Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Sep 02/02) - The search for a missing hunter ended successfully Wednesday evening, Aug. 28, when 74-year-old Matthew Nakashook was rescued by an Adlair Aviation pilot.

A search and rescue mission was launched last Tuesday when the elder didn't make it back on time from a hunting trip.

Although Nakashook was described by RCMP Sgt. Gary Peck as "very experienced on the land," his family began to worry. His son-in-law, Fred Pederson, decided to head out and look for the man.

Three teams made up of RCMP officers and members of the local emergency measures organization mounted a ground and air search for Nakashook, with the help of Adlair Aviation pilots in small-engine planes.

He was believed to be hunting somewhere behind Ferguson Lake. "That's where all the caribou is," said Peck.

Rescue teams knew Nakashook was in good health and would know exactly what to do if he ran into any trouble.

"He is well aware of where he is on the land. He is an experienced hunter," said Peck.

The search for Nakashook continued on Wednesday and pilot Willy Laserich finally spotted him fishing at Ferguson Lake, about 90 kilometres northwest of Cambridge Bay.

"He was unable to return as he had some mechanical problems with his all-terrain vehicle," said Peck. According to the RCMP, Nakashook did exactly what he should have done by staying in one place while search and rescue teams combed the area.

"That's what people are taught to do, so it worked out well. It's better than walking," he said.