Possible marijuana field investigated

NAVARINO - Before squad cars rolled on scene Sarah Wilber had an idea something else was growing at the Navarino Wildlife Area.

"About two to three weeks ago a hunter knocked on our door to call the Shawano County (Sheriff's) Department," said Wilber who lives across the street from the state wildlife. "He walked a mile back through the woods back here -- to go hunting I'm guessing -- he knocked on our door and said there was four acres of marijuana growing."

Authorities would not confirm how much they found, but did say they are looking into an expansive marijuana grow and what appears to be an abandoned marijuana production operation.

Investigators closed about three miles of Shawano County Highway K, from Townline Road to State Highway 156 while they removed the plants. The road re-opened Wednesday afternoon.

Much of the 15,000 acre wildlife area is remote. Wilber says it would not be difficult for something like this to go unnoticed.

"There's only trails to get back to places and after that you're pretty much on your own," she said. "We always joked about whose it was and who's going to go back there."

Authorities have not said if they have any idea who the growers are. The Shawano County Sheriff's Department says it will release more information Wednesday.