Overdue Hunter in Sacred Heart Township
On Monday afternoon at 5:50, the Renville County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an overdue hunter near Renville County Road 12 and 810th Avenue – about 3 miles southeast of Sacred Heart in Sacred Heart Township. The caller reported 70-year-old James Knutson and his dog did not return home from pheasant hunting after sunset.
Friends and law enforcement located Knutson’s vehicle near the Sacred Heart Waterfowl Protection Area. Public hunting land in that area totals more than 700 acres. At approximately 6:25 p.m., several gunshots were heard and believed to be Knutson signaling for assistance. About ten minutes later another gunshot was heard which helped narrow the search area.
A ground search by foot and ATV began. Emergency personnel converged on the area and were able to make voice contact with Knutson. At 6:55 p.m., Knutson and his dog were located and found to be in good health. Assisting the Renville County Sheriff’s Office were the Sacred Heart Fire Department, Sacred Heart First Responders, Renville Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, and Granite Falls Ambulance.
