By Tyler Trieglaff

Notes from the Chief

By the time you read this we should know what cows are with calf and which cows will soon be with a toasted bun, cheese and an order of fries.  

The process of preg checking and weaning in the same day can be quite a challenge. First of all, the cows and calves are all up close and won’t need to be chased all over the township trying to get them in the corral. Cows and calves will then be separated.  

Cows will be run through the chute for their annual exam to determine pregnancy or open. The cows that are bred will receive their annual booster vaccines and a dose of dewormer. The open cows will not get the vaccines or wormer as they will be out of the herd soon, so no sense in wasting several dollars if the cow is not pregnant.  

The cows will be sent to a separate pen and then calves will be run through for wormer, vaccines, weaning tag and weigh on the scale. The calves will be back with mom for 4-5 days and then separated again, pulling the weaning tags.The calves will then be kept in their own feedlot/pen area, and they will be getting a background ration. Backgrounding can last from 60-90 days depending on when we want to sell, usually late January or early February.  

Once the pairs are separated for good, the calves should be content and hunker down at the feed bunk. The cows on the other hand, will be plenty ticked off. I’m sure I will get reports from the neighbors about it being noisy when they are trying to enjoy the peace and quiet in the deer stand.  

As for deer hunting, remember the most important safety rule when hunting. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. If you are lost, stay put, build a fire, and we will find you. This is what we teach in the youth firearm safety classes. Carry the essentials that will keep you safe overnight if you happen to get lost. You can’t always rely on your cellular device. 

And always practice safe firearms handling. The four basic rules to firearm safety are:

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded.

2. Know your target and what is beyond.

3. Always point your muzzle in a safe direction.

4. Keep your booger hook off the bang switch until you know it is safe to shoot.

There have already been two firearms related hunting incidents this hunting season, let’s keep it that way. Have a safe hunt and GOOD LUCK!

Friday, Oct. 27

4:46 p.m. Background check for landlord.

10:13 p.m. Juvenile requesting a ride home from the high school. Officer brought her to her home in town.

10:50 p.m. Two juvenile males hanging around the gas station, claiming they thought it was still open. Kids were reminded of the curfew hours.

11:25 p.m. Assist with a suspicious activity call on Co. Hwy 31.

Saturday, Oct. 28

4:53 p.m. Resident reporting that the female dog she is fostering took off. Dog recently had puppies and the babies needed their mother. Dog was in the area of the covered bridge.  Resident brought the box of puppies to the area and mama dog came back to the whimpering puppies. Officer helped get the dog and puppies back into the vehicle.

Sunday, Oct. 29

2:36 p.m. Report of retail theft from the grocery store. A female was using the self-checkout and not scanning all the items. Female was identified and trespassed from the store. The theft happened over several weeks and totals over $1,000. Under investigation/charges pending.

Monday, Oct. 30

9:13 a.m. Traffic stop with speed citation issued to Jace Engelstad, 25, Pelican Rapids.

1:27 p.m. Information requested from another police department regarding a background investigation.

Tuesday, Oct. 31

8:40 a.m. Assist with a medical.

2:24 p.m. Caller reporting he thought he saw a roof on fire. The smoke was coming from a chimney.

5:30 p.m. Assist with Halloween parade.

Wednesday, Nov. 1

12:50 p.m. Assist with a medical.

5:42 p.m. Report of the theft of clothes from a dryer at the laundromat.  Under investigation.

7:11 p.m. Report of a domestic assault/child neglect that happened in Ottertail County. Report taken and forwarded to other agencies.

11:15 p.m. Male calling into inquire about the scrapped vehicle the fire department used for training. Officer told the male that 11:15 in the evening was probably not the best time to inquire about such things. Officer told the male that he would talk to the fire chief about his request.

Thursday, Nov. 2

4:33 p.m. Four city ordinance violations regarding previous landlord violations.

9:39 p.m. Report of suspicious activity with grandma and kids home and thinking someone was outside. Officer checked the area and did not find anyone or any fresh tracks in the snow.