SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (KCAU)– A rare close encounter with a bald eagle led two men to assist in a once-in-a-lifetime rescue. Dickinson County resident Wade Woltman was deer hunting December 7^th and checking out valleys in search of deer, when he came across a bald eagle. He took a picture of our nation’s symbol and returned to the same area three-weeks later with a friend.

The bird was still sitting there. Upon closer investigation, the men learned the eagle had a broken wing. He returned home to try and find help for the bird, and ended-up contacting Amanda Hase, with Forever Wildlife. Hase has been rescuing birds for roughly five years and has rescued around 20 eagles in that time.

The bald eagle’s left wing was confirmed to be broken. It is currently being held in Sioux City by Hase.The eagle, named “Dickenson,” will be transported to another Raptor rehab in Carroll, Iowa.

Hase recommended people reach out to their local DNR or a wildlife rehabilitator if they find an eagle on the ground, and to avoid getting close to it.