Anoka County Uses a Drone to Rescue Stranded Hunter

A drone from Anoka County's Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was deployed in order to save a hunter who had gotten lost and stuck in a swamp.

On Sept. 17, A 65-year-old hunter called 911 from his cell phone and reported that he had been hunting in the Carlos Avery State Wildlife Management area in the northeastern corner of Anoka County. The hunter and his dog had become lost and were wandering the dense and brushy area trying to find a way out.

He had wandered into a swampy area and the wet ground was trapping his feet and he had gotten to the point of exhaustion when he called for assistance.

Anoka County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the area along with partners from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota State Patrol, according to a news release.

According to the DNR, tall cattails made the hunter particularly hard to find.

Authorities deployed one of their drones in an effort to locate the stranded hunter and his dog.

After several drone flights in the area, the stranded hunter and his dog were found.

Once located, DNR conservation officers Tony Salzer and Brittany Friday, who came to the area via helicopter, helped pull the exhausted man out of the swamp.

The hunter was secured in a vest at the end of a rescue line and was brought up to safety by the helicopter.

Images via Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Anoka County Sheriff's Office