Missing hunters safe, sheriff lauds volunteers

Last Sunday evening the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office received a report that two hunters were missing in the Patterson area.
Family members reported that the two men had not returned as expected from a rabbit hunting trip. The men left that morning heading into the wooded area south of the railroad tracks in the vicinity of Jake Street, but lost track of their location during the day.
Deputies responded and began to coordinate the search and rescue operation. While doing so, several residents from the neighborhood nearby volunteered to help locate the missing hunters.
Deputies and volunteers searched on four-wheelers throughout the evening.
The men were located unharmed shortly after 1:30 a.m. Monday.
Sheriff Mark Hebert thanked those who volunteered their time and resources to assist in the late night search. He said the volunteers’ knowledge of the area was vital in locating the men and returning them home safely.