As many hunters head out to remote parts of the state this fall, officials with the Department of Natural Resources are hoping they’ll keep an eye out for sites where it looks like marijuana or other illegal drugs were being grown over the summer.
Bill Engfer, a conservation warden with the DNR, says growers are frequently using secluded pieces of property on public and private lands for large scale drug growing operation, with several sites discovered over the summer. He’s urging those spending time outdoors to report suspected grow sites, even if the plants have already been harvested.
Engfer wants hunters to be on the lookout for buildings or camp sites that look like they don’t belong, as well as equipment that may have been left behind that seems out of place.
Engfer says those who find a suspected site should note the location, and be careful not to disturb anything. He says there could be dangerous chemicals left behind or they could accidentally destroy evidence.
If you find a suspected growing operation, contact the DNR or local law enforcement right away.