People who commit crimes against nature, you know who Im talking about...poachers, land abusers...arent caught because they just fall out of their boats into the waiting arms of a Conservation Officer. Although that may happen from time to time.
They are caught due to the long, hard hours put in by the C.O.s to investigate and possibly go undercover to catch these criminals in the act.
But imagine youre a new C.O., covering one of the most lake-populated areas in the world, and youre still getting to know people, back roads, lakes, and the poachers.
Thats one problem facing the new Perham-Area DNR Officer, Chris Vinton.
Vinton isnt new to the DNR, or new to the lakes area, in general. He has been serving as the C.O. for Detroit Lakes and southern Becker County since 2000. Before that, he spent six years with the Nebraska State Patrol.
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But now hes patrolling East Otter Tail County, from just south and east of Frazee to just west of New York Mills, and south to Ottertail. And hed like your help.
TIPs are one of the biggest things a C.O. uses to catch criminals, Vinton said. But not just any tips, specific tips.
We have a lot of area to cover. A lot of lakes to patrol. We cant be everywhere at once, Vinton said. We rely on people who take responsibility for their resources and turn in violators.
But in order to make a case, and do it in a reasonable amount of time, C.O.s need tips to be specific.
When, where, how often...a car description and license, a boat license. The more info, the better.
Hes recently received some tips on people catching overlimits of crappies on the Toad River, north of Big Pine Lake. The tips werent very specific, but Vinton is keeping his eyes open.
Its not just by Big Pine. Its all up and down the Toad. People are just nailing them (crappies), Vinton said. The river is a popular feeding area for crappies before spawning. Its not just the Toad River, Vinton added. Any tips about any questionable activity is checked into.
All tips made to the DNR are kept confidential.
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Id rather not make a case, than give up a confidential informant, Vinton said.
He credits recently retired C.O. Dennis Lang and soon retiring area supervisor Norm Floden for helpful suggestions and info on the area.
Im still meeting new people and getting to know the area, Vinton said. More phone calls are coming in. More are welcome, though.
To contact Vinton, call (218) 334-3464. Leave a message if there is no answer. You can also call the State Patrol at (218) 847-1550) or the TIP Hotline, (800) 652-9093.
