01/14/2026
Yesterday, DNR Enforcement presented lifesaving awards to two individuals who rose to the occasion and helped their fellow hunters when they needed it most.
On Nov. 26, 2025, duck hunters Cole Wagaman, Gavin Owens, and Hunter Brown launched Wagaman’s boat on Weaver Lake on the Mississippi River right around 6 a.m., planning to enjoy a late-season duck hunt in the snow and strong northwest wind.
Shortly before they left the access, another boat with three duck hunters headed out. As Wagaman, Owens, and Brown motored to their hunting spot, they noted lights in another area of the river. As soon as they shut down their motor, they heard three faint shots from the direction of the lights. Knowing that’s a universal sign of distress – and that legal shooting hours were a ways off – the three quickly formulated a plan to help. They unloaded most of their gear on the nearby shoreline and left Brown there to free up space in the boat.
Wagaman and Owens headed toward the lights and the shots and soon located three individuals in the water. All had on orange foam life jackets, but it was obvious they were struggling in the brutally cold water and high waves, having been in the water for as long as a half-hour.
Wagaman and Owens worked quickly to get the three, who were shaking violently, into Wagaman’s boat. Wagaman and Owens did their best to provide warmth as they crossed the windswept river and headed back to the access. As soon as they returned to shore, emergency medical providers transported the three hunters to the hospital. All survived the ordeal in large part because of the quick, calm response from Wagaman and Owens.
In Wagaman’s mind, most hunters would do the same thing if confronted with a similar situation.
“I’m just really glad they’re OK,” he said.
Pictured are the three rescued hunters with Owens (far left) and Wagaman (far right).