Warden Blotters: Early summer warden cases from across the state
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Mississippi River Warden Team
Warden Shawna Stringham of Viroqua participated in multiple educational youth events including Farm Safety Days, Westby Rod and Gun Club Youth Shoot and Kickapoo Kids Outdoor Day.
Warden Edward McCann of La Crosse organized and participated in an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) group check. The group of wardens talked about AIS issues with trout anglers on local streams. The trout anglers who were contacted were very interested in AIS issues and wanted to do their part to help prevent the spread of AIS.
Warden Bob Jumbeck of Alma investigated a complaint from the 2012 archery season involving a hunter who harvested two bucks. During the course of the investigation, a shoulder-mounted 10-point buck was seized as evidence. Enforcement action was taken.
Warden Jumbeck also investigated illegal turkey hunting activity. Jumbeck learned of an individual who harvested and gave a turkey away but failed to possess a valid turkey hunting license. Enforcement action was taken for hunting without a license.
Warden Edward McCann of La Crosse organized and participated in an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) group check. The group of wardens talked about AIS issues with trout anglers on local streams. The trout anglers who were contacted were very interested in AIS issues and wanted to do their part to help prevent the spread of AIS.
Wardens Dale Hochhausen of Onalaska and Edward McCann of La Crosse were working fishing enforcement at the Onalaska spillway when McCann observed a deer carcass dumped in the parking lot. McCann also found a carcass tag nearby. Later, Hochhausen followed up with the subject and found that he had dumped the deer carcass. Other deer registration and tagging violations were also discovered. Enforcement action was taken.
Warden Chris Shea of Trempealeau contacted an angler fishing in the Trempealeau River near Blair. Warden Shea checked the anglers catch locating three undersized Northern Pike. Enforcement action was taken.
Warden Matt Modjeski of Sparta completed an investigation regarding a case involving two individuals road hunting at night with a .22 rifle and a spotlight. The firearm was discharged from a motor vehicle at small game and a skunk. The firearm, ammunition, spotlight and empty rifle cartridges were seized. Civil and criminal charges are pending.
Warden Cody Adams of Crawford received a Hotline complaint about a business selling “Pet Turtles.” Adams determined the business was selling native Painted Turtles which were caught on the Mississippi River. The business was educated about the legality of selling turtles in Wisconsin. It is illegal to sell native live turtles in Wisconsin.
Warden teams serving Sheboygan, Ozaukee, Washington and Milwaukee counties.
Warden Bob Lee of Washington County worked with the Pike Lake Sportsmen’s Club to build two “Kid’s Don’t Float” displays to be placed at two boat landings on Pike Lake. These displays promote the use of personal flotation devices at the busy landings.
Warden Sean Neverman assisted the Washington County Sheriff’s Department with the search of a subject wanted for questioning. The individual had felony warrants and was on the run from authorities in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and surrounding area in northern Washington County. Warden Neverman assisted Warden Mike Clutter in the search efforts with a K-9 unit.
Warden Bob Lee gave a hunter education presentation at Camp Minikani. Warden Lee also covered turkey hunters, fishermen and boaters in the early summer. Citations were issued for no fishing licenses, no boat registration, no PFDs and slow-no-wake violations.
Warden Tony Young also completed an investigation of a subject that intentionally ran down a deer with his car in Port Washington. The county district attorney’s office agreed to charge him with “killing deer without license” -- a criminal offense.
Warden Mike Clutter fielded complaints in early summer that included agricultural waste applications, sewage concerns, motorboat on no motor lake, water skiing without an observer, burn barrel in residential area, camping on DNR land, burning plastic and other prohibited items, hunter harassment, deer feeding, turkey baiting and a fertilizer spill.
Warden Mike Clutter and Great Lakes Search and Rescue K-9 were requested by the Washington County Sheriff Department to assist in locating a convicted felony sex offender with an outstanding felony warrant. Warden Clutter’s trailing bloodhound was able to determine the suspect’s direction of travel 3 days after he abandoned a vehicle in the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit. The suspect was apprehended two days later by Washington County Sheriff deputies through information from local residents.
Warden Nick Blankenheim of Milwaukee County received many complaints of undersize bass being kept at Estabrook Park. This is an ongoing issue with this year being worse than previous years. Several citations were issued for possession of undersize bass.
Warden Nick Blankenheim contacted a fisherman who did not present a fishing license upon request. Upon further investigation, the subject had a felony warrant for resisting/obstructing and causing injury to an officer in Winnebago County. Warden Blankenheim arrested the subject and turned him over to Glendale Police Department for extradition to Winnebago County.
Warden Nick Blankenheim attended a law enforcement boat open house at McKinley Marina in Milwaukee for Safe Boating Week. The Coast Guard, USCG auxiliary, Milwaukee Police Harbor Patrol, Milwaukee Fire Department, and Warden Blankenheim opened their vessels for the public and talked with citizens about boating safety.
Wardens Nick Blankenheim and Mitchell Groenier attended the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center’s Boating Safety Night. Wardens Blankenheim and Groenier talked about boating safety/rules, along with Milwaukee Police Dept. Harbor Patrol, Milwaukee Fire Dept. and the Power Squadron.
Warden Supervisor Joe Jerich of West Bend responded to a report from a concerned angler who thought they may have caught an invasive species Asian Carp in the Port Washington Harbor. Upon observing the fish, it was fortunately determined to be an exceptionally large Gizzard Shad which is native.
Warden teams serving Burnett, Sawyer and Barron Counties
Warden Phil Dorn of Cumberland along with recruit Warden Lynna Gurnoe spoke with high school students in Barron about the conservation warden career. The group had several questions and showed a great deal of interest in the career.
