Veteran Hunter Missing Second Hunter Found Ok; He Had Shot Elk, Stayed Overnight

A team of 40 rescuers combed the mountains near Clark Fork on Monday looking for a lost hunter.

Ray Anderson, 42, of Clark Fork, left early Sunday and was supposed to be back by noon.

When he didn’t come home by nightfall, relatives called Bonner County authorities.

“The guy is a skilled hunter and outdoorsman that knows every inch of that area,” said Sheriff Chip Roos. “He just disappeared. It’s pretty creepy.”

Crews spent the entire day searching Antelope Mountain for Anderson without success. His truck was found in the area with a red jacket left inside.

Authorities said he was dressed in camouflage and gray clothing and would not be easy to spot if he was injured somewhere.

“It’s not a huge area to search, but there are a lot of old mine shafts and slick ledges because it’s been wet,” Roos said. “It’s also possible he’s had a medical problem and he can’t call out for help.”

With temperatures dipping at night, authorities also worried about Anderson suffering from hypothermia.

“Tomorrow we are going to hit the area with all the manpower we can muster and sweep the mountain,” Roos said.

Crews called off the search at dusk Monday. U.S. Forest Service workers are helping with the effort along with Bonner and Kootenai county rescue teams.

Clark Fork residents pitched in to feed the searchers and Anderson’s fellow employees from GTE also showed up to help.

A second Bonner County hunter, also reported missing in the area, was found Monday.

Pete Taylor, 19, was hunting elk and didn’t come home Sunday night. Roos said Taylor, who is a member of the search and rescue team, shot an elk and stayed with the animal overnight. Rescuers found him as he was packing up his kill to hike out.

, DataTimes