On November 1, 2025, Conservation Officer Ambroz of the Department of Natural Resources began investigating a potential trespassing and hunting violation that occurred in Blue Earth County regarding Zachary Hugh Ertman. Conservation Officer Ambroz observed that Ertman had not purchased any licenses for the 2025 season. Ertman last purchased a deer license for the 2024 archery season. Conservation Officer Ambroz spoke with Witness 1 and Witness 2. They stated Ertman told Witness 1 he had shot a buck along the property fence line and wanted permission to find it.
Witness 2, however, found Ertman in a cornfield that he did not have permission to hunt and was not on the fence line. Ertman was carrying a crossbow and in camouflage coveralls. Conservation Officer Ambroz obtained a search warrant for Ertman’s residence in Blue Earth County to locate crossbows, wild animals, camouflage clothing and other items used in the illegal taking of deer. Conservation officers executed the search warrant. At first, Ertman refused to come out. Eventually Ertman appeared towards the back door and still refused to come out.
Conservation officers stated they were going to breach the door and finally Ertman came out. Ertman was detained. Conservation officers went inside the residence and observed ammunition throughout the residence. Conservation officers also observed what appeared to be drug paraphernalia. Conservation Officer Ambroz was aware that Ertman was prohibited based on past convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Conservation Officer Ambroz applied for a second search warrant for ammunition, firearms, and controlled substances.
Throughout the residence, conservation officers recovered hundreds of rounds of ammunition in various rifle calibers and shotgun rounds. Conservation officers also recovered two shotguns and a crossbow. Ertman is prohibited for life from possessing any firearms or ammunition based on a 5th degree-controlled substance conviction from 2015 located in court file number 07-CR-14-3843. Ertman has been convicted twice of being a violent felon in possession of a firearm in 2016 and 2019. Additionally, Ertman was just charged in 07-CR-25-3834 with being a violent felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Ertman posted $50,000 conditional bail on September 26, 2025.
