Posted on Sun, Dec. 04, 2005
Warren, Minn., man pays fines for shooting from road, possessing
overlimit of bucks
By Brad Dokken
Herald Staff Writer
A Warren, Minn., man has paid more than $500 in fines for two hunting
violations that occurred during the recent firearms deer season.
Brock Damon Newland was fined $182 for shooting a deer from the
roadway and $382 for possessing two bucks - one more than he legally
could take. Newland paid the fines last week, a spokeswoman for the Polk
County court administrator's office said.
According to Pat Znajda, conservation officer for the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources in Stephen, Minn., the charges resulted
from a Nov. 11 Turn In Poachers call, complaining that Newland had shot
a deer from a roadway in Polk County about 10 miles southeast of Warren.
Shooting from a roadway is illegal in Minnesota.
Znajda and DNR conservation officer Jeremy Woinarowicz responded to
the complaint and found Newland in his yard with the deer, a whitetail
buck with a rack of about 8 points. Newland also admitted to shooting a
smaller buck, which the officers found in the basement, Znajda said. The
smaller buck hadn't been tagged.
Znajda said he then charged Newland with shooting from the roadway at
big game and possessing bucks over the limit. The officers seized the
two bucks, Znajda said, along with Newland's rifle.
According to Znajda, the two charges that resulted from a single
complaint illustrate the importance of reporting suspected violations to
the TIP line. Callers remain anonymous and are eligible for cash rewards
when tips lead to convictions.
"If they wouldn't have made the initial call, we never would have had
the overlimit on the deer," Znajda said.
• To report violations:
In Minnesota, call the TIP line at (800) 652-9093.
In North Dakota, call Report All Poaching at (800) 472-2121.
