A tragic incident unfolded on March 6, 2024, in McIntosh County, North Dakota, where a 30-year-old man from Minnesota drowned while attempting to rescue a hunting dog. Christopher Hendricks, a resident of Champlin, Minnesota, was waterfowl hunting in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area alongside his friend, Maxwell DiVenere. The pair was enjoying their outing when a hunting dog was sent into a slough to retrieve a bird that had fallen into the water.
The situation escalated when the dog became trapped in a thin sheet of ice approximately 100 yards from the shore. Hendricks, seeing the dog struggle, removed his bulky clothing and swam towards it. According to statements made to McIntosh County Sheriff Steve Delzer, Hendricks successfully reached the dog, but as they began to make their way back, he exhibited signs of distress.
DiVenere noticed Hendricks struggling and swam out to assist him. Despite their attempts to hold on to each other, Hendricks eventually lost his grip and disappeared beneath the surface. DiVenere, fearing for his own safety, managed to return to shore along with the dog and contacted emergency services around 12:55 p.m.
Rescue operations were promptly initiated, with personnel from the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, Ashley Ambulance Service, and Ashley Fire and Rescue dispatched to the scene. The first responders encountered DiVenere, who was later transported to the Ashley Medical Center due to exhaustion and exposure.
The search for Hendricks was challenging due to the murky water conditions. The Stutsman County Dive and Rescue team arrived around 15:15 and commenced operations using a sonar-equipped remote vehicle. Despite their efforts, the search continued until approximately 22:20 that evening before being suspended for the night.
The next morning, operations resumed at 10:15 a.m. Following a request from Stutsman County Sheriff Chad Kaiser, the Stutsman County Drone Team joined the search efforts. Around 13:50, Hendricks’ body was located approximately 40 to 50 yards from the shore. He was subsequently transported to Feist Funeral Home in Wishek.
Throughout the recovery operation, family members including Hendricks’ parents, two uncles, and DiVenere were present at the scene. According to the State Forensic Examiner’s Office, no autopsy will be performed as his death was classified as a witnessed drowning with no foul play suspected. Therefore, an exact cause of death has not been determined.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was also involved in the recovery effort, given that the area is designated as a federal waterfowl production site. Assistance was provided by multiple agencies, including the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, the Wishek Police Department, the North Dakota Highway Patrol, and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
Sheriff Delzer commended all responders involved, stating, “Absolutely everyone on the scene played an important role in successfully recovering Hendricks’ body.” The incident serves as a reminder of the unforeseen dangers that can arise during outdoor activities, highlighting the importance of safety measures while engaging in such pursuits.
