‘Experienced’ Hunter, 51, Missing for 5 Days in National Forest as Authorities Search Through ‘Steep and Difficult Terrain’

A hunter has been missing for four days after going on a hunting trip in the Mount Hood National Forest, southeast of Estacada, Oregon.

On Monday, Nov. 3, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a Facebook post that they were continuing their search for Devon Dobek, 51, of Hubbard, Ohio, who had been missing since Friday.

Dobek was reported missing after he failed to return home from his hunting trip. 

“Monday marks the fourth day of search and rescue operations,” officials wrote in the press release. 

“Efforts included approximately 50 searchers from across the region,” they added. “In addition to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, support came from Mountain Wave Emergency Communications, Portland Mountain Rescue, Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, the 304th Rescue Squadron (PJs), Hood River Crag Rats, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Forest Service.”

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“Despite the return of rainy conditions, an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter was able to assist in the search, along with continued drone operations equipped with thermal imaging capabilities,” authorities continued.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office went on to add that they were focusing their search in “steep and difficult terrain that was burned in the 2020 wildfires.”

“The area is full of fallen trees, making navigation extremely challenging. Crews plan to continue searching into the night hours,” they wrote.

Officials also shared footage of their search operation in the Mount Hood National Forest as they moved through trees and branches.

The department’s recent update comes after over 100 searchers were on ground to look for Dobek on Sunday.

Officials revealed at the time that improved weather conditions enabled additional drones to be used in the search.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, over 20 searchers were using ATVs, drones, and K9s to look for him.

On Friday, Dobek messaged a friend that he was going to return early from his hunting trip after catching a deer.

However, deputies received a missing person report for the hunter at around 6:20 p.m.

While authorities were able to find Dobek’s “truck near the Fish Creek Trailhead, off SE Hwy 224 and 54 Rd.,” they could not find him nor the deer he had caught.

Authorities said Dobek’s friends described him “as an experienced hunter equipped with appropriate gear.”

“At approximately 10:30 p.m., Clackamas County Search and Rescue coordinators and volunteers began searching the area and continued through the night,” police wrote at the time. “Gunshots, presumed to be from the missing hunter, were heard at various times overnight, but searchers were unable to pinpoint the exact location.”