77-year-old hunter found safe after search near Anchor Lake rest stop

A 77-year-old man who went missing while bird hunting near the Anchor Lake Rest Stop was safely located Tuesday evening after an extensive search by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Rescue Squad, and the Minnesota State Patrol.

The hunter had been in the area off Highway 53 since 9 a.m., and when he failed to return by late afternoon, family members flagged down Minnesota State Troopers to report him missing around 5:50 p.m. The State Patrol then requested assistance from the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, including their drone team.

Minnesota State Patrol air assets were also dispatched to aid in the search. A thorough search of the area was conducted, and the hunter was located by air units, cold but uninjured, at approximately 9:29 p.m.