HARNEY COUNTY, Oregon — UPDATE:
The Harney County Sheriff’s Office late Tuesday identified the deceased hunter as James Mucken, 40, of Salem, Oregon.
ORIGINAL POST:
Search and rescue officials in Harney County, Oregon have recovered the body of a hunter who died as a result of what they say was an accidental fall.
It happened Sunday morning near on the Little Blitzen River on Steen’s Mountain, about a two-hour drive southeast of Burns.
“He apparently slipped and fell on a rock face,” said Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward.
Officials from the Harney County, Grant County and Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue units helped in the recovery of the man’s body. Crews from the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service also assisted.
Friends and family members of the victim were at the scene when the accident occurred.
“Given the remote and treacherous terrain, it took a two-day effort Sunday and Monday to recover the body,” said Ward.
Officials expect the release the man’s name Tuesday.
The accident remains under investigation. “But there were no signs of foul play,” Ward said.
(photo courtesy: blm.gov)
