Local hunter goes missing in the backcountry
Kootenai County, Idaho – Local hunter goes missing in the backcountry – Kootenai County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search and Rescue still searching.
A Post Falls man is currently listed as missing in the Bernard Peak area which is in the thickly treed, mountainous region in the northeast corner of Kootenai County.
According to the missing man’s hunting partner, he and Edward A. Hempel, 63 years old of Post Falls, Idaho were in the Bernard Peak area on October 10th at about 1:00 PM when they split up and were supposed to meet back up between 3:00 – 4:00 PM.
When Hempel didn’t show up, family and friends began to search for him with no luck. They contacted the Sheriff’s Office at about 11:00 AM today and reported him as missing.
Sheriff’s backcountry deputies assembled about thirty Volunteer Search & Rescue members and began an intensive search utilizing ATV’s, UTV’s search dogs and man trackers. Additionally, Spokane County Sheriff’s Air 1 helicopter was requested and assisted in the search.
As of 10:00 PM, searchers have been unsuccessful in locating Mr. Hempel and are scaling back on the number of searchers overnight. Searchers will be back in the area at 6:00 AM. If anyone was in the area and saw Mr. Hempel, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Hempel is described as a white male, six-foot tall, approximately 200 pounds with blonde hair and green eyes. He was last seen wearing all camouflage hunting clothing and a camouflaged backpack with an orange cover.