Town of Dickinson
Franklin County
Wilderness Search: On Nov. 8 at 7:50 p.m., Forest Rangers Booth, Bronson, Praczkajlo, and Russell responded to a report of an overdue hunter in the town of Dickinson. The reporting party found the 79-year-old’s vehicle near Mosier Hill, but could not find the subject. Rangers searched the hunter’s usual hunting location with negative results. At approximately 1:45 a.m., while conducting linear searches, Ranger Praczkajlo noticed something shiny in the woods. It was the hunter’s rifle.

Ranger Praczkajlo radioed the other Rangers and they started searching the area. Rangers found the subject approximately 50 yards from the rifle, scratched, bruised, and hypothermic after falling into a swamp.

Rangers removed the subject’s frozen clothes, put him in a hypo wrap, and started a fire. Rescuers then carried the subject out to an ambulance, which transported him to the hospital. St. Regis Falls Fire, New York State Police, and local camp owners assisted in the search. Resources were clear at 4:30 a.m.

Missing hunter’s rifle and backpack. DEC photo.

Towns of Brasher, Cairo, Denning, East Fishkill, Huron, Port Jervis, and Russia
Dutchess, Greene, Herkimer, Orange, St. Lawrence, Ulster, and Wayne Counties
Wildland Fires: In addition to the Turkey Ridge State Forest fire, from Nov. 8 to 13, Forest Rangers responded to wildland fires in seven different counties. These fires were caused by a combination of debris burning, smoking, and other issues. All of the fires, which burned approximately 119 acres, are currently out, contained, or in patrol status. Dry weather and windy conditions lead to fires that spread more quickly.

Burning tree at 22-acre wildland fire in Brasher. DEC photo.

Remnants of shed at fire in Denning. DEC photo.

Sixty-five-acre wildland fire in Huron. DEC photo.

Town of Fort Ann
Washington County
Wilderness Rescue: On Nov. 12 at 3:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Donegan and Poulton responded to Buck Mountain for a hiker with a reported broken wrist. The 60-year-old from Alplaus had slipped on rocks on the trail and injured her wrist, but was able to continue walking with assistance from other hikers. Rangers met the hiker on the trail, evaluated the injury, and splinted her wrist. The hiker’s husband met her at the trailhead and took her to the hospital.

Ranger Donegan splints wrist on Buck Mountain. DEC photo.

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.