Post Falls hunter has been missing since Monday

Kootenai County authorities said Wednesday they would search into the evening for a hunter missing in the woods since Monday afternoon.

Edward A. Hempel, 63, of Post Falls, was last seen near Bernard Peak, a densely wooded, mountainous area in the northeast corner of the county. He and his hunting partner split up about 1 p.m. and planned to meet again several hours later, but Hempel didn’t show up.

As of 4 p.m., about 40 searchers were still looking for Hempel in thickly wooded, steep terrain, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office said. The search has also included Spokane County’s Air 1 helicopter, the U.S. Air Force’s 36th Rescue Squadron from Fairchild Air Force Base and U.S. Border Patrol air assets. Search and Rescue members from Spokane, Bonner and Missoula counties also have helped.

Hempel is described as white, six feet tall, about 200 pounds, with blond hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing camouflage hunting gear and a camouflage backpack with an orange cover.

Anyone who may have seen Hempel in the area is asked to call the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office at (208) 446-1300.