Missing hunters in Colorado

[North of 60]

Yes, lightning or hypothermia.

 

[Poser]

In Colorado SAR is part of y license fee. So it’s free there assuming u hsve a hunting license. Not sure other states

You don’t even need a hunting license. All SAR operations are covered. The hunting license surcharge is part of the funding for these operations.

 

[Laelkhunter]

I thought I read somewhere on another discussion on another website that it was a possible rockslide? That too could cause both to be affected at the same time and without time to react. I will see if I can find it.

 

[Chris in TN]

Reading the discussion in this thread also prompted me to check to see if my local (Tennessee area) life-flight service membership, was valid where we are going. It appears that it is. The cost of a chopper ride off the mountain would pay for a lot of future hunting trips. Cheap insurance, IMO.

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Need an air ambulance service? See if AirMedCare Network services your area today.

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[Chris in TN]

I thought I read somewhere on another discussion on another website that it was a possible rockslide? That too could cause both to be affected at the same time and without time to react. I will see if I can find it.

It was mentioned here right before they announced that they'd found them.

If you've never read about the disappearance of Michael LeMaitre, a lot of people think he triggered a slide that was big enough to cover him but not big enough to be noticed in a spot where nobody had really paid attention to or took photo documentation of the area. Like he got off trail, maybe stopped on a rock, it fell, it triggered a small slide that wasn't even noticeable. Of course nobody really knows.

Curious Alaska: What happened to the man who went missing running Mount Marathon in 2012?

Nine years ago, Michael LeMaitre went missing running the race in Seward. No sign of him has been found, but his disappearance changed the way the race is run.

www.adn.com

 

[Thomas11]

You don’t even need a hunting license. All SAR operations are covered. The hunting license surcharge is part of the funding for these operations.

I didn’t know that actually

 

[mtnbound]

Is a person charged if they hit their SOS button and SAR are mobilized? It's hard to ask this question without it coming off wrong but I'm genuinely curious though. Life is priceless but not sure how that all works when the SOS button is pressed.

Also, this event makes me realize that my hunting partner was absolutely correct for one of our past hunts. I knew the area we were going had spotty cell signal and I proposed NOT buying/ renting an Inreach as we would likely have cell coverage at some point during the day and could check in at least once daily with the wives. I now know how stupid of an idea that was!

I hope these boys at least had the time of their lives up until the unthinkable happened. RIP

Most of the time there is no charge, but the agency in charge often has the ability to charge in the event of gross negligence.

 

[mtnbound]

Here we go again,heck with the law enforcement,there needs to be authorized people who can make the same request.
In case you don’t know,some law enforcement are worthless,liberals,anti hunting or just lazy.
Not all but that’s crazy your wife can’t make the same request.

Again, if you setup a Mapshare link on your account anyone you send that link to can see your location history and ping for your most current location.

 

[OKHunter84]

SAR operations in Colorado, even with a helicopter rescue with an EMT on board, do not cost you anything. The operational costs are paid for my hunting license surcharges + county and state funding.

Now, the moment a rescue becomes an ambulance ride, say you are turned over to Flight for Life or an ambulance, you’re on your insurance or your own dime. Some other states vary, but the additional Garmin insurance, if you read the fine print, doesn’t give you any additional insurance for SAR in Colorado. You may want to make sure your health insurance covers “high risk” activities and includes enough coverage for a flight for life ambulance ride, but the rescue itself is not something you will be billed for in Colorado.

My baseline health insurance, for example, specifically excludes gun shot wounds, climbing accidents, skiing, Motorsport etc. I pay extra for all of that + ambulance rides over a certain amount (definitely not enough to cover an airborne ambulance) up to $150,000.

That's good to know.
Some years I'm hunting in NM, WY or other places. I feel like the extra $40 is easy enough for the insurance. I do need to look at my health insurance with high risk activities like you're referencing. Driving is without a doubt more high risk then going into the Backcountry. Would be crappy if they tried to not cover an injury while hunting. Not sure how they'd know unless you told them or had to be rescued.

