Missing hunters found cold, safe

Three missing Moscow, Idaho, hunters were found safe shortly after 8 p.m. Friday – after more than a day in subfreezing temperatures.

“They reported they are cold and tired, but they are coming home,” Latah County sheriff’s Detective Jennifer McFarland said.

Brothers Skyler and Calen Pierson, ages 16 and 13, and their cousin, 26-year-old Dustin Pierson, were taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia.

At least one of the three also may have suffered minor frostbite, McFarland said.

She said the young hunters were settling in for a second night of huddling together in a snow cave when they heard searchers on snowmobiles calling out for them.

Their trouble began Thursday when Skyler shot a deer that ran in circles before they were able to track it down and kill it. The hunters became disoriented from crossing and recrossing their circular tracks, McFarland said.

Unable to find their way, they scooped out a makeshift shelter in the snow and reinforced it as best they could with branches.

Although dressed warmly, they had left their food, water and Mylar survival blankets in their vehicle. They had matches, but McFarland said they were unable to start a fire.

They tried again Friday to get back to their pickup but still couldn’t find their way, McFarland said.

Searchers found the Toyota Tacoma about 3:30 p.m. Friday and eventually located the missing hunters by following their tracks from the truck.

McFarland said the young hunters estimated they walked 30 miles while trying to get back to their truck – enough to work up an appetite.

“Dusty said he wanted pizza,” McFarland said.

The group had been reported missing about 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

Kate Pierson told authorities her sons and their cousin left Moscow on Thursday morning and were expected home that evening.

Their pickup was found about seven miles off Highway 8, near Moose Creek Reservoir, about 36 miles east of Moscow.

McFarland said the searchers included skilled trackers. Although horses and snowmobiles were employed, aircraft couldn’t be used because of poor visibility.

In addition to snow and fog, the search also was hampered by steep, rocky and slippery terrain in the wooded area, McFarland said.

She didn’t know how many volunteers and emergency workers from various agencies participated in the search.

National Guard troops had been on standby, McFarland said.