Crook County searchers find overdue hunter

Called out on a turkey hunter who hadn’t returned from a trip in the Ochoco Mountains, Crook County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue crews found the Prineville man early Sunday, learning his vehicle had gotten stuck in the mud, deputies said.

The sheriff’s office was contacted just after 11 p.m. Saturday by family members of Coby Hanes, 44, who had gone turkey hunting in the Ochocos by himself earlier in the day and had not returned, said Sgt. James Savage.

Hanes was reported to have planned to return to Prineville shortly after dark. Savage said several family members tried to reach him by phone but were unsuccessful.

Family members were leaving late Saturday night to search for him and called the sheriff’s office for assistance before they left, Savage said.

SAR members responded to the area around Big Summit Prairie and patrolled the roads, looking for Hanes. But Savage said the possible search area was a very broad area, with limited cellphone service.

Shortly before 2 a.m., Search and Rescue members found Hanes on Forest Service Road 22 near Allen Creek Reservoir, where his vehicle had become stuck in the mud.

Hanes was in good health, Savage said, and was taken back to Prineville, where he was reunited with his family.