Warden Blotter: Illegal sturgeon leads to penalties, poachers among northeast cases
April 16, 2013
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Bear tags for sick kids, poachers, snowmobile accidents and Learn to Hunt events
Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties
Warden Joe Paul of Oconto County is looking anyone wishing to transfer their bear hunting carcass tags in zones B and C to the 2013 Oconto River Kids bear hunt for kids with life-threatening illnesses.
Warden Mike Stahl of southwest Oconto County reported the illegal taking of a sturgeon last April at the Stiles Dam in Oconto County. The defendant in the case appeared in court this March and pleaded guilty to a charge of illegally spearing a game fish. The defendant had shot the sturgeon while bow fishing for rough fish illegally below the dam. The defendant was ordered to pay a $2,152.50 fine along with making a donation of $500 to Sturgeon for Tomorrow. In addition, the court revoked the defendant’s fishing privileges for three years.
Warden Joe Paul filed criminal charges with the Oconto County District Attorney’s office against four individuals in the Oconto Falls area who poached multiple deer in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Warden Matt Meade of western Marinette County issued a citation to a snowmobiler who was operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration of almost double the state legal limit. The legal limit for operating a snowmobile is .08% of blood alcohol content.
Wardens Dave Lautenslager and David Oginski Jr. worked snowmobile enforcement in the Town of Peshtigo in eastern Marinette County and issued citations for illegal roadway operation and numerous other warnings. One operator was arrested for OWI.
Warden Mike Stahl of southwest Oconto County attended two Learn to Hunt events to talk with participants about turkey hunting and the rules. One of the groups was sponsored through the Gillett Hunter Education Class and the other through Lena Swamp Hunter Education Class. Both groups had success but the mentors said it was hard hunting with all the snow still on the ground. Several large Toms were taken and even one bearded hen.
Warden Stahl attended two Learn to Hunt events to talk with participants about turkey hunting and the rules. One of the groups was sponsored through the Gillett Hunter Education Class and the other through Lena Swamp Hunter Education Class. Both groups had success but the mentors said it was hard hunting with all the snow still on the ground. Several large Toms were taken and even one bearded hen.
Warden Jim Horne of Shawano County followed up on several citizen complaints of garbage left out on area lakes, especially Shawano Lake, when the ice shacks were removed.
Warden Horne followed up on a citizen complaint of dead turkeys. Horne found several in the southwestern part of the county. The turkeys had been struck by a vehicle. Horne did notice many birds alongside the roadway on the way to the complaint. No birds have been found dead as a result of starvation as originally thought.
Taylor, Langlade, Forest and Price counties
Warden Jason Bayer of Phillips investigated a complaint of a person possibly illegally possessing a live bobcat in the City of Phillips. Warden Bayer contacted the subject at his residence and determined he had killed a live-trapped bobcat with a .22 pistol and skinned it for the pelt. The person turned over the illegal untagged bobcat pelt and received 2 citations for bobcat-related violations.
Warden Bayer received notification from the Price County Sheriff’s Department of a person involved in an injury snowmobile crash that failed to report the incident. Warden Bayer investigated the incident & issued one citation to the snowmobile operator for failure to report the snowmobile crash.
Warden Nick Nice of Medford assisted with the 26th annual Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club banquet where funds area raised to promote conservation and youth outdoor activities for the coming year. He also attended three Hunter Education classes where approximately 100 new hunters are learning the skills of being ethical sportsmen. He also attended the annual Learn To Hunt Turkey field day. Approximately 35 new hunters were introduced to shooting firearms, turkey management, landowner relations, rules and regulations, and the history of the turkey recovery effort.
Wardens Andy Dryja of White Lake and Brad Dahlquist of Crandon apprehended individuals who illegally took two wolves, one bobcat, one fisher, one badger, two deer and one turkey. The wardens also uncovered numerous illegal waterfowl hunting activities. The lengthy investigation has been forwarded to Forest County for prosecution.
Warden Dryja spoke to students at the Langlade County Learn to Turkey Hunt event field day. Despite the terrible weather, everyone was very excited to participate in the hands-on event.