Why search and rescue calls can cost unprepared U.S. hikers big

In the U.S., search and rescue (SAR) operations are available throughout much of the country. But, it’s not always a free public service in every state.

www.themanual.com

 

[Phaseolus]

I thought I read somewhere on another discussion on another website that it was a possible rockslide? That too could cause both to be affected at the same time and without time to react. I will see if I can find it.

Pure speculation, I'll wait and see before I guess.

 

[mtnbound]

Not hard by any means but how about dumb this shit down so people will actually do it.
Garmins are kind of a pain in the ass with having to pair to your phone etc.

As you state, it's not hard to get a device set up, and it pairs just like any other Bluetooth device. While it's easier to use your phone, Garmin units like the Mini 2 can operate independently to send messages. It's a pain in the ass to use the mini keyboard, but it does work.

 

[mtnbound]

If you need help or have questions about setting up an InReach, DM me, and I'll be happy to share my cell number. I will gladly assist you with getting everything set up or try to answer any questions you have.

 

[24valve]

Is a person charged if they hit their SOS button and SAR are mobilized? It's hard to ask this question without it coming off wrong but I'm genuinely curious though. Life is priceless but not sure how that all works when the SOS button is pressed.

Also, this event makes me realize that my hunting partner was absolutely correct for one of our past hunts. I knew the area we were going had spotty cell signal and I proposed NOT buying/ renting an Inreach as we would likely have cell coverage at some point during the day and could check in at least once daily with the wives. I now know how stupid of an idea that was!

I hope these boys at least had the time of their lives up until the unthinkable happened. RIP

My understanding is that none of the SAR teams in WY charge for their services, and many in CO are the same. They are volunteer organizations, some of which are set up as 501c3 non-profits, and are funded by a variety of sources. The SAR donation found on WY licenses go to the State SAR budget, which is used to reimburse SAR teams across the state for mission expenses, but is by no means a prerequisite for free services.

The exception to this would be if you require a life flight or ambulance ride to a hospital and are administered medical treatment on the ride, at which point it would be the same as if you needed one in town and will be charged by the EMS company accordingly.

 

[KHNC]

Backcountry = sparsely inhabited rural area
Hunter = someone who kills animals for food

“Super green backcountry hunter” = someone with limiting experience hunting in the deep wilderness.

no way he didnt know all that.

 

[Torrent50]

Again, if you setup a Mapshare link on your account anyone you send that link to can see your location history and ping for your most current location.

And even if you don't set up the mapshare, anyone with access to your online account can ping the device's current location if it is on. Some have said you can't do that, but I know for a fact you can because I did it last week. It gave me a map and showed me exactly where the damn thing fell off the hood of my truck.

 

[Roger17]

No experience with Garmin, but one thing I love about my Zoleo is my phone number stays the same, even while I suspend use for $4 a month. Thos is one of the reasons I chose it over the mini back when I bought one. My wife, or anyone with my number, can text me at any time they choose. We like that feature. It does require the phone app to text, but SOS and location pinging works regardless.

 

[Weldor]

If you hunt alone in the backcountry and want to have a resource that can save your life buy yourself a ACR PLB, it’s the number one insurance that your going to help immediately if you become incapacitated, there is no comparison. I know people fall for the Satelite messengers because of the fandangle extras that come with them like texting and map sharing,etc ….F@#$ all that, if you need help you owe it to your families or loved ones to have the right tool for the job. Power up, and hold the oh shit button await help….end of story.

Just youtubed one, wow great info. Thanks.

 

[Dan Carey]

ACR PLB looks like the right choice for my life style.

 

[mtnbound]

And even if you don't set up the mapshare, anyone with access to your online account can ping the device's current location if it is on. Some have said you can't do that, but I know for a fact you can because I did it last week. It gave me a map and showed me exactly where the damn thing fell off the hood of my truck.

Yes, you are correct. My wife can also access my account.

 

[mtnbound]

Just youtubed one, wow great info. Thanks.

Just remember, a PLB needs to have its SOS button pushed for it to work. If you are incapacitated, then it's of no help. An InReach or similar device, if powered on, can be pinged by others to find your current or past locations, so if something goes wrong, you have a backup plan in place.