and Deputy Warden Kevin Christorf checked two anglers below the dam in Brodhead. The anglers were found to both have caught and kept a snapping turtle. Enforcement action was taken for keeping snapping turtles out of season.
Wardens Caputo and Christorf responded to a call of two canoeists who had overturned their canoe. Wardens rescued the canoeists, but were unable to retrieve the canoe which was pinned against a tree in the raging water.
Douglas, Bayfield, Iron and Ashland counties
Warden Brad Biser of Douglas County presented a Hunter Safety Volunteer Instructor Length of Service Award to Al Pribnow of Iron River for 45 years of service to the Wisconsin Hunter Education Program.
Warden Amie Egstad conducted an archery program at the Bayfield Fish Hatchery Kids Fishing/Open House Day along with Recruit Warden Brandon Smith and US Border Patrol Agent Brendan Pender. There were approximately 250 people in attendance.
Ashland Team Wardens took part in an aquatic invasive species group check on Lake Superior boat landings and access points from Ashland to Superior. The wardens talked with boaters about the importance of inspecting their boats and equipment to be sure they are free of aquatic plants, and making sure all water is drained from live wells, boats and motors. These steps will help to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Warden Jill Schartner of Drummond and her husband spent an entire day at the Drummond School, where they taught archery to youths taking the summer school program. Schartner was eager to introduce the program to her local school when offered the opportunity.
Warden John Windt of Hurley gave a presentation at the 15th Annual Bass Tournament on the Gile Flowage. He focused on preventing the spread of invasive species.
Warden Lance Burns of Gordon investigated a complaint of a person over-bagging bass. The subject had 10 bass in his possession. A citation was issued.
Warden Burns investigated a Hotline complaint of an individual that chased geese with an ATV and killed three juvenile geese. The subject was contacted and citations were issued for the violation.
Warden Burns worked on an illegal dumping case. The homeowner where the items came from was required to pay the transfer station fee for disposal of the materials.
If you have information regarding natural resource violations, please call: VIOLATION HOTLINE: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay reported information to conservation wardens. Anyone who calls the Violation Hotline or provides information can remain anonymous.