Two trumpeter swans fly near one another June 4, 2006 in Barrow, Alaska. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images
A 25-year-old Lino Lakes man is facing a half dozen illegal hunting charges after shooting a pair of trumpeter swans in northern Anoka County last year.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources sent conservation officers to check out reports of illegal hunting on Rice Lake in Lino Lakes one day last September.
They saw a trumpeter swan swim away from shore, with a kayaker following behind. The paddler picked up a gun and shot the bird in front of the conservation officers.
The birds are federally protected. Trumpeter swans were nearly extinct 100 years ago, but have significantly rebounded, with an estimated 66,000 of the birds in North America today. About 20,000 of them are in Minnesota, according to recent DNR estimates.
1 thought on “Lino Lakes kayaker charged with hunting protected swans”
Jeez!! What is wrong with people. What kind of fool would want to harm a swan, right in front of conservation officers. But on the other hand, thank goodness he was reported so that it could be investigated.
Exposing the Big Game 
Jeez!! What is wrong with people. What kind of fool would want to harm a swan, right in front of conservation officers. But on the other hand, thank goodness he was reported so that it could be investigated.