A tragic hunting trip in south central North Dakota has left a Minnesota family grieving after a young man lost his life while trying to save the dog he loved. The McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that thirty year old Christopher Hendricks of Champlin drowned on November 12 while hunting waterfowl with a companion near the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area north of Ashley.
The morning began as a routine outing. Hendricks and his friend, Maxwell DiVenere, had successfully shot a duck that landed about one hundred yards from shore. As many hunters do, they sent their dog into the water to retrieve it. But as the dog reached the fallen bird, the situation took a dangerous turn. The dog became trapped in a sheet of ice that had formed across the slough, and what should have been a simple retrieve quickly escalated into a life threatening emergency.
Seeing the dog struggle, Hendricks immediately removed his heavy hunting clothes to lighten his weight. Without hesitation, he jumped into the freezing water. Reports indicate that he reached the dog and began directing him back toward shore. From the bank, DiVenere realized that both the dog and Hendricks were struggling. He entered the water to help and managed to pull the dog safely toward land.
As he tried to keep hold of Hendricks, the brutal cold and exhaustion became too much. Hendricks slipped from his grasp and disappeared beneath the dark water. DiVenere made it to shore with the dog and called 911 despite suffering from exposure himself. He was later transported to the hospital for treatment.
Emergency teams from several agencies responded and worked for more than twenty four hours through freezing temperatures, fragile ice, and very poor visibility. On November 13, Hendricks’ body was recovered.
Quote from McIntosh County Sheriff’s Dept., Ashley ND
” This is a stark reminder of the importance of safety measures while enjoying the hunt.
McIntosh County has well trained and professional first responders and our county is blessed for their service to our residents and visitors.
We are also fortunate for outside resources that are always willing to assist in a moments notice. Logan and LaMoure County Sheriffs offices reached out immediately to offer any assistance.
It was crucial to have the assistance of the Wishek Police Department personnel, the local ND Game & Fish officer and the local ND Highway Patrol on scene as each one communicated with other critical first responders.
The local firefighters that responded assisted the Stutsman County Dive & Rescue Team. As intense and delicate as this mission was, it appeared that these two separate units had trained together for years.
One local firefighter gathered the assistance of his two adult children and they proved to be extremely valuable with some logistical items.
The local EMS providers proved to be invaluable. They also assisted the Dive & Rescue Team and stood steadfast ready to assist any responder in the event of a medical emergency.
Behind the scenes, the Ashley Medical Center director did an all call to off duty nursing staff to prep in the case the victim would have been rescued – they had roughly a dozen staff standing by with a fully prepped ER.
Our local restaurant donated meals to the Dive & Rescue team and the victims family and they also donated other items to first responders.
One firefighters spouse delivered warm meals to everyone the first evening.
One of our local clergy arrived on site the second day and offered assistance to anyone in need.
The local US Fish & Wildlife agent assistance was also invaluable.
The victim’s mother told me “You and your team made us feel as good as possible under these circumstances”. That is a testimony to the care, compassion and professionalism of every responder!
A tragic situation like this is sad, but to be surrounded and assisted by our first responders and outside assisting agencies makes me proud to be the McIntosh County Sheriff.
Sincerely,Steven C. Delzer
The following is from our local news:
Minnesota man drowns while hunting in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area:
A Minnesota man hunting in McIntosh County on Wednesday drowned in a slough north of Ashley while attempting to help rescue a dog who was retrieving a bird that had fallen into the water.
Christopher Hendricks, 30, of Champlin, MN, was waterfowl hunting in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area in rural McIntosh County with a friend, Maxwell DiVenere, in the morning. Upon shooting a bird, the mens’ hunting dog was sent into the water to retrieve it, approximately 100 yards from shore. When the dog reached the bird, it became caught up in a thin sheet of ice and began struggling to free itself.
According to Delzer, DiVenere said Hendricks was unable to help himself at all. The two men were holding on to each other, however Hendricks eventually let go of DiVenere and slipped below the surface. Fearing for his own safety, DiVenere returned to shore, as did the dog.
DiVenere contacted the N.D. State Emergency Communication Center around 12:55 p.m., and the sheriff’s office, Ashley Ambulance Service and Ashley Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the scene. Ashley Fire and Rescue personnel were first on the scene and encountered DiVenere, who was transported to the Ashley Medical Center for treatment related to exhaustion and exposure.
The Stutsman County Dive and Rescue team responded to the scene, arriving at about 3:15 and began search operations using a sonar-equipped remote vehicle. Water in the slough was extremely murky, according to Delzer, and the search continued until about 10:20 p.m.
The recovery operation resumed Thursday morning about 10:15 a.m. At the request of Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser, a member of the Dive and Rescue team, the Stutsman County Drone Team joined the operation. Hendricks’ body was found about 1:50 p.m. approxinately 40-50 yards from shore. He was transported to Feist Funeral Home in Wishek. Family members including his parents, two uncles, a close friend and DiVenere, were at the scene throughout the recovery effort, Delzer said.
Since the area is part of a federal waterfowl protection area, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel were also involved in the operation. Other agencies assisting in the recovery included the McIntosh County Sheriff’s office, Wishek Police Department, N.D. Highway Patrol and N.D. Game and Fish Department.
Delzer was highly complimentary of all the agencies and individuals involved, stating “absolutely everyone on the scene played an important role in successfully recovering Hendricks’ body.”
This story will be published in next week’s newspapers as well.”
McIntosh County Sheriff Steve Delzer commended the rescuers for their tireless efforts. He also shared a message from Hendricks’ mother, who expressed heartfelt gratitude for the compassion and determination shown during the search. Her words were a reminder of the humanity that guides first responders during the most difficult calls.
This horrifying act of violence should never have happened, and the people responsible must never be allowed to harm another animal again.
Authorities confirmed that no autopsy will be performed. The death was witnessed, involved no indication of foul play, and was determined to be a drowning.
Hendricks’ final moments were spent fighting to save his dog, a choice that displayed the depth of his love. His story has reached people far beyond North Dakota, touching hearts with its powerful reminder of loyalty, courage, and the bond between people and their animals.
Christopher Hendricks is being remembered for his bravery, his kindness, and the selfless instinct that defined his last act on earth.
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