Body of missing hiker found near St. Ignatius

A hiker was found dead near St. Ignatius Tuesday, one day after being reported missing.

Mike Wheeler went missing off Pistol Creek Road after he and another man went horn hunting and split with the intent to meet back at their vehicle, according to a social media post by Wheeler’s daughter-in-law Sarah McClure.

Lake County Search and Rescue President Jared Bell said that at 10:30 p.m. Monday, he and nine other Search and Rescue members started combing the area, along with Wheeler’s family members and friends.

Two Bear Air out of Whitefish was called in and flew overnight, he added.

At around 11 a.m. Tuesday, it was confirmed by Lake County Sheriff Don Bell that Wheeler’s body had been discovered.

“We had about 50 people searching” with horses, quads and snowmobiles, Bell said. “It was a massive search.”