Prineville mushroom hunter rescued after rig stuck in mud

The rescue of a mushroom hunter whose truck got stuck in the mud near Walton Lake prompted Crook County sheriff’s deputies to offer a reminder Friday about making others aware of your plans and to bring basic supplies when heading off into the woods.

The sheriff’s office was contacted around 12:30 a.m. Friday by family members of Bruce Dunn, 58, of Prineville, Emergency Manager Michael Ryan said.

The family said Dunn was overdue from mushroom hunting and that they had been searching the Walton Lake area for him, Ryan said.

Because Dunn had prepared with proper clothing and water, Sheriff’s Search and Rescue operations were held and began about 8 a.m. north of Walton Lake.

Around 9 a.m., a SAR unit found Dunn walking on a spur road off Forest Service Road 22, Ryan said.

Dunn said he had been in the lunch Springs area when his truck got stuck in mud. He tried to get it unstuck, unsuccessfully, then walked through the night with his dog back in the direction of the 22 Road.

“He was found in good condition, though tired,” Ryan said. Dunn was reunited with family members, who took him home before returning to the area where the truck got stuck.

Ryan said the sheriff’s office wants to remind everyone to leave detailed plans with someone when venturing out in the wilderness, and to try to stick to the plan.

“It’s always a good idea to have some basic supplies like food, water and warm clothing in your vehicle, if you do become stuck or stranded,” Ryan added in a news release.

The sheriff’s office has small pamphlets with an “outing plan that can be filled out with important information and left with family members, Ryan said. The brochures, free at the sheriff’s office front counter, also have a recommended list of items to have on hand, as well as survival tips.