Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:
Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 18 at 7:25 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received radio contact from retired Forest Ranger Dell Jeffrey about a lost hunter in the Goodnow Flow. Forest Ranger Sabo responded to that location and located the 62-year-old hunter from Connecticut at 8:45 p.m. Ranger Sabo escorted the subject back out to the road by 9:30 p.m.
Town of Greig
Lewis County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 22 at 7:03 p.m., Lewis County 911 contacted DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch requesting assistance locating an overdue hunter in the Independence River Wild Forest. Forest Rangers Lee and Hanno responded to Partridgeville Road where they met up with two Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies at the scene. After interviewing members of the hunting party, the Rangers determined the 58-year-old hunter from LaFargeville was likely in a half-mile section of woods near the camp. To assist the hiker, one deputy operated a siren from a fixed location while the second deputy drove along a nearby section of highway with emergency lights activated. After approximately 30 minutes, the hunter walked out to the road and where they were met by responders. The subject explained he had hunted this area for nearly 15 years, but became disoriented after dark and didn’t have a map, compass, or source of light. Resources were clear at 8:14 p.m.
Town of Indian Lake
Hamilton County
Wilderness Rescue: On Oct. 23 at 1:50 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for Forest Ranger assistance with an 80-year-old man from Albany who became ill while hiking in the Tirrell Pond area. A group of Boy Scouts assisted the hiker to a lean-to. Three Forest Rangers responded with an ATV to assist. Once the Rangers were close enough to the hiker’s location, they helped him to the ATV and drove him out of the woods. At 5:10 p.m., the hiker refused further medical assistance.
Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hike Smart NY, Adirondack Backcountry Information and Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more information.
If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on state lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region.
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