Missing Oregon Hunter

[Fartrell Cluggins]

I hope the guy is okay. The fact that they heard shots during the night bodes well, but 3 days later and no signs doesn't. He's "experienced" and a "survivalist."

Oregon National Guard Deployed as Search for Missing Deer Hunter Enters Third Day

The Oregon National Guard has joined the search for Devon Dobek, a 51-year-old deer hunter who was reported missing on Oct. 31.

www.outdoorlife.com

 

[minas stiris]

I hope he gets found.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

Curious if it was the standard 3 consecutive shots for an SOS or what the details were on that. If not it would seem to me like he was shooting at something which I would assume he was attacked by an animal at that point since he was already tagged out and it was well into the night. Either way, hope they find him soon.

 

[elkliver]

Last i heard, the shots were at night and not all at once so they were fairly confident they were meant as a signal. Not easy to be seen in that terrain.

 

[sierracharlie338]

Doesn’t sound good if he was making noise one night and now isn’t but praying for the best outcome.

 

[repins05]

Rain storm coming in tonight with some wind. Heavy rain. Thought and prayers for him.

 

[MuleDeerMike]

They suspended the search.

I don't understand how they hear him make multiple shots yet don't even recover a body, if he has in fact passed... A couple dogs should be able to find him no problem if he's stuck somewhere or injured with a starting point like that. The guy by all accounts is very experienced so if he was able to move he would get out or at least get closer to the trailhead. This seems very odd, but I guess things like this usually do.

 

[DiverCat]

I will pray that he is found. Whatever the outcome I hope they release a full story. Like muledeermike said, it’s odd that they’ve been unable to locate him despite the gunshots at night.. 100 SAR with dogs and drones should be able to turn something up.

 

[Calcoyote]

I read where Search and Rescue have officially ended their efforts. There is a group of citizens that will continue the search on their own. I have hunted a LOT the area where he was reported lost. I desperately want do some searching, but the wife and I moved to Wyoming earlier this year and I now live almost a thousand miles away from there. He is in my prayers. I am broken hearted about this.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Doesn’t sound good if he was making noise one night and now isn’t but praying for the best outcome.

He may have just ran out of ammo. Hopefully he's just got a twisted ankle and some sort of cover for that rain inbound.

 

[JNDEER]

Having been part of a S&R for a family member I can tell you that the volunteers are not always a hunter/outdoorsman. Similar situation where shots were heard and unable to locate the individual. After finding the family member it was extremely eye opening to see how things were done (S&R processes) as well as what people may do when panicked, stressed or simply disoriented and make decisions you might not believe they would make.

Prayers for the individual and his family.