Missing Oregon Hunter

[KHNC]

That sends chills down my back. Especially in some areas ive gone into. And if I had gotten something down and started packing out at night.

This is the details of stories I do not share with my wife.

THese and grizz encounters

 

[IDVortex]

THese and grizz encounters

Im terrible. Griz encounters i tell her about all the time.

 

[welkin]

Burns are particularly dangerous to move through. Climbing over all those logs, the junk on the ground to trip on, places where your foot goes through the soil because burned up tree roots leave hollowed out spots, generally destabilized soils, snags/widow makers that can fall at any time. I have not been to this particular area but a forestry crew that I work with has been in there a bunch, I'm always doing something different when they go. They always talk about Fish Creek with dread and most of the other places we work are pretty ******* treacherous.

Taking a fall at work or hunting and spending the night out in the elements with an injury is a nightmare that I often contemplate. RIP Devon.

 

[SawtoothSportsman]

This is another example of the importance of having an InReach with tracking enabled and left on while one is in the mountains.

Agree with having an in reach - but it’s worth noting the always tracking mode will drain your battery.

You can offset that by reducing the tracking frequency or carrying portable charger.

Personally I send a “check-in message” at regular intervals with GPS coordinates included and only using tracking when packing out or in challenging terrain.

 

[eddielasvegas]

Poor guy. It can’t be stressed how dangerous drop offs are, or getting stuck on shelves coming down a route you haven’t gone up. Whatever the details end up being, it’s sobering that 4,000 man hours, some cell phone pings, and sos rifle shots couldn’t locate him a mile (?) from the truck. Hopefully his story is kept alive to educate future hunters and help reduce high risk route finding.

'Generosity changed everything': Closure for Devon Dobek's family - The Outlook

Fundraising campaign and volunteer search recovers Devon Dobek's body in Mount Hood National Forest outside Estacada

theoutlookonline.com

Thanks to the guys that made this video. They did all of us a favor by showing how dangerous terrain can be while doing something as simple as packing out an animal.

Reminds me of flying and you're almost ready to touchdown and you might be breathing a little easier as flight is dang near over, but it ain't over until you're off the plane.

This video shows the terrain where the hunter was found. Everyone should watch it. Some crazy steep terrain.


Eddie

 

[bpurtz]

The last three weeks have been quite an emotional ride for me. Twenty-five days ago, I received the text message from Devon that read "BBD!". Last Sunday, Devon's family and friends watched the Clackamas County Sheriff Office SAR team repel down to my friend so we could bring him home. He was a mere 900 yards from where I found his truck. Finding Devon offers closure that will help the family and friends with healing. But sadly we are now dealing with a black cloud and the GoFundMe mission. I won't comment more than to say, I know the truth...

Devon has been found and the family is working through the process of dealing with his estate. If anybody felt inclined to help them please use this mission:

https://www.givesendgo.com/BringDevonHome?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=BringDevonHome

<>< <>< <><

Devon's sister shared this on her FB story:

Today has just been so hard, I’m tired, I don’t have a lot left to give and there’s so much I want to say, in time.

I do wish that inaccurate information would stop spreading around but social media will do what it does.

For now, I want to share this from Devon’s good friend and hunting buddy. It’s beautifully written and it means a lot to me because I really don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this last few weeks without Bryce.

Proverbs 12:27 The lazy do to roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

The loss of Devon has been heartbreaking, but as Devon's neighbor shared with Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I witnessed so many amazing and inspiring people during the last few weeks and personally I can't begin to thank everyone enough. The organized SAR mission was incredible and nobody should criticize their effort, motivation, and determination. The rugged terrain and weather exponentially added to the difficulty of the search. Still SAR teams, fellow hunters, coworkers, friends, family, and complete strangers persevered. So thank you!

Perhaps some still have questions as to what happened. Devon went out that Thursday afternoon to check out a new hunting area that another friend had suggested. I'm guessing barely 15 minutes into his hike, Devon sees a deer skylined on the ridge to his right. He looks at the deer with his binoculars and realizes it's a fine buck. Devon checks his rangefinder, dials his scope for the distance, finds a good rest, and settles the crosshair on the bucks shoulder. He squeezes the trigger and the buck disappears from sight.

