LOST HUNTER FOUND ON RUSSELL SAGE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
2/2/2005

Frank McHan, 63, of Monroe spent 10 hours lost in the woods near Monroe in Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area. McHan and a hunting partner had gone to the area to hunt raccoons on the night of January 17 when the two men separated to look for their hunting dog. McHan’s hunting partner reported him missing after searching for him. Enforcement agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were notified of the missing hunter at 3 a.m. They immediately responded and were joined by deputies from the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office and troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop F. At daybreak, a K-9 unit from the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office was brought in to join the search while an aerial search was being planned with a state police helicopter. Much of the 16,000-acre WMA was covered with backwater, and with temperatures dipping into the low 20s, it was imperative to locate the missing hunter.
LDWF Wildlife Division technicians and officers from the West Monroe Police Department also joined in the search. The morning brought good news as McHan and his dog walked out of the area at around 8 a.m., very cold but otherwise unharmed. McHan later told LDWF Agent Jason Mouliere who regularly patrols Russell Sage WMA that when he realized he was lost he stopped walking and sat down by a tree. Mouliere commented, "This situation could have ended in tragedy but Mr. McHan made good decisions in stopping, staying dry and waiting for daylight."

For more information, contact Lt. Col. Keith LaCaze at 225/765-2469 klacaze@wlf.louisiana.gov

 

Click Here To Return To The Previous Page