Town of Arietta
Hamilton County
Wilderness Search: On Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Kerr, Nally, Scott, and Thompson responded to a call for a missing hunter at the Otter Lake campsite. The 68-year-old from Bellmore was last seen at 11 a.m. and was expected back by 1 p.m. The subject did not have any navigation tools, lights, or proper clothing for the weather.

Rangers and a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy searched through the night with no success. The following morning, 11 Rangers and five Sheriff’s Deputies searched trails, streams, and drainages.

At 9 a.m., Ranger Scott located the subject approximately three miles southwest of Spruce Lake. Search crews brought the subject to his awaiting family and friends. He was evaluated by EMS and released and resources were clear at 10:15 a.m.

Rangers and Deputies find missing hunter in Arietta. DEC photo.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 21 at 3:52 p.m., Forest Ranger Evans was notified by a hiker about an injured hiker walking slowly down from Algonquin Peak. The hiker was not wearing any traction devices and fell approximately 15 feet on the ice. Ranger Evans hiked up to the 63-year-old from West Falls, performed first aid, and walked the subject back to his campsite. A reminder that in fall and winter, micro spikes or other traction devices are strongly recommended when hiking above 3,000 feet.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information, and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.

If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.