DEC Contact: David Winchell | (518) 897-1248 November 19, 2015
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DEC ANNOUNCES SEARCH FOR MISSING HUNTER COULD EXTEND INTO THE WEEKENDExperienced Search Volunteers Sought for Weekend Efforts |
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The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is requesting assistance from experienced volunteers to locate a missing 82-year-old hunter in the Adirondacks, DEC Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. At 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, DEC Ray Brook Dispatch received reports that Thomas E. Messick, of Troy, NY, failed to meet his hunting party at a designated location and time near Lily Pond in the town of Horicon, Warren County. “DEC’s Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police, partner agencies and volunteers have searched extensively since Mr. Messick was reported missing,” Acting Commissioner Seggos said. “We appreciate all of the support we have received from everyone involved in this effort. If needed, we plan to expand search efforts this weekend.” Forest Rangers are requesting trained search volunteers, especially members of volunteer fire departments that have taken a basic wildlands search skills course, to report to the Horicon Fire Department early on Saturday to participate in a 7:00 a.m. briefing. Volunteers should be self-sufficient and be prepared to spend the entire daylight period in remote settings and inclement weather. The Horicon Fire Department is located at 6589 State Route 8, Brant Lake, NY, approximately 4 miles east of Exit 25 of the Northway (I-87). The initial search effort on Sunday of four Forest Rangers has grown to 145 individuals from 15 agencies and organizations. A helicopter from the State Police Aviation Unit participated in the search for three days while weather permitted it to fly. Steep terrain, wet lowlands, thick vegetation, cold temperatures, wind, snow and rain have made search efforts on the ground difficult. Crews have grid searched nearly 2,500 acres (4 square miles) and conducted more than 80 miles of linear search, in addition to an air search which covered many more thousands of acres. DEC wants to thank the following organizations and people for their participation in the search:
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