Posted at: 11/06/2009 10:47 PM
By: Jill Kasparie

Officers Ask Hunters for Help

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Hunters across Minnesota will load up their guns and head out early Saturday morning for the first day of deer season.

But law enforcement officials are asking them to keep their eyes peeled for more than just deer.

Long-time hunter Dale Owens is preparing for the big season opener.

"I�m purchasing a bonus tag today," Owens says.

But as he heads out into the woods with hopes of bagging a deer, law enforcement officials hope hunters like Owens help them bag some criminals.

Investigators are asking hunters to keep a lookout for meth lab dumpsites.

"Some of the things we're looking for is maybe a two liter plastic container that has hoses through it, any kind of containers that seem unfamiliar," says Captain Mark Erickson, Commander of the Southeast Minnesota Narcotics/Gang Task Force.

And Owens is no stranger to these sites.

In fact, he's spotted two while he's been out.

"There were several garbage bags with tell-tale odors that was available and there was also in this case a small propane cylinder,� Owens says.

So he called the sheriff's department.

"I happened to have a cell phone and I called the sheriff and I told him what my location was and told him what I was seeing and they thanked me and I noticed later that they were on the scene and taking care of that," Owens says.

And according to Erickson, that's just what hunters should do.

"We don't want them to touch it or pick it up or anything like that, so just call you local law enforcement agency," Erickson says.

A call, they say will keep hunting grounds safe and may even help them crack down on drugs.

Captain Erickson says meth producers dump excess product in the woods because they've learned how hazardous it is to keep it around the house, even in the trashcan.