Herman Becker was a legendary Heron Lake waterfowl hunter, guide and conservationist who witnessed the demise of his beloved lake, once one of the top waterfowl lakes in the nation.
Becker, who grew up on Okabena Creek and lived on South Heron Lake for more than 50 years, died last week. He was 92. Services were Monday.
"He was the last of a breed," said Tom Landwehr, assistant state director of The Nature Conservancy. "He loved ducks and duck hunting and was the consummate conservationist. His property is a testament to that."
Becker restored and protected wetlands on his property, and hunted waterfowl into his late 80s, said friend and fellow Heron Lake activist LeRoy Peterson of Lakefield. Waterfowl habitat on the southwestern Minnesota lake deteriorated because of ditching, draining and dam building.
"He was always hoping for the day he'd see the lake recover," Landwehr said. But he never did.
Sharpshooting deer Federal sharpshooters are again helping reduce the deer population in an area of northwestern Minnesota where bovine tuberculosis has plagued cattle and deer. Sharpshooters on the ground and in helicopters will kill deer to reduce the chance of spreading bovine TB. The DNR says there are about 660 deer, or 4.1 deer per square mile, in the 164 square mile area. Since surveillance began in 2005, 24 deer have tested positive for the disease.
DOUG SMITH
