Bill Tibbetts
Associate Broker 
January 28, 2003
My guess is many of the people working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are there by choice. This has got to be the case with Conservation Officers. I suspect most arrived at their vocation entirely expecting to do so. I’ll bet an attraction to the outdoors was the common prerequisite.
Our area has several MN DNR Conservation officers (Troy Fondie/Orr, Brad Schultz/Cook, Dan Starr/Tower) whose workload, I imagine, offers a mix of tedium, anxiety, and all combinations in-between.
Report writing has got to be one of the more mundane activities. Especially those weekly reports. But our local officers do these reports because they are published every week on the DNR website. Their current reports are as follows:
Conservation Officer Troy Fondie (Orr) worked on a trespass complaint with Forestry near Vermilion River, spoke with prosecuting attorney regarding big game violation, and worked night patrols of lakes in the Orr area resulting in enforcement action for extra lines.
Conservation Officer Brad Schultz (Cook) worked fishing, ATV, and snowmobile enforcement in the Cook area. There was just enough snow on the Little Fork River for the local group of snowmobilers to make their annual trek to International Falls via the river. Schultz witnessed a local angler catch and release his biggest walleye, a 29.5 incher. He also spoke to the local snowmobile safety class about responsible riding and was assisted by Officer Olson of the Marine Unit patrolling Lake Vermilion.
Conservation Officer Dan Starr (Tower) reports angling activity is slow; cold temperatures have slowed outdoor activity. Snowmobile violations were encountered for speed, no registration and no Shelter license. Starr also assisted Breiting PD officers with a complaint of deer being chased by vehicles.
Interested in future activity? Go to the DNR’s Weekly Conservation Officer Report to view local activity.
