A Park Rapids man faces federal charges totaling $1,600 for illegally taking two wood ducks.
State Conservation Officer Al Peterson of Osage received a call Sept. 30 about a duck baiting incident near Park Rapids.
The following day Peterson and State Conservation Officer Joseph Stattelman of Detroit Lakes located a permanent blind, a boat containing waterfowl decoys and corn bait near a pond in Savannah Township.
The boat was registered to Thomas M. Thelen, 62, Park Rapids.
Early on Oct. 7, Peterson and a US Fish and Wildlife Service agent positioned themselves near the heavily baited pond to observe any hunting activity that might occur.
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Shortly thereafter they observed a vehicle arrive, saw a person with a dog walk to the edge of the water with a flashlight and later heard a series of gunshots. They approached and identified the hunter by drivers license photo and a Minnesota hunting license.
Thelen faces federal fines of $1,000 for placing bait, $500 for taking waterfowl over bait and $100 restitution for two wood ducks.
Established in 1981, the Turn-In-Poacher (TIP) program allows Minnesotans to call a toll-free number from anywhere in the state to report natural resources violations. Calls regarding violations can be placed anonymously at 800-652-9093.
