Missing Hunter Found Safe After Other Hunters Hear His Voice in the Darkness

Fremont County, Idaho, USA — September 28, 2026

A hunter who became separated from his hunting partner in an Idaho forest was found safe late Sunday night after another group of hunters reported hearing a faint voice nearby.

Search Begins After Hunter Goes Missing

Fremont County Search and Rescue was called to the Warm River Butte area at around 8:30 p.m. Sunday after the man became separated from his hunting partner.

Rescuers quickly began searching the area, but there was an important challenge: the missing hunter did not have a cellphone that could be located through GPS or a phone signal.

Two ground teams were sent to search areas west of Warm River Butte, while Air Idaho Rescue conducted an aerial search of the surrounding terrain.

A Faint Voice Provides a Breakthrough

About two hours after the search began, another group of hunters arrived at the search command post with unexpected information.

While calling elk near Fish Creek Road, approximately three miles west of the main search area, they believed they had heard a faint voice calling from a distance.

Search crews immediately investigated the area identified by the hunters.

Hunter Found Safe in the Dark

The rescuers located the missing hunter at around 11:30 p.m. He was in good condition and did not require medical treatment.

The man told rescuers that once darkness arrived, he decided it would be safer to stop moving rather than continue through unfamiliar terrain.

He built a fire to stay warm and make himself easier for search crews to see while waiting for help.

Other Hunters’ Observation Helps End Search

The hunters who reported hearing the voice provided a crucial clue that helped rescuers narrow down the search area.

Fremont County Search and Rescue thanked the hunters for taking the time to report what they had heard, as well as Air Idaho and the other personnel who participated in the operation.

The incident ended safely after several hours of searching through the forest at night, with the missing hunter reunited with rescuers without serious injury.

Sources

• East Idaho News — Missing hunter found safe thanks to tip from observant bystanders — September 28, 2026.
• Local News 8 — Missing hunter found safely after overnight search in Fremont County — September 28, 2026.