Eighty-three-year-old Hunter Rescued After Getting Lost Tracking Wounded Bear

An 83-year-ol hunter from New Jersey was rescued from the woods of Ulster County. The story is this individual had been tracking an injured bear when he got lost and needed assistance.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in Ulster County, hunters may use bow, crossbow, handgun, shotgun, or rifle as legal implements during bear season. The early bow hunting season in Ulster County is from October 1st through November 20th.

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When I lived in Connecticut it was not uncommon to see black bear around town. They don't have nearly as much room to roam in such a small and heavily populated area so we would see them cross the street or hangout in the backyard if we had a bird feeder.

Hunting black bear must be a whole different experience. According to a press release, this 83-year-old wounded the bear one day, and returned the next day to find him.

a close up of a bear in a field of plants

Just before 7pm, on Tuesday October 13th, in the town of Wawarsing, NY, New York State Police (NYSP) requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a missing hunter along Irish Cape Road.

The 83-year-old from New Jersey was tracking an injured bear from the previous day’s hunt and got lost. Ranger Franceschina made phone contact with the hunter and told them to call 911 so Rangers could obtain the phone coordinates. At 8:25 p.m., NYSP and Ranger Horn located the hunter in good health and escorted them out of the woods.