REVISED Missing Elk hunter-Revised, Gold Creek Rd 1703/Milk Creek

[carlyoungs]

I hope I go this way.  Doing what I love.  Every time I go hunting with my dad or an older aquantice I have this thought in the back of my head that I hope I don't have to try and find them after hours if they don't return. I know most people on here have had this thought.  I know this isn't the best thread to post this but it is probably what most are thinking. I am glad they found his body and his family has closure.  RIP!

[Smokepole]

Sad news.  I hope he didn't suffer.  RIP Chief

[RobinHoodlum]

Like everyone else on here, I was hoping for a different and positive outcome. A miracle really as the days continued to pass and the weather worsened.

Condolences to the man's family and friends. And, hats off and thumbs up to the LEO, SAR, and other agencies and individuals who organized and conducted the search.

[Ridgerunner]

RIP.  I would imagine it was a medical issue, sad he was only a half mile away from his truck.  Prayers for the family. 

[bigdub257]

Prayers and condolences to his family.  I can't imagine the heartache of having to go through something like this.  They have closure now and can lay him to rest.
RIP Chief. God speed.

[Fatherof5]

Thank you, to all that helped in the search. Prayers for the loved ones left behind.

[Broomd]

RIP, sad deal for his family.

Have to wonder how the heck someone is only 1/2 mile from a vehicle and couldn't be found with all of this machination and media attention.
SAR lay it all out there, they are invaluable, but I have to wonder why bloodhounds couldn't find this man sooner,, and if in rugged country at least get scent very near there...it's not surprising that people several miles form a trailhead never get found.

[hunt6226]

May He RIP..
He was a neighbor to some of my family. 
Really great guy and family.

Prayers for the family….

[yakimanoob]

RIP, sad deal for his family.

Have to wonder how the heck someone is only 1/2 mile from a vehicle and couldn't be found with all of this machination and media attention.
SAR lay it all out there, they are invaluable, but I have to wonder why bloodhounds couldn't find this man sooner, and if in rugged country at least get scent very near there...it's not surprising that people several miles form a trailhead never get found.

I imagine more details will be released in the coming days, but I can tell you that given the terrain and off-and-on snow cover in the search area, the 7,000-ish man-hours it took to find him is not at all surprising.

[Sandberm]

Thanks for your input in this thread yakimanoob.

It helps us understand what is going on and why. I felt like you showed discretion to the feelings of the family, yet provided info to us.

[lewy]

RIP, sad deal for his family.

Have to wonder how the heck someone is only 1/2 mile from a vehicle and couldn't be found with all of this machination and media attention.
SAR lay it all out there, they are invaluable, but I have to wonder why bloodhounds couldn't find this man sooner,, and if in rugged country at least get scent very near there...it's not surprising that people several miles form a trailhead never get found.

.

 

Bummer deal, Rest In Peace

[powderbounder]

Very sad. RIP Big Chief. Thank you to all that was involved. Prayers to the families.

[gee_unit360]

RIP

[RyanS052]

Finding him after 12 days only .5 mile from his truck with all the rescue helpers that searched the area, speaks to the steepness and difficulty of the terrain he was in.

Heart goes out to the family and specifically the son who was going to meet up with him the next day to hunt. I couldn't imagine the pain he feels right now.

As a son who still hunts with his 76 year old dad and who branches off to hunt farther in the woods, this is always in the back of my mind when I am out walking. 

Keep safe everyone who is still out there hunting this year,

Rest easy Chief. 

[MoparDoctor]

Medical issues can show up with no clue.  My family has a cabin down at the Edgar Rock area(downstream from Whistlin' Jacks) and I was over there on September 5 & 6. The next day I was back home and while I was at the rifle range and was packing up my gear I started feeling sick and started to have a heart attack.  A quick responding aid crew and 4 defib jolts got me to the hospital and after 2 stents and 4 days in the hospital I went home and I am doing very well.  If i had the heart attack a day earlier I wouldn't be here now due the remoteness of the area and lack of cell coverage.  This SAR event has also shown the need for a distress communication device even for healthy people.