Devon may have been uncertain if he hit or missed the buck, but nevertheless, he began to assess the best way to cross the creek and begin the ascent. The hillside leading up to the ridge top is steep, but fairly easy for him during daylight hours to pick his way across the difficult terrain. It probably took Devon well over an hour - maybe two hours - to find a way across Fish Creek - either on a log jam or maybe by wading and to then make his way to the top to begin the search for the buck.

Eventually Devon is on top of the ridge overlooking the creek below and finds his buck right where it had been standing - he pauses and says a short prayer - thanking the good Lord for the beautiful animal. Devon loves pictures! He adjusts the buck so the backdrop shows the beautiful scarred creation and begins to capture the adventure and harvest.

Eventually Devon sends a quick message to me sharing the celebration of the successful hunt and then begins to break down the buck to be packed out. It's beginning to get dark, so Devon puts on his headlamp. He shares a few more celebration text messages with other friends and then eventually finishes the field butchering work. Devon packs the meat into his pack, straps the gun to the side of his pack and then straps the top lid over his trophy.

It's well after dark now. Devon likely looks at his OnX map to evaluate the best route back. From where he stands he might be able to see the moonlight reflecting off the chrome mirrors of his truck - it's only about 900 yards away. Devon sits down and slips each arm through the shoulder straps of his pack then stands up and secures the waist belt. The load is exceptionally heavy - 120, maybe 130lbs. He adjusts his headlamp and takes a deep breath and begins the journey back down off the hill.

Ultimately Devon experienced a tragic fall - the initial impact broke the stock off of his rifle at the hand grip and dislodged it from his pack. The rifle was found about 100-150 feet below the location where the deer carcass was located. Devon was found another 150-200 feet below his rifle and likely succumbed quickly from the fall.

The family is still awaiting the completion of cataloging many of the pack items Devon had with him. Authorities turned over the trophy buck, his broken rifle, and the ammunition that Devon carried in with him - 1 fired bullet and 5 unfired bullets. The new box of ammunition found in Devon's truck was missing exactly 6 bullets - the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 2am and the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 3am in the first couple hours of the official search were not Devon and are a mystery.

This was purely an unfortunate accident that was only preventable by choosing to not do the things we love to do. I choose the adventure and I know nothing could have stopped Devon from choosing that as well. I don't believe the outcome would have been any different had Devon been found early on. In fact, finding him earlier would have only limited the amazing and inspiring acts of the brotherhood who came together to help. RIP Devon.

 

[elkliver]

Well said Bpurtz

 

[Ucsdryder]

The last three weeks have been quite an emotional ride for me. Twenty-five days ago, I received the text message from Devon that read "BBD!". Last Sunday, Devon's family and friends watched the Clackamas County Sheriff Office SAR team repel down to my friend so we could bring him home. He was a mere 900 yards from where I found his truck. Finding Devon offers closure that will help the family and friends with healing. But sadly we are now dealing with a black cloud and the GoFundMe mission. I won't comment more than to say, I know the truth...

Devon has been found and the family is working through the process of dealing with his estate. If anybody felt inclined to help them please use this mission:

https://www.givesendgo.com/BringDevonHome?utm_source=sharelink&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=BringDevonHome

<>< <>< <><

Devon's sister shared this on her FB story:

Today has just been so hard, I’m tired, I don’t have a lot left to give and there’s so much I want to say, in time.

I do wish that inaccurate information would stop spreading around but social media will do what it does.

For now, I want to share this from Devon’s good friend and hunting buddy. It’s beautifully written and it means a lot to me because I really don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this last few weeks without Bryce.

Proverbs 12:27 The lazy do to roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.

The loss of Devon has been heartbreaking, but as Devon's neighbor shared with Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I witnessed so many amazing and inspiring people during the last few weeks and personally I can't begin to thank everyone enough. The organized SAR mission was incredible and nobody should criticize their effort, motivation, and determination. The rugged terrain and weather exponentially added to the difficulty of the search. Still SAR teams, fellow hunters, coworkers, friends, family, and complete strangers persevered. So thank you!

