New clues in search for hunter

Search teams in Beaverhead County were hopeful they might locate a missing Kalispell man on Wednesday, after evidence of a lean-to and campsite were found outside of Wisdom where authorities believe the man was hunting.

Robert Carter, 53, was reported missing Saturday afternoon after he failed to return home from a bow hunting trip. Carter last contacted his wife Barbara on Wednesday.

“We are hoping today will be the day we find him,” Beaverhead County Undersheriff David Chase said.

The search for the Whitefish High School high jump coach and skilled outdoorsman grew to 65 people, with canine and air support, on Wednesday, Chase said.

Chase said the group had narrowed the search within the 40-square-mile area that was originally checked Sunday and Monday via air infrared technology provided by Two Bear Air of Kalispell and other avian search teams. The infrared search was unsuccessful, but teams on the ground found footprints and evidence of a shelter that was made, and were able to concentrate on a grid pattern in that area. No other hunters have claimed the camp site, but authorities still are not positive that it belonged to Carter. Chase said 15 square miles of the originally identified area have been searched.

Steep terrain and heavily downed timber hindered the search. While daytime temperatures were nice, Chase said nighttime temperatures hovered around or just below the freezing mark. Because bow hunters are not required to wear hunter orange that is required of rifle hunters, searchers have had to be extra diligent during their hunt for Carter.

“A lot of this area has deadfall that is so heavy, that if an individual wearing camouflage was 15 feet in front of you, then you might not see them,” Chase said.

Chase said the wide search area serves as a reminder that people entering the woods alone should leave a note with someone or on their vehicle indicating where they intend to go.

“If you are hunting by yourself, leave a message or get a spot unit GPS,” Chase said.

Beaverhead authorities were able to quickly find another man who went missing while hunting near Mystic Lake last week because the man was traveling with other hunters who knew the general direction the hunter had gone.

In Carter’s case, authorities only have the location of Carter’s truck and information from other hunters as clues for what direction Carter was headed.

“We have every direction from that vehicle to go,” Chase said.

Many untrained searchers who were friends or family members of Carter’s have volunteered in the effort to find him. They were being paired with trained personnel so efforts were not duplicated, Chase said.

Carter remained missing as of Wednesday afternoon.

Reporter Megan Strickland may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.