Inuvik (Jan 28/05) - Air and land searches are being conducted in the Mackenzie Delta region for a man last seen five days ago.

Gordon Moore, who turned 61 yesterday, was last seen at a cabin 94 kilometres east of Inuvik around 1 p.m. Saturday.

It is thought he decided to walk the distance to Inuvik. "All the indications are he just wanted to come home," said Cpl. Merle Carpenter of Inuvik RCMP. There was no altercation or incident to cause the man to leave the cabin.

A helicopter and two snowmobiles were dispatched to search for Moore every day this week.

An extra crew of four land searchers on snowmobile was added Wednesday. "We found tracks yesterday walking towards Inuvik," said Carpenter. "He is still moving."

Police do not fear Moore has encountered any trouble in his walk so far, but would like to return the man home.

"He's a bushman, he knows what he's doing," said Carpenter, who explained the search was not unusual for the Mackenzie Delta region.

Moore had both snowshoes and a 22-calibre rifle. The well-known Inuvik figure is no stranger to the cold, either. Fifteen years ago he lost his toes to frostbite, Carpenter said.

RCMP continued to search Wednesday and will go out today, Thursday, Carpenter said. But if Moore is not found by Thursday evening, police will ask the community to get involved.

Any residents who have already begun to search are asked to notify the RCMP of the area checked.