Minnesota Conservation Officer Rescued After 20-Foot Fall

Annette Schlag was airlifted to safety by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team after a harrowing incident in a wooded area.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:04pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted greens, grays, and blues, depicting a vast, heavily wooded wilderness with a small figure in the distance, conceptually representing the rescue of a conservation officer in a remote, treacherous environment.A Minnesota conservation officer's harrowing rescue in a remote, rugged wildlife area underscores the challenges faced by those who protect the state's natural resources.Plainview Today

A Minnesota conservation officer, Annette Schlag, was rescued by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team after falling nearly 20 feet in a heavily wooded area near Plainview. Schlag was in the process of removing an illegal deer stand when the incident occurred, leaving her stranded in the rugged terrain. Multiple agencies, including the Minnesota State Patrol and Saint Paul Fire Department, worked together to hoist Schlag to safety using a winch and helicopter.

Why it matters

Conservation officers often work in remote, dangerous environments to enforce wildlife regulations and protect natural resources. This incident highlights the risks they face and the importance of well-coordinated emergency response teams to ensure their safety when accidents occur.

The details

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, Officer Annette Schlag was in the process of taking down an illegal deer stand located in the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area near Plainview. Due to the heavily wooded and rugged terrain, the rescue operation became difficult, and officials on the ground were unable to reach her safely. The Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART) was called in to assist, along with the Saint Paul Fire Department. Crews were able to use a winch and hoist method to retrieve Schlag from the woodland and airlift her to safety.

  • On March 30, Officer Annette Schlag fell nearly 20 feet in a heavily wooded area near Plainview, Minnesota.
  • The Minnesota Air Rescue Team and Saint Paul Fire Department were called in to assist with the rescue operation.

The players

Annette Schlag

A conservation officer with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources who was injured in a fall while removing an illegal deer stand.

Minnesota Air Rescue Team (MART)

A specialized team that was called in to assist with the rescue operation and airlifted Annette Schlag to safety.

Minnesota State Patrol (MSP)

The law enforcement agency that provided details about the incident and the rescue operation.

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What they’re saying

“A fall of nearly 20 feet in steep, heavily wooded terrain left no easy way out.”

— Minnesota State Patrol

What’s next

Officials confirmed that Annette Schlag is recovering at home and is expected to heal completely following the incident.

The takeaway

This rescue operation highlights the dangers that conservation officers face in their work to protect natural resources and enforce wildlife regulations. The coordinated effort between multiple emergency response agencies was crucial in ensuring Schlag's safe retrieval from the rugged terrain.