Lake Michigan CPO makes cover story in Cook County newspaper with April trapping case along the Des Plaines River. Resource Watch volunteers along with a Hoffman Dam sportsman club assisted CPO William Wichern locate illegally set beaver traps along the Des Plaines River, an area currently stocked with fish by IDNR.

     CPO Wichern was notified of traps along the river by volunteers in April 2001, Wichern located (3) 330 Conibear traps, one containing a 20 lbs+ snapping turtle which was able to be returned safely to the river. Wichern then reset the trap, engaging the safeties, and waited in a ground blind he constructed for two and half days from sunrise to sunset for the trappers return. Wichern patience prevailed with the successful apprehension of two Will County men.

     The two men where charged with several violations including trapping beaver during closed season, failure to check traps each calendar day, trapping without permission, and taking turtle using illegal methods. The trapping equipment was also seized, and one man was jailed due to an outstanding warrant from Will County.
     CPO Wichern predicts an increase in trapping due to rising fur prices, 40-45 dollars for a large beaver in Wisconsin and more in Canada. CPO Wichern also stated that the trappers were very surprised to see a "Game warden" in Cook County, and even more surprised to be caught by one! CPO Wichern is formally a licensed commercial nuisance trapper for IDNR, and is one of 50 new IL Conservation Police due to a Federal Grant obtained partly because of the IDNR Resource Watch Program in 2000. CPO Wichern states that he is a patient person by nature, waiting 8 years to get his position due to a 6 year state hiring freeze, but is happy to be part of the gang now!