Perhaps some still have questions as to what happened. Devon went out that Thursday afternoon to check out a new hunting area that another friend had suggested. I'm guessing barely 15 minutes into his hike, Devon sees a deer skylined on the ridge to his right. He looks at the deer with his binoculars and realizes it's a fine buck. Devon checks his rangefinder, dials his scope for the distance, finds a good rest, and settles the crosshair on the bucks shoulder. He squeezes the trigger and the buck disappears from sight.

Devon may have been uncertain if he hit or missed the buck, but nevertheless, he began to assess the best way to cross the creek and begin the ascent. The hillside leading up to the ridge top is steep, but fairly easy for him during daylight hours to pick his way across the difficult terrain. It probably took Devon well over an hour - maybe two hours - to find a way across Fish Creek - either on a log jam or maybe by wading and to then make his way to the top to begin the search for the buck.

Eventually Devon is on top of the ridge overlooking the creek below and finds his buck right where it had been standing - he pauses and says a short prayer - thanking the good Lord for the beautiful animal. Devon loves pictures! He adjusts the buck so the backdrop shows the beautiful scarred creation and begins to capture the adventure and harvest.

Eventually Devon sends a quick message to me sharing the celebration of the successful hunt and then begins to break down the buck to be packed out. It's beginning to get dark, so Devon puts on his headlamp. He shares a few more celebration text messages with other friends and then eventually finishes the field butchering work. Devon packs the meat into his pack, straps the gun to the side of his pack and then straps the top lid over his trophy.

It's well after dark now. Devon likely looks at his OnX map to evaluate the best route back. From where he stands he might be able to see the moonlight reflecting off the chrome mirrors of his truck - it's only about 900 yards away. Devon sits down and slips each arm through the shoulder straps of his pack then stands up and secures the waist belt. The load is exceptionally heavy - 120, maybe 130lbs. He adjusts his headlamp and takes a deep breath and begins the journey back down off the hill.

Ultimately Devon experienced a tragic fall - the initial impact broke the stock off of his rifle at the hand grip and dislodged it from his pack. The rifle was found about 100-150 feet below the location where the deer carcass was located. Devon was found another 150-200 feet below his rifle and likely succumbed quickly from the fall.

The family is still awaiting the completion of cataloging many of the pack items Devon had with him. Authorities turned over the trophy buck, his broken rifle, and the ammunition that Devon carried in with him - 1 fired bullet and 5 unfired bullets. The new box of ammunition found in Devon's truck was missing exactly 6 bullets - the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 2am and the three "SOS" gunshots heard at 3am in the first couple hours of the official search were not Devon and are a mystery.

This was purely an unfortunate accident that was only preventable by choosing to not do the things we love to do. I choose the adventure and I know nothing could have stopped Devon from choosing that as well. I don't believe the outcome would have been any different had Devon been found early on. In fact, finding him earlier would have only limited the amazing and inspiring acts of the brotherhood who came together to help. RIP Devon.

Any chance you have a picture of him and his last buck? If so, I think it would be pretty cool to post.

 

[Tmac]

Any chance you have a picture of him and his last buck? If so, I think it would be pretty cool to post.

It’s a dandy, Blacktail I believe. Could be a bench leg if it has some muley in it, but I think Blacktail.

 

[IDVortex]

It’s a dandy, Blacktail I believe. Could be a bench leg if it has some muley in it, but I think Blacktail.

Dang that's nice.

 

[Tmac]

Dang that's nice.

It sure is. A local taxidermist posted that. A number of local taxidermists volunteered to mount it for free. She said another one took it, presumably to mount it for the family. Small consolation, but I imagine as the years go by it will become a loved family heirloom.

 

[bpurtz]

Any chance you have a picture of him and his last buck? If so, I think it would be pretty cool to post.

Not yet - Devon loved to take pictures and I am certain he would have taken some once he found the buck. (Btw, it's a dandy.)

Devon's phone was recovered but the screen is broken and we were not able to get past the security code. The phone is a company device and is required to be turned in tomorrow, but I've been in contact with coworkers who intend to do everything possible to recover field images.

I will post them up if we can recover them. As a side note, we've had several amazing offers from local taxidermists to mount the buck and have made arrangements to get replica antlers created so each sister can have a memory of Devon's last adventure.

I'm not sure if this link works, but this is a video of the buck head...

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