A decade after a man was fatally shot with his own rifle while deer hunting on his family’s property near Little Falls, a $50,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to his killer’s arrest and conviction.
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the unsolved killing of Terrence “Terry” Brisk, 41, who was found dead on Nov. 7, 2016 in Belle Prairie Township.
Investigators believe that the shooter was in close proximity to Brisk and interacted with him before firing the rifle.
Coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of Brisk’s death, his family released this statement:
“It has been 10 years since Terry was shot, and for 10 long years, our family has lived with the heartbreak of not knowing the truth about what happened to him,” his parents, Virgil and Babe Brisk, wrote. “Ten years of unanswered questions, sleepless nights, and wondering if we will ever get the closure we so desperately need.”
“We are reaching out and pleading from the bottom of our hearts to anyone who knows anything, especially the person responsible.”
The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a $30,000 reward had increased to $50,000, and once again asked for the public’s assistance as it works to solve the case.
“We are grateful for the continued support and generosity that have made this increased reward possible,” Sheriff Shawn Larsen said in a statement. “Our hope is that this additional incentive will encourage someone with information to come forward.”
“Even the smallest piece of information could be critical in helping us solve this case,” his statement continued. “Ten years have passed, but our commitment to finding answers and bringing justice to Terry and his family remains as strong as ever.”
Anyone with information — no matter how minor it may seem — is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (320) 632-9233. Anonymous tips can be submitted online or by phone through Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, though information submitted anonymously will only be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
A white-tailed buck roams South Dakota’s Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Liz Julian/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
Reports of deer deaths from a viral disease have jumped by hundreds in recent weeks, prompting South Dakota wildlife officials to expand a program allowing hunters to return their licenses for a refund.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is a viral illness spread by tiny biting midges typically found along muddy shorelines. In South Dakota, the disease primarily impacts white-tailed deer, according to the Department of Game, Fish and Parks.
Mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk and pronghorn can also be infected. The department says the disease usually affects deer herds in late summer or early fall. Warm conditions such as those in much of South Dakota this fall can extend the period when the insects are active, while a hard freeze of about 25 degrees generally kills them off, bringing a seasonal outbreak to an end.
Shaded areas of the map show where the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks has offered to buy back deer hunting licenses, including areas circled in red that have been newly added to the buyback program. The effort is a response to hundreds of reported deer deaths from epizootic hemorrhagic disease. (Image courtesy of South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks)
During last month’s Game, Fish and Parks Commission meeting, the department said death reports for the year stood at 407. The total has since risen to 791.
Game, Fish and Parks Secretary Kevin Robling said Thursday’s commission meeting the department is concerned, but “the great news is, white-tails, in particular, have an incredible reproductive performance, can multiply very quickly.”
“We will recover from this, no doubt,” he said. “So we’ll continue being conservative with our harvest strategies and our tag allocations, and we will recover. It will take a couple of years, but we will recover.”
The state has taken several steps to limit deer hunting in outbreak-affected areas, aiming to give deer populations a better chance to recover. The department removed mentored and youth deer licenses in nine southeastern South Dakota counties where outbreaks have affected deer in the past two years. It also removed 62 unsold licenses, two in McPherson County and 60 in Dewey County. The state changed statewide archery license rules, which previously allowed hunters to take any deer, to buck-only licenses.
The department offered hunters holding deer licenses along the Missouri River corridor to voluntarily return their licenses for a full refund. That program has been expanded to some western parts of the state and more areas in southcentral and southeastern South Dakota.
The department asks people to report sick or dead deer via methods listed at gfp.sd.gov/contactus. Officials enter reports into a system that updates the department’s public online map.
The noise of firecrackers, toxic smoke and bright flashes of light may mean a few hours of celebration for humans. But for animals, the Hindu Festival of Lights, Diwali, on Sunday can bring fear, injuries and even death.
The hunting of owls in the name of superstition makes their suffering even worse.
Across India, Diwali night brings dazzling fireworks, loud explosions and celebrations in homes and streets. But for some creatures, this night is far from joyful. It can be a frightening experience.
Pet dogs hiding inside homes, stray dogs running around in panic, birds frightened in their nests, bats sheltering in trees and owls searching for food at night all face different kinds of difficulties during the festival.
“We call Diwali a festival of lights and happiness. But the question is, should our celebrations come at the cost of fear and suffering for other living creatures?” asks Babulal Jaju, Rajasthan regional coordinator of the Indian animal welfare organization People for Animals.
Dogs and cats, in particular, have a different hearing range from humans. Sudden loud explosions can trigger fear and stress in them. Some animals start trembling, bark continuously, try to hide or run around in panic. Many stop eating and move away from places they are familiar with.