Warden Dorn attended the Barron County Safety Fair at Tainter Elementary School in Rice Lake. This event is sponsored by the Rice Lake Police Department and the Barron County Sheriff’s department to promote safety to grade school age kids. Dorn set up the laser shot system and presented kids with several scenarios during a virtual hunt to stress firearms safety. The event draws more than 200 kids.
Wardens Hagen and Gurnoe followed up on a Hotline complaint for illegal garbage and tire burning. Wardens arrived on scene and spoke with the DNR Fire Ranger. The fire left the fire ring and burnt the area around the house and just narrowly missed becoming a wild land fire. The suspect will be issued citations and charged with the suppression cost.
Wardens Dave Swanson of Minong and Lance Burns of Gordon had the 5th grade class from Northwood’s School come to the Minong Ranger Station to stock trout in the youth fishing pond. Students were educated on trout and a drawing was held for fishing gear prizes.
Wardens Swanson and Martin, along with other Spooner Team wardens, assisted with boating safety and PR at Triathlon on St. Croix River near Grantsburg.
Warden Heisler assisted DNR Forest Rangers and Sawyer County Lands personnel with the 5th grade tree-planting day in the county forest. After planting and lunch, Heisler gave a talk to the kids on warden work.
Warden teams serving Marinette, Oconto and Shawano Counties
Warden Tim Werner of Crivitz gave two presentations at Camp Bird to 5th grade classes from Crivitz and Wausaukee grade schools. Warden Werner talked to the classes about boating safety and gave demonstrations on life jackets.
Wardens Matt Meade and Tim Werner of Crivitz worked ATV enforcement in Marinette County. Several citations were issued for operating an ATV that exceeded the 96 DB limit. Wardens continue to receive complaints on ATVs that are at or above the 96 DB limit.
Warden Tim Werner of Crivitz responded to a bear attack in Marinette County. An individual was attacked by a bear after the bear was spooked by his dog. A Marinette County Sheriff’s Deputy was able to dispatch the bear prior to Werner’s arrival. Warden Werner investigated the attack with the assistance of WDNR Wildlife Staff.
Warden Tim Werner of Crivitz and Warden Supervisor Ben Treml of Green Bay investigated a fatal ATV accident. The accident occurred on May 26 and the victim was later deceased on May 29. Marinette County Sheriff’s Department investigated the initial accident. Wardens Werner and Treml followed up the investigation with necessary DNR reporting forms.
Warden David Oginski of Wausaukee responded to a complaint of a hunter that illegally shot a turkey. Enforcement action was taken.
Wardens Joe Paul of Lakewood, Matt Meade of Crivitz, and Deputy Warden Sara Pearson of Twin Bridge worked ATV enforcement in the Lakewood area. Citations were issued for operating ATVs above the decibel limit, operation without helmets, operation without safety certificates, registration, and operate an ATV with a .158 alcohol concentration. The legal limit for operating any recreational vehicle is .08% alcohol concentration.
Warden Mike Stahl of Oconto Falls observed two separate very dark plumes of black smoke during a no-burning day. Fire permits were suspended during that time for fire danger. Warden Stahl contacted the individuals, which one was burning illegal materials (electronics). The other party was in violation of their burning permit. Two citations were issued for the illegal burning.
Warden Jim Horne of Shawano made contact with Menominee Tribal Police regarding a fatal ATV accident that occurred earlier in the month. Warden Horne was also requested by Warden Mike Stahl to assist in another fatal ATV accident near the Oconto/Shawano County line. The incident involved an individual who lost control of their ATV on a trail.
Warden teams serving Langlade, Rusk, Price and Taylor Counties
Warden Jason Bayer of Phillips assisted with teaching an ATV safety class in Prentice and worked with new ATV safety instructors to start a new annual program in Prentice.
Wardens Andy Dryja and JJ Redemann of Langlade County arrested two individuals for operating ATVs while under the influence of intoxicants. The subjects were initially contacted for operating 50 plus miles an hour over the speed limit. The subjects were cited accordingly.
Wardens Andy Dryja and Ben Herzfeldt of Wausau followed up on a severe ATV crash in Langlade County. The subject was flown to a local hospital due to injuries. The operator was cited.
Wardens Andy Dryja, JJ Redemann and Warden Brad Dahlquist of Crandon found 4 individuals illegally taking walleyes at night out of small stream. Citations were issued for the violations.
Wardens Andy Dryja and JJ Redemann placed AIS weed removal sticks at several boat landings in Langlade County. The wardens started placing the sticks at the boat landings after hearing complaints from boaters about having to crawl under their trailers to remove weeds.
Warden Kirk Konichek of Ladysmith used his ATV to assist Birchwood Fire and EMS, as well as the Rusk County Sheriff’s Department in transporting a hiker from the Ice Age Trail to a waiting ambulance due to a medical emergency. The hikers were located approximately 1.5 miles from the nearest road.
Warden Dan Michels of Park Falls worked with DNR Forestry and Fisheries employees to hold a fishing fun day at the Coolidge Springs Trout Ranch south of Fifield for 67 local third grade students. Each student was able to catch and keep two trout thanks to support from St. Croix Rod Co. This was the eighth year Michels has organized the event.
Warden Ron Nerva of Tomahawk investigated a fatal ATV accident. The operator apparently lost control of his ATV and was ejected from the machine.
Warden Nick Nice of Medford worked with the Taylor County Sportsmen’s Club to organize the annual Youth Expo held at the fairgrounds. All fifth graders from Taylor County, most from Price, and some from Lincoln were exposed to 23 different outdoor activities during the daylong event. Several wardens from the Park Falls team also assisted on the day of the event.
If you have information regarding any 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.