Another hunter missing
RCMP say man became separated from his hunting party Monday
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
For the second time in less than a month, a hunter from Behchoko has gone missing on the Barrenlands, about 150 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife.
RCMP stated in a news release Tuesday that a search for a 65-year-old man who became separated from his hunting party began late Monday afternoon on Murdock Lake, a short distance east of MacKay Lake on the Gahcho Kue winter road.
Police have not named the missing hunter but he has been identified on Facebook as Joe Black.
In its news release, the RCMP state the missing man was with a group of eight hunters near Portage 21 on the winter road when he headed out to hunt on his own. When he had not returned after several hours, a report of a missing hunter was relayed to RCMP, police stated.
"Community resources and private organizations are assisting Yellowknife RCMP with the immediate search of the area," the news release stated.
"Operators and safety officers of the ice road are engaged in the search. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre has deployed a Royal Canadian Air Force C-130 Hercules (aircraft) to assist with air support."
The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association has also been engaged, police report.
Weather is marginal with high winds and blowing snow contributing to challenging conditions," the news release stated.
"The missing hunter was last seen on a blue Polaris snowmobile, year and style unknown. There is no clothing description or photo available at this time."
It is not clear what the weather was like when Black went missing.
Anyone who has been in the area, either on the ground or in the air who many have observed unusual activity or observed a lone snowmobiler is asked to contact RCMP.
The body of another Behchoko hunter, Antoine Betsidea, 46, was found in the same general area on Feb. 1. He was reported missing on Jan. 29 after he too became separated from his hunting party while on a snowmobile.
Tom Girrior, director of training for Yellowknife Search and Rescue (YKSAR), said his organization has not yet been contacted by RCMP to help in this latest search. He said if a person goes missing on the Barrenlands, the first goal is for them to find shelter and the next survival step is to get a fire going. He said it can be difficult in the area due to a lack of trees and wood to burn. After Betsidea went missing, Girrior said he and his group were mobilizing for a ground search by snowmobile in the area near MacKay Lake when he was found deceased.
He said hunters heading out on the land, whenever possible, should use the technology available to them, such as GPS units, SPOT locating devices and/or satellite phones. He added these types of searches puts the searchers' safety at risk as well.
"People who are tasked with search and rescue would prefer to be a home ... than beating through the snow trying to find someone," Girrior said. "There are hazards and risks associated with being out on the land whether you are a searcher or a hunter. There would be nothing worse than having someone missing and then losing searchers who are out trying to assist."
