Warden Blotter: Wardens rescue stuck loon & drifting boater
May 28, 2013
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Warden Blotter: From north to west to south, cases involve wildlife, overbagging & bear guiding
Oconto County
Warden Mike Stahl of southern Oconto County received a complaint of an injured loon in an individual’s yard. Warden Stahl responded and found the loon may have thought the dark wet asphalt driveway was open water and attempted to land. Without having water to take off, it was stranded. After looking the bird over and conferring with Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary by phone, the loon was taken to the open waters of the Oconto River and released where it was last seen swimming happily downstream calling as it went.
Warden Stahl received a call about three anglers at the Stiles Dam on the Oconto River. One of the individuals caught a walleye that was foul-hooked. It also was found the individuals had caught two walleyes with the second one being foul-hooked. In addition, the person was wanted on a warrant and the Oconto County sheriff was called.
Warden Joe Paul issued three citations to a Mountain resident for bear-guiding without a license and for baiting without a class B bear hunt permit. Total fines were $1,044.10. Several warnings also were given. The individual also will lose his guiding privileges for up to two years.
Warden Paul also closed an illegal bear guiding case after a scheduled jury trial when the subject plead guilty in Oconto County Court to possessing a bear during the closed season, hunt with improper license, guiding without a license, and providing false information on department forms. He paid $3,275.20 in fines. His hunting and guiding privileges were revoked for three years and he forfeited a bear, trail camera and two hunting stands.
Wardens Paul and Matt Meade contacted a Michigan resident who was fishing below the Peshtigo Dam. He was in possession of a Wisconsin resident fishing license and a snagged walleye. Several citations will be issued.
Taylor, Rusk and Langlade counties
Warden Tim Otto of Antigo investigated an individual regarding several hunting and fishing violations. Otto received information indicating the suspect had taken over his limit of bass in July 2012. The information indicated he had taken 16 largemouth bass. Otto also received information indicating the man had killed two bucks with his bow in one season. The suspect has been convicted of the fishing violation and for killing two bucks during the archery season. Otto recently requested additional charges against the same suspect for possessing five untagged deer on opening day of the gun deer season. The suspect now faces fines of $2,200 and three years revocation of his hunting fishing and trapping privileges.
Warden Nick Nice of Medford participated in the annual Learn-To-Hunt Turkey event sponsored by the Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club and National Wild Turkey Federation. Despite poor weather and lots of snow, fun and success was had by all participants. The hunt included 31 new hunters under the supervision of experienced mentors donating their time.
Warden Nice responded to information of an individual attempting to sell venison on “Craig’s List.” His investigation resulted in the listing being removed and any attempt to sell venison seized.
Warden Kirk Konichek of Ladysmith observed a 330 body grip trap located on dry land. Konichek was able to track down the owner who admitted to placing the trap and not checking the trap as required. Enforcement action was taken for setting a trap in an illegal manner.
Warden Konichek in conjunction with the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association is in the process of starting a volunteer sturgeon watch program on the Chippewa River.
Warden Andy Dryja of White Lake was called about two sick deer in Langlade County. Initial tests showed that the deer were starving to death from the long winter.
Iowa and Green counties
Warden Ryan Caputo responded to a complaint of a person shooting at a blue heron. Caputo located the suspect who was 14 years old. The large bird was eating his fish so he shot at the bird with a 12-gauge shotgun with a slug but missed. Caputo spoke with the teenager’s father.
Warden Supervisor Joe Frost of Dodgeville assisted DNR Fire Control with the investigation of a 24-acre wildfire that burned 3 unoccupied structures. A person had dumped ash from a fireplace into an outdoor fire pit that escaped the pit due to high winds.
Eastern Marinette County
Local wardens from Marinette County organized and ran an instructor appreciation banquet for all safety instructors in Marinette County. More than 100 people attended.
Warden Dave Oginski Jr. contacted a snowmobiler running down Highway 141 on April 13. The snowmobiler was running against traffic, in the vicinity of the highway, did not have valid registration displayed and did not have snowmobile safety. Enforcement action was taken.
Warden Oginski assisted a DNR wildlife technician with a complaint about a bear still in a den. The bear had been seen by people still in the den and they were unsure if it was alive or dead. It was a young bear and unfortunately the bear had dug a hole for a den in some large boulders. While the bear was in hibernation a large boulder collapsed on the bear, killing it.
Trempealeau, La Crosse and Crawford counties
Warden Chris Shea of Trempealeau responded to a call from the Trempealeau County Sheriff’s Department reporting a boater had lost power in his boat and was quickly floating down stream on the Mississippi River toward Dam 6. Warden Shea responded and was able to locate the boater prior to reaching the dam and tow the boater to safety.
Warden Ed McCann of La Crosse was appointed to a local sub-committee to work with local officials to review slow-no-wake zones on Pool 8 of the Mississippi River. Warden McCann reviewed buoy permits and attended several meetings to discuss ways to proactively improve signage, increase safety and change or eliminate slow-no-wake zones that cause confusion or may be excessive.
Warden Dale Hochhausen of Onalaska investigated a complaint of a truck load of garbage dumped at the Van Loon Wildlife Area parking lot during the winter months. Warden Hochhausen followed up on the complaint and stopped at several residences to track down the possible suspects. Enforcement action was taken.
Warden Cody Adams of Crawford County attended three Learn To Hunt Turkey events in the county. Warden Adams gave a talk on turkey hunting rules and regulations. Approximately 55 first-time turkey hunters participated.
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.