Sheriff's deputies are calling it one of the largest organized drug growing operations in the state history, and it was found on state land.

Authorities spent a good chunk of the week removing the plants from the Navarino Wildlife Area South of Shawano.

Nestled in the Navarino Wildlife Area, authorities say was a nearly five acre marijuana operation. Investigators removed 8,000 plants Tuesday as well as four abandoned camp and production sites.

Removing the plants took 78 law enforcement officials from 9 different local, state and federal agencies. The scope of the operation is something many haven't seen in the state.

Authorities received a tip from a hunter a few weeks ago about the operation, which they say they have been monitoring since.

The 12 separate grow sites were scattered in remote parts of the wildlife area. Authorities estimate they had been running since Spring.

Shawano County's Sheriff says it could have been a dangerous situation if someone would have come across the operation while it was still occupied.

Shawano County authorities busted a similar operation last year near Gresham.