A report by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University in Ludhiana, Punjab, says the noise and pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali can be harmful to pets.
According to the report, frightened animals may run uncontrollably, putting themselves at risk of injuries and even death. The smoke can also cause serious breathing problems.
Stray cattle, cats and dogs have nowhere safe to go. They have no quiet room or protected space where they can escape the noise. Frightened by explosions, they may run onto roads, collide with vehicles or lose their way. Stray dogs may also get into fights with dogs from other neighbourhoods.
Similar problems affect domestic animals. Horses, cattle and other livestock may panic, break their ropes, hit fences or suddenly run away. Although every animal reacts differently, the risk of accidents caused by fear is real.
Firecrackers pose a threat to birds
People often burst firecrackers near trees and in open spaces. Frightened by the sudden explosions, birds resting in trees take flight.
In the darkness, they may lose their way and end up in unfamiliar places. They can collide with trees, buildings and other obstacles, leaving them injured or disabled.
The impact is not limited to adult birds. Sometimes, birds that fly away in panic are unable to find their way back to their nests. Their chicks are then left without food and parental care. If their parents remain away for too long, the young birds may not survive.
Experts say the world of birds at night is very different from that of humans. Many birds rest in darkness, while nocturnal birds such as owls come out to search for food. Sudden explosions and bright flashes in the sky disturb their normal activities.
For small birds and those living in densely populated areas, finding a safe place to shelter can become even more difficult.
An international research review published in 2022 examined the impact of fireworks on wildlife. Drawing on examples from festivals around the world, including Diwali in India, it found that the noise and light produced by fireworks can affect wildlife behaviour, breeding and migration patterns.
Researchers warned that the effects may continue beyond the night of the celebrations.
In Bengaluru, Karnataka, wildlife rescue centers received a large number of injured animals for treatment during Diwali in 2024. According to the figures from one centre, 126 animals were rescued between October 30 and November 4. These included 109 birds, 11 reptiles and six mammals.
Firecracker pollution affects humans and wildlife alike
Dr Paras Jain, a consultant physician in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, explains that burning firecrackers releases fine particles, certain metal compounds and pollutants such as sulphur dioxide into the air.
These pollutants affect not only humans but also animals and birds. Fine particles in the air enter the body through breathing and can cause health problems, particularly in sensitive creatures.
A scientific study on air pollution during Diwali recorded a significant rise in pollution and noise levels during the festival. It found that firecrackers considerably increased the amount of dust and fine particles in the air. Pollution levels in the area studied were much higher than normal.
The noise from firecracker explosions was also extremely loud, reaching an average level of 101 decibels. Such high noise levels cause discomfort and stress to humans and animals.
Vijay Kumar Koli, head of the Zoology Department at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur and a bird expert, says noise pollution increases during the four to five days around Diwali. Burning gunpowder releases smoke and toxic pollutants into the environment.
The impact of smoke is not limited to breathing problems. Particles and chemical residues from firecrackers can also settle in soil and water. Most birds feed on the ground, while dogs and other animals may lick contaminated surfaces.
According to Dr Koli, the environmental impact of Diwali cannot be understood only through the haze visible the next morning or air quality readings. It is also important to study changes in animal and bird behaviour, injuries, rescue operations and the wider effects of pollution.
Owls pay the price for superstition
During Diwali, owls often pay a heavy price for people’s superstitions. Their illegal hunting, trade and use in alleged tantric rituals are well documented.
There are several beliefs associated with owls in Indian society. Some people consider the owl the vehicle of Goddess Lakshmi, while others associate it with wealth, good fortune or supposed tantric powers.
Wildlife traffickers exploit these beliefs to capture and sell owls. Reports of owls being sacrificed or their body parts being used in rituals continue to emerge.
Although the hunting and trade of all Indian owl species are prohibited under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, this illegal practice continues.
A report by TRAFFIC, an international organisation that monitors wildlife trade, documented the illegal owl trade in India. According to the report, 15 of the 30 owl species recorded in India had been found in the domestic live bird trade.
It also referred to owl sacrifices and the alleged use of their body parts in tantric rituals, warning of a possible increase in such trade around Diwali.
The report was based mainly on surveys conducted between 1992 and 2000, along with additional information collected between 2001 and 2008.
Releasing the report in 2010, Jairam Ramesh, India’s then Union Minister for Environment and Forests, said owls were as important to the ecosystem as tigers and other well-known wildlife species.
He stressed the need to highlight the threats facing owls during Diwali and take concrete action on the ground to stop their illegal trade.
He also said that Diwali should be a time of celebration across the country, not a time when wildlife is hunted because of ignorance and superstition.
