UPDATE: Two turkey hunters who went missing in the Central Black Hills on Sunday have been found after an extensive search.
74 year old Gary Wipf, and 83 year old Clifford Wipf are reportedly in good condition.
The men were found inside their pick-up truck in the Flag Mountain Area, approximately four miles North of Deerfield Lake.
Patty Garland with the Pennington County Sherriff’s office says the pair did the right thing by staying inside their vehicle – rather than trying to walk out through deep snow for help.
“I can’t imagine being out there in those conditions for the amount of time that they were. Given their age everybody was hoping that’s exactly what they would have done was stay put,” says Garland.
Garland says the pair of hunters are getting a check-up with medical personnel before being released to their families.
--- Earlier Story:
Authorities in the Black Hills have begun a search for two hunters who went missing near Deerfield Lake.
74 year old Gary Wipf and 83 year old Clifford Wipf were last seen on Sunday afternoon as they drove down a back road go turkey hunting.
Patty Garland with the Pennington County Sheriff’s office says law enforcement are asking for public help in locating the missing pair.
“Gary is 5’6” 190 lbs, he’s bald with blue eyes. Cliiford is 5’8” 160 lbs, also bald with blue eyes. They were were last on Forest Service Rd 117 5D. Their vehicle is a red 2004 Toyota SR5 shortbed pickup truck with topper, SD license plate 2NP 924. Anybody with information can call the Pennington County Sherriff’s Office," says Garland
Garland says the public can call 605-394-2151 with any information on their whereabouts.
She says search has been hampered by difficult weather conditions. Like many areas of the Black Hills Deerfield saw a wet and cold weekend with windy conditions and significant accumulation of new snow.
Many roads are only accessible by snowmobile.
Search and Rescue teams from two counties are coordinating their efforts with the local Emergency Operations Center.