Dear Editor:
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, I strayed northeast of my intended elk hunt drive instead of northwest as discussed in camp. My estimated time of arrival with my other hunters should have been 11:30 a.m. Instead, I continued to walk and hunt into the middle of the afternoon. A couple of the hills I walked down were treacherous enough that I was glad that I did not break a leg. It wasn’t until 4 p.m. that I realized I could not make it back to camp, so I headed further downhill in hopes of finding a 2-track used by trucks. I finally made it to the Elk River Resort only to find it closing down for the winter just before I arrived. Later at 10 p.m., after 12 1/2 hours of continuous walking, I arrived at Juan’s home. I told him and his family that I was 76 years old and could not walk another mile. Juan works at the Resort and graciously gave me a ride into Meeker to my motel room. Having sent two text messages and one phone message to my other hunters, I felt that one of those had gotten through.
The next morning, I checked in at the Sheriff’s Office because I had sent three SOS messages from my smart phone. Rhawnie, in Dispatch (& Rescue) was so happy to see that I made it back to town. I was reported missing by my hunting buddies at 8 p.m. the night before. A helicopter crew, led by Bud Ridings, had been searching for me the night before and was organizing a search party. The Sheriff and a deputy were already searching the mountains with one of their new trucks which I understand performed beautifully.
I would like the people of Meeker to know that their Sheriff’s Office, Search and Rescue Team, and Dispatch Center have top notch people who have pride in their work and perform their jobs in an outstanding manner. Not once was I chastised for getting lost. Everyone was genuinely concerned about my well-being. I gladly sat down to have lunch with about six members of the departments. Thank you to the Meeker Sheriff’s Office and to Meeker residents from the bottom of my heart.
Tom Coughlin
Michigan Hunter with over 30 years of hunting near Meeker
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