Warden Wire: Warden Blotter - St. Croix, Wisconsin, Mississippi teams
The Warden Blotter features brief recaps of some cases handled by the Wisconsin conservation wardens. Today's edition features warden teams at the Lower St. Croix, Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers.
Warden Blotter - August 14, 2012
Lower St. Croix Warden Team
- Wardens David Hausman of Baldwin, Brad Peterson of Ellsworth, Wayne Flak of Menomonie, Paul Sickman of Hudson and Bill Wrasse of Durand were requested to help in a search for a 5-year-old lost boy in Pierce County. The boy, who spent a night in the woods, was found by a volunteer searcher with a dog. The boy was determined to be OK and was reunited with his family.
- Warden Wrasse noted dead fish on Lake Pepin during the very hot weather in July. Several dead walleyes showed up during a two-week period. The surface water temperatures were near 90 degrees and suspected as the cause of the kill.
- Warden Sickman and Supervisor Hausman were on patrol on the St Croix River in Hudson and responded to assist Hudson Police with a subject who jumped from Dike Road Bridge into the river. The man had fled from police. Sickman operated the patrol boat very close to the person who was in the water near the old Hudson Dike Bridge. Hausman threw a rescue rope to him and he grabbed on and was pulled into the warden’s boat. The individual was intoxicated and could barely swim. The individual was transported to an ambulance for treatment.
- Warden Peterson assisted the River Falls Police Department with a stabbing incident in the city. One victim survived and the other victim died at the scene.
- Warden Peterson also recovered a rattlesnake from a home-owner who encountered the snake in his front yard.
- Warden Flak was asked to assist the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department after they received a tip that a vehicle used in an armed robbery in Eau Claire was spotted at a rural residence in Eau Galle. Flak assisted in setting up a perimeter and trying to locate another vehicle associated with the crime. After several hours, Eau Claire deputies located a vehicle that had earlier left the residence and arrested the occupants for the robbery.
Wisconsin River Team
- Warden Paul Leezer of Wausau responded to a complaint of a fish kill on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir. Leezer observed approximately 15 dead northern pike, all in the 30” to 40” size range. The cause of the fish kill is believed to be a result of the unusually high temperatures. Leezer noted the surface temperature on the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir was 89 degrees.
- Warden Jon Scharbarth of Portage County assisted with a rescue call of a capsized kayak on the Wisconsin River after a fireworks show in Stevens Point. The kayaker was capsized by a passing boat. The kayaker also did not have the required lighting.
- Warden Barry Meister wrapped up an illegal deer case in court this month which originally occurred on the last day of the 2011 deer season. The subject was found guilty of possession of an untagged deer and was fined $1,000 plus costs and his DNR privileges were revoked for three years.
- Warden Matt Weber and the Juneau County Sheriff’s Department investigated a fatal boat crash on Castle Rock Flowage. Four people were injured and one person died from his injuries.
- Wardens Barry Meister, of Stevens Point and Jon Scharbarth gave a presentation to 15 high school students at a career camp at Central Wisconsin Environmental Station. Warden Mike Rader, of Wausau, spoke to a summer school class at John Muir Middle School about the job of a conservation warden. Wardens Mike Rader of Wausau and Recruit Warden John Sinclair manned a DNR booth at the Wisconsin Valley Fair in Wausau and took questions from many fairgoers.
Mississippi River Team
- Warden Edward McCann of La Crosse rescued a fisherman from a sinking boat on the night of July 4. The current in the Mississippi River was extremely strong due to high water conditions. McCann’s quick action helped to avoid what could have easily become a tragedy.
- Warden Dale Hochhausen of Stoddard presented at two youth events including Youth Outdoor Festival in La Crosse and Kicking Bear event at the West Salem Rod and Gun Club. Warden McCann presented at a Hmong fishing class. McCann talked about fish identification, aquatic invasive species, conservation warden job duties and fishing laws.
- Warden Matt Modjeski of Sparta worked with Environmental Enforcement staff to investigate storm water violations at a mining site along Bear Creek. The month prior, Modjeski issued a citation for water pollution in regards to de-watering operations at the mine. Modjeski performed an inspection and observed severe erosion and failed silt fencing along the creek. Modjeski issued a citation for failure to fully implement the storm water pollution prevention plan to prevent sediment from being discharged into the creek.
- Warden Bob Jumbeck of Alma was requested to assist with search and rescue efforts on the Mississippi River after an individual went missing from a sandbar. Several local volunteer fire department personnel began dragging efforts and were able to find the drowning victim a short time later.
- Warden Jumbeck was contacted by an individual who captured a photo of a mountain lion on his trail camera. Jumbeck and Wildlife Biologist Kris Johansen traveled to the location and confirmed the photograph and found several tracks near the site.
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