A Wyoming hunter from Encampment, who went missing Wednesday night while hunting elk in Medicine Bow National Forest, was found safe and alive Thursday afternoon, to the relief and joy of his family, Cowboy State Daily reports.
James Johnson, the missing hunter, was reported overdue Wednesday night after he did not return from his outing in the forest. The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, led by Sheriff Alex Bakken, quickly mobilized a search-and-rescue operation with support from the local volunteer search-and-rescue team. Search teams, including Johnson’s son, combed the rugged terrain south of Encampment and deployed a helicopter around midday to aid in the search.
Johnson’s father, Jim Johnson, expressed his relief and gratitude after his son was found safe at around 3:45 p.m. Thursday. Jim had spent the day anxiously awaiting updates at his home with family, including his daughter-in-law and granddaughter.
“Life is good right now,” he said.
The father also noted that his son seemed unharmed, though hungry, and did not need emergency medical care.
The search took place under challenging weather conditions, with overnight temperatures dropping to 27 degrees Fahrenheit and light precipitation reported in the area. Despite the cold, Johnson was in good spirits when found, with his family joking that he may now need “adult supervision” for future hunting trips.
The search and rescue efforts were widely praised, with Jim Johnson expressing his faith in the team, which he described as “one of the best.”
