DOUGLAS COUNTY — A group of duck hunters, including two adults and two children, were rescued early Saturday morning after their boat capsized on Bird Lake in Osakis Township, central Minnesota. The accident, which occurred just after 6 a.m., left the group clinging to their overturned boat, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescuers arrived to find the hunters struggling to stay afloat as their waders filled with water. All four were pulled to safety and treated for hypothermia at the scene.
Authorities reported that none of the hunters were wearing lifejackets, and there were not enough lifejackets aboard the boat. In response, the sheriff’s office issued a reminder urging all watercraft users to wear lifejackets or have them easily accessible, particularly for children.
“Please do not sacrifice safety when participating in outdoor activities such as waterfowl hunting,” the statement read.
Drowning remains the leading cause of death among waterfowl hunters, the release noted.
