Image: broken_ice_nd

A 30-year-old waterfowl hunter died while trying to save his drowning dog. (Photo by aiyoshi597)

A Minnesota man drowned while attempting to save his dog during a waterfowl hunt in North Dakota.

According to karell.com, 30-year-old Christopher Hendricks, of Chaplin, died on November 12 while hunting in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area.

The McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that Hendricks and his hunting buddy Maxwell DiVenere shot a bird and sent the dog out to retrieve it, approximately 100 yards from shore. Upon reaching the bird, the dog became stuck in an ice sheet and began struggling.

DiVenere told McIntosh Sheriff Steve Delzer that Hendricks jumped into the slough to save his dog after removing his bulky hunting clothing. After reaching the dog, the two began swimming toward shore.

Believing they were in distress, DiVenere said he swam out to assist, and was holding onto Hendricks who slipped below the surface.

DiVenere made it to the shore with the dog and called 911. The Ashley Fire and Rescue Team was dispatched to the wildlife area shortly before 1 p.m. Additional first responders from a number of departments, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wishek Police, the North Dakota Highway Patrol and local dive teams also assisted in the search and retrieval of Hendricks. The murky and dangerous water made recovery difficult, and Hendricks's body was recovered just over 24 hours later. DiVenere was taken to the hospital to receive treatment for exposure and exhaustion.