The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is adding a third K-9 unit to its ranks thanks to a $9,500 donation from the Lake Superior Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI).
“We believe organizations like ours have to work hand-in-hand with conservation officers because we’re against everything they are against -- poachers and violators of any kind,” said Dale Bruder, Lake Superior Chapter SCI president. “Our board thought it was an excellent idea for the organizations to work together.”
K-9 “Axel” and his partner, Conservation Officer (CO) Pat McGowan of Hastings, have completed nearly 12 weeks of human tracking, obedience and evidence search field training being conducted by CO Travis Muyres, a certified K-9 trainer and experienced DNR K-9 team handler.
The dog comes in “green” said Lt. Todd Kanieski, K-9 unit coordinator. “This allows us to train him how we want him.”
Kanieski added that the internal “working drive” of both dog and handler are paramount to the success of the K-9 team. “Being a K-9 handler carries a lot of extra responsibility,” he said. “The handler must have a proven history of making solid decisions in the field. The dog must be social around people.”
The DNR working dog model is a lot like the civilian law enforcement patrol dog: a dog of steady, stable character that is capable of controlled aggression under certain circumstances, such as on command, when attacked or when the handler is attacked. Conservation officers typically work alone in a 650 square mile patrol area.
The added dimension of a DNR K-9 is the ability to sniff out game and fish violations, a force multiplier noted Kanieski.
“Searching for trace blood evidence or a shell casing in a large field or wooded area could take multiple officers several hours, but with the right K-9 team, that task can be done in minutes and the area would be more thoroughly searched,” Kanieski said.
The K-9s are a small part of the DNR Enforcement Division, relying primarily on private donations from organizations like SCI, with a heavy interest in conservation education and humanitarian projects, to support the program.
The ability to protect natural resources was a big reason why SCI made such a generous donation to the DNR K-9 program. Safari Club International is composed of more than 50,000 members and 180 local chapters dedicated to wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian service.
“We see the benefits of establishing good rapport with game agencies, so this fell right in line with what our chapters need to do,” said Derron Wahlen, SCI field coordinator.
Funds to assist with the acquisition of a K-9 are raised through SCI chapter fundraisers soliciting raffle merchandise from mostly outdoors hunting and fishing outfitters, firearms manufacturers and wildlife artists.
Other donors feed the DNR K-9 program as well. KLN Family Brands of Perham, Minn., has been providing its Nutri-Source dog food product to the DNR K-9 program at no charge for years.
“We appreciate the work of DNR conservation officers,” said Matt King of KLN Family Brands.
“They’re a great partner for us, and we hope to continue partnering with them in the future. Our company has always been very supportive of anything that’s good for the state of Minnesota.”
“Without the support of the Lake Superior Chapter of the Safari Club, or our friends at KLN Family Brands, we would not be adding a third K-9 unit,” said Kanieski.
According to Kanieski, the DNR K-9 program is more important than ever. “We have had great success at finding fish/game evidence and shell casings in the field. That evidence helps us in protecting our natural resources. A K-9 makes sure of that.”
