More than 50 search and rescue personnel and 80 community volunteers joined a multi-agency search for the 60-year-old man, who was reunited with family Wednesday.
AT A GLANCE
Incident: Missing hunter found safe after three days
Location: Remote wilderness near Prospect, Oregon
Missing Since: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Located: Wednesday, November 11, at 10:26 a.m.
Individual: 60-year-old male hunter
Search Effort: More than 50 SAR personnel and approximately 80 community volunteers
Resources: Ground teams, K-9 units, airplanes, and helicopter
Outcome: Found by fellow hunters near County Line Road; reunited with family in good condition
Lead Agency: Jackson County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue
PROSPECT, Ore. — A 60-year-old hunter who spent more than three days missing in the remote wilderness near Prospect was found safe Wednesday morning, November 11, following an extensive search involving law enforcement, search and rescue teams, aircraft, and community volunteers.
The man had been missing since Sunday, November 8, and spent more than 72 hours outdoors in cold temperatures, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. Despite the prolonged exposure, authorities said he was in good condition when he was located.
The hunter made his way out of the wilderness and was found by fellow hunters at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday along the 900 Road near County Line Road outside Prospect.
He was then transported to a nearby Jackson County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue checkpoint, where he was reunited with family and friends.
Before the hunter was found, a large-scale search operation had been underway across the remote, forested terrain.
Search crews used ground teams, K-9 units, multiple airplanes, and a helicopter in an effort to locate the missing man. As the operation progressed, sheriff's deputies and search and rescue personnel expanded the search area and requested additional resources through the California Oregon Regional Search and Rescue (CORSAR) task force.
More than 50 search and rescue personnel and approximately 80 community volunteers participated in the effort.
The operation brought together search and rescue teams from several counties across Southern Oregon and Northern California, including Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Del Norte, and Siskiyou counties.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office expressed appreciation to the participating agencies and volunteers who contributed their time and resources to the search.
Although the hunter ultimately walked out of the wilderness and was located by other hunters, the extensive response highlighted the coordination required for searches in the region's remote backcountry.
Following the incident, Jackson County Search and Rescue reminded residents and visitors of the importance of preparing for unexpected situations before heading into the wilderness.
Search and rescue officials recommend telling someone where you plan to travel and when you expect to return, carrying extra food, water, warm clothing, and navigation equipment, and remaining in a safe location if you become lost.
Anyone who becomes lost should contact 911 if cellular service is available, provide location information when possible, and conserve their phone battery. Bright clothing, whistles, flashlights, and other signaling devices can also help rescuers locate someone in difficult terrain.
Authorities emphasize that remaining in one location, staying warm and dry, and avoiding unnecessary movement can improve the chances of a successful rescue.
The Sheriff's Office did not release the hunter's identity or additional details about how he became lost.
Residents interested in volunteering with Jackson County Search and Rescue can find information through the Sheriff's Office website.
Keep Reading
A major shift in the weather pattern begins Friday as successive Pacific storms move into Southern Oregon and Northern California. Heavy coastal rainfall, dangerous surf, gusty winds and increasing mountain snow chances are expected, with unsettled conditions continuing into next week.