Sheriff Asks for Volunteers in Search for Missing Wyoming Hunter
The Sheriff of Sweetwater County is asking for volunteers to assist in a search for a missing Rock Springs man who went hunting last week and has not returned.
Sheriff Mike Lowell said in a statement that the search for 74-year-old Terry Meador will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Pine Mountain Area. Thus far, searches using ground units, fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters have been unsuccessful.
Meador was reported missing on Oct. 25. Authorities believe that he went hunting alone. His unoccupied pickup truck was found badly stuck just north of Pine Mountain.
Anyone interested in volunteering for the search is asked to contact the Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office at 307-222-5316, 307-872-3866 or 307-922-5305.
"We are asking that people call in to the numbers we've provided rather than texting or messaging," Lowell said. "It's important that we have an accurate tally of searchers, their contact informatoin, and personally-owned search resources they have available, such as ATVs or horses."
Lowell said that volunteers will need to be prepared for cold weather and dress appropriately.
Searchers will meet at 7 a.m. Saturday at the sheriff's office on U.S. Highway 191 South, south of exit 99 on Interstate 80, for a briefing.
Deer and antelope seasons in the search area will be closed by Saturday, but late-season elk hunters will be around, so volunteers are encouraged to wear orange as a safety precaution.
“University of Utah Air Med has, once again, offered to make a helicopter available, and we have also been in touch with Tip Top Search & Rescue in Pinedale, which has indicated a willingness to send a team down on Saturday,” Lowell said.
People are asked to refrain from flying their drones in the general Pine Mountain, Potter Mountain and Brown's Park region on Thursday, as a helicopter from the University of Wyoming will be in the area.
A helicopter will also likely be involved in Saturday's search, so Lowell asks people to avoid flying their drones in the area that day as well.
Anyone who may have information regarding Meador's whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff's office.