The quick actions of a conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and an area lakeshore owner recently saved three lives, according to the DNR.
State Conservation Officer Rick Reller of Buffalo was on routine patrol checking waterfowl hunters on Swartout Lake in Albion Township on Sunday, Nov. 3, when the incident occurred.
"I observed with my binoculars three duck hunters picking up their decoys getting ready to leave the small island on Swartout Lake they were hunting. I decided to wait on shore to do a license and game check when they came ashore," said Reller.
After waiting several minutes Reller went to check what was taking the three men so long in getting across the lake.
"Once again I used my binoculars to look out onto the lake and observed the three hunters now in the water and out of their swamped Jon boat holding onto three filled decoy bags. The wind was blowing at over 20 miles per hour and with the cold water temps I knew they were in a life-threatening situation," said Reller.
Reller rushed to the residence of Barry Faber, a lake resident that he knew would have a boat on shore at his residence. With the assistance of Faber, Reller was able to respond to the three hunters in the cold water.
"We were able to pull all three of the hunters onto the boat," said Reller. "They were very cold and they couldn’t help themselves into the boat at all. Two of them had chest waders on that were full of water and none of them had a life jacket on. I contacted State Patrol dispatch to have an ambulance meet us back on shore."
Once back to shore the three men were placed in Faber’s heated garage, had their wet clothes removed, and were given warm blankets. Maple Lake Fire and Ambulance arrived on the scene and monitored the men until they were released. The men’s boat and hunting gear were later recovered from the lake.
"It’s very apparent that this event would have turned tragic if Officer Reller and Mr. Faber had not been there," said Capt. Greg Salo, DNR Enforcement Central Region Manager.
"I can guarantee you that there are three waterfowl hunters who have not stopped talking or thinking about their actions since this happened."