Warden Blotter: Summer cases handled by the Wisconsin River Warden Team
By: Bureau of Law Enforcement
Monster fish, AIS outreach, laser shot shooting simulator work and illegal boat launch among Wis. River warden recent cases
Portage, Marathon, Adams, Juneau, Waupaca and Wood counties
Warden Bryan Lockman of Waupaca County assisted a 12-year-old fisherman with registering a new state hook and line record Big Mouth Buffalo caught from shore at Devil’s Elbow on the Petenwell Flowage. The fish weighed in at 76.5 pounds, 49.5-inches long and with a girth of 35 inches. The young fisherman said it only took a couple minutes to land the monster fish.
Warden Barry Meister of Portage County, Warden Supervisor Korey Trowbridge of Wood County and Deputy Warden Taylor Hecht participated in the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Jakes Day sponsored by the Isaak Walton League, Bill Cook Chapter in Stevens Point. The wardens operated the Department of Natural Resources’ Laser Shot Shooting Simulator focusing on safe gun handling skills.
Warden Barry Meister participated in a Cops and Bobbers youth fishing event.
Wardens Mike Rader of Marathon County and Jon Scharbarth and DNR Water Guard Clarissa Justmann conducted an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) enforcement and education effort in Marathon and Portage counties. The wardens utilized boat landing checks and on-the-water contacts to monitor compliance and educate the public. Most boaters were aware of the laws and were in compliance. One individual was arrested for boat operating while under the influence of an intoxicant on Lake Wausau.
Warden Paul Leezer of Marathon County investigated complaints regarding illegally placing fill in a wetland, unlawfully placing a pier into Lake Dubay and constructing an illegal boat launch on the Big Eau Pleine reservoir.
Warden Paul Leezer investigated an illegal burning complaint near Spencer. Upon investigation, Leezer learned the responsible party’s company had demolished a structure near Marshfield, transported the debris to land owned by the company and illegally burned the debris. Enforcement action is pending.
Warden Paul Leezer completed two whitetail deer farm fence inspections. The inspections are required to ensure compliance with the fence specifications prior to issuing the deer farmer a fence certificate.
Wardens Barry Fetting of Wood County and Bryan Lockman of Waupaca County attended the Kiwanis Youth Education Day near Lake Wazeecha recently. The wardens staffed the Laser Shot Shooting Simulator providing attendees with computer-generated shoot/don’t shoot images that focused on proper gun handling and hunter safety.
Warden Barry Fetting spoke at a Kiwanis Club meeting in Marshfield in recent weeks. Fetting’s talk focused on current DNR issues -- specifically Aquatic Invasive Species and the department’s statewide enforcement/education efforts. Fetting also spoke to students attending All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and Snowmobile Safety in Auburndale.
Warden Barry Fetting spent time this month completing deer farm fence inspections, and enforcing ATV, boating and fishing laws. Citations and warnings were issued.
Warden Barry Fetting and Deputy Warden Taylor Hecht spent a day of AIS-focused patrol in southern Wood County this month. The wardens spent time educating boaters and fishermen about AIS and methods to prevent the spread of invasive species and fish diseases. Each boater was given an ice pack provided to remind anglers to drain live well and transport fish on ice.
Wardens Wade Romberg and Bill Miller of Adams County investigated information of possible illegal deer in a freezer. Wardens talked with the owners of the freezer and found several deer hunting violations as a result. Wardens seized an illegal deer and issued citations in the case.
Warden Matt Weber and Deputy Warden Taylor Hecht arrested a boat operator on the Wisconsin River for operating a motorboat while under the influence of an intoxicant. Warden Weber also arrested two individuals last month for operating ATVs while under the influence of an intoxicant.
Wardens Matt Weber and Barry Fetting worked the DNR Conservation Warden booth at the Fur Takers Association event in Marshfield. Water Guard Clarissa Justmann also worked the DNR booth with emphasis on AIS prevention.
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.