Sheriff's office suspends search for missing hunter

Search operations continue for missing hunter in Oregon

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office has continued the search for missing hunter Devon Dobek, in the Mount Hood National Forest. Dobek has been missing since Oct. 31. 

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore.- The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office suspended the active search for a missing hunter on Friday after a week of large-scale search and rescue efforts.

The experienced hunter went missing in Mount Hood National Forest on Oct 31. 

The Sheriff’s Office received a report that 51-year-old Devon Dobek failed to return home from his hunting trip after messaging a friend earlier that day that he was on his way back with a deer he had captured.

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Dobek, who is from Hubbard, Oregon, has been described by friends as a well-equipped hunter who would have had appropriate gear. 

He was hunting 20 miles southeast of Estacada, Oregon when he went missing.  

Devon Dobek, an experienced hiker, has been missing in the Mount Hood National Forest since Oct. 31. 

(The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office)

Law enforcement was able to locate Dobek’s truck near the Fish Creek trailhead, but there was no sign of the missing hunter, per the department’s press release. 

The sheriff’s department then began mobilizing overnight multi-agency Search and Rescue teams who utilized Dobek’s cell phone and GPS tracking system to attempt to locate him. 

"Gunshots, presumed to be from the missing hunter, were heard at various times...but searchers were unable to pinpoint the exact location," the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office said.  

By Sunday, more than 100 searchers were on the ground looking for Dobek, as well as ATVs, K9s and drone teams.

"Search efforts are focused in steep and difficult terrain that was burned in the 2020 wildfires," the sheriff’s department said. "The area is full of fallen trees, making navigation extremely challenging."

Despite adding additional resources, the teams were unable to locate the missing hunter. 

Throughout the week, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office continued their search, utilizing helicopters, airplanes and thermal imaging drones to fly over the difficult to reach terrain. They also advanced analysis of Dobek’s cell phone data to help guide ground crews to more specific areas. 

However, by midweek both search avenues were unsuccessful due to adverse weather conditions. 

Drone video of the search and rescue efforts for missing hunter

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office continues to look for Devon Dobek in Mount Hood National Forest. The Sheriff's Office has used drone teams to fly over difficult to reach terrain using thermal imaging cameras. 

"Ground crews reported unfavorable weather conditions creating safety concerns in some search areas due to high winds and falling trees and limbs," the department said. 

The Mount Hood area has experienced rain and heavy wind this week, making looking for the missing hiker difficult. 

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As of Friday, Dobek had still not been found, despite the sheriff's office using advanced technology and volunteers and personnel contributing more than 4000 hours searching the Mount Hood National Forest area.  

"Our thoughts remain with Devon’s family and loved ones during this difficult time," the sheriff's office said. 

This still remains an active missing person investigation and the Sheriff's department continues to seek information. 

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip line at 503-723-4949 or submit a tip online via the "Submit A Tip" form on their website or through the ClackCo Sheriff mobile app.