DNR conservation officer Kylan Hill wraps up final weeks serving Cook County

In just a few short weeks, local Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officer Kylan Hill will wrap up his time serving in law enforcement in Cook County.

Hill started in his position in 2019, and throughout the past four years, he has lived and worked in the Arrowhead region, developing relationships, patrolling the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and encountering numerous new learning opportunities.

“I made a lot of close friends and great colleagues in different divisions,” Hill said. “It was nice working in a small town where everyone knew each other.”

Hill said he enjoyed the part of his job where he would check someone’s fishing or hunting license or practices while out in the field, then bump into them at the YMCA the following morning. “It’s a unique place to work within the Minnesota DNR, especially in law enforcement in the state of Minnesota.”

Hill’s last day in Cook County will be Jan. 30, and on Jan. 31, he will be patrolling in his new position, serving as a conservation officer on Lake Minnetonka near Mound, Minn.

As one might imagine, Hill said, his days will be “a little bit different style” in the Lake Minnetonka area compared to his days spent snowshoeing the BWCA or patrolling and driving back roads in Cook County. “Much different work hours, much different style of work.”

Although Hill is moving to Mound, he plans to return to Cook County soon to patrol for trout opener in the BWCA. “It’s almost an open door policy that we have; if whoever in the state wants to come up and work the Boundary Waters, we will set you up,” he said. “I would assume it’s going to be the same thing with me whenever I’m able to come up.”

A new conservation officer will assume Hill’s patrol area on either Feb. 14 or Feb. 15. While Hill couldn’t provide a name, he said, “He has been working in south-central Minnesota.”

“I would say they’re similar to me,” Hill said. “I think you’ll be in good hands.”

As Hill reflected on his four years spent in Cook County, he said, “I want to thank you. It’s been a fun four years.”

“I can honestly say it was nothing but great experiences up here,” Hill said. “You have a great community here. Great radio station, and thanks for everything.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with DNR conservation officer Kylan Hill to reflect on his time in Cook County and talk about the Dec. 30 BWCA trout opener. The audio from the interview is below.

Kalli Hawkins January 16, 2024